Data Zone
The site was identified as internationally important for bird conservation in 2007 because it was regularly supporting significant populations of the species listed below, meeting ('triggering') IBA criteria.
Populations meeting IBA criteria ('trigger species') at the site:| Species | Red List | Season (year/s of estimate) | Size | IBA criteria |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Gannet Morus bassanus | LC | breeding (1999) | 35,825 pairs | A4ii, B1ii, B2, C3 |
| A4iii Species group - seabirds | n/a | breeding (1999–2001) | 43,348 pairs | A4iii, C4 |
Ideally the conservation status of the IBA will have been checked regularly since the site was first identified in 2007. The most recent assessment (2007) is shown below.
| IBA conservation assessment | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year of assessment | State | Pressure | Response |
| 2007 | good | medium | high |
| Whole site assessed? | State assessed by | Accuracy of information | |
| yes | population | good | |
| State (condition of the trigger species' populations) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Species | Actual vs Reference (units) | % remaining | Result | ||
| Northern Gannet Morus bassanus | 35,825 / 32,500 (pairs) | 100 | good | ||
| Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus | 400 / 1,500 (pairs) | 27 | not assessed | ||
| A4iii Species group - seabirds | 43,348 / 36,664 (pairs) | 100 | good | ||
| Pressure (threats to the trigger species and/or their habitats) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Threat | Timing | Scope | Severity | Result |
| Climate change and severe weather | likely in short term (<4 years) | some of population/area (10–49%) | slow decline (1–10% over 3 generations) | medium |
| Response (conservation actions taken for the trigger species and/or their habitats) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Designation | Planning | Action | Result |
| Whole area (>90%) covered by appropriate conservation designation | A comprehensive and appropriate management plan exists that aims to maintain or improve the populations of qualifying bird species | The conservation measures needed for the site are being comprehensively and effectively implemented | high |
| Year | Protected Area | Designation (management category) | % coverage of IBA |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | Ailsa Craig | RSPB Reserve (-) | 100 |
| 1957 | Ailsa Craig | Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (III) | 100 |
| 2004 | Ailsa Craig | Nature Reserve (III) | 89 |
| 2011 | Ailsa Craig | Marine Protected Area (OSPAR) (UA) | 15 |
| Habitat | % of IBA | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 100 |
| Land use | % of IBA |
|---|---|
| not utilised | 100 |
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Ailsa Craig (United Kingdom). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/ailsa-craig-iba-united-kingdom on 24/12/2024.