Tarbat Ness improvement work begins

Habitat management works are due to commence this week at Tarbat Ness, the northern tip of the Easter Ross peninsula.  The site, which extends from the car park to the tip of the headland, is owned and managed by The Highland Council Planning and Development Service.  The £40,000 project is funded from the Service’s capital programme for environmental improvements and will also include the upgrading of the car park.

The heath and the sea cliffs are designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest because of the cliff geology and the biological importance of the maritime heath.  The management works have been planned in close liaison with SNH and will consist of gorse clearance works on the headland and within the main stand.  Gorse provides protected cover for many wildlife species and provides breeding habitat for many bird species, but if not managed it will begin to deteriorate and lose its visual and conservation value.

The gorse management will aim to improve the structural variation (age, height diversity) and will also aim to control the outward spread of the main stand.  The priority is to tackle the spread on the maritime heath and remove some of the older ‘leggy’ gorse in the main stand to allow young re-growth.

The works have been scheduled to avoid the bird nesting season and are programmed to last for two weeks.  Site signage will advise of any temporary restrictions to access.

Following the gorse management works, the car park will be up-graded in order to resolve ongoing drainage issues.  The car park will be closed for a short period during the up-grading works and the public are asked to follow advisory signage.