Cromarty Firth

Site of Special Scientific Interest · 57.6782, -4.2664

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Also within

Ross and Cromarty County

Condition (NatureScot)

Favourable (7) Unfavourable No Change (1)
UnitFeatureConditionArea (ha)Assessed
F1 Bar-tailed godwit (Limosa lapponica), non-breeding Favourable — 2010-11-12
F2 Red-breasted merganser (Mergus serrator), non-breeding Favourable — 2005-03-31
F3 Redshank (Tringa totanus), non-breeding Favourable — 2010-11-12
F4 Whooper swan (Cygnus cygnus), non-breeding Unfavourable No Change — 2005-03-31
F5 Wigeon (Anas penelope), non-breeding Favourable — 2010-11-12
F6 Saltmarsh Favourable — 2024-03-25
F7 Mudflats Favourable — 2010-06-30
F8 Sandflats Favourable — 2010-06-30

Climate exposure

This is about exposure to a nationwide pressure this habitat type carries — not a verdict on this site's own management.

Coastal

Coastal habitats are exposed to sea-level rise and storm erosion. Where hard sea defences sit behind them, there's nowhere landward to retreat to — a squeeze that keeps compressing the habitat no matter how well it's managed.

Habitats

Fast flowing river and stream, Salt marsh

Geology & landscape

Landscape processes: Coastal

Birds & fish recorded

Birds

SpeciesSeason
bar-tailed godwit Roosting
bar-tailed godwit Wintering
red-breasted merganser Roosting
red-breasted merganser Wintering
redshank Roosting
redshank Wintering
whooper swan Roosting
whooper swan Wintering
wigeon Roosting
wigeon Wintering

Description

CROMARTY FIRTH The Cromarty Firth is a large estuary within the Moray Firth in north-east Scotland. It stretches for 25 kilometres from the mouth of the River Conon at Conon Bridge to Nigg and Cromarty in the east. The SSSI contains a range of estuarine habitats including sand and mud flats and saltmarsh. The extensive sand and mud flats support internationally important numbers of wintering wildfowl and wading birds. The 4,000 ha of intertidal flats in the Cromarty Firth is the largest continuous extent of this habitat in the Moray Firth. The sand flats are especially extensive in Nigg and Udale Bays whereas the smaller bays at Alness and Dingwall are mainly mudflat. The intertidal flats support a rich and abundant invertebrate fauna with marine worms, marine snails, cockles Cerastoderma edule, as well as mussel beds Mytilus edulis. These, together with the extensive communities of pioneer plant species such as narrow-leaved eelgrass Zostera marina, dwarf eelgrass Zostera noltii and tasselweed Ruppia maritima, provide the food base for large numbers of overwintering wildfowl and waders (as well as sheltering a range of juvenile fish). Extensive areas of largely ungrazed saltmarsh occur in Nigg and Dingwall Bays as well as where rivers enter the firth. Characteristic saltmarsh communities in the Cromarty Firth are zoned from low to high water mark and are dominated by sea aster Aster tripolium, common saltmarsh grass Puccinellia maritima, saltmarsh rush Juncus gerardii, and sea club-rush Bolboschoenus maritimus as well as common glasswort Salicornia europaea, thrift Armeria maritima and sea milkwort Glaux maritima. Areas of saltmarsh provide important roosting sites for wading birds at high tides. The Cromarty Firth is of outstanding interest for its overwintering populations of wildfowl and waders, including nationally important populations of wigeon Mareca penelope, whooper swan Cygnus cygnus, red-breasted merganser Mergus serrator, bar-tailed godwit Limosa lapponica and redshank Tringa totanus.

