Designations | |
---|---|
Official name | Ythan Estuary & Meikle Loch |
Designated | 30 March 1998 |
Reference no. | 939[1] |
Meikle Loch is an inland loch some miles north of Collieston, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. It is designated as part of the Ythan Estuary complex, along with the Sands of Forvie, as a Special Protection Area for wildlife conservation purposes. Meikle is a Scots word for large/big, which the loch is when compared to the adjacent Little Loch.
It is a eutrophic loch with limited aquatic vegetation but is important as the home to overwintering pink-footed geese. Additionally, it is an essential breeding location for three species of tern during the summer months and houses a tremendous variety of reedswamp plants.