Loch of Strathbeg Saltmarsh

The East Grampian Coasts most northerly large saltmarsh can be found at the Loch of Strathbeg. Despite being quite small it offers a permanent home, seasonal roost, and temporary stop off point for many bird species, creating a site with global ecological significance (JNSS, 2019). The wider Loch of Strathbeg site is home to 25% of the UK, Iceland and Eastern Greenland’s pink-footed goose population (JNSS, 2019), making up 20% of the global population (RSPB, n.d. 1). Other species that frequent the site include whooper swan, teal, lapwing and redshank (RSPB, n.d. 2). It is also the location of the largest dune slack pool in the whole UK (JNCC, 2008), a body of freshwater within dunes set back from the ocean. 

Fig. 1 shows a detailed outline of the Loch of Strathbeg saltmarsh (Scottish Government, 2012). To protect this unique habitat, it is under multiple nature conservation designations. Fig. 2 & 3 show a breakdown of the protected designations around the Loch of Strathbeg, with the saltmarsh itself shown in green. 

The Loch of Strathbeg saltmarsh is designated: 

• Loch of Strathbeg SSSI (Blue outline) (NatureScot, 1991)
• Loch of Strathbeg SPA (Red outline) (NatureScot, 1995 a)
• Loch of Strathbeg RAMSAR site (Red outline) (NatureScot, 1995 b)

The site is also protected by Goose Management Scheme S49 (NatureScot, 2019). Detailed maps of these designations can be found at Sitelink.