Tentsmuir National Nature Reserve Management Plan 2024 - 2034 (Draft)
Address:
NatureScot,
Fetterdale Office,
by Tayport,
DD6 9PF
Foreword
Tentsmuir is one of a suite of NNRs in Scotland. Scotland’s NNRs are special places for nature, where some of the best examples of Scotland’s wildlife are managed. Every NNR is carefully managed both for nature and for people, giving visitors the opportunity to experience our rich natural heritage. Like all habitats, it will be subject to the vagaries of climate change and a challenge for the next plan period will to ensure that a healthy ecosystem is maintained on the site.
Situated in the north-east of Fife, on the east coast of Scotland, Tentsmuir NNR lies 10km north of St Andrews and a similar distance south of Dundee. The reserve consists of three areas Tentsmuir Point, Tayport Heath and Morton Lochs. They are all part of a once extensive sand dune system, stretching between the Eden and Tay estuaries.
NatureScot manages the NNR with the neighbouring land managed by Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) and private landowners. NatureScot works closely with FLS and hopes to collaborate further to restore larger areas to sand dune habitats in the future.
Tentsmuir Point is an extensive area of dunes and mudflats which continues to grow seaward. Indeed, this is one of the fastest growing parts of Scotland. The dunes constantly change and shift as sand is eroded and deposited by the sea. The River Tay deposits large quantities of rich sediment here where it meets the sea. The point is an internationally important area for waders and wildfowl, providing a rich food source and resting place. It is also an important area for grey seals throughout the year. As you move inland through areas dominated by marram grass the dunes stabilise and dune heath develops. Between the dune ridges are extensive dune slacks rich in wildflowers. In summer the slacks provide sheltered breeding sites for birds. A short distance west of the point Tayport Heath is an area we are restoring to dune heath.
Further inland on the edge of the forest Morton Lochs is a wetland area with open water and a fringing fen. It attracts both wintering and breeding ducks and a variety dragonflies and damselflies and is one of Scotland’s dragonfly hotspots named by the British Dragonfly Society. A dune heath restoration area, Garpit Moor, is found to the north end of Morton Lochs.
Tentsmuir NNR welcomes a huge number of visitors each year. The proximity to Dundee and public transport links makes it accessible to visitors all year round. To enable visitors to explore and enjoy Tentsmuir NNR, without damaging the sensitive habitats or disturbing species, behavioural signage is provided at the main access points to help visitors to explore the reserve responsibly. The Education Pavilion, located near the Ice House, provides a wealth of interpretation about the reserve and gives a great starting point to enjoy and explore the reserve.
The path network at Morton Lochs is maintained to an accessible for all standard and wildlife hides around Morton Lochs provide good viewing facilities for watching wildlife without disturbance.
‘The Story of Tentsmuir National Nature Reserve’ is a companion publication which has more information about Tentsmuir NNR and its history. The Story provides the foundation for managing the site and is recommended reading for those wishing to understand more about the management of this very special place.
Our Vision for Tentsmuir NNR
Tentsmuir National Nature Reserve is a special place; our aim is to keep it that way. The Reserve Plan 2024 - 2034 sets out our vision for the reserve describing how we would like the reserve to be in 50 years’ time. The management we describe in the plan has been framed with this vision in mind.
Vision
Tentsmuir NNR is a beautiful, wild place with a rich and flourishing wildlife. It is a place where all people value, respect and enjoy nature. It is at the centre of a landscape-scale coastal network from Tayport to St Andrews with habitat restoration and management ensuring a continuum of natural sand dune, dune grassland, dune heath, and saltmarsh.
The sand dune complex, which is integral to Tentsmuir, is resilient and in excellent condition; natural processes are shaping the dunes, sand bars and mudflats allowing the coast to adapt naturally to pressures imposed by climate change.
The reserve continues to display a complete transition of dune habitat types, from strandline to fixed dune heath. Working together with partners, dune habitats and species are increasing across the wider landscape area restoring and enhancing threatened species and habitats.
