BIRD and wildlife habitats near Muirkirk are being put in danger by off-road vehicles such as quad and dirt bikes, wildlife experts have warned.
Recent damage was done to an area of land near the village, according to land owners and Scotland's nature agency.
The Muirkirk and North Lowther Uplands Special Protection Area (SPA) covers around 26, 832 hectares of moorland north and south of Muirkirk.
It is one of the largest special protection areas in Scotland and internationally important due to the vulnerable birds it supports. It is also designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI).
Damage by off-road motorised vehicles such as quad and dirt bikes are putting these precious habitats, and the wildlife they sustain, at risk, according to the team at Stanley Wright- a land factoring organisation based in East Ayrshire.
Bird populations in Scotland have plummeted in recent years with one in four species now in serious trouble - made worse recently by the devastating effects of avian flu.
The team say that not only are these motor vehicles causing physical damage, but they have the potential to disturb upland wading birds.
However, they say that it's not just the birds that are at risk.
Vast areas of this moorland are covered by blanket bog – which has become increasingly important in today’s world due to its ability to create and store carbon in the form of peat.
It takes around 10 years to form one centimetre of peat. Incredibly, some of the peat around these areas is about eight metres deep, meaning this peat may have formed around 8000 years ago.
Motor vehicles in and around this area damages the soil structure, which in turn can greatly affect the water table. This stops peat forming and eventually damages the peat itself.
When this happens, it stops being a carbon sink and instead can begin leaking carbon into the atmosphere.
The Stanley Wright team contacted NatureScot after learning about the damage.
How they are hoping to work together, with the help of the public, to stop these issues from progressing.
John Adair, area officer at NatureScot, said: “At a time when more and more people are aware of nature and of the need to protect habitats which are home to so much of our wildlife, it is very disappointing to see this illegal activity continue.
"Not only is criminal damage being carried out by breaking down fences and gates, but the individuals involved are putting themselves at great risk of being found guilty of wildlife crime, whether deliberate or non-deliberate.
"All of the local farmers and owners are trying hard to improve conditions for wildlife on the moors, and to see an increase in their numbers, and so it is quite tragic that the local populations of animals and birds using the moorland are being so negatively affected by these illegal activities.”
Nick Wright, estate factor from land managers Stanley Wright added: “We have started a program of peatland restoration across the Estate. These vehicles damage the land; they create channels for water to flow and erode the soil and peat.
"There’s also the wildlife, several priority species we work hard to protect, and of course the sheep, pregnant ewes and the new-born lambs in spring to consider.
"These vehicles cause disturbance and distress to these creatures. It’s sad and frustrating.”
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