Caithness Lochs facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Caithness Lochs |
|
|---|---|
Loch Watten, one of the Caithness Lochs
|
|
| Location | Highland, Scotland |
| Area | 13.79 km2 (5.32 sq mi) |
| Established | 1998 (extended 2000) |
| Governing body | Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) |
The Caithness Lochs is a very special natural area in the far north of Scotland. It's a protected wetland, which means it's a place where land is covered by water, like marshes or swamps. This area is important for many different kinds of plants and animals.
It covers a large space, about 1,379 hectares. This includes six big freshwater lochs (which are like lakes) and many areas of fen and swamp. Because it's so important for nature, it has been protected since 1998.
What Makes Caithness Lochs Special?
The Caithness Lochs area is made up of seven different wetlands. Each of these is so important that it's called a Site of Special Scientific Interest. These places are:
- Broubster Leans
- Loch of Mey
- Loch Calder
- Loch Heilen
- Loch of Wester
- Loch Scarmclate
- Loch Watten
These lochs and wetlands offer many different homes for birds that live near water. You can find lots of waterfowl and wading birds here. This includes large groups of greylag geese, white-fronted geese, and beautiful whooper swans.
The area is also very important for different types of plants. You can find special kinds of reeds, pondweed, and water sedge growing here. These plants help create the perfect environment for the birds and other wildlife.
Why Are the Lochs Protected?
The Caithness Lochs are protected for several important reasons. They are recognized as a wetland of international importance under something called the Ramsar Convention. This is an international agreement to protect important wetlands around the world.
Besides being a Ramsar Site, Caithness Lochs has also been named a Special Protection Area. This means it's a very important place for wild birds. It's also a Special Area of Conservation, which protects its natural habitats and the plants and animals that live there. These protections help make sure this amazing natural area stays safe for future generations.