During the winter months the undisturbed sands support large numbers of waders and wildfowl, which gather for feeding and roosting. The conditions on the reserve are suitable for the successful breeding of birds and wildfowl and the sands provide a safe and undisturbed haul out for common seals and grey seals to successfully breed and moult. Through the provision of good interpretation visitors understand and respect the need to avoid impacts on wildlife and understand how to do so.
Morton Lochs are thriving with water returning to good quality and supporting a rich variety of flora and fauna. A catchment management approach with neighbouring land managers will support the on-site measures for nutrient reduction.
The surrounding relic dune heath to the North of Morton Lochs is recovering and in good condition. The woodland around the lochs is regenerating back to a mix of native broadleaf species.
The reserve offers exciting opportunities for education and research increasing climate and nature literacy and promoting positive action. Strong links with local communities ensures engagement in learning and volunteering.
Everyone feels welcome to visit Tentsmuir and a diverse range of visitors from all backgrounds enjoy and appreciate the wildlife, landscape and cultural heritage of the site.
Protected Areas and Features
The reserve has numerous designations which reflect its national and international importance, the boundaries of the designations differ and in a number of cases overlap each other.
These are:
- Special Area of Conservation (SAC), a habitat designation which covers the dune and heath areas of the site.
- Special Protection Area (SPA), a designation protecting the bird interest on the site.
- Ramsar site - it is a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention, (commonly known as a Ramsar site).
- Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), part of the UK network of protected areas; the national SSSI designation underpins the international designations.
The features of these protected areas are listed below. Each is linked to Sitelink, where full information on these designations can be found.
|
Protected Area |
Feature |
|---|---|
|
|
|
Common scoter (Melanitta nigra), non-breeding |
|
|
Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo), non-breeding |
|
Dunlin (Calidris alpina alpina), non-breeding |
|
Eider (Somateria mollissima), non-breeding |
|
|
Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula), non-breeding |
|
|
Grey plover (Pluvialis squatarola), non-breeding |
|
Greylag goose (Anser anser), non-breeding |
|
Icelandic Black-tailed godwit (Limosa limosa islandica), non-breeding |
|
Long-tailed duck (Clangula hyemalis), non-breeding |
|
|
Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus), non-breeding |
|
|
|
Red-breasted merganser (Mergus serrator), non-breeding |
|
|
Redshank (Tringa totanus), non-breeding |
|
Sanderling (Calidris alba), non-breeding |
|
Shelduck (Tadorna tadorna), non-breeding |
|
Teal (Anas crecca), non-breeding |
|
|
Velvet scoter (Melanitta fusca), non-breeding |
|
Waterfowl assemblage, non-breeding |
|
Sand dunes |
|
Coastal Geomorphology of Scotland |
|
Loch trophic range |
|
|
Beetle assemblage |
|
Subtidal sandbanks |
|
Estuaries |
|
Intertidal mudflats and sandflats |
|
Mudflats |
|
Harbour seal (Phoca vitulina) |
|
|
Vascular plant assemblage |
Management for Natural Heritage
Objective NH1: Dune and coastal features: Increase overall extent and improve the condition of dune and coastal SAC and SSSI qualifying habitats and species.
Tentsmuir is a key geomorphological site and possibly the most exceptional and dynamic dune system in Scotland for rates and amounts of coastal accretion and erosion.
Sea-level rise and other effects of climate change will increasingly impact Scotland’s coast. Coastal adaptation is vital, retaining the space and flexibility for a soft sediment coast such as Tentsmuir to adapt naturally is the most effective approach. We will allow the coastal processes to function with no intervention allowing for natural change and adaptation to sea-level rise and coastal erosion.
Tentsmuir supports a complete transition of dune habitat types, from strandline to mobile dunes grading into fixed dune grasslands and lichen rich dune heath. We will maintain approximately 95% of the coastal NNR as open sand dune habitats leaving small pockets of wet willow and birch woodland along the inland edge.
The proximity to adjacent non-native plantation means that trees and scrub will continue to encroach on the reserve and will need ongoing removal. The site will be monitored for invasive non-native species (e.g. sea buckthorn, pirri-pirri bur etc.) and these will be removed. We will continue to monitor and manage the extent of rosebay willowherb, which has spread and is locally dominant, overshadowing both vascular plants and lichens.
