PEATLAND RESTORATION WORKS ON THE MAOL DONN 1 SITE - RSPB FORSINARD FLOWS NATURE RESERVE

Description

The restoration work in this application covers an area called Maol Donn 1, which has been drained in the past for agriculture, and has suffered a significant amount of deer damage. Drains, peat hags and eroding gullies across the site are to be restored. This work will further enhance the conditions that will reinstate healthy blanket bog. The restoration work in this application covers an area called Maol Donn 1, which has been drained in the past for agriculture, and has suffered a significant amount of deer damage. Drains, peat hags and eroding gullies across the site are to be restored in parallel with a drastic reduction in deer numbers. This work will further enhance the conditions that will reinstate healthy blanket bog. 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 plastic pile, wooden and coir log dams. A range of techniques will be employed to treat the features in this area, these are detailed below within the tender specification. It is anticipated that machine work will be the preference, although there are some small, sensitive areas that may require hand work. Required materials will be moved into the area with a suitable ATV. 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. A site visit with RSPB staff is strongly recommended as part of the tendering process which all suppliers wishing to tender are asked to attend. This will be held on 10th July 2023, meeting at the Forsinard Field Centre. The day will consist of an overview of the plans at the field centre followed by a site visit to Maol Donn where the works are to be undertaken. Booking for the suppliers meeting is essential and if you wish to attend, please email Daniela.Klein@rspb.org.uk Please note that these works are subject to: The successful award of a Peatland Action grant application which will been submitted during July. On receipt of a successful application the supplier winning the tender will be awarded. The results of peat slide risk assessments being reviewed for ~30ha of the site. Depending on the review outcome, this area may be removed from scope or the restoration redesigned.