Local Wildlife Sites
There are several levels of protection given to areas of wildlife value.
View the interactive map of these sites on the Renfrewshire Council website.
1. Local Nature Conservation Sites (LNCS)
Wildlife sites of value at a local level designated by Renfrewshire Council in their local plannning documents and so given some degree of protection from damage or development (formerly known as SINCS).
Here's the Renfrewshire Council description...
LNCS are wildlife rich areas, identified and selected for their local biodiversity value. Selection takes into consideration important, distinctive and threatened habitats and species. Local Wildlife Sites vary in size, shape and habitat type and can include wildlife rich ponds, heaths, wetlands and ancient woodlands and grasslands.
The LNCS designation signals to planners and developers where there are natural features of some merit. It encourages them to consider early on these sensitive sites and use opportunities to enhance the local environment.Local planning policies may be used to protect LNCSs from inappropriate development. The designation doesn’t affect how landowners and land managers manage the land within an LNCSs on a daily basis.
2. Local Nature Reserves (LNR)
There are three LNR sites, all around the Paisley area:
Durrockstock Park LNR
A former industrial area, now a refuge for wildlife and a valued park for the community The LNR is sited in Durrockstock Park in Paisley.
Paisley Moss LNR
Situated in the grounds of Glasgow Airport (with open public access and parking on St. Andrew's Crescent). The site comprises 4.75 ha of wetland, scrub and grassland habitats which provide homes for several scarce plants and vulnerable amphibian populations.
Jenny's Well LNR
Situated near Hawkhead Road. A 10.7 ha mosaic of grassland, scrub and woodland habitats lining the south bank of the White Cart Water. There is a good diversity of nesting birds, many wildflowers, and the chance of spotting some uncommon species along the river, including Kingfishers and Otters.
3. Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)
The main purpose of the Sites of Special Scientific Interest system is to protect the best of Scottish wildlife and geological sites. SSSIs are designated and monitored by NatureScot (previously Scottish Natural Heritage then Natural Scotland). They contribute to a national network of important sites.
There are eleven SSSIs in Renfrewshire:
Barmufflock Dam west of Bridge of Weir: a basin mire with a range of habitats, including open mire, swamp and wet woodland.
Black Cart (also a special protection area - see above) north of Glasgow Airport: roost site and foraging area for wintering Icelandic whooper swans.
Castle Semple and Barr Lochs Lochwinnoch: lowland wetland and fringing woodland which provide nesting and wintering habitat for a wide range of bird species.
Clochodrick Stone north-east of Lochwinnoch: an unusually large glacial erratic boulder.
Dargavel Burn north of Kilmacolm: active area of valley mire.
Formakin west of Bishopton: a dry herb-rich grassland.
Glen Moss east of Kilmacolm: a mixed basin and valley mire with important peatland habitat. A dragonfly hotspot!
Inner Clyde (also a Special Protection Area - see above) downstream from Newshot Island, Erskine: intertidal mudflats and saltmarsh used as feeding grounds by waterfowl.
Shovelboard east of Kilmacolm: a small basin mire with a drier central area.
Renfrewshire Heights (also a special protection area - see above) is situated north of Lochwinnoch in the Renfrewshire Hills and is a breeding area for hen harriers.
Whinnerston Braes is located to the South of Bridge of Weir and comprises two areas of unimpaired natural grassland. The grassland's one of the largest and best examples of this type of habitat in West Central Scotland.
4. Special Protection Areas (SPA)
These are protected areas for birds in the UK classified under the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) and the Conservation (Natural Habitats, & c.) Regulations 2010 (as amended) in England, Scotland and Wales,
