Tentsmuir National Nature Reserve is located southeast of Tayport in Fife, Scotland. The reserve is made up of three parts, encompassing Morton Lochs, Tentsmuir Point and Tayport Heath, and is managed by Scottish Natural Heritage. The different sections of Tentsmuir NNR were originally designated as separate national nature reserves at different times: The Morton Lochs section was designated in 1952; Tentsmuir, in 1954; and Tayport Heath, in 1988. While these discrete sections are distant from one another, they form part of the extensive dune system at Tentsmuir, and in 2003 SNH combined the three sites to become Tentsmuir National Nature Reserve. The adjoining Tentsmuir Forest is managed by Forestry and Land Scotland and covers most of the land between the three portions of the NNR.
Geomorphology
The dune system at Tentsmuir NNR is highly dynamic, with some areas of the coast experiencing erosion and some areas accumulating sand. Much of the sandbank and mud-flat system, known as the Abertay Sands, which extends eastwards into the North Sea, was formed only in the past 100 years through processes of erosion and deposition.
Flora
The different sections of Tentsmuir NNR support a rich variety of plant species, and 320 vascular plant species have been recorded at Tentsmuir Point, with over 200 recorded at Morton Lochs. At Morton Lochs, water plantain, yellow flag iris, broad-leaved pondweed and greater pond sedge are just some of the plants that thrive in the mosaic of habitats in this area. The wet woodland surrounding Morton Lochs consists mainly of grey willow, alder, hawthorn and birch. Land to the north and east of Morton Lochs displays some of the natural vegetation characteristic of open heath, despite being planted with forest in 1954.
Fauna
The sea off the reserve hosts a nationally important colony of common seals, and of Tentsmuir Point provides a haul-out site for grey seals. It is one of the few places where both species can be seen together. Bottlenose dolphins are also often seen from the shore at Tentsmuir, and there are less frequent sightings of Minke whales and harbour porpoises. Otters have been seen at the Morton Lochs section of the NNR, with the existence of young otters suggesting successful breeding in the area. Tentsmuir Point is also renowned as one of the most important sites for migratory waders and wildfowl in Scotland. The wetland habitat at Morton Lochs also provides a home for birds like the water rail, the little grebe, the tufted duck and the goldeneye. Ospreys can also be found at Morton Lochs, as well as the rare marsh harrier. Invertebrate fauna in the sand-dune area of Tentsmuir NNR are particularly diverse, with 46 nationally rare or scarce species.