Species mentioned

English name
search for this in other sites		 Latin name
search with Google		 IUCN / Red List Type Family
wigeon Mareca penelope LC (NonBreeding), NT (Breeding) bird-duck anatidae
red-breasted merganser Mergus serrator VU (NonBreeding) bird-duck anatidae
whooper swan Cygnus cygnus LC (NonBreeding), EN (Breeding) bird-swan anatidae
bar-tailed godwit Limosa lapponica LC (NonBreeding) bird-wader scolopacidae
redshank Tringa totanus EN (NonBreeding) bird-wader scolopacidae
cockle Cerastoderma edule Not listed in GB list bivalve cardiidae
blue mussel Mytilus edulis LC bivalve mytilidae
saltmarsh grass Puccinellia maritima LC grass poaceae
thrift Armeria maritima CR herb plumbaginaceae
sea aster Aster tripolium Not listed in GB list herb asteraceae
sea milkwort Glaux maritima Not listed in GB list herb primulaceae
beaked tassel-weeds Ruppia maritima LC herb ruppiaceae
common glasswort Salicornia europaea LC herb chenopodiaceae
eelgrass Zostera marina VU herb zosteraceae
saltmarsh rush Juncus gerardii LC rush juncaceae
sea club rush Bolboschoenus maritimus LC sedge cyperaceae

Plant communities

A9 — Fast flowing river and stream, Marginal and inundation, Pond ditch and canal, Sluggish river and stream

Potamogeton natans community

Schoenoplectus lacustris, Juncus bulbosus, Sparganium angustifolium, Sparganium erectum, Sparganium minimum, Alisma plantago-aquatica, Lobelia dortmanna, Equisetum fluviatile, Myriophyllum alterniflorum, Elodea canadensis, Lemna minor, Lemna trisulca, Nymphaea alba, Callitriche platycarpa, Callitriche stagnalis, Littorella uniflora, Potamogeton natans, Ranunculus trichophyllus, Glyceria fluitans, Chara subspinosa

A14 — Fast flowing river and stream

Myriophyllum alterniflorum community

Isolepis fluitans, Juncus bulbosus, Fontinalis antipyretica, Lobelia dortmanna, Equisetum fluviatile, Myriophyllum alterniflorum, Lemna minor, Callitriche stagnalis, Littorella uniflora, Potamogeton filiformis, Potamogeton gramineus, Potamogeton natans, Ranunculus peltatus, Chara spp., Nitella hyalina

A17 — Chalk river and stream, Fast flowing river and stream

Ranunculus penicillatus ssp. pseudofluitans community

Berula erecta, Nasturtium officinale, Elodea canadensis, Lemna minor, Callitriche stagnalis, Veronica beccabunga, Polygonum amphibium, Polygonum hydropiper, Potamogeton crispus, Potamogeton pectinatus, Ranunculus penicillatus ssp. pseudofluitans

A18 — Fast flowing river and stream

Ranunculus fluitans community

Fontinalis antipyretica, Fontinalis squamosa var. curnowii, Myriophyllum alterniflorum, Myriophyllum spicatum, Elodea canadensis, Mentha aquatica, Lemna gibba, Lemna minor, Potamogeton perfoliatus, Ranunculus fluitans, Glyceria fluitans, Phalaris arundinacea

SM1 — Salt marsh

Zostera communities

Zostera angustifolia, Zostera marina, Zostera noltei, Spartina anglica, Porphyra umbilicalis, Chondria dasyphylla, Polysiphonia nigra, Chara aspera, Chaetomorpha linum, Chaetomorpha tortuosa, Cladophora battersii, Cladophora retroflexa, Ulva intestinalis, Ulva lactuca, Fucus spiralis

SM2 — Salt marsh

Ruppia maritima salt-marsh community

Ruppia maritima

SM3 — Salt marsh

Eleocharis parvula salt-marsh community

Eleocharis parvula

SM4 — Salt marsh

Spartina maritima salt-marsh community

Suaeda maritima, Salicornia europaea, Salicornia perennis, Puccinellia maritima, Spartina anglica, Spartina maritima

