New nature reserve proposed for Ardersier Common

A long strip of shoreline on the Inner Moray Firth could be set to be designated a local nature reserve (LNR). Ardersier Common provides habitat for birds such as tern, curlew and goldfinch and it has rare coralroot orchid flowers and dingy skipper butterflies. The almost 47 acres (19ha) of grassland, scrub and woodland is owned by a number of landowners, including Highland Council, Scottish Water and the Ministry of Defence. Councillors will be asked to approve the LNR at a meeting on Thursday. Other wildlife in the area at Ardersier, near Nairn, include badgers, roe deer common lizard and horse leech. In a report to councillors, Highland Council officials said the common was an "important rest area" for migratory birds and insects. A community consultation on the LNR plans was held in February. The council officials said: "A local nature reserve is a place with special local natural interest, set up to protect nature, and for people to enjoy and appreciate. "They offer a natural environment, in contrast with formal open green spaces such as parks and gardens but are still readily accessible to people." If declared an LNR, Ardersier Common would be the 102nd in Scotland and only t