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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greylag Goose Anser anser | LC | resident (1995) | 200 pairs | B1i, C3 |
| Red-throated Loon Gavia stellata | LC | breeding (1995) | 155 pairs | B2, C2, C6 |
| Arctic Loon Gavia arctica | LC | breeding (2001–2005) | 28 pairs | C6 |
| Eurasian Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria | LC | breeding (1995) | 2,410 pairs | B3, C2, C6 |
| Dunlin Calidris alpina | NT | breeding (1995) | 1,970 pairs | B1i, C2, C6 |
| Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola | LC | breeding (1995) | 6 pairs | C6 |
| Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus | LC | breeding (1995) | 35 pairs | B2, C6 |
| Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos | LC | resident (2003) | 6 pairs | B2 |
| Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus | LC | resident (1995) | 54 pairs | B2, C6 |
| Merlin Falco columbarius | LC | breeding (1995) | 49 pairs | C6 |
| Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus | LC | resident (1995) | 9 pairs | C6 |
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 | medium |
| 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 | ||
| Arctic Loon Gavia arctica | 28 / 31 (pairs) | 91 | good | ||
| Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos | 6 / 4 (pairs) | 100 | good | ||
| Pressure (threats to the trigger species and/or their habitats) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Threat | Timing | Scope | Severity | Result |
| Human intrusions and disturbance | happening now | some of population/area (10–49%) | slow decline (1–10% over 3 generations) | medium |
| Natural system modifications | happening now | some of population/area (10–49%) | slow decline (1–10% over 3 generations) | medium |
| Agricultural expansion and intensification | happening now | few individuals/small area (<10%) | no or slight decline (<1% over 3 generations) | low |
| Energy production and mining | likely in short term (<4 years) | few individuals/small area (<10%) | moderate decline (10–30% over 3 generations) | low |
| Transportation and service corridors | likely in short term (<4 years) | few individuals/small area (<10%) | slow decline (1–10% over 3 generations) | low |
| Residential and commercial development | likely in short term (<4 years) | few individuals/small area (<10%) | slow decline (1–10% over 3 generations) | low |
| 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 management plan exists, but it is out of date or not comprehensive | Substantive conservation measures are being implemented, but these are not comprehensive and are limited by resources and capacity | medium |
| Year | Protected Area | Designation (management category) | % coverage of IBA |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | Forsinard | RSPB Reserve (-) | 6 |
| 1962 | Leavad | Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (III) | <1 |
| 1963 | Ben Loyal | Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) | 3 |
| 1963 | Ben Hutig | Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) | 2 |
| 1963 | Badanloch Bogs | Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) | <1 |
| 1971 | Shielton Peatlands | Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) | 4 |
| 1971 | Coire na Beinne Mires | Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) | 2 |
| 1971 | Blar nam Faoileag | Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) | 2 |
| 1974 | Ben Griams | Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) | 5 |
| 1974 | Knockfin Heights | Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) | 3 |
| 1974 | Strathy Bogs | Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) | 1 |
| 1975 | Forsinard Bogs | Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) | 1 |
| 1979 | Moss of Killimster | Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) | <1 |
| 1979 | Dirlot Gorge | Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (III) | <1 |
| 1984 | Armadale Gorge | Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) | <1 |
| 1984 | Lambsdale Leans | Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) | <1 |
| 1989 | West Halladale | Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) | 6 |
| 1989 | Cnoc an Alaskie | Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) | 2 |
| 1990 | Bad na Gallaig | Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) | 3 |
| 1990 | Druim nam Bad | Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) | 2 |
| 1990 | Stroupster Peatlands | Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) | 2 |
| 1990 | Oliclett | Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) | <1 |
| 1991 | Skinsdale Peatlands | Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) | 5 |
| 1991 | Loch Meadie Peatlands | Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) | 4 |
| 1991 | Sletill Peatlands | Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) | 1 |
| 1992 | Strathmore Peatlands | Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) | 5 |
| 1992 | Rumsdale Peatlands | Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) | 4 |
| 1992 | Strath Duchally | Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) | 1 |
| 1993 | Forsinard Flows | Nature Reserve (II) | 10 |
| 1993 | Loch Caluim Flows | Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) | 4 |
| 1993 | Grudie Peatlands | Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) | 3 |
| 1993 | West Borgie | Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) | 1 |
| 1993 | Truderscaig | Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) | 1 |
| 1994 | Syre Peatlands | Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) | 2 |
| 1994 | West Strathnaver | Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) | 2 |
| 1995 | Dunbeath Peatlands | Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) | 4 |
| 1995 | A' Mhoine | Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) | 4 |
| 1995 | Lochan Buidhe Mires | Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) | 3 |
| 1995 | Lon A' Chuil | Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) | 2 |
| 1995 | Skelpick Peatlands | Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) | 1 |
| 1995 | Druim na Coibe | Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) | 1 |
| 1995 | Mallart | Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) | <1 |
| 1996 | East Halladale | Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) | 6 |
| 1996 | Coir' An Eoin | Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) | 2 |
| 1996 | Strath an Loin | Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) | 2 |
| 1998 | River Borgie | Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) | <1 |
| 1999 | Munsary Peatlands | Nature Reserve (IV) | 1 |
| 2007 | Forsinard Flows | National Nature Reserve (II) | 7 |
| Habitat | % of IBA | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Wetlands (inland) | major (>10) | Blanket bogs; Water fringe vegetation; Fens, transition mires and springs |
| Grassland | minor (<10) | |
| Shrubland | minor (<10) | Scrub; Heathland |
| Land use | % of IBA |
|---|---|
| hunting | - |
| other | - |
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Caithness and Sutherland Peatlands (United Kingdom). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/caithness-and-sutherland-peatlands-iba-united-kingdom on 23/12/2024.