Appendix D : Nature Conservation Sites

Sites with International and National Conservation Area Status

Site Name	Wildlife Value
1. The Coastline	Mudflats and rocky shore used by internationally important numbers of wildfowl and waders for feeding and roosting. It is part of the Firth of Forth SPA, Ramsar Site and SSSI.
2. Balerno Common	Balerno Common has been notified for the biological interest of its habitats - peatland open water, (and the gradation between these habitats), and for its breeding waterfowl species. It covers two adjacent sites Red Moss (The Common) and Bavelaw Marsh, each with different habitats. In combination, these two areas form a site that is unique within Edinburgh in terms of size and diversity of both species and habitat. An extended area, covered by the Harlaw/Threipmuir Management Plan and which includes the SSSI is identified as a SINC on the Proposals Map.

Locally Important Sites: Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINCs)

Site Name	Wildlife Value
1. Hopetoun Road	Deciduous woodland, neutral grassland, calcareous grassland, scrub and marsh. Rich floral diversity.
2. Newbridge/South Queensferry Walkway	Wildlife corridor of mainly scrub, hedgerow and various Queensferry Walkway grassland habitats, with areas of mature mixed woodland along some stretches.
3. Dalmeny Estate	Area of botanical and ornithological interest. Large tracts of mixed/ deciduous and coniferous woodland of varying age and density within a largely arable landscape.
4. Dalmeny Ponds	Rich ponds with breeding amphibians and water plants.
5. Craigie Hill	Mature deciduous woodland, coniferous wood, acidic semi-improved grassland and dry grass heath. Interesting fungi and woodland flora.
6. River Almond	Open water and adjacent habitat of mature mixed deciduous woodland in valley sections and improved neutral grassland and scrub in open sections. Breeding site for the Sand Martin (Foxhall).
7. Cammo Estate	Several habitats within compact estate. Notably mixed and deciduous mature woodland, semi-improved grassland and open water.
8. Dundas Estate	Loch of importance for large numbers of waterfowl and a patchwork of varied woodland, grassland and rocky habitats.
9. Pepper Wood	Mixed deciduous woodland with diverse ground flora. Scottish Wildlife Trust reserve.
10. Pikes' Pool	Pond with associated semi-aquatic vegetation, deciduous woodland and neutral grassland.
11. Lindsay's Crag	Deciduous woodland with interesting ground flora, adjacent grassland and open-water habitat.
12. Hallyards' Wood	Mixed deciduous woodland with diverse field layer. Partly coppiced.
13. Gogar Burn	Narrow wildlife corridor, open water, widening in places to include deciduous and coniferous woodland and semi-improved neutral grassland.
14. Golden Acre Pond	Rich pond with breeding amphibians.
15. Union Canal	Still water important for breeding waterfowl with riparian habitat, including deciduous woodland, scrub and unimproved neutral grassland. Breeding site for Large Red Damselfly.
16. Dalmahoy Hill	Large area of several habitat types. Notably varied open woodland, acidic grassland and quarry.
17. Water of Leith & Tributaries	River, valley and tributaries with a variety of associated (Rural) habitats including mature deciduous woodland, grassland and scrub.
18. Clubbiedean Reservoir	Botanically interesting loch with adjacent mature mixed and coniferous woodland and scrub habitat of value to mammals and birds.
19. Harlaw Reservoir	Upland loch used by wildfowl and fringed by mature Scots Pine and scrub habitat.
20. Black Springs Marsh	Marsh Reed bed habitat important for breeding migrant waterfowl.