Key Biodiversity Areas

West Coast, Lewis (Corncrake) (2645)
United Kingdom, Europe

Site overview


KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2007
National site name: West Coast, Lewis (Corncrake)
Central coordinates: Latitude: 58.3608, Longitude: -6.5193
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 50
Area of KBA (km2): 23.24615
Protected area coverage (%): 27.95
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes

Site details


Site description: Area of agricultural land on the north-west coast of the Isle of Lewis. The IBA is important for Crex crex, breeding waders and other upland species.
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 2000 as West Coast, Lewis; renamed in 2007 and missing parts of Ness and Barvas SPA added into boundary. 2000 area, 2230ha. Digitised onto 1:50,000 scale OS maps.

Habitats


Land use: agriculture (100%)
IUCN HabitatCoverage %Habitat detail
Artificial - Terrestrial5
Shrubland9
Forest5
Grassland72
Wetlands(Inland)5

Threats


Threat level 1Threat level 2Threat level 3Timing
Agriculture & aquacultureLivestock farming & ranchingSmall-holder grazing, ranching or farmingOngoing
Natural system modificationsDams & water management/useAbstraction of ground water (unknown use)Ongoing
Residential & commercial developmentHousing & urban areasOnly in the future
Natural system modificationsOther ecosystem modificationsOngoing