Data Zone
Country/territory: United Kingdom
IBA Criteria met: A4i, B1i, B3, C2, C3, C6 (2007)
For more information about IBA criteria please click here
Area: 1,372 ha
Protection status:
| Most recent IBA monitoring assessment | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year of assessment | Threat score (pressure) | Condition score (state) | Action score (response) |
| 2007 | medium | unfavourable | medium |
| For more information about IBA monitoring please click here | |||
Site description
A series of lochs spread over a wide area in north-east Caithness, and situated roughly in the triangle formed by Wick, Duncansby Head and Thurso. The lochs are rich to moderately rich in nutrients, and support a diverse aquatic flora. A mire system has developed along the old course of the River Forss. The IBA is important for both breeding and wintering waterbirds. Anser albifrons are the flavirostris subspecies, and Anser anser are from the Icelandic breeding population.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2020) Important Bird Areas factsheet: Caithness Lochs. Downloaded from
http://www.birdlife.org on 28/10/2020.
