Land surrounding the popular Inchgarth Reservoir in Aberdeen has undergone biodiversity improvements aimed at creating a better habitat for wading and farmland birds, while also protecting and enhancing the local ecosystem.

Scottish Water, the owner and operator of Inchgarth Reservoir, collaborated with the local Inchgarth Biodiversity Initiative (IBI) of Cults, Bieldside and Milltimber Community Council, and contractor Ground Control to undertake the work. This included the creation of two "wader scrapes" on grassland – shallow pools designed as vital feeding sites for adult and young farmland waders such as Snipe and Jack Snipe.

Furthermore, a 6941 m2 area has been tilled and planted with a winter seed crop to attract a greater number of birds and pollinating insects to the area. Volunteers from the IBI also contributed by planting a number of birch trees along the site's perimeter.

The area around the reservoir already supports several bird species of conservation concern, including Grasshopper Warbler, Woodcock, Linnet, and Yellowhammer, in addition to various wading birds. The recent work aims to further improve and diversify the wet grassland habitat at the site, providing enhanced support for these birds and invertebrates.

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Scottish Water project manager Max Currie commented: "We are delighted that this important biodiversity work has now been delivered at the site which will play a key role in providing an attractive habitat to a number of birds species that are declining in the UK. We are committed to looking for opportunities to improve biodiversity across our sites wherever possible and are very grateful to the members of Inchgarth Biodiversity Initiative for their support, expertise and patience in helping to shape and deliver this project alongside our contractors Ground Control."

Claire Marsden, Chair of the Inchgarth Biodiversity Initiative, said: "We are delighted that Scottish Water has recognised the potential for biodiversity enhancement opportunities on its land, and have worked with the local community to deliver these major pieces of work, which will act as a good start to maintaining this area for a wider range of wildlife in the years to come. We are looking forward to watching closely to see what new birds and invertebrates turn up to use these improved areas. As we are in the midst of a biodiversity crisis, initiatives like this show how we can help to provide a welcome and necessary change to the way public land is managed for wildlife, everywhere."

Chris Hart, Business Development Director (Utilities) for Ground Control, added: "It's great to be working with a company that shares our passion for nature and biodiversity across Scotland. By creating an environment for wading birds to flourish and completing the works in a way that enables the passionate and knowledgeable Inchgarth Biodiversity Initiative (IBI) to further develop and manage the biodiversity elements at the site, we're excited to see this ecosystem develop. Thanks to Scottish Water for the opportunity to work on this project and thanks to IBI for your commitment to nature at Inchgarth Reservoir."