Loch Eye (20782)
United Kingdom, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2007
National site name: Loch Eye
Central coordinates: Latitude: 57.7913, Longitude: -3.9660
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Area of KBA (km2): 2.05226
Protected area coverage (%): 99.87
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Loch Eye is located between the Cromarty and Dornoch Firths in the Highland region of Scotland. It is a relatively large, shallow, nutrient-rich inland water body, and is the best example of a eutrophic lowland loch north of the Highland boundary fault. The loch and surrounding area supports a diverse range of plant communities. In winter, the loch is an important roosting site for internationally important numbers of waterbirds. The waterbirds using Loch Eye move on a regular basis between the loch and the nearby Dornoch and Cromarty Firths where there are abundant feeding opportunities, although the geese feed in surrounding areas of agricultural land outside the IBA
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that was identified using previously established criteria and thresholds for the identification of Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) and for which available data indicate that it does not meet global KBA criteria and thresholds set out in the Global Standard.
Delineation rationale: First identified in 1989 as Loch Eye; combined with other sites into Moray Basin, Firths and Bays in 1992; accidentally excluded from the 2000 IBA; reinstated as individual IBA in 2007. SPA boundary used from JNCC; digitised at 1:10,000 scale.
Habitats
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Wetlands(Inland) | 100 |
Threats
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Small-holder farming | Ongoing |
| Natural system modifications | Dams & water management/use | Dams (size unknown) | Ongoing |