UK177
Loch of Isbister


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
Northern Pintail Anas acuta LC breeding 2007 4 breeding pairs C7

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 low
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
Anas acuta Northern Pintail 7 4 breeding pairs 58 unfavourable

Pressure (threats to the trigger species and/or their habitats)
Threat level 1 Threat level 2 Timing Scope Severity Result
Agricultural expansion and intensification livestock farming and ranching (includes forest grazing) - small-holder grazing, ranching or farming happening now some of area/population (10-49%) slow but significant deterioration medium
Pollution agricultural & forestry effluents - nutrient loads 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90%) covered by appropriate conservation designation A management plan exists but it is out of date or not comprehensive Not assessed low
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)
The Loons and Loch of Banks RSPB Reserve 83 protected area overlaps with site 76
The Loons & Loch Of Banks Nature Reserve 83 protected area overlaps with site 0
Loch of Isbister and the Loons Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) 105 protected area overlaps with site 104
Loch Of Isbister Site of Community Importance (Habitats Directive) 105 protected area contained by site 105
Loch of Banks Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) 43 protected area overlaps with site 43

Habitats

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

Land use

Land-use Extent (% of site)
agriculture -
nature conservation and research -


Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2023) Important Bird Area factsheet: Loch of Isbister. Downloaded from http://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/loch-of-isbister-iba-united-kingdom on 07/12/2023.