Cattle will continue to seasonally graze the site as a tool to reduce invasive trees and scrub. We will continue to trial ‘NoFence’ cattle collars to increase the flexibility of our grazing regime.
At Morton areas of dune grassland will be kept open and at Garpit moor we will continue to manage open dune grassland and heath created from the former plantation on bare sand.
The current NNR is part of a wider landscape scale coastal system, and we will look for opportunities to work with partners to ensure that dune habitat features are brought into favourable condition throughout the wider designated area, possibly through expansion of the reserve into the adjacent area south of the current boundary.
We will map eel grass bed extent and then use this information to scope potential for a restoration project.
Storm Arwen has presented a significant opportunity for landscape scale dune restoration along the coastal margin between Tayport Heath and Tentsmuir Point on areas of former plantation, now wind damaged, on a scale that has not been available for the last 30 years. We will work with partners to restore this significant area to open dune habitats, linking the existing habitats, enhancing biodiversity and further improving the resilience of the coast to the effects of climate change.
We will work with partners and community groups to enhance intertidal and subtidal habitats such as saltmarsh and seagrass beds as part of wider landscape-scale work. These habitats support high levels of biodiversity, act as a buffer between the shoreline and high tides to prevent erosion and flooding and are natural carbon sinks.
Tasks planned to inform and achieve Objective NH1:
| Task no. | Task description |
|---|---|
|
NH1.1 |
Maintain open dune and heath habitats with no more than 5% tree and scrub cover. |
|
NH1.2 |
Maintain open areas of dune grassland at Morton and Garpit moor through control of bracken, scrub and brambles. |
|
NH1.3 |
Work with FLS to clear invasive tree, scrub and INNS species from the dune habitats to bring the wider SSSI into favourable condition. |
|
NH1.4 |
Expand extent of coastal system through restoration of dune habitats beyond the current NNR boundary with partners. |
|
NH1.5 |
Map and monitor the current and historical extent of eel grass beds within Tayport Bay and understand any pressures on this habitat. Use these findings to scope the options for restoration. |
|
NH1.6 |
Annual mapping through drone photography of coastal area to establish coastline and habitat change. |
|
NH1.7 |
Map and monitor extent of rosebay willowherb across the site. Use this data to guide future management. |
Objective NH2: Open water and wetlands: Maintain extent and quality of open water, fen and marsh at Morton Lochs.
At Morton Lochs we manage the site to maintain a balance between open water, fen and marsh. We aim to improve the water quality of the lochs by reducing the likelihood of algal blooms to benefit overwintering birds, in particular teal, and breeding birds. They need a varied habitat ideally with a mosaic of vegetation types, open and sheltered water. Managing the vegetation mosaic maintains the right conditions for many of the rare plants and the diverse insect population for which the site is important.
Water quality is affected by diffuse pollution from upstream within the catchment of the Lead burn. We will work with partners such as SEPA and SGRPID to re-visit a catchment management plan for the Lead Burn and mechanisms for delivery. Point pollution sources have been addressed during previous plans but will be monitored for any future pollution incidents.
On land within the NNR, diffuse pollution will be managed by maintaining a reed bed and silt traps along the inflow on Nature Scot land to absorb excess nutrients before they enter the loch. The reedbed will be cut biannually to remove the build-up of nutrients and enhance annual growth of reeds.
Solar aerators have been placed on the islands of the north loch. They help to aerate the water to reduce coverage of algal blooms through the diffusion of oxygen through weighted hoses extending from the islands.
To keep the level of nutrients and sediment in the system at an acceptable level, a regular flow of water is needed through the lochs. The water levels and flow will be constantly monitored and adjusted accordingly.
To maintain the area of open water we will focus on controlling vegetation through seasonal cutting in the late summer and removal to open up the habitat and reduce the level of nutrients in the water system.
