The Wildlife Map of the Hebrides

34. Howmore Estuary

The short estuary of the Howmore River, the lochs and water courses of its catchment, along with their associated margins are exposed to seawater and support a range of freshwater and marine plants and animals: seaweed can even be seen on stones in the river. High numbers of birds, particularly waders, feed and breed on the machair and marshes. Long tailed duck may often be seen offshore in winter. The machairs of this area have few fences and the patchwork of traditionally cultivated crops and adjacent fallow areas form a spectacular display of wild flowers in the summer. The churchyard and the thatched buildings of Howmore form a very important historical site.