Peatland restoration; RSPB Airds Moss, Autumn 2023

Tender description

Tender for the supply of peatland restoration works at the RSPB Airds Moss nature reserve, Muirkirk, East Ayrshire. The restoration work included in this invitatation to tender covers two areas referred to here as Airds Moss East and Airds Moss Central. Airds Moss East will require a single phase of works across an area of 110ha which has previously been subjected to peatland restoration interventions – the present work will look to replace interventions which have failed as well as address erosion features which were not tackled previously (e.g. the inclusion of reprofiling, which was not used during the previous phase of works). At Airds Moss Central, the present work will be the first of three phases, covering 26ha, with subsequent works covering 128ha planned for October 2024-March 2025 and October 2025-March 2026. Drains, peat hags and eroding gullies across these two areas will be restored, in addition to micro-erosion features between linear drains.This work will further enhance the conditions that will reinstate healthy blanket bog and support important plant and animal species. Detailed maps and restoration treatments are included with this tender. The site has been assessed and requires a combination of work using a range of machinery of appropriate size on extra wide low ground pressure tracks for peat-based techniques and manual construction by hand of plastic pile, timber and coir log dams. A range of techniques will be employed to treat the features in this area, these are detailed below within the tender specification. It is anticipated that machine work will be the preference, although there are some small, sensitive areas that may require hand work. Required materials will be moved into the area with a suitable ATV. We have chosen a variety of restoration techniques that are suitable for this site which are set out in the below specification. The supplier will be expected to use their expertise in peatland restoration to adjust restoration techniques if the ground conditions require this. RSPB site staff will be present on site regularly and there will be opportunity to discuss any proposed adjustments.