SM5 — Salt marsh

Spartina alterniflora salt-marsh community

Puccinellia maritima, Spartina alterniflora, Spartina anglica

SM6 — Salt marsh

Spartina anglica salt-marsh community

Atriplex portulacoides, Suaeda maritima, Aster tripolium, Cochlearia anglica, Spergularia media, Atriplex hastata, Salicornia europaea, Plantago maritima, Limonium vulgare, Puccinellia maritima, Spartina anglica, Catenella caespitosa, Fucus vesiculosus, Fucus vesiculosus ecad volubilis

SM7 — Salt marsh

Arthrocnemum perenne stands

Atriplex portulacoides, Suaeda maritima, Aster tripolium, Spergularia media, Salicornia europaea, Salicornia perennis, Limonium vulgare, Puccinellia maritima, Bostrychia scorpioides

SM8 — Salt marsh

Annual Salicornia salt-marsh community

Atriplex portulacoides, Suaeda maritima, Aster tripolium, Salicornia europaea, Puccinellia maritima, Spartina anglica

SM9 — Salt marsh

Suaeda maritima salt-marsh community

Atriplex portulacoides, Suaeda maritima, Aster tripolium, Salicornia europaea, Puccinellia maritima, Spartina anglica

SM10 — Salt marsh

Transitional low-marsh vegetation with Puccinellia maritima annual Salicornia species and Suaeda maritima

Atriplex portulacoides, Suaeda maritima, Aster tripolium, Spergularia media, Salicornia europaea, Triglochin maritimum, Armeria maritima, Limonium vulgare, Puccinellia maritima, Spartina anglica

SM11 — Salt marsh

Aster tripolium var. discoideus salt-marsh community

Atriplex portulacoides, Suaeda maritima, Aster tripolium, Spergularia media, Salicornia europaea, Salicornia perennis, Plantago maritima, Puccinellia maritima, Spartina anglica, Bostrychia scorpioides, Fucus vesiculosus, Pelvetia canaliculata

SM12 — Salt marsh

Rayed Aster Tripolium on slat marshes

Schoenoplectus lacustris, Juncus bufonius, Suaeda maritima, Aster tripolium, Spergularia marina, Spergularia media, Atriplex hastata, Salicornia europaea, Triglochin maritimum, Plantago maritima, Puccinellia distans, Puccinellia maritima, Spartina anglica

SM13 — Salt marsh

Puccinellia maritima salt-marsh community

Atriplex portulacoides, Juncus gerardii, Suaeda maritima, Aster tripolium, Cochlearia anglica, Cochlearia officinalis, Spergularia media, Atriplex hastata, Salicornia europaea, Salicornia perennis, Triglochin maritimum, Plantago maritima, Armeria maritima, Limonium humile, Limonium vulgare, Glaux maritima, Agrostis stolonifera, Festuca rubra, Puccinellia maritima, Spartina anglica, Spartina maritima, Bostrychia scorpioides, Fucus cottonii

SM14 — Salt marsh

Halimione portulacoides salt-marsh community

Atriplex portulacoides, Juncus maritimus, Suaeda maritima, Artemisia maritima, Aster tripolium, Inula crithmoides, Spergularia media, Salicornia europaea, Salicornia perennis, Triglochin maritimum, Plantago maritima, Armeria maritima, Limonium vulgare, Elytrigia atherica, Puccinellia maritima, Spartina anglica

SM15 — Salt marsh

Juncus maritimus-Triglochin maritima salt-marsh community

Atriplex portulacoides, Carex extensa, Juncus gerardii, Juncus maritimus, Suaeda maritima, Oenanthe lachenalii, Artemisia maritima, Cochlearia anglica, Cochlearia officinalis, Spergularia media, Atriplex hastata, Salicornia europaea, Triglochin maritimum, Plantago maritima, Armeria maritima, Limonium humile, Limonium vulgare, Glaux maritima, Agrostis stolonifera, Festuca rubra, Phragmites australis, Puccinellia maritima, Spartina anglica, Fucus cottonii

