A peninsula in the south-west of Islay, exposed to the prevailing south-westerly weather. This results in a highly oceanic climate with closer ecological affinities to western Ireland than to the rest of Britain. The IBA includes rocky shore, blanket mire, heathland and farmland habitats. The site is important wintering greese, and for breeding raptors and other upland species. Anser albifrons are the flavirostris subspecies.
Key biodiversity
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2023) Important Bird Areas factsheet: The Oa. Downloaded from
http://www.birdlife.org on 25/03/2023.
