1.5.4.    Conservation Advice

  1. Advice on management and operations is provided on the Natural England Designated Site’s View website, specifically in their Advice on Operations document (dated March 2022; Natural England, 2022).
  1. The conservation objectives for the site are:

1.5.5.    Current Condition Status

  1. In 2016, Natural England trialled and rolled out a new condition assessment methodology that provides information on the condition of marine features within Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). Area Teams conduct these assessments following a standardised approach that assesses if feature- and site-specific targets have been met. To date, condition assessments have been carried out for marine habitat features of a number of Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), and will be carried out for other SACs in the future. However, different processes are currently in place to report on the condition of non-marine habitat features and species features of SACs, and on the condition of features in Marine Conservation Zones (MCZs) and SPAs.
  2. A condition assessment for the Farne Islands SPA is not currently available.

1.6. Coquet Island SPA

1.6.1.    Site Overview

  1. Coquet Island is a small uninhabited island which lies less than a mile off the coast of Northumberland, near Amble, in the north-east of England. The island is managed by the RSPB and consists of a flat grassy plateau, surrounded by low sandstone cliffs and intertidal boulders and rock. The total area of the island at mean low water is 22 ha.
  2. Coquet Island SPA was first classified in 1985 for its breeding seabirds, several of which occur at nationally important numbers. The SPA is classified for the protection of roseate tern, common tern, Sandwich tern, Arctic tern and a breeding seabird assemblage of over 20,000 individuals.
  3. The RSPB manage the site to increase the breeding success of these species. The island nature of the site allows the RSPB to manage nest predation by mammalian and avian predators, as well as reducing disturbance by not allowing visitors and tour boats to land on the island. Tern nesting boxes have been installed to help provide terns with suitable breeding habitats.
  4. Key literature sources include:
  • Coquet Island SPA - Site Details (Natural England 2019c);
  • Coquet Island SPA - Conservation Objectives (Natural England 2019d);
  • Coquet Island SPA - Citation (Natural England 2017c);
  • Coquet Island SPA - Nature 2000 Standard Data Form (JNCC 2017a);
  • Coquet Island SPA - SACO (Natural England 2019e); and
  • Coquet Island SPA – Advice on Operations (Natural England 2022b).

1.6.2.    Qualifying Features

  1. This site is designated for the following features:
  • Sandwich tern
  • Roseate tern
  • Common tern
  • Arctic tern
  • Breeding seabird assemblage including the following additional named components:
  • Kittiwake
  • Black-headed gull
  • Herring gull
  • Lesser black-backed gull
  • Puffin
  • Fulmar

1.6.3.    The Characteristics of the Site

  1. Coquet Island is located 1 km off the coast of Northumberland in north-east England. It is a small, flat-topped island with a plateau extent of approximately 7 ha. The island consists of sandy soil and peat over a soft sandstone base. Low cliffs of approx. 2.4-3.7m high result from earlier quarrying. Surrounding the island is a rocky upper shore and intertidal covering 15 ha when fully exposed. There is a sandy beach on the southwest of the island and the southeast corner is shingle and rock. A small, shallow, man-made well lies in the centre of the plateau, which is fed by non-potable surface water. The peaty soil of the plateau supports short fescue grassland (mainly Festuca rubra but with some F. ovira), with docks (Rumex spp.) and ragwort (Senecio jacobea). Maritime species such as sea campion (Silene maritime) and thrift (Armeria maritima) are scarce. Where nutrient input from seabird colonies is greatest, there are dense stands of taller species, including nettles Urtica spp. These provide cover for some of the nesting terns.

1.6.4.    Conservation Advice

  1. Advice on management and operations is provided on the Natural England Designated Site’s View website, specifically in their Advice on Operations document (dated March 2022; Natural England, 2022).
  2. The conservation objectives for the site are:
  • To ensure that the integrity of the site is maintained or restored as appropriate, and;
  • To ensure that the site contributes to achieving the aims of the Wild Birds Directive, by maintaining or restoring;
  • The extent and distribution of the habitats of the qualifying features
  • The structure and function of the habitats of the qualifying features
  • The supporting processes on which the habitats of the qualifying features rely
  • The population of each of the qualifying features, and,
  • The distribution of the qualifying features within the site.
    1. Natural England’s SACOs present attributes which are ecological characteristics or requirements of the classified species within a site. The listed attributes are those which best describe the site’s ecological integrity and which, if safeguarded, will enable achievement of the conservation objectives. These attributes have a target which is either quantified or qualified depending on the available evidence. The target identifies as far as possible the desired state to be achieved for the attribute.
    2. In many cases, the attribute targets show if the current objective is to either ‘maintain’ or ‘restore’ the attribute. The targets given for each attribute do not represent thresholds to assess the significance of any given effect. Instead, these targets are used along with the conservation objectives, and any case-specific advice issued by Natural England when assessing a project that may affect site integrity. Any proposals or operations which may affect the site, or its features should be designed so they do not adversely affect any of the attributes in the SACO or achievement of the conservation objectives.
    3. The SACO for the Coquet Island SPA (Natural England, 2019) has been considered when assessing potential adverse effects on site integrity.

1.6.5.    Current Condition Status

  1. In 2016, Natural England trialled and rolled out a new condition assessment methodology that provides information on the condition of marine features within MPAs. Area Teams conduct these assessments following a standardised approach that assesses if feature- and site-specific targets have been met. To date, condition assessments have been carried out for marine habitat features of a number of SACs, and will be carried out for other SACs in the future. However, different processes are currently in place to report on the condition of non-marine habitat features and species features of SACs, and on the condition of features in MCZs and SPAs.
  2. A condition assessment for the Coquet Island SPA is not currently available.


1.7. Buchan Ness to Collieston Coast SPA

1.7.1.    Site Overview

  1. Buchan Ness to Collieston Coast SPA is a stretch of south-east facing cliff in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. The 15 km stretch of cliffs, formed of granite, quartzite and other rocks, runs south of Peterhead, broken only by the sandy beach of Cruden Bay. The varied coastal vegetation on the ledges and the cliff tops includes maritime heath, grassland and brackish flushes.
  2. The boundary of the SPA follows the boundaries of Bullers of Buchan Coast SSSI and Collieston to Whinnyfold Coast SSSI, and the seaward extension extends approximately 2 km into the marine environment to include the seabed, water column and surface.
  3. Key literature sources include:
  • Buchan Ness to Collieston Coast SPA - Citation (NatureScot 2009f);
  • Buchan Ness to Collieston Coast SPA - Conservation Objectives (NatureScot 2009g);
  • Buchan Ness to Collieston Coast SPA - Nature 2000 Standard Data Form (JNCC 2015a); and
  • Buchan Ness to Collieston Coast SPA - Features (NatureScot 2017a).

1.7.2.    Qualifying Features

  1. This site is designated for the following features:
  • Breeding seabird assemblage including the following additional named components:
  • Kittiwake
  • Herring gull
  • Guillemot
  • Fulmar
  • Shag

1.7.3.    The Characteristics of the Site

  1. The Buchan Ness to Collieston Coast SPA covers an area of 5400.76 ha beginning south of Peterhead and moves down the Aberdeenshire coastline. Most of the area is covered by marine areas and sea inlets, however, there are also grasslands and sea cliffs present. The ecological importance of the site comes from the fact it supports large populations of nationally important seabird populations.

1.7.4.    Conservation Advice

  1. Advice on operations and management of Buchan Ness to Collieston Coast SPA is unavailable.
  1. The conservation objectives for the site are:
  • To avoid deterioration of the habitats of the qualifying species or significant disturbance to the qualifying species, thus ensuring that the integrity of the site is maintained; and
  • To ensure for the qualifying species that the following are maintained in the long term:
  • Population of the species as a viable component of the site
  • Distribution of the species within site
  • Distribution and extent of habitats supporting the species
  • Structure, function and supporting processes of habitats supporting the species
  • No significant disturbance of the species

1.7.5.    Current Condition Status

  1. Table 1.5   Open ▸ provides a summary of the protected features within the site, their condition within the site (where known) based on the latest NatureScot SCM assessment, and the broader conservation status of the protected features. Current trends for relevant seabird colonies can be found in JNCC (2021) and are based on trends derived from the SMP including, where available, Seabird Counts census data.
  2. Feature condition refers to the condition of the protected feature at a site level. Broader conservation status is the overall conservation status of the feature within the UK based on Stanbury et al., (2021).
Table 1.5:
Buchan Ness to Collieston Coast SPA Feature Condition Assessment

Table 1.5: Buchan Ness to Collieston Coast SPA Feature Condition Assessment

*Named components of the assemblage only.


1.8. Troup, Pennan and Lion’s Heads SPA

1.8.1.    Site Overview

  1. The Troup, Pennan and Lion’s Heads SPA is a 9 km stretch of sea cliffs along the Aberdeenshire coast. The cliffs support large colonies of breeding seabirds.
  2. The boundary of the SPA overlaps with the boundary of Gamrie and Pennan coast SSSI and the seaward extension extends approximately 2 km into the marine environment to include the seabed, water column and surface.
  3. Key literature sources include:

1.8.2.    Qualifying Features

  1. This site is designated for the following features:
  • Kittiwake (breeding)
  • Guillemot (breeding)
  • Breeding seabird assemblage including the following additional named components:
  • Herring gull
  • Razorbill
  • Fulmar

1.8.3.    The Characteristics of the Site

  1. The Troup, Pennan and Lion’s Heads SPA is located on the northern Aberdeenshire coast and has an area of 3365.2 ha. Most of this area is marine habitat however cliffs and grassland are also present. The ecological importance of the area is due the presence of both internationally and nationally important populations of seabirds.

1.8.4.    Conservation Advice

  1. Advice on operations for Troup, Pennan and Lion’s Heads SPA is not available.
  1. The conservation objectives for the site are:
  • To avoid deterioration of the habitats of the qualifying species or significant disturbance to the qualifying species, thus ensuring that the integrity of the site is maintained; and
  • To ensure for the qualifying species that the following are maintained in the long term:
  • Population of the species as a viable component of the site
  • Distribution of the species within site
  • Distribution and extent of habitats supporting the species
  • Structure, function and supporting processes of habitats supporting the species
  • No significant disturbance of the species

1.8.5.    Current Condition Status

  1. Table 1.6   Open ▸ provides a summary of the protected features within the site, their condition within the site (where known) based on the latest NatureScot SCM assessment, and the broader conservation status of the protected features. Current trends for relevant seabird colonies can be found in JNCC (2021) and are based on trends derived from the SMP including, where available, Seabird Counts census data.
  2. Feature condition refers to the condition of the protected feature at a site level. Broader conservation status is the overall conservation status of the feature within the UK based on Stanbury et al., (2021).
Table 1.6:
Troup, Pennan and Lion’s Heads SPA Feature Condition Assessment

Table 1.6: Troup, Pennan and Lion’s Heads SPA Feature Condition Assessment

*Named components of the assemblage only.


1.9. East Caithness Cliffs SPA

1.9.1.    Site Overview

  1. East Caithness Cliffs SPA is of special nature conservation and scientific importance within Britain and the European Community for supporting very large populations of breeding seabirds. It includes most of the sea-cliff areas between Wick and Helmsdale on the north-east coast of the Scottish mainland.
  2. The boundary of the SPA overlaps either partly or wholly with the following SSSIs: Castle of Old Wick to Craig Hammel SSSI, Craig Hammel to Sgaps Geo SSSI, Dunbeath to Sgaps Geo SSSI, Berriedale Cliffs SSSI, Ousdale Burn SSSI and Helmsdale Coast SSSI. The seaward extension extends approximately 2 km into the marine environment to include the seabed, water column and surface.
  3. Key literature sources include:
  • East Caithness Cliffs - SPA Citation (NatureScot 2009j);
  • East Caithness Cliffs - SPA Conservation Objectives (NatureScot 2009k);
  • East Caithness Cliffs - SPA Natura 2000 Standard Data Form (JNCC 2018c); and
  • East Caithness Cliffs - SPA Features (NatureScot 2015a).

1.9.2.    Qualifying Features

  1. This site is designated for the following features:
  • Kittiwake (breeding
  • Herring gull (breeding)
  • Guillemot (breeding)
  • Razorbill (breeding)
  • Shag (breeding)
  • Breeding seabird assemblage including the following additional named components:
  • Great black-backed gull
  • Fulmar
  • Cormorant

1.9.3.    The Characteristics of the Site

  1. The East Caithness Cliffs SPA is located in the North of Scotland beginning at Wick and heading in a Southerly direction down the coast. It is 11696.38 ha in size. The large majority of the site is a marine area. Other habitat classes include sea cliffs and grasslands. The site is ecologically important due to the presence of Peregrine and seabirds of European and national importance.

1.9.4.    Conservation Advice

  1. Advice on operations for East Caithness Cliffs SPA is not available.
  1. The conservation objectives for the site are:
  • To avoid deterioration of the habitats of the qualifying species or significant disturbance to the qualifying species, thus ensuring that the integrity of the site is maintained; and
  • To ensure for the qualifying species that the following are maintained in the long term:
  • Population of the species as a viable component of the site
  • Distribution of the species within site
  • Distribution and extent of habitats supporting the species
  • Structure, function and supporting processes of habitats supporting the species
  • No significant disturbance of the species

1.9.5.    Current Condition Status

  1. Table 1.7   Open ▸ provides a summary of the protected features within the site, their condition within the site (where known) based on the latest NatureScot SCM assessment, and the broader conservation status of the protected features. Current trends for relevant seabird colonies can be found in JNCC (2021) and are based on trends derived from the SMP including, where available, Seabird Counts census data.
  2. Feature condition refers to the condition of the protected feature at a site level. Broader conservation status is the overall conservation status of the feature within the UK based on Stanbury et al., (2021).
Table 1.7:
East Caithness Cliffs SPA Feature Condition Assessment

Table 1.7: East Caithness Cliffs SPA Feature Condition Assessment

*Named components of the assemblage only.


1.10. Flamborough and Filey Coast SPA

1.10.1.              Site Overview

  1. The Flamborough and Filey Coast SPA straddles the border of East Yorkshire and North Yorkshire at the western coast of the North Sea. It has two sections - Flamborough to the south, and Filey to the north - both encompassing clifftop, sea cliff and intertidal rock habitats and offshore to 2km. It extends inland in the sections running from Cunstone Nab in the north to Carr Naze at the corner of Filey Brigg, then from the south of Filey Bay at Reighton to its southern most point at Sewerby steps. The expanse of Filey Bay divides these two inland sections, but is not included in the designation.
  2. The site is highly protected both for its wildlife and unique chalk cliff habitats and the numerous ledges, crevices and caves provide ideal nesting and roosting sites for seabirds, supporting a colony of national and international importance, currently the largest mainland seabird colony in England. The SPA supports the only mainland gannetry in England, the largest kittiwake colony in the UK and the largest guillemot and razorbill colonies in England. The colonies are situated along the cliffs on the southern and northern sides of Filey Bay and the north and south sides of Flamborough Head. They support over 200,000 seabirds during the breeding season, many of which are extremely limited in breeding range throughout the UK. In addition to providing nest sites, the sheer cliffs also act as a deterrent to mammalian predators and provide a focal point for migrating seabirds.
  3. The waters adjacent to the colonies are used by large numbers of seabirds for a wide range of activities, including bathing, preening, displaying, loafing and local foraging. The mixing of two distinct North Sea water bodies – the cooler, deeper, stratified waters of the northern North Sea and warmer, shallower, well-mixed waters of the southern North Sea - gives rise to the offshore frontal system known as the ‘Flamborough Front’. The resulting nutrient-rich waters and the presence of the Flamborough Front contribute to the diverse and unusual range of marine species found in the area and the increased productivity provides rich feeding ground for birds. Although most feeding occurs offshore, when conditions are favourable and food is abundant, large numbers of seabirds move into Filey Bay to feed.
  4. Key literature sources include:
  • Flamborough and Filey Coast SPA - Citation (Natural England 2018a);
  • Flamborough and Filey Coast SPA - Conservation Objectives (Natural England 2019f);
  • Flamborough and Filey Coast SPA - SACO (Natural England 2020a);
  • Flamborough and Filey Coast SPA – Advice on Operations (Natural England 2022c);
  • Flamborough and Filey Coast SPA - Natura 2000 Standard Data Form (JNCC 2019b); and
  • Flamborough and Filey Coast SPA - Site Details (Natural England 2020b).

1.10.2.              Qualifying Features

  1. The site is designated for the following features:
  • Gannet (breeding)
  • Kittiwake (breeding)
  • Guillemot (breeding)
  • Razorbill (breeding)
  • Breeding seabird assemblage including the following additional named components:
  • Herring gull
  • Puffin
  • Fulmar
  • Cormorant
  • Shag

1.10.3.              The Characteristics of the Site

  1. Flamborough and Filey Coast SPA is located on the Yorkshire coast between Bridlington and Scarborough. It includes the RSPB reserve at Bempton Cliffs, the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust Flamborough Cliffs nature reserve, and the East Riding of Yorkshire Council Flamborough Head Local Nature Reserve. The cliffs of Flamborough Head rise to 135 m and are composed of chalk and other sedimentary rocks. These soft cliffs have been eroded into a series of bays, arches, pinnacles and gullies with an extensive system of caves at sea-level. The cliffs from Filey Brigg to Cunstone Nab comprise a range of sedimentary rocks including shales and sandstones. The cliff top vegetation comprises maritime grassland vegetation growing alongside species more typical of chalk grassland. The intertidal area below the cliffs is predominantly rocky and part of a series of reefs that extend into the subtidal area. The adjacent sea out to 2 km off Flamborough Head as well as Filey Brigg to Cunstone Nab is characterised by reefs supporting kelp forest communities in the shallow subtidal and faunal turf communities below 2 m water depths. The southern side of Filey Brigg shelves off gently from the rocks to the sandy bottom of Filey Bay.

1.10.4.              Conservation Advice

  1. Advice on management and operations is provided on the Natural England Designated Site’s View website, specifically in their Advice on Operations document (dated March 2022; Natural England, 2022).
  2. The conservation objectives for this site are:
  • To ensure that the integrity of the site is maintained or restored as appropriate; and
  • To ensure that the site contributes to achieving the aims of the Wild Birds Directive, by maintaining or restoring;
  • The extent and distribution of the habitats of the qualifying features
  • The structure and function of the habitats of the qualifying features
  • The supporting processes on which the habitats of the qualifying features rely
  • The population of each of the qualifying features, and,
  • The distribution of the qualifying features within the site.
    1. Natural England’s SACOs present attributes which are ecological characteristics or requirements of the classified species within a site. The listed attributes are those which best describe the site’s ecological integrity and which, if safeguarded, will enable achievement of the conservation objectives. These attributes have a target which is either quantified or qualified depending on the available evidence. The target identifies as far as possible the desired state to be achieved for the attribute.
    2. In many cases, the attribute targets show if the current objective is to either ‘maintain’ or ‘restore’ the attribute. The targets given for each attribute do not represent thresholds to assess the significance of any given effect. Instead, these targets are used along with the conservation objectives, and any case-specific advice issued by Natural England when assessing a project that may affect site integrity. Any proposals or operations which may affect the site, or its features should be designed so they do not adversely affect any of the attributes in the SACO or achievement of the conservation objectives.
    3. The SACO for the Flamborough and Filey Coast SPA (Natural England, 2020) has been considered when assessing potential adverse effects on site integrity.

1.10.5.              Current Condition Status

  1. In 2016, Natural England trialled and rolled out a new condition assessment methodology that provides information on the condition of marine features within MPAs. Area Teams conduct these assessments following a standardised approach that assesses if feature- and site-specific targets have been met. To date, condition assessments have been carried out for marine habitat features of a number of SACs, and will be carried out for other SACs in the future. However, different processes are currently in place to report on the condition of non-marine habitat features and species features of SACs, and on the condition of features in MCZs and SPAs.
  2. A condition assessment for the Flamborough and Filey Coast SPA is not currently available.


1.11. North Caithness Cliffs SPA

1.11.1.              Site Overview

  1. North Caithness Cliffs SPA is of special nature conservation and scientific importance within Britain and the European Community for supporting very large populations of breeding seabirds.
  2. The site overlaps either partly or wholly with Duncansby Head SSSI, Stroma SSSI, Dunnet Head SSSI, Holborn Head SSSI, and Red Point Coast SSSI. The seaward extension extends approximately 2 km into the marine environment to include the seabed, water column and surface.
  3. Key literature sources include:
  • North Caithness Cliffs SPA - Citation (NatureScot 2018d);
  • North Caithness Cliffs SPA - Conservation Objectives (NatureScot 2018e);
  • North Caithness Cliffs SPA - Natura 2000 Standard Data Form (JNCC 2018d); and
  • North Caithness Cliffs SPA - Features (NatureScot 2016a).

1.11.2.              Qualifying Features

  1. The site is designated for the following features:
  • Guillemot (breeding)
  • Breeding seabird assemblage (breeding) including the following additional named components:
  •  
  • Kittiwake
  • Razorbill
  • Puffin
  • Fulmar

1.11.3.              The Characteristics of the Site

  1. The Northern Caithness Cliffs SPA lies at the very northern tip of the Scottish mainland and is split over five main areas off the coast. The site has an area of 14628.79 ha. The habitat is mainly marine but does include some sea cliff, heath/shrub and grassland habitat. The site has ecological importance from the presence of peregrine, guillemot and various other seabirds within a seabird assemblage.

1.11.4.              Conservation Advice

  1. Advice on management and operations of North Caithness Cliffs SPA is unavailable.
  1. The conservation objectives for the site are:
  • To avoid deterioration of the habitats of the qualifying species or significant disturbance to the qualifying species, thus ensuring that the integrity of the site is maintained; and
  • To ensure for the qualifying species that the following are maintained in the long term:
  • Population of the species as a viable component of the site
  • Distribution of the species within site
  • Distribution and extent of habitats supporting the species
  • Structure, function and supporting processes of habitats supporting the species
  • No significant disturbance of the species