SM16 — Salt marsh

Festuca rubra salt-marsh community

Atriplex portulacoides, Carex distans, Carex flacca, Juncus gerardii, Hypnum cupressiforme, Kindbergia praelonga, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Scorzoneroides autumnalis, Cochlearia anglica, Cerastium fontanum, Sagina procumbens, Spergularia media, Atriplex hastata, Salicornia europaea, Lotus corniculatus, Trifolium repens, Triglochin maritimum, Plantago lanceolata, Plantago maritima, Armeria maritima, Limonium vulgare, Glaux maritima, Ranunculus acris, Potentilla anserina, Agrostis stolonifera, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Cynosurus cristatus, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Puccinellia maritima

SM17 — Salt marsh

Artemisia maritima salt-marsh community

Atriplex portulacoides, Juncus gerardii, Juncus maritimus, Suaeda maritima, Suaeda vera, Artemisia maritima, Cochlearia anglica, Cochlearia officinalis, Spergularia media, Atriplex hastata, Salicornia europaea, Triglochin maritimum, Plantago coronopus, Plantago maritima, Armeria maritima, Limonium vulgare, Glaux maritima, Agrostis stolonifera, Elytrigia atherica, Elytrigia repens, Festuca rubra, Hordeum marinum, Parapholis strigosa, Puccinellia maritima

SM18 — Salt marsh

Juncus maritimus salt-marsh community

Carex distans, Carex extensa, Carex otrubae, Juncus gerardii, Juncus maritimus, Amblystegium serpens, Kindbergia praelonga, Oenanthe lachenalii, Cirsium arvense, Scorzoneroides autumnalis, Sonchus arvensis, Cochlearia officinalis, Silene flos-cuculi, Atriplex hastata, Lotus corniculatus, Trifolium repens, Vicia cracca, Triglochin maritimum, Plantago maritima, Armeria maritima, Rumex crispus, Glaux maritima, Samolus valerandi, Ranunculus acris, Potentilla anserina, Galium palustre, Agrostis stolonifera, Elytrigia repens, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Poa pratensis, Schedonorus arundinaceus

SM19 — Saline lagoon, Salt marsh

Blysmus rufus salt-marsh community

Blysmus rufus, Carex extensa, Carex lepidocarpa, Carex nigra, Eleocharis quinqueflora, Eleocharis uniglumis, Juncus articulatus, Juncus gerardii, Amblystegium serpens, Calliergonell cuspidatum, Drepanocladus polygamus, Leptodictyum riparium, Oenanthe lachenalii, Scorzoneroides autumnalis, Cochlearia anglica, Trifolium repens, Triglochin maritimum, Triglochin palustre, Plantago maritima, Armeria maritima, Glaux maritima, Potentilla anserina, Agrostis stolonifera, Alopecurus geniculatus, Festuca rubra, Puccinellia maritima

SM20 — Saline lagoon, Salt marsh

Eleocharis uniglumis salt-marsh community

Bolboschoenus maritimus, Carex distans, Carex extensa, Carex nigra, Eleocharis quinqueflora, Eleocharis uniglumis, Juncus articulatus, Juncus gerardii, Leptodictyum riparium, Oenanthe lachenalii, Hydrocotyle vulgaris, Scorzoneroides autumnalis, Atriplex hastata, Trifolium repens, Triglochin maritimum, Triglochin palustre, Plantago maritima, Armeria maritima, Glaux maritima, Samolus valerandi, Potentilla anserina, Galium palustre, Agrostis stolonifera, Alopecurus geniculatus, Festuca rubra

SM21 — Salt marsh

Suaeda vera-Limonium binervosum salt-marsh community

Atriplex portulacoides, Frankenia laevis, Suaeda maritima, Suaeda vera, Artemisia maritima, Cochlearia anglica, Cochlearia danica, Cochlearia officinalis, Sagina maritima, Spergularia marina, Spergularia media, Salicornia europaea, Plantago maritima, Armeria maritima, Limonium bellidifolium, Limonium binervosum, Limonium vulgare, Glaux maritima, Elytrigia atherica, Festuca rubra, Puccinellia maritima

