Important Bird Areas in Europe –

■ FAROE ISLANDS

Puffin Fratercula arctica, an important species at IBAs in the Faroe Islands. (PHOTO: JÓHANN ÓLI HILMARSSON)

GENERAL INTRODUCTION The data and descriptions presented in this chapter are taken largely from the previous pan-European IBA inventory (Grimmett The Faroe Islands (Føroyar) are a self-governing region of the and Jones 1989). Kingdom of . They comprise a group of 18 islands in the north-east Atlantic at about 62°N and 7°W. The total land area is 1,399 km2 and the topography is dominated by hills extending to ORNITHOLOGICAL IMPORTANCE 82 m in height. The human population is 44,817 (in 1998) with an average population density of 32 persons per km2. In all, more than 250 bird species have been recorded in the islands, Nineteen Important Bird Areas (IBAs) are identified, covering but most of these are rare or irregular visitors, with less than 50 an area of 67 km2 (Table 1, Map 1). species breeding regularly (Bloch et al. 1996), of which 35 are species

Table 1. Summary of Important 19 IBAs covering 67 km2 Map 1. Location, area and criteria category of Important Bird Bird Areas in the Faroe Islands. Areas in the Faroe Islands. IBA 1989 code code International/national name Area (ha) Criteria (see p. 11) 5 6 7 8 9 4 001 FO001 Mykines and Mykineshólmur 1,028 A4ii, B1ii, B2, B3 002 FO002 Vágar 175 A4ii, B1ii, B2, B3 10 003 FO003 125 A4ii, B1ii, B2, B3 3 004 FO004 60 A4ii, B1ii, B2 2 005 FO005 50 A4ii, B1ii, B2 006 FO006 20 A4ii, B1ii, B2 1 007 FO007 Bordoy 35 A4ii, B1ii, B2 12 11 008 FO008 Vidoy 75 A4ii, B1ii, B2 13 009 FO009 1,118 A4ii, B1ii, B2, B3 ATLANTIC 010 FO010 Svínoy 100 A4ii, B1ii, B2 OCEAN 14 15 011 FO011 Nólsoy 1,028 A4ii, B1ii, B2 Highest category of 012 FO012 30 A4ii, B1ii, B2 criteria met by IBA 16 A (18 IBAs) 013 FO013 50 A4ii, B1ii, B2 17 B (1 IBA) 014 FO014 250 A4ii, B1ii, B2, B3 18 Area of IBA (ha) 015 FO015 Vøtnini á Sandoy (Lakes of Sandoy) 1,000 B3 1,000 to 1,118 016 FO016 Skúvoy 999 A4ii, B1ii, B2, B3 0 15 30 175 to 999 19 60 to 174 017 FO017 Stóra Dímun 265 A4ii, B1ii, B2 km 018 FO018 Lítla Dímun 82 A4ii, B1ii, B2 20 to 59 019 FO019 Suduroy 200 A4ii, B1ii, B2, B3

