Current view: Text account
Site description (2000 baseline):
Site location and context
A rocky coastline with cliffs and small offshore islands (Raffles Ø and Rathbone Ø), extending from 70°30'N to 71°30'N. Scoresby Sund is the mouth of a wide fjord between Liverpool Land coast and Kap Brewster (IBA 042), which remains ice-free for much of the year due to strong tidal currents (i.e. a polynya). The nutrient-rich waters provide excellent feeding for seabirds. Subsistence hunting takes place.
The area is internationally important for
Alle alle, which is present in extremely large numbers on all islands and headlands. Other breeding auks include
Uria lomvia (at least 2,000 individuals on Raffles Ø),
Cepphus grylle, and possibly
Fratercula arctica.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
With the exception of local disturbance caused by hunting, no serious threats are known at the site.
National None
International None
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Liverpool Land coast and mouth of Scoresby Sund (Greenland (to Denmark)). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/liverpool-land-coast-and-mouth-of-scoresby-sund-iba-greenland-(to-denmark) on 28/12/2024.
