Conservation
Ecology and Conservation
Much of the FHT managed area, of thirty-five hectares, comprises old sand dunes covered by gorse. Within the dense gorse are sand and shingle areas with excellent examples of rare lichen-rich sand/shingle and dune heath habitats, covering around four hectares in total. Sand and shingle habitats are either unvegetated, or with a crust of lichens and dune heath is characterised by a sparse cover of heather. Sand, shingle and heath grade-into each other, forming an intimate habitat mosaic in the open areas between gorse stands. These open sand and shingle habitats are the of the highest biodiversity priority and are included on the governments’ Scottish Biodiversity List (SBL).
Vegetated shingle and dune heath. S.Reed
The dunes are of national importance for biodiversity, for lichens, insects and fungi.
Endangered Pelt Lichen Peltigera malacea H Paul
Scythris empetrella moth on a heather stem. J. Hammond
Sandy earthtongue fungus Sabuloglossum arenarium A. Watson Featherstone
Detail of upright coral fungus Ramaria stricta with raindrops on it
Dune grassland, around the wind turbines and along firebreaks and paths, is particularly valuable for insects, including the Small Heath (SBL) and Common Blue butterflies. Natural grassland is now a rare habitat – 97% of species-rich grasslands have been lost in the last 80 years or so. We have created sheltered glades in the gorse by the turbines, and maintain these for butterflies and other insects. Pony grazing helps to maintain open grassy areas with a diverse vegetation structure.
Dune grassland. S.Reed
Ponies with wind turbine
Common blue butterfly on grassland near windmills H. Paul
Wilkies Wood is a ten-hectare fifty-year old pine plantation. It is a highly-valued community resource and also provides a sustainable supply of local firewood. The woodland supports a small population of red squirrels (SBL), the nationally scarce creeping lady’s tresses (a type of orchid), and a rare fungus which grows on its leaves. The woodland has been completely transformed since the Trust took over its management, from a neglected stunted plantation, to a diverse, vibrant, natural woodland habitat. This has been achieved through careful thinning and planting, increasing the availability of standing and fallen deadwood, and creating two small ponds.
Conservation Priorities
Unfortunately, open dune habitats, which are dependent on wind-blown mobile sand, are being lost rapidly to gorse and tree encroachment. While the landscape of gorse and young trees may look wild and natural, scrub growth is actually the result of reduced wind speed, caused by the historic construction of houses and planting of woodland. The resultant wind-sheltering effect has allowed gorse to spread, further restricting the natural flow of the wind. Pine trees, sprouting from seeds blown from adjoining plantation woodland have added to the problem.
Over recent years we have been carefully clearing gorse and small trees from around priority lichen-rich areas of sand/shingle and dune heath. Much of this work has been done by volunteer work parties, using hand tools.
Gorse encroaching on dune heath. S.Reed
Young pine trees encroaching on dune heath
Clearing gorse
Young pine trees with duneland heather
FHT volunteer work party. S.Reed
Habitat restoration through mechanical mulching. S.Reed
Sculpting the sand
Newly-created dune
More information on the ecology of the Hinterland is contained in the following links:
- Local Biodiversity Action Plan
- LBAP Appendices 1-4
- LBAP Appendix 5
- Lichen Survey 2008
- Hinterland Biodiversity
- Hinterland Hazel (FHT Newsletter Spring 2021)
- Fungi on the Hinterland (FHT Newsletter Autumn/winter 2021)
- Bird Species of the Hinterland, Park and Bay (FHT Newsletter Winter 21/Spring 22)
- The Importance of dead wood in the forest (FHT Newsletter Spring 22)
- Moth Trapping at Findhorn (FHT Newsletter Summer/Autumn 2023)
- Spiders on the Land (FHT Newsletter Winter/Spring 23)
- Exploring the Wonderful world of Lichens (FHT Newsletter Summer/Autumn 2023)
- True Bugs Survey (FHT Newsletter Autumn/Winter 2023)
- Mosses
- Red squirrels
- Dune Restoration Project (Summer/Autumn 2023)
- Dune Restoration Project Update (Autumn/Winter 2023)
- Rare Species
- RSPB Culbin Sands Nature Reserve Project
- Species on the Edge East Coast: Coastal Habitat Management
- Dune Restoration Project Update (Feb 2024)
How is the Land Managed?
FHT’s overall vision is guided by a public consultation process that took place in 2016, funded by a Heritage Lottery grant, and resulting in Findhorn Hinterland Developing a Vision for Action. A Local Biodiversity Plan (LBAP), sets out priority actions for management of the land, focussing on biodiversity conservation and enhancement. The FHT employs a part time Land Steward, who is supported by an enthusiastic and dedicated team of volunteers.
ECOLOGY & CONSERVATION NEWS
Local Biodiversity Action Plan for the Hinterland
In recent months we’ve been drawing up a Local Biodiversity Action Plan (LBAP) for the land that the Findhorn Hinterland Trust is responsible for. This has been drafted primarily by local ecologist Sean Reed, who we work closely with, and with input from various FHT...
News from the Land – Winter/Spring 2026
We’ve had a good winter. Just after Christmas we’ve had a spell of frost and snow - which actually stayed around for about two white weeks. Unusual for our coastal patch of the land. Magical. But It is March now, and spring has come early. The hazels have been...
‘Co- creation with the intelligence of Nature’
Stories from the land… “Spiritual ecology is, at its core, achingly simple. It is the recognition of the universal spirit that imbues all living things - a recognition that must be embodied through conscious spiritual engagement with the Earth. It is not about...