Cairngorms Caledonian Forest
An amazing place for people and Our work so far for wildlife At our reserve at Abernethy, we have The mighty Caledonian forest once calculated that, if we allowed the forest covered vast areas of Scotland, but to expand at its own pace – to naturally today, these magnificent woodlands have regenerate – it would take 500 years or shrunk to just 1% of their former extent. more for the pinewood to fill its natural Sixty per cent of what remains is found in range in the land we hold. We’re trying to remnant fragments in the Cairngorms, fast-track this, and we think we can reach making this area a compelling candidate our goal 300 years early! for a bold approach to conservation. Towards our broader aims – habitat Composed primarily of pinewoods, with regeneration beyond the reserve – we’ve other areas dominated by native trees been building on our relationships with such as birch, rowan, aspen and willow, other stakeholders in the wider Cairngorm this is a habitat of staggering importance countryside. All our early discussions to nature. The wildlife it supports include have indicated that a real drive and desire some of our most charismatic creatures to preserve and extend the forest area – red squirrels, ospreys and wildcats – but exists locally. Pinewoods can, after all, there are also shyer, but no less precious meet a variety of human needs as well as Decline of species: tiny twinflowers, strange tooth benefiting wildlife – and creating a the capercaillie fungi, the elusive capercaillie, and the win-win situation for both nature and Scottish crossbill – the UK’s only endemic people lies at the heart of the Capercaillie are primarily pinewood bird. Many are “pinewood specialists” Futurescapes initiative. Whether grouse that inhabit native pine forest that will live only in this habitat, and some managed for deer or grouse, sustainable and occasionally, conifer plantations. can be found nowhere else in the UK. timber production, potential for tourism, They spend a lot of time feeding on education or simply recreation and blaeberries on the ground, but may Preserving the health and vitality of relaxation, woodlands are integral to the also be found in trees, feeding on these remaining patches of forest is landscape that local communities are part pine needles. The males are black, therefore vital. But if their wildlife is to of; they make a significant contribution to huge and unmistakable, especially withstand present and future threats, the local economy and the wellbeing of when they gather to perform their including the effects of climate change, the people who live there. mating ritual at favoured “lek” sites. then maintaining the status quo will not But the UK capercaillie population be enough. We must create more of this Great things are starting to happen for the and range has declined rapidly, habitat, to extend and link what we have Caledonian forest in the Cairngorms, and and it is now at risk of extinction. now. Connecting isolated fragments of we want to keep that momentum going. This is due to its very specialised forest is essential to the resilience, Thinking big for nature – on a landscape- requirements: these birds need sustainability, and ultimate survival of scale – is the way to ensure that every not only suitable habitat, but wide both the habitat and its wildlife. Whether generation, now and in the future, can expanses of it. Conservation and managed primarily for nature or for human enjoy this unique and precious home for restoration of this habitat is needs too, every fragment will have a role wildlife, so emblematic of Scotland’s rich essential for their survival. to play as part of a wider network. natural heritage. G Grantown-on-Spey
G To mintoul
G Aviemore
G Kingussie G Newtonmore
Braemar G
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KEY main road Futurescape area
Sources: Esri, DeLorme, NAVTEQ, USGS, Intermap, iPC, NRCAN, Esri Japan, METI, Esri China (Hong Kong), Esri (Thailand), To mTom, 2012 Cairngorms “ Strathspey forests are essential for the survival of capercaillie in Scotland. Indeed, well over half the Scottish population is now found here. Making Caledonian Forest forest areas larger – and forging links between them – will be crucial to providing the wide-ranging habitats these birds need to thrive.” Dr Pete Mayhew, Chair, Capercaillie Biodiversity Action Plan Group
What’s next? Get in touch As well as continuing with our work on Working in partnership will be essential We want to hear your ideas about how species protection and habitat creation at to a future in which an expanded, more we can work together to make the Abernethy, RSPB Scotland will act more robust and better connected Caledonian Cairngorms Caledonian Forest an even widely as a driver and enabler of habitat forest habitat can offer its benefits to better place, for people and for wildlife. restoration initiatives in the Cairngorms both people and wildlife. We want to get Caledonian Forest Futurescape. As more partners involved – to build new Cairngorms Futurescape Officer Britain’s largest nature conservation relationships with anyone who has a Hebe Carus charity, we will use both our expertise stake in the countryside here, whether T 01540 661518 / 07718 695068 and our influence to help achieve local you’re a farmer, landowner, community RSPB, Ivy Cottage, Insh, goals, from calling for public funding to organisation or individual. You may Kingussie PH21 1NT assist conservation projects to offering have an area of land you think could advice on the ground. be enhanced, be looking for advice, Regional Director interested in volunteering, want a George Campbell presentation or just to discuss a project T 01463 715000 and the possible advantages and benefits of working together with us.
Futurescapes is the RSPB’s contribution to landscape-scale Futurescapes is generously The RSPB is a member of BirdLife International, a conservation throughout the UK supported by the EU Life+ partnership of conservation organisations working Communications Programme to give nature a home around the world The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is a registered charity: England and Wales no. 207076, Scotland no. SC037654. Images: Cairngorm National Park by David Tipling and capercaillie by Danny Green (both rspb-images.com). Maps produced by RSPB CDMU © Crown Copyright. All rights reserved. RSPB licence 100021787. 020-1-0934-13-14