Tasks planned to inform and achieve Objective NH2:
| Task no. | Task description |
|---|---|
|
NH2.1 |
Maintain open water at 70% of loch surface through controlling vegetation |
|
NH2.2 |
Control water levels and maintain a flow of water through the loch |
|
NH2.3 |
Maintain silt traps, solar aerator systems and cut inflow reed bed biannually |
|
NH2.4 |
Revise catchment management plan for Lead burn |
|
NH2.5 |
Investigate ways to implement catchment management plan with stakeholders |
Objective NH3: Species management: Enhance the biodiversity interest of the reserve.
We will continue to conserve and enhance the biodiversity interest of the reserve. Ongong wildlife management of predators and non-native, invasive species such as grey squirrels and American mink helps to protect our native species populations.
Disturbance from people and dogs continue to be a concern and we are responding by having bird protection areas during the bird breeding season. These areas, along with behavioural messaging, reinforce the need to stay on paths and have dogs under control throughout the site. When protection areas are in operation alternative routes are made available away from breeding birds.
During this plan, areas will continue to be fenced off seasonally to protect breeding bird populations such as skylarks on the Great Slack and ringed plovers on the foreshore. Mesh cages have been installed over ringed plover nests on other sites to reduce predation of eggs and chicks. We will trial these cages on established nests to protect nests from predators. If the trial is unsuccessful, we will look to find alternative protective measures for ringed plover to breed successfully at Tentsmuir NNR.
Management for butterflies will involve maintaining open glades within woodland cover and keeping a mosaic of long/short grass lengths by cutting from the edge of tracks. The old railway line at Morton Lochs will be managed as an open meadow to increase species diversity and reduce encroachment of trees and scrub.
Our proposed dune restoration (NH1.4) will be of benefit to species such as grayling butterfly and lunar yellow underwing moth which have been facing population decline on site as they require disturbed areas of open sand for their life cycle.
Morton Lochs is designated a Scottish Dragonfly Hotspot by the British Dragonfly Society because it is such a great place to see many species of dragonfly and damselfly. Glades and lagoons will be kept open for dragonflies to provide them with a mix of sheltered areas with vegetation and open water to support all stages of their life cycle.
Suitable nesting sites for sand martin on the reserve have been in decline so we will build an artificial nesting structure to encourage breeding sand martins at Morton Lochs.
Large areas of conifer woodland have been lost to storm damage at Morton Lochs and provide an opportunity to replant as a native broadleaf woodland. Forestry and Land Scotland are due to plant large areas of land leased by NatureScot around Morton Lochs that have been cleared following Storm Arwen with broadleaves. We will plant up areas of NatureScot land with a native broadleaf mix suitable to the site.
Tasks planned to inform and achieve Objective NH3:
| Task no. | Task description |
|---|---|
|
NH3.1 |
Monitor and annual review of Local Access Guidance with regard to effective nesting bird protection areas. |
|
NH3.2 |
Maintain ongoing surveillance for Invasive Non-Native Species (INNS) like pirri-pirri bur, mink and Himalayan balsam and remove these from the site. |
|
NH3.3 |
Manage Great Slack for breeding birds by maintaining the fence and associated signage during the breeding season. |
|
NH3.4 |
Manage exclusion area of Tentsmuir Point as a ringed plover breeding zone and install ringed plover cages over established nests. |
|
NH3.5 |
Manage for butterflies by cutting grass from edge of track, maintaining open glades within woodland cover and managing the old railway line as an open meadow |
|
NH3.6 |
Maintain open glades and lagoons for dragonflies |
|
NH3.7 |
Build a sand martin nesting structure at Morton Lochs |
|
NH3.8 |
Manage woodland around Morton Lochs as native broadleaf following replanting by FLS |
Objective NH4: Habitat and Species monitoring: Continue to carry out core monitoring of habitat and species of the NNR for NatureScot and national programmes.
Butterfly monitoring has been ongoing at Tentsmuir Point since 1978. The transects were revised in 2004 and have been walked annually since. There are 3 transects recorded at Tentsmuir NNR in total, one at Morton Lochs and two at Tentsmuir Point that are monitored each year as part of the UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme.
