Abstract

Lowland raised bogs are recognised as being of high ecological interest yet are under threat and their bird communities are little known. North-east Scotland holds a substantial proportion (c. 4,500–5,500 ha) of the Scottish and UK area of this habitat. Bird surveys were conducted on 45 raised bog sites, or ‘mosses’ in the 1990s and again in 2021, and habitat parameters recorded. Over the c. 25 years between surveys, lowland peat mosses in the area have become detectably drier, more scrub covered and surrounded by tree plantations to a greater degree. This has led to a strong increase in the diversity and number of birds using the mosses – but mostly those species associated with scrub and woodland. Of 24 new species of colonist of mosses since 1995, some reflect national changes in status. Eight species have been lost to the study area in that time. However, a wide range of open-ground species are still present on remnant bog habitats; some, like the Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis, have increased, while others, such as Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata and Red Grouse Lagopus scotica, have declined or been lost. Many species (59%) using or nesting on mosses are of national conservation concern, presenting clear possibilities for positive conservation action, especially through the restoration of raised bogs, and initiatives are now under way to achieve this.