Craigellachie National Nature Reserve

Craigellachie National Nature Reserve lies to the west of the village of Aviemore in Strathspey, in the central Highlands of Scotland. The reserve covers 257 hectares, dominated by birch woodland, yet encompassing a variety of other habitats, such as rocky crags, lochans and open heath. It was declared a National Nature Reserve (NNR) in 1961 and is managed by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) through a lease from Reidhaven Estate.[1]

Flora and fauna

The birchwood at Craigellachie NNR can be described as "semi-natural", having arisen before 1750; many of the trees are around 100 years old.[1] The range of habitats supports a diverse range of plant communities, with over 385 flowering-plant types being recorded at the reserve, including nationally-scarce species, such as least waterlily, serrated wintergreen, dwarf birch, and bog hair grass. There are 71 species of fungi and 22 lichen species have been recorded at the reserve, owing to the birchwood habitat.

Path on the lower part of the reserve

The reserve provides an ideal habitat for invertebrate species and is home to a number of nationally important moth species, 13 of which are UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UKBAP) species.[1] The woodland butterflies at Craigellachie NNR include Scotch argus and orange tip, as well as the pearl-bordered fritillary, which is also a UKBAP species.

Around 50 bird species are present, including a number of UKBAP species, such as spotted flycatcher, song thrush, bullfinch, lesser redpoll, tree pipit, red grouse and black grouse. Furthermore, a pair of peregrine falcons nest on the crags, which can be viewed through a webcam in the visitor centre section of the Aviemore Youth Hostel.[2]

Other designations

References

  1. 1 2 3 http://www.snh.org.uk/pdfs/publications/nnr/the%20story%20of%20craigellachie.pdf
  2. ↑ Heritage, Scottish Natural (9 June 2016). "Craigellachie's all-new peregrine TV and visitor hub".

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