Practice in surveying and managing reptiles on peatland sites and constructing artificial hibernacula.

Join staff of Forestry and Land Scotland, reptile expert Stephen Corcoran and a conservation detection dog handler to find out more about FLS approach to surveying and managing reptiles on peatland sites.

At FLS’ Flanders Moss site south of Aberfoyle (West Flanders Moss as distinct from Flanders Moss National Nature Reserve) adders have posed a challenge to FLS’ peatland restoration team.

In an ideal world, peatland restoration would follow soon after harvesting but often there is an extended period before a felled site can be transformed back to its natural state.

Working with specialists, in 2024 FLS began the job of surveying the unrestored habitat, looking not for reptiles but identifying potential hibernacula – sheltered areas of refuge. Each location was marked geospatially and physically, buffering them against winter working to avoid potential disturbance.

Over the next few years, during later summer months the area will be largely cleared of non-native regeneration and the peat around hibernacula features will be re-wetted, whilst the reptiles are warm enough to move quickly to alternative wintering places.

In the later autumn and winter months, work will then shift away from potential adder hibernation habitat to the rest of the bog.

All activities are guided by detailed surveys and planning processes, ensuring environmental considerations are fully integrated before work begins.

The day will start at FLS Office Aberfoyle, Balanton, Aberfoyle, Stirling FK8 3UX. ///arrive.pizza.workflow, then moving to the site at Flanders Moss site which is situated just north of the village of Buchylvie, Stirling. The forest entrance is located at ///headboard.fittingly.beak, and small opening off the public road B835, the gate will be open and the meeting point for parking is about a mile along the road at ///politics.invents.condensed. Please note the forest road is a National Cycle Route and a core path, and will likely have members of the public on it, please drive slowly.

PLEASE NOTE - there is a chance that this will be a live peatland restoration site in September, in which case full PPE will be required. This includes Hi-Viz, hard hats and safety boots. This will be advised nearer the time. (We can supply some hi-viz and hard hats, if required for those who do not possess these).

There are limited spaces on this training course. Please, please do not book and take up a place unless you intend to come along. In the event that you can no longer attend, please cancel your place as soon as possible, so that others can take up the opportunity.

Description supplied by the event organiser.