Loch Awe and Loch Ailsh
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Condition (NatureScot)
| Unit | Feature | Condition | Area (ha) | Assessed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| F1 | Black-throated diver (Gavia arctica), breeding | Favourable | — | 2022-10-31 |
Habitats
Birds & fish recorded
Birds
| Species | Season |
|---|---|
| black-throated diver | Breeding |
Fish
| Species | Season |
|---|---|
| Atlantic salmon | Unknown |
Description
Loch Awe and Loch Ailsh Loch Awe and Loch Ailsh Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) comprises two lochs, located about 8km apart, near Ledmore junction in the west of Sutherland. Loch Awe is situated in open upland terrain and is a shallow loch with a relatively diverse range of aquatic vegetation. Loch Ailsh is a shallow, nutrient-poor loch, almost completely surrounded by commercial forestry which was planted in the 1980s. Loch Awe and Loch Ailsh each regularly support a pair of nesting black-throated diver Gavia arctica. These two pairs represent over 1% of the British breeding population and are therefore of national importance. Loch Awe and Loch Ailsh SSSI is part of Inverpolly, Loch Urigill and Nearby Lochs Special Protection Area (SPA) designated for black-throated diver (Gavia arctica). Part of Loch Awe and Loch Ailsh SSSI overlaps part of the River Oykel Special Area of Conservation (SAC) designated for the European species Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) and freshwater pearl mussel (Margaritifera margaritifera).
Species mentioned
Show the 3 species mentioned in the description, with red-list status| English name search for this in other sites |
Latin name search with Google |
IUCN / Red List | Type | Family |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| black-throated diver | Gavia arctica | VU (Breeding) | bird-diver | gaviidae |
| freshwater pearl mussel | Margaritifera margaritifera | Not listed in GB list | bivalve | margaritiferidae |
| Atlantic salmon | Salmo salar | EN | fish | salmonidae |
Plant communities
A9 — Fast flowing river and stream, Marginal and inundation, Pond ditch and canal, Sluggish river and stream
Potamogeton natans community
Show 20 indicator speciesSchoenoplectus 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
Show 15 indicator speciesIsolepis 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
Show 11 indicator speciesBerula 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
Show 12 indicator speciesFontinalis 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