Nature reserve expansion to help 'at-risk' species

A NATURE reserve is expanding in a move which it is hoped will help species such as the endangered capercaillie.

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RSPB Scotland announced that the purchase of new land at RSPB Abernethy nature reserve has been completed as the reserve celebrates its 50th anniversary.

The reserve includes Loch Garten where in 1954 the first confirmed pair of breeding ospreys to nest in the UK were spotted after the species became extinct in 1916.

Since acquiring the loch and surrounding woodland in 1975, RSPB Scotland has expanded the land it manages to create the 14,000-hectare RSPB Abernethy nature reserve which is renowned as a place to see ospreys. It has now completed the purchase of 33 hectares of land at Lower Dell, near the village of Nethy Bridge, bordering the current boundary of the nature reserve.