Caerlaverock National Nature Reserve

Caerlaverock National Nature Reserve
View across the Nith Estuary, close to the Solway Firth
Map showing the location of Caerlaverock National Nature Reserve
Map showing the location of Caerlaverock National Nature Reserve
LocationCaerlaverock, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland
Coordinates54°58′N 3°28′W / 54.96°N 3.47°W / 54.96; -3.47
Area8,185 hectares (31.60 sq mi)[2]
Established1957
Governing bodyNatureScot
Caerlaverock National Nature Reserve

Caerlaverock is a national nature reserve (NNR) covering parts of the mudflats and shoreline of the Solway Firth about 10 km south of Dumfries, in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland. It lies between the River Nith and the Lochar Water, and consists of a variety of wetland habitats including bare mud and sand, merse and marshes, and is fringed by neutral grassland on the landward side.[3] A nature reserve was designated in 1957 at the instigation of the Duke of Norfolk.[4] The NNR covers an area of 82 square kilometres (32 sq mi) and is an internationally important wintering site for waterfowl and wading birds.

The NNR is now managed by NatureScot,[5] but remains under private ownership, being managed by SNH under lease agreements.[6] As much of the reserve is intertidal, Crown Estate Scotland are one of the major landowners.[7] Management of the site seeks to balance the human activities (fishing, wildfowling and farming interests) with those of nature.[4]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference planet was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ "Caerlaverock NNR". NatureScot. Retrieved 11 September 2020.
  3. ^ "The Story of Caerlaverock National Nature Reserve" (PDF). Scottish Natural Heritage. p. 1. Retrieved 17 December 2018.
  4. ^ a b "The Story of Caerlaverock National Nature Reserve" (PDF). Scottish Natural Heritage. p. 2. Retrieved 17 December 2018.
  5. ^ "Search by A-Z". Scotland's National Nature Reserves. NatureScot. Retrieved 11 September 2020.
  6. ^ "The Story of Caerlaverock National Nature Reserve" (PDF). Scottish Natural Heritage. p. 16. Retrieved 17 December 2018.
  7. ^ "The Story of Caerlaverock National Nature Reserve" (PDF). Scottish Natural Heritage. p. 17. Retrieved 17 December 2018.