Kintyre Goose Roosts facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Kintyre Goose Roosts |
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| Kintyre Goose Lochs | |
The western shore of Loch Lussa, one of the five lochs that make up the Kintyre Goose Roosts
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| Location | Argyll and Bute, Scotland |
| Nearest city | Campbeltown |
| Area | 3.12 km2 (1.20 sq mi) |
| Established | 1998 |
| Governing body | Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) |
The Kintyre Goose Roosts are a group of five beautiful lochs (lakes) located on the Kintyre peninsula in western Scotland. These lochs are known for their very clear and clean water, which means they don't have many nutrients. Together, they cover an area of 312 hectares, which is about 770 acres. Since 1998, these lochs have been protected as a special place called a Ramsar Site. This means they are recognized as important wetlands for wildlife around the world.
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What are the Kintyre Goose Roosts?
The Kintyre Goose Roosts include five different lochs: Loch Garasdale, Loch an Fhraoich, Loch Lussa, Tangy Loch and Black Loch. These lochs are very important because they provide a safe home for a huge number of Greenland white-fronted geese. About 8.5% of all the Greenland white-fronted geese in the world come here to spend the winter months. This makes the Kintyre Goose Roosts an internationally important place for these birds.
Home to Special Geese
The Greenland white-fronted geese travel a long way to reach these lochs. They fly from Greenland to spend the colder months in Scotland. The lochs offer them a safe place to rest and find food before they fly back to Greenland in the spring to lay their eggs and raise their young. Protecting these roosts helps make sure these amazing birds have a place to survive.
Important Plants and Animals
Besides the geese, the Kintyre Goose Roosts are also home to other interesting species. For example, Tangy Loch is special because it has a very rare plant called the slender naiad (Najas flexilis). This plant is not found in many other places in the country, making its presence here very important for biodiversity.
Why are these Lochs Protected?
The Kintyre Goose Roosts are protected for several important reasons. They are recognized as a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention. This is an international agreement that helps protect wetlands around the globe.
The area is also known as a Special Protection Area (SPA). SPAs are places set aside to protect wild birds and their natural homes. Lastly, the Kintyre Goose Roosts are a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). This means the area is protected in the UK because of its special wildlife, plants, or geology. All these protections help keep the lochs and their wildlife safe for future generations.
