Data Zone
Country/territory: United Kingdom
Subnational region(s): Scotland
IBA Justification: A4ii, A4iii, B1ii, B2, B3, C3, C4, C6 (2007)
Area: 11,476 hectares (114.76 km2)
BirdLife Partner(s): Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
| Conservation status of the Important Bird Area (IBA) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year of assessment (most recent) | State (condition) | Pressure (threat) | Response (action) |
| 2007 | near favourable | very high | low |
Site description (2007 baseline)
The IBA covers a large part of the high island of Hoy, with Old Red Sandstone cliffs on the west coast reaching 338 m. These include the famous 137 m high rock stack, the Old Man of Hoy. The site includes Orkney's only remaining piece of relict deciduous woodland, and lichen and bryophyte-rich heaths. The site is important for breeding seabirds, raptors and waders.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2025) Important Bird Area factsheet: Hoy (United Kingdom). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/hoy-iba-united-kingdom on 04/01/2025.