Peatland Restoration Creates Reptile Havens

Reptile protection is a key focus of a significant peatland restoration project underway at Longbridge Muir, near Dumfries. New hibernacula, constructed from peat and tree material, are being established to offer safe overwintering sites for adders, slow worms, and common lizards.

Corrugated metal sheets are also being utilized to fashion warm microhabitats, enabling the observation of reptiles with minimal disturbance. This phased approach, spanning three years, is designed to reduce disruption and allow wildlife to adapt to the ongoing changes.

The restoration aims to reverse decades of drainage and tree planting that altered the valuable raised bog habitat. By rewetting the land, the project seeks to restore natural conditions, improve water levels, and strengthen biodiversity, while ensuring the protection of reptile populations and their newly created refuges.