UK202
Monach Islands


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
Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis LC winter 1984-1988 760 individuals B1i, B2, C2
Black Guillemot Cepphus grylle LC breeding 2002 819 individuals B1ii, B2, C3

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 favourable high 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
Cepphus grylle Black Guillemot 425 819 individuals 100 favourable

Pressure (threats to the trigger species and/or their habitats)
Threat level 1 Threat level 2 Timing Scope Severity Result
Climate change and severe weather habitat shifting and alteration happening now whole area/population (>90%) slow but significant deterioration high

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90%) covered by appropriate conservation designation A management plan exists but it is out of date or not comprehensive Very little or no conservation action taking place low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)
Monach Isles Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) 600 is identical to site 594
Monach Isles National Nature Reserve 580 is identical to site 577
Monach Isles Nature Conservation Marine Protected Area 6,171 protected area overlaps with site 0
Monach Isles Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) 600 protected area overlaps with site 577
Monach Isles Marine Protected Area (OSPAR) 6,200 protected area overlaps with site 0
Monach Islands Marine Protected Area (OSPAR) 0 protected area overlaps with site 0
Monach Islands Site of Community Importance (Habitats Directive) 3,647 protected area contains site 594

Habitats

Habitat (IUCN level 1) Habitat detail Extent (% of site)
Grassland Humid grasslands, Machair -
Marine Coastal/Supratidal -
For more information about the IUCN Habitat classification, please click here.

Land use

Land-use Extent (% of site)
agriculture -


Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2023) Important Bird Area factsheet: Monach Islands. Downloaded from http://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/monach-islands-iba-united-kingdom on 30/11/2023.