The Kintyre Goose Roosts are a group of five oligotrophic hill lochs on the Kintyre peninsula in Argyll and Bute, western Scotland. With a total area of 312 hectares, they have been protected as a Ramsar Site since 1998.[2]

Kintyre Goose Roosts
Kintyre Goose Lochs
Western shore of Loch Lussa
The western shore of Loch Lussa, one of the five lochs that make up the Kintyre Goose Roosts
LocationArgyll and Bute, Scotland
Nearest cityCampbeltown
Coordinates55°31′00″N 5°37′00″W / 55.516667°N 5.616667°W / 55.516667; -5.616667
Area3.12 km2 (1.20 sq mi)[1]
Established1998
Governing bodyScottish Natural Heritage (SNH)

The roosts include Loch Garasdale, Loch an Fhraoich, Loch Lussa, Tangy Loch and Black Loch. These support an internationally important population of Greenland white-fronted geese, with 8.5% of the population over-wintering at the site. Tangy Loch is also notable for the presence of the nationally rare slender naiad (Najas flexilis).[3]

As well as being recognised as a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention,[2] Kintyre Goose Roosts has also been designated a Special Protection Area and a Site of Special Scientific Interest.[1][4]

References edit

  1. ^ a b "Kintyre Goose Roosts SPA". Joint Nature Conservation Committee. Retrieved 15 February 2019.
  2. ^ a b "Kintyre Goose Roosts". Ramsar Sites Information Service. Retrieved 15 February 2019.
  3. ^ "UK Kintyre Goose Roosts 13027 RIS 2006" (PDF). Ramsar Sites Information Service. Retrieved 15 February 2019.
  4. ^ "Kintyre Goose Lochs SSSI". Scottish Natural Heritage. Retrieved 15 February 2019.