179 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Faroe Islands

Table 2. Important Bird Areas in the Faroe Islands that support E. Mortensen and B. Olsen have estimated the sizes of the other important numbers of one or more congregatory species (i.e. populations. The most numerous species are Fulmarus glacialis meeting criteria A4 and/or B1). IBAs meeting both criteria A4 and (600,000 pairs), Fratercula arctica (550,000 pairs), Hydrobates B1 for the species are shown in bold. IBAs meeting only criterion pelagicus (250,000 pairs), Rissa tridactyla (230,000 pairs) and Uria B1 for the species concerned, and not A4, are shown in normal aalge (175,000 pairs). type. For key to ‘Season’, see p. 7. There has been a dramatic decline in the population of Uria Species Season IBA code aalge since the late 1950s (Dyck and Meltofte 1975; Olsen 1982, Fulmarus glacialis Fulmar B 001, 002, 003, 014, 016, 019 1986, 1992) and the population of Rissa tridactyla has also been Puffinus puffinus Manx Shearwater B 001, 004, 014, 016 declining. The Fulmarus glacialis population has been increasing Hydrobates pelagicus Storm Petrel B 001, 002, 003, 005, 009, 010, 011, 012, 013, since colonization 150 years ago, and the species is now the most 014, 016, 017, 018, 019 numerous bird in the islands. Uria aalge Guillemot B 016 Cepphus grylle Black Guillemot B 001, 002, 003, 004, 005, 006, 007, 008, 009, HABITATS 010, 011, 012, 013, 014, 016, 017, 019 Fratercula arctica Puffin B 001, 002, 003, 005, 008, 009, 010, 011, 012, The base rock of the islands is basalt, which is only partly covered 013, 014, 016, 017, 018, 019 by a thin and stony soil. The main vegetation is grass, with scattered areas of moor, but around the villages there are cultivated hay- fields, gardens with trees, and a few small woods (Figure 1). There Table 3. Species of European conservation concern with significant breeding populations at IBAs in the Faroe Islands are many ponds and a few lakes, some of which are surrounded by (meeting criteria B2/B3). peatbogs. The coasts are rugged with steep grass-covered slopes, and the cliffs (especially on the north and west sides) are very steep, Minimum Proportion (%) of national breeding national population with boulder screes. population breeding at all IBAs Species 1 (pairs) 2 in the Faroe Islands Puffinus puffinus Manx Shearwater 25,000 80 IMPACTS ON IBAs – LAND-USE AND THREATS Hydrobates pelagicus Storm Petrel 250,000 1003 Sula bassana Gannet 2,000 100 Throughout the islands, sheep are grazed all year-round; some areas Phalacrocorax aristotelis Shag 1,500 83 (but not the seabird colonies) are also grazed by cattle during the Numenius phaeopus Whimbrel 2,500 10 summer. Stercorarius skua Great Skua 450 40 During the next few years hydrocarbon exploration will be Cepphus grylle Black Guillemot 3,500 97 carried out in Faroese waters. This may have consequences for the Fratercula arctica Puffin 550,000 96 island’s seabird populations. The Rattus norvegicus is on some of the islands, and 1. Only those species of European conservation concern (see Box 1, p. 12) that meet B2/B3 criteria at IBAs in the Faroe Islands are listed. has caused great declines and local extinction of Hydrobates 2. Data are taken from Bloch et al. 1996. pelagicus, Puffinus puffinus and Fratercula arctica. The risk of rats 3. The percentage of the national population in IBAs exceeds 100%. This is most likely to be spreading to the currently rat-free islands is high. because the national population estimate needs to be reassessed (often as a result of new data on species numbers from comprehensive surveys of IBAs themselves). Tourism is a relatively new trade in the Faroes and there is no documentation of it having serious negative effects on the birds, although there is some cause for concern. The seabird cliffs are of European conservation concern (SPECs; Tucker and Heath very popular and tourism may become a serious threat if not 1994). managed to minimize the effect on the birds. Inland, species diversity is low (Bloch and Sørensen 1984), and the only species of interest are Numenius phaeopus, the c.210 pairs of Stercorarius skua (which has a limited global range), and 10–15 PROTECTION STATUS pairs of Gavia stellata, breeding on some lakes. Eighteen IBAs have been included largely because of their huge ■ National protection breeding seabird populations which are of major international The huge seabird colonies (the majority of the IBAs) are not importance (Table 2). Numbers of Rissa tridactyla and Uria aalge protected as nature reserves/bird sanctuaries, although they are not are also very significant at nearly all IBAs, despite numbers being currently threatened. Any exploitation must be approved by the below the criteria threshold of 1% of the global population. One island’s Nature Conservancy Tribunal, and the shooting of birds site (015) is included because it is outstanding for breeding waders. closer than three nautical miles from Uria aalge colonies and half a Several of the breeding seabirds are SPECs. Large proportions of nautical mile from Fratercula arctica colonies is forbidden. the national breeding populations of several SPECs fall within IBAs (Table 3). ■ International protection The productive waters around the islands provide important The Faroes are a self-governing region of the Kingdom of Denmark. foraging areas for seabirds all year-round, and the steep cliffs, grass- Unlike mainland Denmark, the islands are not covered by the Bern covered slopes, and boulder screes facing the sea form ideal nesting Convention, or World Heritage Convention, nor the EC Wild Birds sites. The only seabirds that have been censused are Sula bassana Directive, but the Faroes, as part of Denmark, are covered by the (Wanless 1987), Uria aalge (Dyck and Meltofte 1975; Olsen Bonn Convention and the Ramsar Convention although no Ramsar unpublished) and Rissa tridactyla (Olsen unpublished), although Sites have been designated (Box 1).

