West Westray (2633)
United Kingdom, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2007
National site name: West Westray
Central coordinates: Latitude: 59.2987, Longitude: -3.0117
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 169
Area of KBA (km2): 3.51209
Protected area coverage (%): 99.03
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The site comprises Old Red Sandstone cliffs along the western coast of Westray, together with adjoining areas of grassland and maritime sedge-heath. The site is very exposed. The IBA holds breeding seabirds and waterbirds.
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; boundary amended to match SPA in 2007. 2000 area, 350ha. SPA boundary used from JNCC; digitised at 1:10,000 scale.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (100%) | nature conservation and research
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Grassland | 33 | |
| Shrubland | 33 | |
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 33 |
Threats
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Climate change & severe weather | Habitat shifting & alteration | Ongoing |