UK116
Caithness Lochs


IBA Justification

The site was identified as important in 2007 because it was regularly supporting significant populations of the species listed below, meeting ('triggering') IBA criteria.

Populations meeting IBA criteria ('trigger species'):
Species Current IUCN Red List Category Season Year(s) Population estimate at site IBA criteria met
Whooper Swan Cygnus cygnus LC winter 2001-2006 341 individuals B1i, B3, C2
Greylag Goose Anser anser LC winter 2001-2006 3,968 individuals A4i, B1i, C3
Spotted Crake Porzana porzana LC breeding 1992 2 breeding pairs C6

The current IUCN Red List category may differ from that which was valid at the time of IBA criteria assessment (2007).


IBA Conservation

IBA conservation assessment
Year of assessment (most recent) State (condition) Pressure (threat) Response (action)
2007 unfavourable medium medium
Was the whole site assessed? State assessed by Accuracy of information
yes population good

State (condition of the trigger species' populations)
Scientific name Common name Reference population Actual population Units % of population remaining Result
Cygnus cygnus Whooper Swan 185 341 individuals 100 favourable
Anser anser Greylag Goose 4490 3968 individuals 89 near favourable
Anser albifrons Greater White-fronted Goose 410 200 individuals 49 unfavourable

Pressure (threats to the trigger species and/or their habitats)
Threat level 1 Threat level 2 Timing Scope Severity Result
Energy production and mining renewable energy likely in short term (within 4 years) small area/few individuals (<10%) moderate to rapid deterioration low
Human intrusions and disturbance recreational activities happening now some of area/population (10-49%) slow but significant deterioration medium

Response (conservation actions taken for the trigger species and/or their habitats)
Protected-area designation Management planning Other conservation action Result
Whole area of site (>90%) covered by appropriate conservation designation A management plan exists but it is out of date or not comprehensive Substantive conservation measures are being implemented but these are not comprehensive and are limited by resources and capacity medium
For more information about IBA conservation status, please click here

IBA Protection

Protected area (PA) PA designation PA area (ha) Relationship of PA with IBA Overlap of PA with IBA (ha)
Loch Watten Site of Community Importance (Habitats Directive) 428 protected area contained by site 428
Loch Watten Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) 428 protected area overlaps with site 433
Loch Scarmclate Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) 108 protected area overlaps with site 110
Loch Of Wester Site of Community Importance (Habitats Directive) 69 protected area contained by site 70
Loch of Wester Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) 69 protected area overlaps with site 69
Loch of Mey Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) 68 protected area overlaps with site 0
Loch Heilen Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) 104 protected area overlaps with site 104
Loch Calder Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) 432 protected area overlaps with site 431
Caithness Lochs Ramsar Site, Wetland of International Importance 1,379 protected area overlaps with site 1,372
Caithness Lochs Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) 1,382 is identical to site 1,372
Broubster Leans Site of Community Importance (Habitats Directive) 172 protected area contained by site 173
Broubster Leans Nature Reserve 293 protected area overlaps with site 0
Broubster Leans Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) 173 protected area overlaps with site 172

Habitats

Habitat (IUCN level 1) Habitat detail Extent (% of site)
Grassland Humid grasslands -
Wetlands (inland) Standing freshwater, Blanket bogs, Fens, transition mires and springs -
For more information about the IUCN Habitat classification, please click here.

Land use

Land-use Extent (% of site)
agriculture -
forestry -
tourism/recreation -


Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2023) Important Bird Area factsheet: Caithness Lochs. Downloaded from http://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/caithness-lochs-iba-united-kingdom on 04/10/2023.