Figure 1. Occurrence of habitats at Important Bird Areas in the Box 1. International Global Faroe Islands (see Appendix 3 for definitions of habitats). legislation and initiatives that Biodiversity Convention are relevant to site ✔ conservation in the Faroe Ramsar Convention Rocky areas Islands (see Appendix 1 for a Bonn Convention ✔ general description of these Grassland World Heritage Convention agreements). MAB Programme Wetland Pan-European Scrub Bern Convention 0 10 2030 4050 60 70 80 90 100 ✔ Convention ratified/initiative supported Percentage of IBAs (100% = 19 sites) (✔) Convention signed

180 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Faroe Islands

CONSERVATION ANALYTICAL METHODS • According to the island’s game legislation all birds are protected • The figures given for Uria aalge in the text are from 1987 and are from hunting within the 200 nautical-mile fishing limit, except individuals seen on the cliffs. Birds out to sea are not included, the following: Fulmarus glacialis, Puffinus puffinus, Sula bassana, therefore the figures should probably be increased by at least 50%. Phalacrocorax aristotelis, Stercorarius parasiticus, Stercorarius • Numbers of Rissa tridactyla and Uria aalge are also very skua, Laridae, Uria aalge, Alca torda, Fratercula arctica, Corvus significant at nearly all IBAs, despite falling below the criteria corone and Corvus corax. threshold of 1% of the global population of the species. • The main quarry species is Fulmarus glacialis which can be hunted all year-round. Phalacrocorax aristotelis, Uria aalge, Alca torda, Fratercula arctica and young of Puffinus puffinus and Sula ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS bassana are also hunted, but in restricted periods. • No important sea areas are included. Ship-based surveys of the The site descriptions and overview were compiled from information provided marine distribution of seabirds around the Faroes are currently by B. Olsen (all seabird sites) and D. Bloch (Føroya Náttúrugripasavn [Museum being undertaken and important areas will be identified in the of Natural History]) in 1989, with some additional information provided by year 2000. B. Olsen in 1999.

