30 Sept 2025
Redwing are delighted to have had the opportunity to be involved in the most recent survey of tree regeneration at Abernethy Forest National Nature Reserve in the Cairngorm National Park.
In September, Redwing had the opportunity to be involved in the most recent survey of tree regeneration at Abernethy Forest National Nature Reserve in the Cairngorm National Park. The survey is conducted every 5 years and covers an area of approximately 3750 hectares on the forest edge.
Following initial guidance from the wonderfully knowledgeable Ewan Craig from the RSPB, six surveyors were involved in the project, identifying trees, monitoring stem density and recording evidence of browsing with data being recorded in the RSPB’s bespoke GIS system.
Since the previous survey in 2019/2020, the area of forest with >400 stems per hectare has increased by over 200 hectares and the rate of expansion appears to be accelerating through a combination of natural regeneration and targeted planting of native broadleaves.
It is very encouraging to see all the young trees and it was a pleasure to be able to work in such a spectacular setting with much of the area being at higher altitudes with sweeping views across the reserve.
