Work to protect adders, slow worms and lizards in Scots peatland restoration

A Scottish peatland restoration project at Longbridge Muir is creating safe habitats for adders, slow worms, and common lizards.

• New hibernacula shelters have been created using peat, tree material, and brash to provide safe overwintering areas for reptiles.
• Staff are placing corrugated metal sheets to create warm microhabitats where reptiles can be observed without disturbance.
• Forestry and Land Scotland confirmed the presence of slow worms in the restoration area, though population numbers are not known.
• Peatland restoration officer George Hemstock said the work is carried out in phases over three years to minimise disturbance to reptiles.