Birk Knowes
Also within
Condition (NatureScot)
| Unit | Feature | Condition | Area (ha) | Assessed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| F1 | Llandovery | Favourable | — | 2010-12-07 |
| F2 | Silurian - Devonian Chordata | Favourable | — | 2013-01-18 |
Geology & landscape
Geological Period: Silurian
Description
BIRK KNOWES Birk Knowes, located on the Logan Water approximately 7 km south west of Lesmahagow, is one of a network of Silurian sites in the Midland Valley of Scotland. It contains an excellent example of late Llandovery sedimentary rocks of the Patrick Burn Formation, dating from around 435 million years ago, for which it is nationally important. The Patrick Burn Formation at this locality has yielded unusual and palaeontologically important fish and arthropod faunas. The fish fauna includes the jawless fish Jamoytius kerwoodi which is important in relation to studies on the early evolution of vertebrates. Birk Knowes has also yielded the fossil remains of the enigmatic organism Ainiktozoon loganense which may be an arthropod. These two species were first discovered and described from Birk Knowes conferring international significance on the locality.