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Special Areas of Conservation

Conon Islands

Designated Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
Country Scotland
Unitary Authority Highlands and Islands
Centroid* NH537546
Latitude 57.55833333
Longitude -4.445833333
SAC EU Code UK0013575
Status Designated Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
Area (ha) 120.64
* This is the approximate central point of the SAC. In the case of large, linear or composite sites, this may not represent the location where a feature occurs within the SAC.
Location of Conon Islands SAC

General site character

  • Tidal rivers, Estuaries, Mud flats, Sand flats, Lagoons (including saltwork basins) (16%)
  • Inland water bodies (Standing water, Running water) (17%)
  • Bogs, Marshes, Water fringed vegetation, Fens (10%)
  • Heath, Scrub, Maquis and Garrigue, Phygrana (4%)
  • Humid grassland, Mesophile grassland (7%)
  • Broad-leaved deciduous woodland (46%)

Download the Standard Data Form for this site (PDF <100kb)

Note When undertaking an appropriate assessment of impacts at a site, all features of European importance (both primary and non-primary) need to be considered.

Annex I habitats that are a primary reason for selection of this site

  • 91E0 Alluvial forests with Alnus glutinosa and Fraxinus excelsior (Alno-Padion, Alnion incanae, Salicion albae)  * Priority feature

    Conon Islands, at the mouth of the River Conon in north-east Scotland, is an example of a relatively unmodified dynamic alluvial forest system – a rare situation in Europe. It provides one of the most complete examples in the SAC series of a transition from woodland through scrub and freshwater fen to saltmarsh communities. The upper part of the site supports alder Alnus glutinosa wood, which is subject to regular inundation and which gives way downstream to alder and willow Salix spp. woodland.

Annex I habitats present as a qualifying feature, but not a primary reason for selection of this site

  • Not Applicable

Annex II species that are a primary reason for selection of this site

  • Not Applicable

Annex II species present as a qualifying feature, but not a primary reason for site selection

  • Not Applicable

Many designated sites are on private land: the listing of a site in these pages does not imply any right of public access.