The reserve covers approximately 41 hectares and is owned and managed by the local authority (Aberdeen City Council). Kincorth Hill is surrounded by various residential areas, an industrial estate, moorland and open farmland. Suitable management of the adjoining countryside is important to prevent the reserve becoming isolated, and its diversity diminished as a result.

A diversity of habitats are present within the reserve including heathland, scrub, grassland, broad-leaved and coniferous woodland and a pond. In the absence of intervention, much of the heathland and grassland would be invaded by scrub and spruce trees. Japanese Knotweed would also spread into natural habitats. Some woodland areas require managing and without intervention, the pond may silt up.

The reserve is a valuable amenity for local people and a resource for environmental education. It is likely that over time there will be an increase in the use of Kincorth Hill for informal recreation. With appropriate management, nature conservation and human requirements can be accommodated.

A management plan for the site is being implemented, and management decisions are taken by a management committee composed of local residents, local teachers, Scottish Natural Heritage, the local authority and local conservation groups. An education pack has been written for teachers and a voluntary warden scheme has been established to monitor wildlife and human usage of the reserve. Future works are dominated by control of invasive species, installation of interpretative stations and other habitat creation projects.

1.1 LocationKincorth Hill is adjacent to the southern margin of Aberdeen between the A956 Wellington Road and the A90 Stonehaven Road. O.S. Grid Reference NJ 940 026 - at the highest point, 105 metres.

The reserve covers approximately 41 hectares and is owned and managed by Aberdeen City Council. The hill was declared a Local Nature Reserve on 9 January 1997. The reserve is bounded by the residential area of Kincorth, Altens Industrial Estate, moorland and open farmland. There is an extensive network of footpaths over the reserve. Most paths emanate from Nigg Way.

The intrinsic value of the reserve is as a large natural open space adjacent to the community of Kincorth and the industrial area of Altens. Kincorth Hill defines between the built up part of the city and the wider countryside. It is important that the adjoining countryside is maintained, otherwise the reserve would become an island and its diversity would diminish.

The majority of Kincorth Hill is within the catchment of the River Dee. The area is characterised by mainly Dalradian schist and gneiss with intrusions of granite. Natural soils have developed from a parent material consisting of glacial till derived from granite and granite gneiss. This has yielded a bouldery, acidic, imperfectly drained iron podzol type soil. Most of quarried parts of the hill have been in-filled with domestic refuse and topsoil. Part of the hill to the east has been tipped with cinder waste from the former power station in Aberdeen.

2.2 Vegetation CoverA diversity of habitats is present within the reserve. A phase 1 habitat survey was carried out by the Nature Conservancy Council (now Scottish Natural Heritage) in 1987 and by Judith Cox of the former Aberdeen District Council in 1994. More details of the biology of the Hill can be obtained from the 1997 Management Plan.

The main vegetation cover is scrub, heathland, unimproved acid and neutral grassland, semi-improved and improved acid grassland, broad-leaved and coniferous woodland, a small pond and perennial and biennial plants.

Little detailed recording of fauna has been undertaken. Roe deer and foxes are regularly seen on the reserve. Smaller mammals such as rabbits, shrews and voles are also present and a large variety of birds. Butterflies are regularly seen including meadow brown, red admiral and painted lady.

3.1.1 Natural Trends : In the absence of intervention, much of the heathland and grassland will be further invaded by scrub and conifer trees. The areas of Japanese Knotweed (Reynoutria japonica) will increasingly spread into natural habitats. Many of the trees that were planted in the 1970’s are growing too close together and subsequently are weak and not growing to their full potential. Without intervention, the pond over a period of time will silt up.3.1.2 Human Trends : The reserve is a valuable amenity for local people and a resource for environmental education for local schools. There is potential to enhance the reserve for these roles. It is likely that over time there will be an increase in the use of the hill for informal recreation. The reserve is part of the Loirston Recreation Area and will form a link in the footpath network being proposed for the Loirston area. Scottish Natural Heritage are producing an Education Pack, for Teachers, to be used on Kincorth Hill.

On the negative side, over the years there have been numerous malicious fires on the hill which have caused damage to areas of wood, heath and scrub. It may be necessary to create fire breaks to prevent a serious fire spreading to all of the reserve or even to near by houses. The hill is often used by motor bikes, using the hill illegally. This causes safety problems and it is a disturbance to visitors. Vandalism and litter are another problem that is difficult to control in an area so large as this.

