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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Razorbill Alca torda | LC | breeding (2001) | 4,892 individuals | B3 |
| Common Murre Uria aalge | LC | breeding (2001) | 47,737 individuals | B1ii, C3 |
| A4iii Species group - seabirds | n/a | breeding (1998–2001) | 39,694 breeding pairs | A4iii, C4 |
| A4iii Species group - waterbirds | n/a | breeding (1998–2001) | 20,625 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 | low | 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 | ||
| Black-legged Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla | 18,657 / 31,700 (breeding pairs) | 59 | unfavourable | ||
| Razorbill Alca torda | 4,892 / 4,806 (individuals) | 100 | favourable | ||
| Common Murre Uria aalge | 47,737 / 44,626 (individuals) | 100 | favourable | ||
| A4iii Species group - seabirds | 39,694 / 38,404 (breeding pairs) | 100 | favourable | ||
| A4iii Species group - waterbirds | 20,625 / 36,052 (breeding pairs) | 58 | unfavourable | ||
| Pressure (threats to the key species and/or their habitats) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Threat | Timing | Scope | Severity | Result |
| Energy production and mining | likely in short term (within 4 years) | few individuals/small area (<10%) | moderate deterioration (10–30% in 3 generations) | low |
| 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90%) covered by appropriate conservation designation | A management plan exists, but it is out of date or not comprehensive | Substantive conservation measures are being implemented, but these are not comprehensive and are limited by resources and capacity |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 |
| Year | Protected Area | Designation (management category) | % coverage of IBA |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | Troup Head | RSPB Reserve (-) | 18 |
| 1956 | Gamrie and Pennan Coast | Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) | 100 |
| 2005 | Troup Head | Nature Reserve (IV) | 10 |
| 2011 | Troup, Pennan and Lion`s Heads | Marine Protected Area (OSPAR) (UA) | 47 |
| Habitat | % of IBA | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 90 | |
| Grassland | 6 | |
| Marine Intertidal | 2 | |
| Shrubland | 2 | Scrub; Heathland |
| Land use | % of IBA |
|---|---|
| not utilised | 100 |
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2025) Important Bird Area factsheet: Troup, Pennan and Lion Heads (United Kingdom). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/troup-pennan-and-lion-heads-iba-united-kingdom on 06/01/2025.