Cairnsmore of Fleet - Silver Flowe – Merrick Kells Biosphere Reserve
Stinchar Valley from Almont. Photo: gallowayandsouthernayrshirebiosphere.org.uk
Cairnsmore of Fleet and Silver Flowe are National Nature Reserves (NNRs) and Merrick Kells is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) but together they form a biosphere reserve. They are in the process of forming the proposal for the new Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere Reserve. The Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere Reserve would cover an area over 3000km2 in South West of Scotland.
The core area of the biosphere reserve is made up of the Cairnsmore of Fleet NNR, the Silver Flowe NNR and the core of the Merrick Kells Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
What goes on there?
In the core area people can walk along designated routes and there is a visitor centre in the Cairnsmore of Fleet NNR. A national cycle route passes through the Cairnsmore of Fleet NNR.
In the proposed buffer zone which encompasses the Galloway Forest Park, there are 3 visitor centres which receive 167,000 visitors a year.
Many other activities are proposed including sustainable resource management, training and education schemes for schools and local businesses, creating a brand for sustainable local businesses, community projects and conservation efforts.
What makes it unique?
Loch Dungeon has some of the best fossil pine remains in south west Scotland.
The nationally rare azure hawker dragonfly is recorded at its most southerly location in Scotland.
Seventeen species of butterfly out of the thirty-four found in Scotland have been recorded on the biosphere reserve.
Where is it?
The proposed Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere Reserve would be in the south west of Scotland centred around the Cairnsmore of Fleet NNR, the Silver Flowe NNR and Merrick Kells SSSI.
Factfile:
Location: The proposed Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere Reserve would be in the South West of Scotland centred around the Cairnsmore of Fleet NNR, the Silver Flowe NNR and Merrick Kells SSSI.
Ecosystems: Temperate Broadleaf Forests and Woodlands.
Terrain and habitats: Acid peat-stained lakes and ponds, acidic scree, blanket bog, clear-water lakes or lochs, grasslands, heathland and moorland.
Vegetation: The are several rare plant species including hawkweed, downy willow, alpine saw-wort, purple saxifrage, and a localised species of liverwort and the silky swan-neck moss. The summit ridge of Cairnsmore of Fleet has two main types of mountain vegetation – montane grassland and dwarf shrub heath. Lower down on the blanket bog, the wetter moorland, there are numerous colourful mosses to be seen. Carnivorous plants, such as the round leaved sundew and common butterwort, are found on the blanket bog. These plants have sticky hairs on their leaves trap small insects, which the plants are able to digest through chemicals they produce in their leaves.
Size: Currently the biosphere reserve covers 3,088ha but the proposed biosphere reserve would covers over 3000 km2.
Wildlife: Dragonflies and damselflies can be seen hunting along the banks of the River Fleet or over bog pools, including the rare azure hawker dragonfly, small pearl-bordered fritillary, large heath and broad-bordered white underwing and a montane moth species associated with woolly fringe moss heath found at over 600m. The bogs also contain a number of rare or locally scarce beetles, including the golden green ground beetle.
The biosphere reserve is an important breeding site for mountain and moorland birds. Wheatear, skylark, curlew, black and red Grouse all live in the biosphere reserve. Golden plover and dotterel have both been recorded nesting on the summit areas. Peregrine falcon, kestrel, raven and buzzard, hen harrier and merlin hunt the moorland, and golden eagles have also been seen. Brown hares inhabit the lower ground with their cousin, the mountain hare, at higher altitude. Red deer and wild goat can be seen on the hill, with roe deer found where the biosphere reserve meets Galloway Forest Park.
History
Designated a UNESCO biosphere reserve in 1976
Protection Classifications
Special Areas of Conservation (SAC)
Special Protection Areas (SPA)
National Nature Reserve (NNR)
Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)
Ramsar Site