Taynish National Nature Reserve
Taynish National Nature Reserve | |
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Lochan Taynish | |
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Location | Tayvallich, Argyll and Bute, Scotland |
Coordinates | 56°00′25″N 5°37′52″W / 56.007°N 5.631°WCoordinates: 56°00′25″N 5°37′52″W / 56.007°N 5.631°W |
Governing body | Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) |
Taynish |
Taynish National Nature Reserve (NNR) is situated southwest of the village of Tayvallich on the west coast of Scotland. The Reserve encompasses almost all of the Taynish peninsula, which is around 5km long and 1km wide.[1] The woodlands at Taynish are often described as a 'temperate rainforest', benefiting from the mild and moist climate brought about by the Gulf Stream.[1] Taynish NNR is owned and managed by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) and was declared a National Nature Reserve in 1977.
Flora
Around three quarters of Taynish NNR is wooded, dominated by ancient Sessile Oak woodland, with smaller areas of birch, alder and ash. The warm, wet climate, along with the humid woodland environment, provides ideal conditions for ferns, mosses and liverworts to thrive, with over 250 species of mosses and liverworts recorded at the Reserve. Furthermore, 475 lichen species have been recorded at Taynish NNR, including 91 nationally scarce species. Other plants of note include the narrow-leaved helleborine, a Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) and Local Biodiversity Action Plan (LBAP) species of Orchid.
Fauna
The habitat mosaic at Taynish NNR gives rise to a large number of invertebrate species, including butterflies, dragonflies, moths, beetles and other groups of insects. One particularly noteworthy species is the marsh fritillary butterfly, one of the most threatened butterfly species in Europe. 450 species of moth have also been found at the Reserve, three of which are UK Biodiversity Action Plan species, as well as 13 species of dragonfly.[1]
The Reserve also supports a thriving otter population, which are regularly seen foraging down by the shore. Other mammals at Taynish NNR include red squirrels, pipistrelle bats and a very small resident population of deer.
The range of woodland and mosaic of habitats at Taynish NNR also gives rise to a large breeding bird community, including six UK Biodiversity Action Plan species: reed bunting; spotted flycatcher; skylark; bullfinch; linnet and song thrush, golden eagles, sea eagles and osprey have also been seen over the Taynish peninsula.[1]
Designations
Taynish NNR holds a number of National and International designations, including:
- National Nature Reserve;
- Taynish Woods Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI);
- Taynish and Knapdale Woods Special Area of Conservation (SAC);
- Lies within the Knapdale National Scenic Area.
References
- 1 2 3 4 "The Story of Taynish National Nature Reserve" (PDF). Scottish Natural Heritage. Retrieved 3 April 2017.
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