UK343
Grampian Mountains


IBA Justification

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
Western Capercaillie Tetrao urogallus LC resident (1990–2005) present pairs C6
Black Grouse Lyrurus tetrix LC resident (2006) present pairs B2
Eurasian Dotterel Eudromias morinellus LC breeding (1996) present pairs B2, C6
Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola LC breeding (2001) present pairs C6
Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus LC resident (1994) present pairs B2, C6
Osprey Pandion haliaetus LC breeding (2006) present pairs B2, C6
Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos LC resident (2003) min 26 pairs B2, C6
Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus LC breeding (2004) present pairs B2, C6
Merlin Falco columbarius LC breeding (1992) present pairs C6
Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus LC breeding (1990) present pairs C6
Scottish Crossbill Loxia scotica LC resident (2007) abundant pairs A1, B2, C1, C6

IBA Conservation

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 not assessed high medium
Whole site assessed? State assessed by Accuracy of information
no unset medium

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) whole of popul­ation/area (>90%) slow decline (1–10% over 3 gener­ations) high
Human intrusions and disturbance happe­ning now some of popul­ation/area (10–49%) slow decline (1–10% over 3 gener­ations) medium
Invasive and other problematic species and genes 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 some of popul­ation/area (10–49%) slow decline (1–10% over 3 gener­ations) medium
Biological resource use happe­ning now 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
Most of area (50–90%) covered (including the most critical parts for important bird species) 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

IBA Protection

Year Protected Area Designation (management category) % coverage of IBA
- Abernethy Forest RSPB Reserve (-) 6
1954 Cairngorms Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) 13
1954 Cairngorms National Nature Reserve (IV) 12
1955 Ben Vrackie Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) 1
1956 Glen Ey Gorge Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) <1
1961 Loch Brandy Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) <1
1961 Caenlochan National Nature Reserve (IV) 1
1965 Inchrory Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) <1
1967 Glen Tanar Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) 2
1971 Eastern Cairngorms Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) 8
1971 Caenlochan Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) 2
1971 Coyles of Muick Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) <1
1972 Beinn A' Ghlo Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) 3
1972 Abernethy Forest Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) 3
1972 Glen Callater Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) 1
1972 Glas Tulaichean Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) <1
1972 Cairnwell Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) <1
1972 Morrone Birkwood Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) <1
1977 Abernethy Nature Reserve (II) 5
1979 Glen Tanar National Nature Reserve (IV) 2
1979 Brerachan Meadows Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) <1
1984 Northern Corries, Cairngorms Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) 1
1984 Cardney Wood Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) <1
1988 North Rothiemurchus Pinewood Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) 1
1989 River Feshie Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (III) <1
1989 Allt Mor Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (III) <1
1991 Red Craig Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (III) <1
1992 Pollagach Burn Site of Special Scientific Interest (IV) <1
1996 Glenmore Forest Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) 1
1996 Garbh Choire Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) <1
1998 Creag Clunie and The Lion's Face Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) <1
1998 Fafernie Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) <1
2000 Forest of Clunie Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) 9
2003 Cairngorms National Park (V) 87
2005 Corrie Fee National Nature Reserve (IV) <1
2007 Abernethy National Nature Reserve (II) 6
2007 Invereshie and Inshriach National Nature Reserve (IV) 1
2007 Glenmore National Nature Reserve (IV) 1

Habitats

Habitat % of IBA Habitat detail
Artificial/Terrestrial major (>10) Forestry plantations
Forest major (>10) Broadleaved deciduous woodland; Native coniferous woodland
Grassland major (>10) Steppes and dry calcareous grassland; Alpine, subalpine and boreal grassland
Shrubland major (>10) Heathland; Scrub
Rocky areas (eg. inland cliffs, mountain peaks) minor (<10) Inland cliffs
Wetlands (inland) minor (<10) Blanket bogs; Fens, transition mires and springs; Rivers and streams; Standing freshwater; Water fringe vegetation

Land use

Land use % of IBA
forestry -
hunting -
nature conservation and research -
tourism/recreation -
water management -


Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Grampian Mountains (United Kingdom). Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/grampian-mountains-iba-united-kingdom on 23/12/2024.