3.2.1 Management Constraints : Some of the works which may be desirable to improve the reserve may be outwith the scope of the Management Advisory Committee and the Council due to the availability of labour and funding and to the presence of a large neighbouring urban population.

3.2.2 Pollution : Kincorth Hill is in close proximity to 'A' class roads and industrial estates. There may therefore be high levels of pollutants in the air around the Nature Reserve. Unfortunately, there is no data available on this at present.

The following organisations are involved with Kincorth Hill Local Nature Reserve:

Aberdeen City Council, Scottish Natural Heritage, Grampian Police, Kincorth Hill Management Advisory Committee, Scottish Conservation Projects, Friends of the Earth, and Aberdeen Urban Wildlife Group. Financial sponsorship is available from UNOCAL.

The following will have an influence on the biodiversity of Kincorth Hill:

• Local Biodiversity Action Plan (LBAP) - this is currently being formulated and will aim at maintaining and increasing the biodiversity within the city.
• The Aberdeen Nature Conservation Strategy which contains policies for protecting and enhancing wildlife within the city particularly at District Wildlife Sites.
• Kincorth Hill Local Nature Reserve Management Plan, which prescribes the management, practices for the next five years on the hill.
• The Local Agenda 21 process which promotes the integrated management of the environment by considering the environment, the economy and the community in all decisions.

Fulfilling the objectives of this habitat action plan is likely to bring about a number of additional important benefits:

• Community - by increasing the sense of ownership and value of the hill
• Educational - raise awareness on both a formal and informal basis
• Recreational - promoting informal access for everyone
• Landscape and Aesthetic - by maintaining and increasing biodiversity
• Environmental quality
• Economic - increased income to the local area from visitors
• Increased biodiversity - which is the overall aim of this action plan

Conservation Direction: Maintain the existing diversity and extent of wildlife in all urban areas, expanding the range and distribution of rare and common species and enabling this resource to be utilised as an educational tool.

Detailed below are the broad management objectives for the reserve showing long term management aims.

It is vital to maintain the extent and diversity of natural and semi-natural habitats within the reserve in order to ensure its value to wildlife. The heathland is of particular importance. An audit for the Aberdeen Local Biodiversity Action Plan, has identified heathlands as important habitats in the North East of Scotland. Habitat management, such as restricting scrub and clearing some existing areas of scrub from encroaching further onto the heath and thinning the wooded area, is essential to retain their value. It may also be possible to enhance the value of some features by habitat creation and management such as tree planting in the quarry.

An important function of all Local Nature Reserves is to provide opportunities for informal enjoyment of nature. Kincorth Hill already has a network of footpaths throughout the site, with links to adjacent residential areas. These paths need to be maintained and the use of other informal paths monitored to reduce any damage to the reserve. A leaflet is available and further interpretation such as display boards and viewfinders will be considered. 7.3 Environmental Education

Another important function of Local Nature Reserves is the provision of opportunities for environmental education. A number of local schools have already made use of the area. There is potential to increase this use by the provision of suitable education material for use on the site. Scottish Natural Heritage are currently undertaking the writing of a Teachers Pack for Kincorth Hill, which will be made available to all schools in Aberdeen. Care will be taken to prevent any damage to sensitive habitats as a result of educational use of the reserve.

The local community has been eager to ensure the reserve is managed correctly. The Management Advisory Committee will be the focus for decisions on management of the reserve. Other community action can be encouraged through work parties and information gathering. It is proposed to set up a voluntary warden scheme, which would co-ordinate community involvement and ensure the reserve is managed according to this management plan.

A key to ensuring that wildlife survives is raising public awareness of wildlife issues - the more people become informed and involved, the greater their sense of ownership, leading to an increased respect for wildlife and wildlife sites. An interest in local wildlife and nature conservation issues leads to a better understanding of wider environmental issues.

ACC-Aberdeen City Council, ACP-Aberdeen Countryside Project, MAC-Management Advisory Committee, UA-University of Aberdeen, SNH-Scottish Natural Heritage, CB-Conservation body such as SCP (Scottish Conservation Projects) and SWT (Scottish Wildlife Trust), PC-Private Companies, WGS-Woodland Grant Scheme.