 Within Ayrshire by far the largest estuary has developed, behind the Ardeer Peninsula, at the confluence of the Irvine and Garnock Rivers.This is one of the best examples of a bar-built estuary in the UK and is the only major estuary between the Solway and Inner Clyde.The majority of the estuary has been designated a SSSI, in recognition of its national importance for three bird species eider, red-breasted merganser and goldeneye).