Saumons Ayre

Coastal Marsh, Saltings in Shetland

Scotland

Saumons Ayre

Lambhoga Head and Loch of Mails from the air
Lambhoga Head and Loch of Mails from the air Credit: Mike Pennington

Saumons Ayre is a coastal marsh and saltings located in Shetland, Scotland. It is a prominent natural feature that offers a unique ecosystem and diverse wildlife.

Covering an area of approximately 100 acres, Saumons Ayre is situated on the western coast of the Shetland Mainland, near the village of Walls. The site is characterized by its coastal dunes, salt marshes, and sandy beaches, which provide a rich habitat for various plant and animal species.

The marshland of Saumons Ayre is a haven for numerous bird species, including waders like curlews, oystercatchers, and redshanks. It serves as an important breeding ground for Arctic terns, common terns, and ringed plovers. The salt marshes are also home to various plant species, such as sea thrift, sea aster, and sea arrowgrass, which thrive in the saline conditions.

In addition to its significant ecological value, Saumons Ayre also holds historical importance. The area was once used for the cultivation of samphire, a sea vegetable with culinary uses. The remnants of old samphire beds can still be seen in the marshland, providing a glimpse into the area's past.

Saumons Ayre is a popular destination for nature enthusiasts and birdwatchers, who can explore the diverse habitats and observe the wide array of wildlife. The site is easily accessible, with footpaths and boardwalks allowing visitors to navigate through the marshes without disturbing the delicate ecosystem.

Overall, Saumons Ayre in Shetland is a fascinating coastal marsh and saltings, offering both natural beauty and ecological significance.

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Saumons Ayre Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 59.919383/-1.2886279 or Grid Reference HU3915. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Lambhoga Head and Loch of Mails from the air
Lambhoga Head and Loch of Mails from the air
Loch of Mails from the air
Loch of Mails from the air
Coastal path at Bu Taing, Boddam Looking across to Dalsetter.
Coastal path at Bu Taing, Boddam
Looking across to Dalsetter.
Teisti Geo, south of Boddam
Teisti Geo, south of Boddam
Arctic Skua (Stercorarius parastiticus), Dalsetter, Boddam
Arctic Skua (Stercorarius parastiticus), Dalsetter, Boddam
Long-tailed Skua (Stercorarius longicauda), Dalsetter, Boddam Normally a high Arctic breeder, but this bird has been here for a month.
Long-tailed Skua (Stercorarius longicauda), Dalsetter, Boddam
Normally a high Arctic breeder, but this bird has been here for a month.
Small pool at Dalsetter
Small pool at Dalsetter
The Dalsetter Erratic This party of geologists is admiring the large boulder in the centre, which is of such a distinctive rock that it has been possible to pinpoint exactly where it came from before the glaciers of the Ice Age dumped it in Shetland - from Tonsberg, near Larvik in Norway!

For a closer view of the erratic itself see <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2619886">HU4016 : Dalsetter erratic</a>.
The Dalsetter Erratic
This party of geologists is admiring the large boulder in the centre, which is of such a distinctive rock that it has been possible to pinpoint exactly where it came from before the glaciers of the Ice Age dumped it in Shetland - from Tonsberg, near Larvik in Norway! For a closer view of the erratic itself see HU4016 : Dalsetter erratic.
Broken Brough Spectacular dune cross-bedding in Devonian desert sandstones.
Broken Brough
Spectacular dune cross-bedding in Devonian desert sandstones.
Broch of Dalsetter Remains of the Broch at Dalsetter
Broch of Dalsetter
Remains of the Broch at Dalsetter
The old croft Old croft buildings at Dalsetter
The old croft
Old croft buildings at Dalsetter
Voe Dunrossness Looking west into Voe, from a fishing mark known as 'Da Kirk on Da Brakes'
Voe Dunrossness
Looking west into Voe, from a fishing mark known as 'Da Kirk on Da Brakes'
Tirl under the mill at Sout Voe Dunrossness The Tirl which drives the grinding stone. Crofthouse Museum.
Tirl under the mill at Sout Voe Dunrossness
The Tirl which drives the grinding stone. Crofthouse Museum.
Millstone At the mill, Crofthouse Museum, Dunrossness
Millstone
At the mill, Crofthouse Museum, Dunrossness
Mill at Crofthouse Museum Waterway into mill.
Mill at Crofthouse Museum
Waterway into mill.
Interior of mill at Crofthouse Museum
Interior of mill at Crofthouse Museum
Mill at Crofthouse Museum
Mill at Crofthouse Museum
Bedding Detail In the Devonian Sandstone hereabouts the bedding is clear and distinct.
Here, it appears that the fine beds are 'relaxing' or 'decompressing' after the upper layers have been removed
Bedding Detail
In the Devonian Sandstone hereabouts the bedding is clear and distinct. Here, it appears that the fine beds are 'relaxing' or 'decompressing' after the upper layers have been removed
Show me another place!

Saumons Ayre is located at Grid Ref: HU3915 (Lat: 59.919383, Lng: -1.2886279)

Unitary Authority: Shetland Islands

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands

What 3 Words

///originals.sectors.talker. Near Sumburgh, Shetland Islands

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 59.919383,-1.2886279
Dunrossness
Place: village
Lat/Long: 59.9211499/-1.2960738
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.9174674/-1.293785
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.9176045/-1.2928033
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Lat/Long: 59.9177914/-1.2945736
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Lat/Long: 59.9153702/-1.2906846
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Lat/Long: 59.9188332/-1.2972623
Bus Stop
Naptan AtcoCode: 6030156
Naptan NaptanCode: 45823985
Lat/Long: 59.9217933/-1.2921827
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.9158392/-1.2912944
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.9154188/-1.2916109
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.9152289/-1.291761
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.9183413/-1.2925279
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.9186632/-1.2919181
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.9151896/-1.2899615
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.9168419/-1.2880466
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.9169357/-1.2888574
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.917033/-1.2897028
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.9171267/-1.2904975
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.9171383/-1.2906569
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.9170214/-1.2913498
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.9208648/-1.2942466
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Lat/Long: 59.9213446/-1.2938943
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.9214095/-1.2929033
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.9219223/-1.2935316
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Lat/Long: 59.9230129/-1.2849004
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.9227675/-1.2864377
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Lat/Long: 59.9232965/-1.2882787
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.9234933/-1.2889902
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.9238082/-1.2901094
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.9235871/-1.2910033
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.9233347/-1.2920059
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.9230523/-1.2930685
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.9227837/-1.2939901
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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