The candidate SAC covers an area of around 120 hectares, of which approximately 55 hectares qualifies as alluvial alder woodland. The site is an example of a relatively unmodified dynamic floodplain woodland system. It shows an almost complete transition from woodland through scrub and freshwater fen to saltmarsh communities; a rare situation in Europe.

The inundated alder Alnus glutinosa dominated woodland is found on the islands of the lower River Conon. In these woodlands bay willow Salix pentandra and grey willow S. cinerea are often abundant, with a sedge-rich ground flora including greater tussock sedge Carex paniculata at the northern limit of its range. The ground flora is very varied throughout much of the woodland and a thick shrub layer of guelder rose Viburnum opulus is present on one of the islands.

Adjacent to the woodland there are transitional areas of tall sedge swamps through tall herb fen to neutral grassland where the flooding is more seasonal. Here the ground flora includes wood cranesbill Geranium sylvaticum, northern bedstraw Galium borale and the uncommon lesser butterfly orchid Platanthera bifolia.

The Conon Islands support a wide range of breeding birds including red-breasted merganser Mergus serrator and the most northerly pair of kingfishers Alcedo atthis. Osprey Pandion haliaetus and red kite Milvus milvus use the site for foraging. The site is also important for overwintering migrants.

Targets

In natural floodplain habitats the extent and distribution of alluvial woodland is dependent on the river system as a whole.

To bring this site into favourable condition it is essential to recreate, as far as possible, the natural hydrology of the much altered river system. Embankments have been constructed and river banks strengthened to prevent flooding of agricultural and grazing land. This has altered the natural dynamics of the river and reduced the flooding of the alluvial woods.

The management targets for this site were:

• The restoration of an area 3 hectares (later amended to 27 hectares) of alluvial woodland by the felling of invasive sycamore Acer psuedoplatanus and the removal of the exotic shrub Physocarpus opulifolus which has displaced the natural shrub and ground flora.
• The upgrading of 200 metres of the River Conon Walk footpath to prevent damage by visitors by diverting them away from sensitive areas of the site.
• The fencing of areas where stock access was considered to be causing damage to the alluvial woodland.

Original targets (with amended targets in brackets) and actual achievements:

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Management

In March 2001 the Project applied for an extension in time to allow for additional work to be carried out within the cSAC which had been extended in area on 26 March 1998. Approval was given in October 2001 and consequently the restoration target was increased from 3 to 27 hectares.

The main work of the restoration project involved the felling and cutting of exotic species, which was carried out by a combination of manual cutting, mechanical flailing, and in some cases, actually pulling up plants by hand. Stumps were treated with a systemic herbicide as appropriate. It was accepted that complete eradication of the target species was not a realistic objective, especially given the dynamic nature of the floodplain woodland habitat. However, it is envisaged that ongoing control requirements would be built into the development of a management stategy for the Conon.

The first stage of restoration work was completed in June 2000 with the felling of sycamore from 3 hectares in the Kildun Farm area of the site. This was part of a Woodland Grant Scheme which also included the maintenance of existing stock fencing and the improvement of a public footpath to enable light access to continue. This area was revisited in 2001 when the Physocarpus was cut, and again in 2002, when the regrowth was sprayed. Work on the clearance of exotic trees within Garrie Island began in autumn 2000 and by May 2001 approximately 5.9 hectares had been cleared of sycamore. The Physocarpus was then cut and, as above, the regrowth sprayed in 2002. Further upstream a strip of 8.3 hectares, dominated by sycamore and rhododendron, was cleared and the regrowth also treated in 2002. All restoration work at Conon Islands was undertaken by local contractors. In total an area of just over 17 hectares was restored to allow for the development of natural alluvial woodlands. Although this is slightly less than the amended target, it does represent a significant piece of work in this delicate ecosystem. Work in this potentially very wet environment can mean that windows of opportunity for work are restricted, particularly in wet winters such as occurred in 2001/2002.

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Achievements

• Restoration of floodplain woodland over an area of 17.2 hectares.
• Provision of interpretation boards and signage at key points, describing the value of the habitat and the aims of the restoration work.
• Completion of a historical survey of the River Conon. This survey looked at three main issues that could alter river hydrology: deforestation, hydroelectric dam construction, and construction of floodbanks and installation of field drainage systems. The report considers management options which relate to local impacts and will inform the development of a stategy for the area.
• Completion of a report on the Residual Alluvial Woodlands of the River Conon. This report provided an overall description of the present state of the riparian habitat mosaics and the dynamics of the river and its floodplain, with the ultimate aim of determining activities which will maximise the conservation value of the alluvial woodlands in this location.