Dragonfly records have been collected by volunteers and staff but to ensure records are comparable and standardised, a review of the existing dragonfly transect at Morton Lochs will be undertaken. This will allow us to establish a new dragonfly transect in partnership with the British Dragonfly Society to ensure a good standard of data is collected.
Wetland Bird Surveys (WeBS) core counts at Morton Lochs will be done monthly and submitted to the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO).
Counts will be undertaken annually of nationally scarce plants on the reserve (Baltic rush, seaside centaury, creeping lady’s-tresses, coralroot orchid.) and records submitted to Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland (BSBI).
Tasks planned to inform and achieve Objective NH4:
| Task no. | Task description |
|---|---|
|
NH4.1 |
Continue with annual monitoring for the three established transects to contribute to UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme |
|
NH4.2 |
Review and establish a new dragonfly transect at Morton Lochs in partnership with British Dragonfly Society |
|
NH4.3 |
Carry out WeBS core count monitoring at Morton Lochs and submit to BTO |
|
NH4.4 |
Carry out annual counts of nationally scarce plants (coralroot orchid, Baltic rush, seaside centaury, creeping lady’s tresses) and submit records to BSBI |
|
NH4.5 |
Undertake annual survey of breeding bird protection areas |
|
NH4.6 |
Continue to support the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) taskforce in collection of bird mortality figures and sampling where required. Ensure appropriate biosecurity measures are undertaken (to prevent spread of HPAI and other emerging pathogens. |
|
NH4.7 |
Ensure collection of species records and manage this data as part of ongoing monitoring of the health and biodiversity of the ecosystem at Tentsmuir. |
Management for People
Objective VM1: Visitor experience: Engage with visitors to encourage responsible behaviour and to provide high quality facilities, live and static interpretation aimed at current and new audiences.
Tentsmuir NNR is visited by a wide range of people every year, many of these visitors are resident in the local area and visit regularly while others visit from further afield. Visitors include keen bird watchers, botanists and wildlife enthusiasts all attracted by the amazing wildlife. While many other visitors are solely out to enjoy a bit of fresh air in nature, and a day by the sea. We aim to provide a positive, inclusive, and inspiring high quality visitor experience for all these people, while safeguarding the habitats and species on the reserve from the pressures of high visitor numbers.
After being upgraded to ‘all-abilities’ standard in March 2024, we will maintain the circular path at Morton Lochs to this standard including ensuring some of the hides can be accessed by wheelchairs. Accessibility will be reviewed across the whole reserve with improvements made where possible.
Information on the reserve is provided pre-visit on our website and Facebook page. Once on the reserve, visitors will find welcome signage with information on how to explore and enjoy the reserve responsibly. Behavioural signage reinforces messages about responsible access on the reserve.
Interpretation is available across the site to further inform people on key species, the history of the reserve and habitats at Tentsmuir NNR. We will use temporary seasonal interpretation around the site to enhance the visitor experience and refresh all our interpretation with information on new emerging topics like climate change and the biodiversity crisis.
Tasks planned to inform and achieve Objective VM1:
| Task no. | Task description |
|---|---|
|
VM1.1 |
Renew and install threshold signs at Morton Lochs, Tayport Heath and Tentsmuir Point |
|
VM1.2 |
Review and commission new behavioural and seasonal management signs in liaison with Fife Council Access Officer |
|
VM1.3 |
Review and replace the interpretation towards the end of the 'lifetime' of the current instalment. |
|
VM1.4 |
Maintain the trail at Morton Lochs to all abilities standard. |
|
VM1.5 |
Work with access colleagues to ensure accessibility audits to identify and implement actions to improve accessibility across reserve. |
|
VM1.6 |
Continue to encourage people to travel sustainably to the reserve by providing and maintaining appropriate infrastructure and travel information. |
Objective VM2: Engagement and communication.
To maintain engagement with the local communities, ensuring there are opportunities for all ages to get involved with Tentsmuir NNR, we will run an annual programme of community focussed events.
We will run and offer an education programme to primary schools in the local catchment area including Tayport, Leuchars, Newport and Guardbridge. Other education group visits will be facilitated, and information and activities tailored to the needs and education level of the group. We will continue to work with Education Scotland and other organisations to highlight Tentsmuir NNR as an outdoor learning site.
