Tamar Estuary
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
View across the Tamar estuary south of Bere Ferrers, looking towards Cargreen
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 Location within Cornwall
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| Area of Search | Cornwall, Devon |
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| Grid reference | SX435591 |
| Coordinates | 50°24′41″N 4°12′12″W / 50.4113°N 4.2032°WCoordinates: 50°24′41″N 4°12′12″W / 50.4113°N 4.2032°W |
| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 1,422.3 hectares (14.2 km2; 5.49 sq mi) |
| Notification | 1991 |
| Natural England website | |
The Tamar–Tavy Estuary is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) covering the tidal estuaries of the River Tamar and the River Tavy on the border between Cornwall and Devon in England, UK. Part of the Tamar estuary also forms the Tamar Estuary Nature Reserve, owned by the Cornwall Wildlife Trust. The site was designated in 1991 for its biodiversity and varying habitats that support a large number of wader and wildfowl species, as well as the special interest of its marine biology.
The 1,422-hectare (3,510-acre) SSSI encompasses the entirety of the tidal regions of the Tamar; from Gunnislake down to the Tamar Bridge in the south, where it forms the Hamoaze, and the River Tavy from Lopwell to its discharge in the Tamar. The site also includes Kingsmill Lake, Tamerton Lake and a few other tributary streams of the Tamar, as well as the marshes around Morwellham Quay.
The site forms part of the Tamar Estuaries Complex Special Protection Area (SPA), along with the estuary of the River Lynher and St John's Lake, as well as forming part of the Plymouth Sound and Estuaries Special Area of Conservation (SAC).
The Cornwall Wildlife Trust owns the 109 hectares (270 acres) Tamar Estuary nature reserve around Kingsmill Lake, below Landulph, and Lopwell Dam is a Local Nature Reserve, covering the dam and surrounding woodlands.
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