Land surrounding the popular Inchgarth Reservoir in Aberdeen has seen biodiversity improvements carried out to create a better habitat for wading and farmland birds, while also enhancing the overall ecosystem.

Scottish Water partnered with the local Inchgarth Biodiversity Initiative (IBI) and contractor Ground Control to undertake the work. This included the creation of two "wader scrapes" – shallow pools of water providing crucial feeding grounds for adult and young wading birds like Snipe and Jack Snipe.

Additionally, a 6941 m2 area was tilled and planted with a winter seed crop to attract more birds and pollinating insects. Volunteers from the IBI also planted birch trees along the perimeter of the site.

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The area already supports several bird species of conservation concern, such as the Grasshopper Warbler, Woodcock, Linnet, and Yellowhammer, as well as various wading birds. The recent work aims to further improve and diversify the wet grassland habitat to better support these birds and invertebrates.

Scottish Water project manager Max Currie stated his delight that this important biodiversity work has been completed, creating an attractive habitat for declining bird species. He also expressed gratitude to the IBI for their support and expertise in the project.

Claire Marsden, Chair of the Inchgarth Biodiversity Initiative, welcomed Scottish Water's recognition of the land's biodiversity potential and their collaboration with the local community on this significant work. She anticipates seeing new birds and invertebrates utilizing the improved areas and highlighted the project as an example of positive change in public land management for wildlife.

Chris Hart of Ground Control emphasized his company's shared passion for nature and biodiversity across Scotland. He noted the creation of an environment for wading birds to thrive and the collaborative approach with the IBI to further develop and manage the site's biodiversity elements. He thanked Scottish Water for the opportunity to work on the project and the IBI for their dedication to nature at Inchgarth Reservoir.