SM22 — Salt marsh

Halimione portulacoides-Frankenia laevis salt-marsh community

Atriplex portulacoides, Frankenia laevis, Suaeda maritima, Spergularia media, Salicornia europaea, Salicornia perennis, Plantago coronopus, Plantago maritima, Armeria maritima, Limonium vulgare, Elytrigia juncea, Festuca rubra, Parapholis strigosa, Puccinellia maritima

SM23 — Salt marsh

Spergularia marina-Puccinellia distans salt-marsh community

Atriplex portulacoides, Juncus bufonius, Suaeda maritima, Spergularia marina, Spergularia media, Atriplex hastata, Salicornia europaea, Triglochin maritimum, Plantago maritima, Polygonum aviculare, Glaux maritima, Agrostis stolonifera, Alopecurus geniculatus, Elytrigia atherica, Festuca rubra, Parapholis strigosa, Puccinellia distans, Puccinellia maritima

SM24 — Salt marsh

Elymus pycnanthus salt-marsh community

Atriplex portulacoides, Juncus gerardii, Juncus maritimus, Hypnum cupressiforme, Suaeda vera, Artemisia maritima, Aster tripolium, Sonchus arvensis, Atriplex hastata, Atriplex littoralis, Beta vulgaris sp maritima, Plantago maritima, Armeria maritima, Limonium vulgare, Glaux maritima, Potentilla anserina, Galium aparine, Agrostis stolonifera, Ammophila arenaria, Elytrigia atherica, Festuca rubra, Parapholis strigosa, Phragmites australis, Puccinellia maritima

SM25 — Salt marsh

Suaeda vera drift-line community

Atriplex portulacoides, Suaeda maritima, Suaeda vera, Artemisia maritima, Cochlearia anglica, Cochlearia danica, Cochlearia officinalis, Spergularia media, Atriplex littoralis, Salicornia europaea, Salicornia perennis, Triglochin maritimum, Plantago maritima, Limonium vulgare, Glaux maritima, Elytrigia atherica, Festuca rubra, Puccinellia maritima, Bostrychia scorpioides, Pelvetia canaliculata

SM26 — Salt marsh

Inula crithmoides stands

Atriplex portulacoides, Suaeda maritima, Inula crithmoides, Spergularia media, Salicornia europaea, Salicornia perennis, Plantago maritima, Armeria maritima, Limonium vulgare, Elytrigia atherica, Festuca rubra, Puccinellia maritima, Spartina anglica, Bostrychia scorpioides

SM28 — Salt marsh

Elymus repens salt-marsh community

Bolboschoenus maritimus, Carex otrubae, Eleocharis uniglumis, Juncus gerardii, Kindbergia praelonga, Odontites verna, Anthriscus sylvestris, Apium graveolens, Heracleum sphondylium, Oenanthe crocata, Oenanthe lachenalii, Torilis japonica, Centaurea nigra, Cirsium arvense, Cirsium vulgare, Scorzoneroides autumnalis, Sonchus arvensis, Tripleurospermum maritimum, Cochlearia anglica, Cochlearia officinalis, Silene uniflora, Stellaria media agg., Atriplex hastata, Atriplex littoralis, Calystegia sepium, Lotus corniculatus, Medicago lupulina, Melilotus altissima, Trifolium repens, Vicia cracca, Triglochin maritimum, Plantago lanceolata, Plantago maritima, Rumex conglomeratus, Rumex crispus, Glaux maritima, Potentilla anserina, Galium aparine, Urtica dioica, Agrostis stolonifera, Alopecurus geniculatus, Arrhenatherum elatius, Dactylis glomerata, Deschampsia cespitosa, Elytrigia repens, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Lolium perenne, Poa pratensis, Puccinellia maritima, Schedonorus arundinaceus