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 IBA criteria.
Populations meeting IBA criteria ('key species') at the site:| Species | Red List | Season (year/s of estimate) | Size | IBA criteria |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus | LC | breeding (1999) | 1,127 breeding pairs | B3 |
| A4iii Species group - seabirds | n/a | breeding (1999–2000) | 15,084 breeding 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 status | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year of assessment | State | Pressure | Response |
| 2007 | unfavourable | very high | high |
| Whole site assessed? | State assessed by | Accuracy of information | |
| yes | population | good | |
| State (condition of the key species' populations) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Species | Actual vs Reference (units) | % remaining | Result | ||
| Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus | 1,127 / 659 (breeding pairs) | 100 | not assessed | ||
| A4iii Species group - seabirds | 7,500 / 15,350 (individuals) | 49 | unfavourable | ||
| A4iii Species group - seabirds | 15,084 / 15,350 (breeding pairs) | 99 | not assessed | ||
| Pressure (threats to the key species and/or their habitats) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Threat | Timing | Scope | Severity | Result |
| Climate change and severe weather | happening now | whole population/area (>90%) | moderate deterioration (10–30% in 3 generations) | very high |
| Response (conservation actions taken for the key species and/or their habitats) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Designation | Planning | Action | Result |
| Whole area of site (>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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | Copinsay | RSPB Reserve (-) | 100 |
| 1972 | Copinsay | Nature Reserve (IV) | 79 |
| 1973 | Copinsay | Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) | 100 |
| 2011 | Copinsay | Marine Protected Area (OSPAR) (UA) | 46 |
| Habitat | % of IBA | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Grassland | - | |
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | - |
| Land use | % of IBA |
|---|---|
| agriculture | - |
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2025) Important Bird Area factsheet: Copinsay (United Kingdom). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/copinsay-iba-united-kingdom on 15/01/2025.