Lewis Peatlands facts for kids

The Lewis Peatlands (which is mòinteach Leòdhais in Scottish Gaelic) is a very large area of special wet land. It is mostly covered by something called a blanket bog. This amazing place covers more than one third of the Isle of Lewis, which is an island off the west coast of Scotland.

This huge natural area is about 58,984 hectares in size. To give you an idea, that's like having over 82,000 football fields! It is one of the biggest and most untouched blanket bogs known anywhere in the world. It's also the second largest Ramsar site in Scotland. A Ramsar site is a wetland that is super important for nature, especially for birds.

What is a Blanket Bog?

A blanket bog is a type of wetland that is very wet and spongy. It gets all its water from rain, not from rivers or groundwater. This makes it a unique habitat. The Lewis Peatlands has a nearly continuous cover of this blanket bog.

Pools and Lochans

Within the bog, you'll find many small pools and lochans. A lochan is a small lake or pond, especially in Scotland. These waters can be either oligotrophic (meaning they have very few nutrients) or mesotrophic (meaning they have a medium amount of nutrients). This mix helps different kinds of plants and animals to live there.

Amazing Wildlife of Lewis Peatlands

The Lewis Peatlands is a fantastic home for many different kinds of birds that breed there. It's especially important for water birds.

Important Bird Populations

This area is famous for its large numbers of dunlin. These are small wading birds. Up to 30% of all the dunlin in the world come to Lewis Peatlands to breed! That's a huge number.

Many other important bird species also live here. These include the black-throated diver, which is a beautiful water bird. You can also spot the majestic golden eagle soaring above. Another special bird found here is the golden plover, known for its striking golden feathers.

Protecting This Special Place

Because the Lewis Peatlands is so important for nature, it has been given special protection.

Ramsar Wetland of International Importance

It is recognized as a wetland of international importance under something called the Ramsar Convention. This is an international agreement that helps protect wetlands around the world.

Special Protection Area

The Lewis Peatlands has also been named a Special Protection Area (SPA). This means it's a very important place for wild birds, and it's protected by law.

Special Area of Conservation

Almost half of the Lewis Peatlands has also been marked as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC). These areas are protected because they have rare or important habitats and species. This helps make sure this amazing natural space stays safe for future generations.