Here in Shetland, we are excited to have diggers back on the ground in Yell, with peatland restoration work continuing on Lumbister at RSPB Yell reserve this year,
Local contractors are now restoring the next section of the restoration plan. As has been the case in the previous years of works- employing local, skilled contractors- with their understanding of Shetland habitats has been essential, as well as continuing to support the local economy.
Through Bobby Tulloch who was a Yell man and worked for RSPB, we acquired Lumbister in 1981. Lumbister is occupied by a local tenant farmer who grazes the site with Shetland sheep- the relative low density of which, in relation to the size of the site benefits the habitat structure by keeping heather height down through their light grazing.
Grazing is essential to the success of this plan. In other peatlands overgrazing can be a contributory factor to the degradation of important habitats. But here we are showing how the right level of grazing, using a native breed, can be part of improving peatland. It’s important that nature restoration works for local land managers as well as wildlife and the climate.
The restoration works, which will include techniques such as ditch blocking with peat dams and hag and gully reprofiling, will produce multiple benefits for the site: by covering over exposed peat to prevent the release of carbon into the atmosphere, to re-wet the site in areas where blanket bog would have been present previously, and finally to increase the biodiversity of these areas by encouraging the spread of key bog plant species such as sphagnums and cotton grass. All of which benefit the availability of food sources for important upland breeding birds such as Dunlin and Golden Plover.
Without these interventions the heather and moss present on the site can become dry and brittle, making it more susceptible to erosion and at odds with the vegetations preference of being in damp and wet conditions.
A newly restored hag. Exposed peat now covered.
Work commenced on Lumbister in 2021, with funding from NatureScot’s and Scottish Government’s Peatland ACTION on facilitating the restoration of c 100 hectares of degraded peatland.
This was followed by further work in 2023 and work currently being delivered this winter/spring which will see the expected completion of at least 61.5 hectares of restoration works. In addition to Peatland ACTION funding, this year’s work is also supported by Omaze which has provided a crucial input of funds to help deliver the work.
As previously publicised, further funding was provided through a partnership with the Co-op to protect some of nature’s carbon ‘stores’ through ambitious restoration - this supported staffing costs and will be vital for ongoing monitoring and maintenance of restored peatlands at Lumbister.
The RSPB Lumbister site totals an area of 1587 hectares with further important peatland habitat managed to the direct north of the site at Wast Neaps. Work will continue in future years across the site and will be constantly monitored to assess the impacts on key bird species and their habitats.Over half of Shetland’s land mass is covered in important peatland habit, which is created through the accumulation of plant matter that has partially decayed due to low oxygen and nutrient levels and with a water source fed only by rain - which we have plenty of here!
Sadly around 70% of this habitat is highly degraded, this is why we have been working on delivering a restoration plan for our Lumbister site on Yell.
Lumbister has spectacular views, but its blanket bog also provides many important ecological roles. Numerous diverse species call this place home and range from the carnivorous round-leaved sundew to the striking red throated diver. During the summer months we have a plethora of bird species that use Lumbister to breed. Waders such as dunlin and snipe enjoy the wet ground as it provides them with plenty of feeding opportunities and Bonxies (Great Skuas) swoop across the bog and bomb would be predators. Sphagnum moss is the main star of the show though, as it is one of the main builders of peat and making sure this damp loving species is thriving is key to a healthy blanket bog.
Peat is also an effective carbon store that aids in combating climate change. Once peat is exposed to the air it becomes susceptible to erosion by both water and wind, when this occurs trapped carbon is released into the air. A healthy peatland also allows for a better filtration of rainwater, which in turn lowers the cost of water treatment for local facilities.
Historically installed drainage ditches have dried out the peat in areas and caused erosion to occur, our aim is to reverse this damage and restart the processes that forms peat. So far, at the southern end of the site, we have already successfully restored a section of land, with a second phase already in the process of being restored.
To get to this stage however, our team has been working tirelessly to map out Lumbister’s degraded features which can be found across the site. These include actively eroding hags and gullies, areas that require damming to slow the flow of water and areas of flat bare peat.
Newly installed peat dam.
Measuring peat depth is another way we survey the land, which in turn dictates what materials we can use for restoration and helps us target areas where peat is shallow. Contractors are then brought onto site and using the information gathered start the restoration process, this is done during the winter months to avoid disturbing breeding birds.
Another benefit of blocking man-made ditches is for animal welfare. By making hidden, narrow drainage ditches more visible and encouraging the spread of sphagnums within them, the habitat is safer for grazing sheep and for wader chicks too.
Our peatlands are special places, full of history, stunning scenery and truly unique biodiversity, with benefits for people and wildlife. We look forward to continuing to enhance the site in the future, for future generations to enjoy!
By Kevin Kelly and Jake Phillips