Nature & Heritage

Birds

The Flow Country is an internationally important breeding site for upland birds.

The chicks of Greenshank (pictured above) and other waders are extremely well camouflaged in amongst the peatland vegetation. Credit: RSPB

Black-throated Diver nests are often vulnerable to fluctuations in water levels, floating nest platforms are used in the Flow Country to improve their breeding success. Credit: Andy Hay

©Andy Hay

Have you ever been deceived by a wader such as golden plovers (pictured above)? They can be found to feign injury such as a broken wing to distract potential predators from nest sites. Credit: RSPB

Dunlin (pictured here) and Golden Plover can often be found alongside each other, an association which has earned Dunlin the nickname of ‘Plover’s page’. Credit: RSPB

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July 17, 2024

Mammals

From water voles to red deer, The Flow Country is home to some of Scotland’s most iconic mammal species. While herds of red deer are not easy to miss, many more elusive species can be found in this vast landscape.

People looking over the Forsinard flows from lookout tower

July 23, 2024

Ecosystem Services

The Flow Country is excellent habitat for wildlife, but this ecosystem is valuable for people too! Ecosystem services are the direct and indirect contributions ecosystems make for human wellbeing. The Flow Country provides several important services for people.

July 23, 2024

Peatlands and Climate Change

Peatlands have been historically undervalued. In the UK, 80% of peatlands have been degraded, often in attempts to drain them for agriculture and forestry. We now have a better understanding of peatlands and the vital role they play in the fight against climate change.

July 23, 2024

Plants

In the winter, the grey-brown hues of the Flow Country disguise the incredible diversity of plant life it is home to. This living landscape explodes in colour in the spring and summer, with lots of fascinating plants to discover. Mosses are such important plants for the Flow Country, we’ve dedicated a whole page just to […]

July 18, 2024

Reptiles and Amphibians

The cold far north of Scotland might not be the what comes to mind as ideal amphibian and reptile habitat. However, there are 6 different species of amphibian and reptile which can be found throughout the Flow Country!

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June 24, 2024

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