UK177
Loch of Isbister


IBA Criteria

Year of most recent IBA criteria assessment: 2007

Populations of IBA trigger species
Species Current IUCN Red List Category Season Year(s) of estimate Population estimate IBA Criteria Triggered
Northern Pintail Anas acuta LC breeding 2007 4 breeding pairs C7

Note: This table presents the IBA criteria triggered and the species that triggered then at the time of assessment, the current IUCN Red List category may vary from that which was in place at that time.

For more information about the IBA assessment process and criteria please click here


IBA Monitoring

Most recent IBA monitoring assessment
Year of assessment Threat score (pressure) Condition score (state) Action score (response)
2007 medium unfavourable low
Was the whole site covered? Yes State assessed by Population
Accuracy of information good

Threats to the site (pressure)
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

Condition of key/trigger populations (state)
Scientific Common TargetPop ActualPop Units Remaining Result
Anas acuta Northern Pintail 7 4 breeding pairs 58 unfavourable

Conservation actions taken at site (response)
Conservation Designation Management Planning 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90%) covered by appropriate conservation designation A management plan exists but it is out of date or not comprehensive Not assessed low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 monitoring please click here

IBA Protection

Protected Area Designation Area (ha) Relationship with IBA Overlap 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

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

Land use

Land-use Extent (% of site)
agriculture -
nature conservation and research -
For further information about the land use classification please click here.


Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2023) Important Bird Areas factsheet: Loch of Isbister. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 27/03/2023.