UK116
Caithness Lochs


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

Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
IBA conservation status
Year of assessment (most recent) State (condition) Pressure (threat) Response (action)
2007 unfavourable medium medium
For more information about IBA monitoring, please click here


Site description (2007 baseline)
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 (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Caithness Lochs. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/caithness-lochs-iba-united-kingdom on 19/03/2024.