Peatland restoration; RSPB Airds Moss, Cumnock, East Ayrshire 2024-2025

Description

Tender For The Supply Of Peatland Restoration Works including Strategic dams/drain/gully blocking Lot 1: The RSPB Airds Moss nature reserve sits at the heart of the Muirkirk Uplands Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in East Ayrshire with Airds Moss also designated a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and Special Protection Area (SPA). These designations recognise the internationally important blanket bog habitat present across Airds Moss. Significant areas of Airds Moss have been drained in the past for agriculture, and have also suffered from overstocking with livestock and excessive burning. Scotland’s peatlands represent one of the most significant carbon stores, but large areas are degraded often as result of historic patterns of land management. Degraded peatlands release carbon thus contributing to the enhanced greenhouse effect. In light of this, the RSPB has been undertaking peatland restoration at Airds Moss since 2010 and we are now looking to continue this work over the coming years. The restoration work included in this invitatation to tender is Phase 2 of a three phase peatland restoration project at a relatively new section of RSPB Airds Moss, Airds Moss Central. The present work will be covering 43.1ha, with subsequent works covering 83.1ha planned for October 2025-March 2026. Drains, peat hags and eroding gullies across this area will be restored, in addition to micro-erosion features between linear drains.This work will further enhance the conditions that will reinstate healthy blanket bog and support important plant and animal species. Detailed maps and restoration treatments are included with this tender. The site has been assessed and requires a combination of work using a range of machinery of appropriate size on extra wide low ground pressure tracks for peat-based techniques and manual construction by hand of timber dams. We have chosen a variety of restoration techniques that are suitable for this site which are set out in the below specification. The supplier will be expected to use their expertise in peatland restoration to adjust restoration techniques if the ground conditions require this. RSPB site staff will be present on site regularly and there will be opportunity to discuss any proposed adjustments.