Ythan Estuary, Sands of Forvie and Meikle Loch

 

Ythan Estuary, Sands of Forvie and Meikle Loch are located north of Aberdeen on the east coast of Scotland. The site comprises the long, narrow estuary of the River Ythan and Meikle Loch. At its mouth, the river splits an extensive area of sand dunes with the Forveran Links on the west bank and the Sands of Forvie dune system on the east bank. Extensive mud-flats in the upper reaches of the estuary are replaced by coarser gravels with Mussel Mytilus edulis beds closer to the sea. The margins of the estuary are varied, with areas of saltmarsh, reedbed and poor fen. Meikle Loch is an important roost site for geese, which feed away from the SPA on surrounding farmland in winter. It is a eutrophic loch supporting limited aquatic vegetation. In summer the coastal habitats of the dunes and estuary provide an important breeding site for three species of tern, whilst in winter the estuary holds large numbers of waders, ducks and geese. 

Qualifying species

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