Data Zone
Country/territory: United Kingdom
IBA Criteria met: A4i, B1i, B2, C2, C3, C6 (2007)
For more information about IBA criteria please click here
Area: 1,012 ha
Protection status:
| Most recent IBA monitoring assessment | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year of assessment | Threat score (pressure) | Condition score (state) | Action score (response) |
| 2007 | medium | very unfavourable | medium |
| For more information about IBA monitoring please click here | |||
Site description
The long, narrow estuary of the River Ythan runs in a north-south direction, entering the sea 18 km north of Aberdeen. Large tracts of sand-dunes exist either side of the river mouth, which comprises extensive mud and gravel flats. The Sands of Forvie sand-dune system contains a complete range of dune types and supports lichen-rich heath. The IBA is important for breeding seabirds and wintering waterbirds, including an important goose roost at Meikle Loch.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2021) Important Bird Areas factsheet: Ythan Estuary, Sands of Forvie and Meikle Loch. Downloaded from
http://www.birdlife.org on 13/04/2021.
