Habitat assessment and restoration

Forth Rivers Consulting have been commissioned by Forth Rivers Trust to undertake ecological scoping surveys, otter licence applications, ecological clerk of works, and bankside assistance on their weir removal projects. We have now assisted with the removal or planned removal of 4 weirs within the Forth Catchment.

We also undertake scoping surveys for macroinvertebrates and fish so that long term monitoring can be used to build up a picture of how weir removals benefit these species.

Pre-commencement surveys also check for the presence of other protected species such as roosting bats, breeding birds, beavers, and otters. Otters in particular love weirs, and the build-up of fish that they attract. All of our weir removals have required otter protection licences from NatureScot before work could start on site. 

Forth Rivers Consulting have been commissioned to undertake peatland restoration on a site near Braco in the Allan Water Catchment. The team, led by Charlotte have undertaken all preliminary surveys, a full feasibility and management plan, and have obtained planning permission. A range of species have been identified on site including otter, common lizard, and skylark. An array of bog plants were also found including sundew, cranberry, sphagnum, crowberry, cloudberry, cowberry were present and although restoration to improve the habitat is needed, the diversity of species was encouraging to see.

Scrub clearance, and various techniques to block the historic drainage and re-wet the degraded peatland will commence over winter of 25-26 once a contractor has been appointed. The works are funded by NatureScot through the MERLIN Project, and Network Rail.