Hanko western archipelago (1299)
Finland, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2025
National site name: Hangon läntinen saaristo
Central coordinates: Latitude: 59.8167, Longitude: 22.9000
System: terrestrial, marine
Elevation (m): 0 to 0
Area of KBA (km2): 279.7109
Protected area coverage (%): 86.34
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A diverse site situated in the south-west corner of the Hanko peninsula, comprising cliff-lined shores, sand-dunes, wet meadows and an archipelago of mostly small rocky islands. The IBA falls within Salpausselkä, a glacial ridge formation of southern Finland extending several hundred kilometres in length.</P>
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: One of the most important staging areas for waterbirds in the country, with total numbers exceeding 20,000 individuals. Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: <I>Polysticta stelleri</I> (27 birds on passage, irregular and for short periods, 5 individuals in winter), <I>Haliaeetus albicilla</I> (4 individuals in winter, 5 on passage), <I>Gallinago media </I>(2 individuals, passage).</P>
Manageability of the site: Site identified based on BirdLife International's Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas, under which manageability is strongly recommended but not explicitly documented
Delineation rationale: Haahkatiedot, syvyysksyr
Habitats
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Neritic | 80 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: An expanding harbour, adjacent to the IBA, is a source of constant disturbance. Pressure from recreation, such as hiking along the shores and boating in the archipelago, also cause disturbance. On the southernmost tip of the Hanko peninsula a bird observatory has been maintained for twenty years, conducting bird ringing and migration observations. Part of the area is a candidate SAC.</P>
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pollution | Domestic & urban waste water | Sewage | Ongoing |
| Transportation & service corridors | Shipping lanes | Ongoing | |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | Ongoing |
Additional information
Contributors: Site identified based on Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas by the BirdLife International Partnership