Black Bog

Coastal Marsh, Saltings in Aberdeenshire

Scotland

Black Bog

Priest's Wood Looking towards the woods that have had a battering by the wind over the last couple of years — Priest's Wood Credit: Ralph Greig

Black Bog is a coastal marsh located in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. It is situated near the village of Blackdog, approximately 10 miles north of Aberdeen. The area is known for its unique ecosystem and natural beauty.

Covering an area of approximately 200 acres, Black Bog is characterized by its diverse flora and fauna. The marsh is composed of a mixture of wetland habitats, including salt marshes and saltings. These habitats are formed by the deposition of sediment brought by the tides and are influenced by the nearby North Sea.

The vegetation in Black Bog is varied and adapted to the saline environment. It includes species such as sea aster, sea lavender, and saltmarsh grasses. These plants not only provide habitat and food sources for numerous bird species but also help stabilize the marshland.

The coastal marsh is an important breeding ground and resting place for a wide range of bird species. It attracts migratory birds such as redshanks, curlews, and oystercatchers. Additionally, it is home to resident species like lapwings and reed buntings. The abundance of birdlife makes Black Bog a popular spot for birdwatching enthusiasts.

The coastal marsh also serves as a vital habitat for various invertebrates, including butterflies, moths, and dragonflies. It supports a rich insect population, which in turn sustains other wildlife in the area.

Black Bog is not only a haven for wildlife but also offers visitors the opportunity to enjoy scenic walks and appreciate the natural beauty of the coastal landscape. With its diverse ecosystems and abundant wildlife, Black Bog is a significant and cherished part of the Aberdeenshire coastline.

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Black Bog Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 57.295221/-2.6785615 or Grid Reference NJ5922. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Priest's Wood

Looking towards the woods that have had a battering by the wind over the last couple of years

Ralph Greig

The Gordon Way

Part of the route of the gordon way up Satter hill

Ralph Greig

Tree felling on the Gordon Way

Tree clear up from the storms over the last few years

Ralph Greig

Knock Saul Summit

The process of placing trig points on top of prominent hills and mountains began in 1935 to assist in the accurate retriangulation of Great Britain. The Ordnance Survey's first trig point was erected on 18 April 1936 near Cold Ashby, Northamptonshire. In low-lying or flat areas some trig points are only a few metres above sea level and one is even at −1 m (near Little Ouse, Cambridgeshire, TL61718 89787). When all the trig points were in place, it was possible in clear weather to see at least two other trig points from any one trig point, but subsequent vegetation growth means that this is not necessarily still the case. Careful measurements of the angles between the lines-of-sight of the other trig points then allowed the construction of a system of triangles which could then be referenced back to a single baseline to construct a highly accurate measurement system that covered the entire country.

Ralph Greig