Langholm keepers begin the task of burning patches of tall heather to improve conditions for grouse.

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Heather burning, known as muirburn, involves creating small cool fires that burn the old twiggy heather, allowing the plants to regenerate from the base.

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Much or the heather area at Langholm was reduced by over-grazing in the past. The project aims to restore some of these areas by reseeding areas of poor quality upland grass.

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Langholm has a rich upland flora which can be spectacular; like this stand of bog asphodel.

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Cotton grass is a typical upland plant of blanket bog. Its flowers are highly nutritious especially for hen red grouse preparing for egg laying in the spring.

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Grouse stocks are assessed by finding and flushing grouse from specific moorland plots each year.Pointing dogs are essential to help find all the grouse on these study areas.

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All the birds of prey that breed on the project area are recorded. They are carefully watched so their nest sites can be discovered.

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Detailed watches are carried out on the hen harrier nests, not only to see how many chicks they fledge, but also to find out what prey they have been taking.

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Hen harriers, like this female with her chicks, nest on the ground usually in tall heather, such as here at Langholm.

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