Scottish Natural Heritage Luskentyre Banks and Saltings 32 Francis Street Stornoway Site of Special Scientific Interest Isle of Lewis HS1 2ND SITE MANAGEMENT STATEMENT Tel: 01851 705258 Site code: 1114 [email protected] Purpose This is a public statement prepared by SNH for owners and occupiers of the SSSI. It outlines the reasons it is designated as an SSSI and provides guidance on how its special natural features should be conserved or enhanced. This Statement does not affect or form part of the statutory notification and does not remove the need to apply for consent for operations requiring consent. We welcome your views on this statement. This statement is available in Gaelic on request. Natural features of Condition of feature Luskentyre Banks & Saltings SSSI (and date monitored) Breeding bird assemblage Favourable, maintained (July 2010) Coastal geomorphology of Scotland Favourable, maintained (March 2007) Dystrophic and oligotrophic lochs Favourable, maintained (June 2010) Flood plain fen Favourable, maintained (August 2002) Machair Favourable, maintained (August 2008) Saltmarsh Favourable, maintained (August 2008) Sand dune Favourable, maintained (August 2008) Sandflat Favourable, maintained (August 2002) Upland assemblage Favourable, maintained (December 2006) Description of the site Luskentyre Banks and Saltings site of special scientific interest (SSSI), on the west coast of South Harris, is one of the finest transitions in the west of Scotland from open sea, through sand flats, marsh, sand dunes and machair to acid peat moorland. Luskentyre Banks, Corran Seilebost and Aird Nisabost & Horgabost are of geomorphological significance. The extensive sand dune and machair area on the northwest side of the wide sandy intertidal flat of Traigh Luskentyre contains a complex of dune ridges, high conical sand hills, machair surfaces and large blowouts which form a westwards extending promontory – a feature unique to Harris. The breeding bird assemblage includes a variety of waders and wildfowl typical of coastal habitats. The site is also important for passage and wintering birds. Past and present management The SSSI forms part of several common grazings and is currently used for grazing sheep and cattle. The habitats within the site are managed by different townships - sand dunes and machair in the different townships are subject to different grazings regimes, etc. The saltmarsh is not fenced so it is not possible to exclude sheep for a summer grazing break. Horgabost is one of the most used recreational areas in the Outer Hebrides. Its beaches are close to the road, and relatively sheltered, so they receive considerable attention from campers and caravanners during the summer. The scientific interest of the site had been damaged by recreational use of the machair. The creation of an official campsite has halted this damage by restricting vehicular access to sensitive areas. Sand extraction occurs outwith the site, but does not affect the features of the SSSI. Objectives for Management (and key factors influencing the condition of natural features) We wish to work with the owner to protect the site and to maintain and where necessary enhance its features of special interest. SNH aims carry out site survey, monitoring and research as appropriate to increase our knowledge and understanding of the site and its natural features. 1. To maintain the extent of saltmarsh habitats by appropriate management of grazing, to enable plants to set seed and minimise poaching. 2. To maintain breeding bird populations by avoiding significant disturbance and maintaining habitats. Date last reviewed: 30 March 2011 .