Our main method of communication is now the Tentsmuir NNR Facebook page which will be used to keep everyone up to date with information and stories from the reserve. Staff will also keep information on the NatureScot website relevant and up to date.
Tentsmuir NNR is a priority site to connect new audiences with nature and encourage a diverse range of people to visit. We will work with equality groups to facilitate visits to increase social inclusion and we will continue to work with groups such as Green Health Partnership Dundee and BAME (Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic) groups to offer opportunities to get involved with volunteering tasks.
We will continue to accommodate and encourage one-off group volunteering days and corporate volunteering. We will continue to engage with people and local communities through our regular volunteering groups and support our species monitoring volunteers. We will work to make our volunteering offer inclusive.
Tasks planned to inform and achieve Objective VM2:
| Task no. | Task description |
|---|---|
|
VM2.1 |
Run an annual programme of community focused events. |
|
VM2.2 |
Run education programme for primary schools in catchment area (Tayport/Leuchars/Newport/Guardbridge). |
|
VM2.3 |
Facilitate visits from other education groups (secondary, nursery, universities) on demand. |
|
VM2.4 |
Maintain a regular social media presence on NatureScot website and Tentsmuir Facebook page with up-to-date information. |
|
VM2.5 |
Promote Tentsmuir NNR to a variety of user groups to encourage walking and improved health through connection to nature. |
|
VM2.6 |
Promote social inclusion by working in partnership with equality groups to facilitate visits and offer opportunities to get involved with tasks on the reserve. |
|
VM2.7 |
Create opportunities for inclusive volunteering within a regular and varied volunteer programme. Accommodate and encourage corporate/other group volunteering days. |
|
VM2.8 |
Maintain regular liaison with partnership organisations who have an interest in Tentsmuir NNR |
Management for Property
Objective PM1: Manage and maintain the reserve and associated property in good condition, meeting both corporate and legislative requirements.
Tasks planned to inform and achieve Objective PM1:
|
Task No. |
Task description |
|---|---|
|
PM1.1 |
Maintain the reserve and all visitor infrastructure (i.e. trails, car park, viewpoints, boardwalks and bridges etc.) in good condition. |
|
PM1.2 |
Maintain all reserve buildings (i.e. visitor centres, toilets, hides and shelters) in good condition for staff and visitors. |
|
PM1.3 |
Ensure the management of the property and infrastructure conforms with Health and Safety regulations including risk assessments, fire plan reviews and quarterly visitor facility inspections. |
|
PM1.4 |
Ensure the property is maintained and conforms to Health & Safety Regulations including risk assessment and fire plan reviews. |
|
PM1.5 |
Ensure payments made for the Crown Estate lease, and other annual payments. |
|
PM1.6 |
Maintain and ensure regular servicing of all tools, equipment and vehicles. |
|
PM1.7
|
Maintain track owned by NatureScot as it passes through the NNR and contribute to track maintenance as required and on agreed user basis |
|
PM1.8 |
Ensure the legal obligations to owners of scheduled monument sites within the NNR are adhered to. |
|
PM1.9 |
Renew MOTU and lease with FLS in 2025 |
Summary
Habitat management at Tentsmuir NNR will continue to be focused on the control of invasive trees and scrub on the dune habitats. Ways to improve the condition of the wider SSSI and increase area of dune habitats through restoration will be investigated through work with partners to maximise opportunities for landscape scale restoration.
Morton Lochs will be managed to keep the existing areas of water open to support the range of bird life throughout the seasons. The surrounding areas will be planted with a native broadleaf mix to restore the woodland after storm damage.
We will look at different ways we can engage with visitors and the wider communities and to share effective behavioural messages to encourage safe and responsible behaviour on site.
We will continue to facilitate visits from a range of community and education groups using the Education Pavilion as a focal point. Volunteers are an asset to the reserve and we will continue to support them and provide inclusive opportunities to get involved.
Document properties
Author: Marijke Leith
Editor: Neil Mitchell
Approved by:
Date:
