1.11.5.              Current Condition Status

  1. Table 1.8   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 1.8:
North Caithness Cliffs SPA Feature Condition Assessment

Table 1.8: North Caithness Cliffs SPA Feature Condition Assessment

*Named components of the assemblage only.


1.12. Hoy SPA

1.12.1.              Site Overview

  1. Hoy is a mountainous island at the south-western end of the Orkney archipelago. Hoy SPA covers the northern and western two-thirds of Hoy Island, which is formed of Old Red Sandstone and contains Orkney’s highest hills, and adjacent coastal waters. The SPA supports an extremely diverse mixture of mire, heath and alpine vegetation and Britain’s most northerly native woodland. These upland areas and the high sea cliffs at the coast support an important assemblage of moorland breeding birds and breeding seabirds.
  2. The boundary of Hoy SPA overlaps with that of Hoy 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:
  • Hoy SPA - Citation (NatureScot 2009l)
  • Hoy SPA - Conservation Objectives 2009m)
  • Hoy SPA - Natura 2000 Standard Data Form (JNCC 2015b)
  • Hoy SPA - Features (NatureScot 2019a)

1.12.2.              Qualifying Features

  1. The site is designated for the following features:
  • Great skua (breeding)
  • Red-throated diver
  • Breeding seabird assemblage including the following additional named components:
  • Kittiwake
  • Great black-backed gull
  • Arctic skua
  • Guillemot
  • Puffin
  • Fulmar

1.12.3.              The Characteristics of the Site

  1. Hoy SPA covers most of the Hoy Island and much of the surrounding waters and has a total area of 18123.91 ha. Hoy Island is located in the south of the Orkney Islands which themselves lie north of the Scottish mainland across from the northern coast of Caithness. Hoy SPA covers a significant marine area, but this habitat does represent less than half of the total SPA. Heath/scrubland make up a large part of the onshore habitat alongside bogs/marshland. Other habitats include cliffs, inland water and woodland. The ecological importance of the site as an SPA comes from the presence of peregrine and seabirds of European and national importance.

1.12.4.              Conservation Advice

  1. Advice on management and operations of Hoy 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

1.12.5.              Current Conservation Status

  1. Table 1.9   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 1.9:
Hoy SPA Feature Condition Assessment

Table 1.9: Hoy SPA Feature Condition Assessment

*Named components of the assemblage only.


1.13. Copinsay SPA

1.13.1.              Site Overview

  1. The Copinsay SPA comprises a group of islands 4 km off the east coast of Orkney Mainland. The islands have a cliffed rocky coastline and maritime vegetation that support large colonies of breeding seabirds.
  2. The boundary of the SPA encompasses Copinsay 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:
  • Copinsay SPA - Citation (NatureScot 2009n);
  • Copinsay SPA - Conservation Objectives (NatureScot 2009o);
  • Copinsay SPA - Natura 2000 Standard Data Form (JNCC 2022c); and
  • Copinsay SPA - Features (NatureScot 2015b).

1.13.2.              Qualifying Features

  1. The site is designated for the following features:
  • Breeding seabird assemblage including the following additional named components:
  • Kittiwake
  • Great black-backed gull
  • Guillemot
  • Fulmar

1.13.3.              The Characteristics of the Site

  1. The Copinsay SPA covers the island of Copinsay and surrounding islands including the Copinsay pass which lies off the eastern edge of the wide Orkney Islands. The site has an area of 3607.7 ha. The habitat is largely marine but, on the islands, includes grassland and cliffs. The ecological importance of the island comes from its role in supporting a seabird assemblage.

1.13.4.              Conservation Advice

  1. Advice on the management and operations of the Copinsay 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

1.13.5.              Current Condition Status

  1. Table 1.10   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 1.10:
Copinsay SPA Feature Condition Assessment

Table 1.10 Copinsay SPA Feature Condition Assessment

*Named components of the assemblage only.

 

1.14. West Westray SPA

1.14.1.              Site Overview

  1. West Westray SPA is an 8 km stretch of sea cliffs, together with adjacent grassland and heathland, along the west coast of the island of Westray in Orkney. The cliffs support large colonies of breeding auks and kittiwakes while the grassland and heathland areas support breeding colonies of skuas and terns.
  2. The boundary of the SPA overlaps with that of the West Westray 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:
  • West Westray SPA - Citation (NatureScot 2009p)
  • West Westray SPA - Conservation Objectives (Nature Scot 2009q)
  • West Westray SPA - Natura 2000 Standard Data Form (JNCC 2022d)
  • West Westray SPA - Features (NatureScot 2017c)

1.14.2.              Qualifying Features

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

1.14.3.              The Characteristics of the Site

  1. The West Westray SPA lies on the west coast of the island of Westray which itself sits at the northern edge of the Orkney Islands. The site area is 3780.16 ha. The habitat is mainly marine areas however the cost includes heath/scrub, grasslands, cliffs, inland water and bog/marsh habitats. The ecological importance of the site comes from its support of seabirds of European and national importance.

1.14.4.              Conservation Advice

  1. Advice on the management and operations of the West Westray 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

1.14.5.              Current Condition Status

  1. Table 1.11   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 1.11:
West Westray SPA Feature Condition Assessment

Table 1.11 West Westray SPA Feature Condition Assessment

*Named components of the assemblage only.


1.15. Sule Skerry and Sule Stack spa

1.15.1.              Site Overview

  1. Sule Skerry and Sule Stack are isolated islets 60 km west of Mainland, Orkney. Sule Skerry is larger, low-lying and vegetated whereas Sule Stack is a higher, bare rock stack with no vascular plants.
  2. The boundary of the SPA overlaps with those of Sule Skerry SSSI and Sule Stack 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:
  • Sule Skerry and Sule Stack SPA - Citation (NatureScot 2009r);
  • Sule Skerry and Sule Stack SPA - Conservation Objectives (NatureScot 2009s);
  • Sule Skerry and Sule Stack SPA - Natura 2000 Standard Data Form (JNCC 2022e); and
  • Sule Skerry and Sule Stack SPA - Features (NatureScot 2018f).

1.15.2.              Qualifying Features

  1. The site is designated for the following features:
  • Puffin (breeding)
  • Storm-petrel (breeding)
  • Leach’s storm petrel (breeding)
  • Gannet (breeding)
  • Breeding seabird assemblage including the following additional named components:
  • Guillemot
  • Shag

1.15.3.              The Characteristics of the Site

  1. Sule Skerry and Sule Stack SPA is located on and around the area of two relatively small islands north of the Scottish mainland and west of the Orkney Islands. The total area of the SPA is 3909.45ha. The area is mainly marine habitat which surround the islands however it also includes sea cliff habitat from the islands. The area is ecologically important because it supports seabirds of European and national importance.

1.15.4.              Conservation Objectives

  1. Advice on the management and operations of Sule Skerry and Sule Stack 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

1.15.5.              Current Condition Status

  1. Table 1.12   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 1.12:
Sule Skerry and Sule Stack SPA Feature Condition Assessment

Table 1.12: Sule Skerry and Sule Stack SPA Feature Condition Assessment

*Named components of the assemblage only.


1.16. Fair Isle SPA

1.16.1.              Site Overview

  1. Fair Isle is an old red sandstone island, the most southerly of the Shetland group, lying halfway between Shetland mainland and Orkney. It has a rocky, cliff coastline with adjacent coastal waters, heather moorland, acidic grassland, maritime grassland and crofting in-bye.
  2. The boundary of Fair Isle SPA is coincident with Fair Isle 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:
  • Fair Isle SPA - Citation (NatureScot 2009t);
  • Fair Isle SPA - Conservation Objectives (NatureScot 2009u);
  • Fair Isle SPA - Natura 2000 Standard Data Form (JNCC 2022f); and
  • Fair Isle SPA - Features (NatureScot 2016b).

1.16.2.              Qualifying Features

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

1.16.3.              The Characteristics of the Site

  1. The Fair Isle SPA covers part of the Island and the surrounding marine area. Fair Isle is part of the Shetland Islands grouping but lies roughly halfway between the Shetland and Orkney mainland. The site has an area 6825.1 ha. The surrounding marine habitat covers most of the total area however, there are sea cliffs, inland water, bog/marsh, heath/scrub and grasslands present. The ecological importance of the site comes from the presence of the Fair Isle wren, indigenous to the Island, and a variety of seabirds of European and national importance.

1.16.4.              Conservation Objectives

  1. Advice on the management and operations of the Fair Isle SPA is not available.
  1. The conservation objectives for the site are:
  • To avoid deterioration of the habitats of the qualifying species (listed below) 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

1.16.5.              Current Condition Status

  1. Table 1.13   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 1.13:
Fair Isle SPA Feature Condition Assessment

Table 1.13: Fair Isle SPA Feature Condition Assessment

*Named components of the assemblage only.


1.17. North Rona and Sula Sgeir SPA

1.17.1.              Site Overview

  1. The uninhabited islands of North Rona and Sula Sgeir, together with several outlying rocky islets and adjacent waters, lie 65 km north of Lewis. The coastlines of both islands consist mainly of cliffs except for two low-lying peninsulas on North Rona. North Rona is well covered by peat or soil and vegetated by sub maritime grassland. Sula Sgeir lies about 15 km west of North Rona. It is much the smaller of the two islands and has little soil or vegetation.
  2. The boundary of the Special Protection Area overlaps with the boundary of North Rona & Sula Sgeir 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:
  • North Rona and Sula Sgeir SPA - Citation (NatureScot 2009v);
  • North Rona and Sula Sgeir SPA - Conservation Objectives (NatureScot 2009w);
  • North Rona and Sula Sgeir SPA - Natura 2000 Standard Data Form (JNCC 2022g); and
  • North Rona and Sula Sgeir SPA - Features (NatureScot 2013a).

1.17.2.              Qualifying Features

  1. The site is designated for the following features:
  • Guillemot (breeding)
  • Storm petrel (breeding)
  • Leach’s storm petrel (breeding)
  • Gannet (breeding)
  • Breeding seabird assemblage including the following additional named components:
  • Kittiwake
  • Great black-backed gull
  • Razorbill
  • Puffin
  • Fulmar

1.17.3.              The Characteristics of the Site

  1. North Rona and Sula Sgeir SPA covers two small islands, and their surrounding marine area, north of Lewis and the Scottish mainland and east of the Orkney Islands. The SPA covers 6850.58ha. The area is largely marine habitat but also includes salt, sea cliffs, bog/marsh and dry grassland/steppes habitats. The ecological importance of the site comes from the fact is supports European and nationally important species of seabirds.

1.17.4.              Conservation Objectives

  1. Advice on the management and operations of North Rona and Sula Sgeir 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

1.17.5.              Current Condition Status

  1. Table 1.14   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 1.14:
North Rona and Sula Sgeir SPA Feature Condition Assessment

Table 1.14: North Rona and Sula Sgeir SPA Feature Condition Assessment

*Named components of the assemblage only.


1.18. Foula SPA

1.18.1.              Site Overview

  1. Foula is the most westerly of the Shetland Islands which are situated to the north of the Scottish mainland and Orkney. It lies 20 km west of Shetland Mainland. Foula SPA consists of a rocky coastline, large areas of mire, and adjacent coastal waters which support internationally important breeding populations of seabirds.
  2. The boundary of the SPA overlaps with the boundary of Foula SSSI and Foula 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:
  • Foula SPA - Citation (NatureScot 2009x);
  • Foula SPA - Draft Conservation Objectives (NatureScot 2021b);
  • Foula SPA - Natura 2000 Standard Data Form (JNCC 2022h); and
  • Foula SPA - Features (NatureScot 2016c).

1.18.2.              Qualifying Features

  1. The site is designated for the following features:
  • Arctic tern (breeding)
  • Great skua (breeding)
  • Guillemot (breeding)
  • Red-throated diver (breeding)
  • Leach’s storm petrel (breeding)
  • Shag (breeding)
  • Breeding seabird assemblage including the following additional named components:
  • Kittiwake
  • Arctic skua
  • Razorbill
  • Puffin
  • Fulmar