Copinsay (2448)
United Kingdom, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2007
National site name: Copinsay
Central coordinates: Latitude: 58.8985, Longitude: -2.6805
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 48
Area of KBA (km2): 1.25542
Protected area coverage (%): 98.43
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The island of Copinsay, three islets and a rock stack. The south-east face of Copinsay consists of sheer cliffs. The three islets to the west are linked to Copinsay by a storm beach exposed at low water. Splash zone communities occur, with grassland covering the majority of the island. The site is important for breeding seabirds.
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; extended to include Horse of Copinsay in 1992; Horse of Copinsay removed in 2007. 2000 area, 152ha. SPA boundary used from JNCC; digitised at 1:10,000 scale.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Grassland | 50 | |
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 50 |
Threats
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Climate change & severe weather | Habitat shifting & alteration | Ongoing |