Kirkcowan Flow

Designated Special Area of Conservation (SAC)

Country	Scotland
Unitary Authority	South Western Scotland
Centroid^*	NX250710
Latitude	55.0028
Longitude	-4.7361
SAC EU Code	UK0019813
Status	Designated Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
Area (ha)	775.19
* 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.

General site character

Bogs, Marshes, Water fringed vegetation, Fens (88%)
Humid grassland, Mesophile grassland (10%)
Improved grassland (2%)

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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

7130 Blanket bogs (* if active bog) * Priority feature

Kirkcowan Flow is the largest of the four relicts of the former flow-ground in south-west Scotland and is most representative of this geographic region. The site contains a number of features not found on the other three sites, including extensive surface patterning with Sphagnum cuspidatum hollows. The core of the site displays a mixture of partially-patterned watershed bog and extensive flushed slopes very similar to Feur Lochain on Islay.

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

7150 Depressions on peat substrates of the Rhynchosporion

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.