Quick facts for kids Moray and Nairn Coast |
Location |
Grampian and Highland, Scotland |
Nearest city |
Elgin |
Area |
24.12 km2 (9.31 sq mi) |
Established |
2 February 1997 |
Governing body |
Joint Nature Conservation Committee |
The Moray and Nairn Coast is a protected wetland site on the southern shore of the Moray Firth, in the west of Scotland. A total of 2,412 hectares comprises two areas: intertidal flats, saltmarsh and sand dunes at Findhorn Bay and Culbin Bar, and alluvial deposits and woodland of the lower River Spey and Spey Bay. It has been protected as a Ramsar Site since 1997.
The area supports a large number of over-wintering waders and waterbirds, including internationally important populations of greylag geese and long-tailed ducks. Other important birdlife includes ospreys, bar-tailed godwits, pink-footed geese and common redshanks.
As well as the Moray and Nairn Coast being recognised as a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention, it has also been designated a Special Area of Conservation.