Knockie Lochs

Site of Special Scientific Interest · 57.1852, -4.5636

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Inverness County

Condition (NatureScot)

Unfavourable No Change (1)
UnitFeatureConditionArea (ha)Assessed
F1 Slavonian grebe (Podiceps auritus), breeding Unfavourable No Change 2005-03-31

Birds & fish recorded

Birds

SpeciesSeason
Slavonian grebe Breeding

Description

KNOCKIE LOCHS The site consists of two deep lochs of moderate nutrient status, Loch nan Lann (23.5 ha) and Loch Knockie (68.5 ha). These lie on the south east side of the great Glen at an altitude of 200m, and approximately 4 km south west of Whitebridge. The lochs are surrounded by broad-leaved woodland, conifer plantations and some improved grassland. Loch Knockie contains a number of small wooded islands. The site is of special nature conservation importance because it supports a nationally important breeding population of Slavonian grebe. Knockie Lochs supported 1 pair of grebes during most of the years 1996 – 2002. Both lochs contain extensive beds of emergent vegetation including long-stalked pondweed Potamogeton praelongus. The sedge beds are dominated by bottle sedge Carex rostrata and slender sedge Carex lasiocarpa. These habitats provide nesting and brood-rearing areas for the birds.

Species mentioned

English name
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Latin name
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IUCN / Red List Type Family
Slavonian grebe Podiceps auritus NT (NonBreeding), CR (Breeding) bird-grebe podicipedidae
long stalked pondweeed Potamogeton praelongus VU herb potamogetonaceae
slender sedge Carex lasiocarpa LC sedge cyperaceae
mire bottle sedge Carex rostrata LC sedge cyperaceae