Inner Tay Estuary facts for kids
The Inner Tay Estuary is a special part of the Firth of Tay in eastern Scotland. It's like where the wide River Tay meets the sea, but still inside the land. It stretches from the Tay Railway Bridge to the Queen's Bridge in Perth and a bridge in Bridge of Earn on the River Earn. This estuary is one of the biggest in eastern Scotland. It can be up to 2.5 kilometers wide!
Most of the Inner Tay Estuary has wide areas of sand and mud that show up when the tide is low. These are called intertidal flats. You'll find lots of these on the northern side. Closer to the land, there are salt marshes and tall reedbeds. The estuary also has two big islands: Mugdrum Island and Moncreiffe Island. Because a lot of fresh water flows in from the Rivers Tay and Earn, the water here isn't very salty. It's mostly fresh or a little bit salty.
Protecting Nature
A large part of the Inner Tay Estuary is a very important place for nature. About 20 kilometers of the estuary is called a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). This means it's a protected area because of its special plants, animals, and habitats. This SSSI was set up in 1999 and covers a huge area of about 4,115 hectares.
Scottish Natural Heritage helps look after this area. They provide information on how to manage the site. Also, Perth & Kinross Council and Dundee City Council manage some parts of the northern shore as a local nature reserve. The RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds) also helps manage areas of the reedbeds.
Amazing Reedbeds
The Phragmites reedbeds on the north shore are very special. They are about 15 kilometers long! People think they are the biggest and most continuous reedbeds in the whole United Kingdom. These reedbeds are tidal, which means they get flooded when the spring tides are high. They are home to many important bird populations that breed there.
Long ago, in the 1800s, these reedbeds were planted to protect farm land. Farmers built special barriers called groynes into the estuary to help the reeds grow. Since then, the reedbeds have grown naturally. Much of the farm land used to be marshy. Monks from the Cistercian order drained and farmed this marsh land in the 1400s and 1500s.
In 1974, people started cutting the reeds to use for thatching roofs. This work continues today, but on a smaller scale, with help from the RSPB. Even when a lot of reeds were cut, it was good for the birds, plants, and insects living there.
Salt Marshes and Tiny Creatures
The best salt marshes are found at the eastern end of the reedbeds, closer to the sea. These marshes are home to some rare plants. These include sea club-rush, grey bulrush, and common salt marsh grass.
The Inner Tay Estuary is also famous for some tiny creatures. A type of midge called Culicoides machardy was first found here in 1960. Later, scientists realized it was the same as another midge found in places like China and Scandinavia. Also, the mud flats in Invergowrie Bay are the first place in Britain where a large worm called Marenzellaria viridis was found. This worm usually lives in North America.
Scottish Natural Heritage has done surveys to learn more about the different habitats in the estuary.
How to Visit
It's easy to get close to the Inner Tay Estuary to see its amazing wildlife. Public roads run very close to both the north and south shores. You can find many spots to view the estuary, but parking might be limited in some places.
- South shore: You can visit places like Wormit, Balmerino, Newburgh, and Elcho Castle.
- North bank: Good spots include Riverside Drive in Dundee (near the railway bridge), Invergowrie, Kingoodie, Port Allen, Powgavie, and Cairnie Pier.
- Perth: You can see the estuary from both banks of the river, from the bridges, and from Moncreiffe Island.
- Bridge of Earn: The bridge itself offers good views.
The small road from Newburgh to Balmerino also gives you excellent wide views looking north over the inner estuary.
