Key Biodiversity Areas

Papa Westray (North Hill and Holm) (2570)
United Kingdom, Europe

Site overview


KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2007
National site name: Papa Westray (North Hill and Holm)
Central coordinates: Latitude: 59.3768, Longitude: -2.8828
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 48
Area of KBA (km2): 2.45786
Protected area coverage (%): 99.20
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes

Site details


Site description: North Hill is the northern part of Papa Westray, and consists of a rocky coastline and maritime heath and grassland. The Holm is an island of 48 ha situated off the east coast of Papa Westray. The site is important for breeding seabirds, and Stercorarius parasiticus.
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; no significant boundary changes since then. SPA boundary used from JNCC; digitised at 1:10,000 scale.

Habitats


Land use: agriculture | nature conservation and research
IUCN HabitatCoverage %Habitat detail
Shrubland25
Wetlands(Inland)25
Marine Coastal/Supratidal25
Grassland25

Threats


Threat level 1Threat level 2Threat level 3Timing
Climate change & severe weatherHabitat shifting & alterationOngoing