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 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Whooper Swan Cygnus cygnus | LC | winter (1990–1995) | 135 individuals | B3, C7 |
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 | medium | medium |
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 | ||
Whooper Swan Cygnus cygnus | 60 / 135 (individuals) | 45 | unfavourable |
Pressure (threats to the key species and/or their habitats) | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Threat | Timing | Scope | Severity | Result |
Pollution | likely in long term (beyond 4 years) | whole population/area (>90%) | slow deterioration (1–10% over 3 generations) | medium |
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 | Not assessed | medium |
Year | Protected Area | Designation (management category) | % coverage of IBA |
---|---|---|---|
- | Loch of Spiggie | RSPB Reserve (-) | 78 |
1962 | Lochs of Spiggie and Brow | Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) | 100 |
1979 | Loch Of Spiggie | Nature Reserve (IV) | 61 |
Habitat | % of IBA | Habitat detail |
---|---|---|
Wetlands (inland) | - | Standing freshwater; Standing brackish and salt water; Water fringe vegetation |
Land use | % of IBA |
---|---|
fisheries/aquaculture | - |
nature conservation and research | - |
hunting | - |
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2025) Important Bird Area factsheet: Lochs of Spiggie and Brow (United Kingdom). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/lochs-of-spiggie-and-brow-iba-united-kingdom on 13/01/2025.