■ SITE ACCOUNTS

Mykines and A4ii, A4iii, B1ii, B2, B3 001 Species ... continued Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Mykineshólmur Hydrobates pelagicus Storm Petrel B 1989 — 5,000 — A4ii, B1ii, B2 Phalacrocorax aristotelis Shag B 1989 — 500 — B3 Admin region — Stercorarius skua Great Skua B 1989 — 20 — B3 Coordinates 62°06’N 7°37’W Cepphus grylle Black Guillemot B 1989 — 400 — A4ii, B1ii, B2 Altitude 0–150 m Area 1,028 ha Fratercula arctica Puffin B 1989 — 40,000 — A4ii, B1ii, B2 This is an internationally important seabird colony with over 50,000 ■ Site description pairs of breeding seabirds, including Rissa tridactyla (8,400 pairs) and An island and islet with rugged coasts, steep cliffs, and grass-covered Uria aalge (2,700 individuals). slopes. The seabird colonies cover 100 ha of the island. Land-uses include sheep-grazing. ■ Protection status National None International None Habitats Grassland, Rocky areas (sea cliff/rocky shore; rock stacks/islets) Land-use Agriculture ■ Conservation issues Threats Consequences of animal/plant introductions ■ Birds Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria The brown rat Rattus norvegicus, which is present on the island but Fulmarus glacialis Fulmar B 1989 — 50,000 — A4ii, B1ii not the islets, poses a threat to seabird colonies. Puffinus puffinus Manx Shearwater B 1989 — 2,500 — A4ii, B1ii, B2 Hydrobates pelagicus Storm Petrel B 1989 — 50,000 — A4ii, B1ii, B2 Sula bassana Gannet B 1989 — 2,000 — B2 Phalacrocorax aristotelis Shag B 1989 — 250 — B3 Streymoy A4ii, A4iii, B1ii, B2, B3 003 Cepphus grylle Black Guillemot B 1989 — 200 — A4ii, B1ii Admin region — Fratercula arctica Puffin B 1989 — 125,000 — A4ii, B1ii, B2 Coordinates 62°07’N 7°00’W Altitude 0–200 m Area 125 ha This is an internationally important seabird colony with over 250,000 pairs of breeding seabirds, including Rissa tridactyla (23,100 pairs) and Uria aalge ((9,500 individuals). ■ Site description An island with rugged coasts, steep cliffs, boulder-screes, and grass ■ Protection status slopes. Land-uses include sheep-grazing. The site comprises the seabird National None International None colonies that are mainly on the north-west coast.

Habitats Grassland, Rocky areas (sea cliff/rocky shore; scree/boulders) ■ Conservation issues Land-use Agriculture Threats Unknown ■ Birds Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Vágar A4ii, A4iii, B1ii, B2, B3 002 Fulmarus glacialis Fulmar B 1989 — 75,000 — A4ii, B1ii Hydrobates pelagicus Storm Petrel B 1989 — 2,500 — A4ii, B1ii, B2 Admin region – Phalacrocorax aristotelis Shag B 1989 — 150 — B3 Coordinates 62°04’N 7°15’W Stercorarius skua Great Skua B 1989 — 120 — B3 Altitude 0–150 m Area 175 ha Cepphus grylle Black Guillemot B 1989 — 300 — A4ii, B1ii, B2 Fratercula arctica Puffin B 1989 — 20,000 — B1ii, B2 ■ Site description This is an internationally important seabird colony with c.130,000 An island and two islets with rugged coasts and steep grass-covered pairs of breeding seabirds, including Rissa tridactyla (9,000 pairs) and slopes. Land-uses include sheep-grazing. The site comprises the seabird Uria aalge (16,300 individuals). colonies that are mainly on the north-west, west and south-west coasts. ■ Protection status Habitats Grassland, Rocky areas (sea cliff/rocky shore; rock stacks/islets) National None International None Land-use Agriculture ■ Conservation issues ■ Birds Threats Consequences of animal/plant introductions Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria The brown rat Rattus norvegicus, which is present on the island, poses Fulmarus glacialis Fulmar B 1989 — 100,000 — A4ii, B1ii a threat to seabird colonies.

181 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Faroe Islands

slopes. Land-uses include sheep-grazing. The site comprises the Eysturoy A4ii, A4iii, B1ii, B2 004 coastline of the northern tip of the island. Admin region — Coordinates 62°13’N 6°55’W Habitats Grassland, Rocky areas (sea cliff/rocky shore; scree/boulders) Altitude 0–200 m Area 60 ha Land-use Agriculture

■ Site description ■ Birds An island with rugged coasts, steep cliffs, boulder-screes and Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria grass slopes. Land-uses include sheep-grazing. The site comprises the Hydrobates pelagicus Storm Petrel B 1989 — 250 — B2 seabird colonies that are on the north, north-east, and south-east Cepphus grylle Black Guillemot B — — 200 — A4ii, B1ii coasts. This is an internationally important seabird colony with over 20,000 Habitats Grassland, Rocky areas (sea cliff/rocky shore; scree/boulders) pairs of breeding seabird. Land-use Agriculture ■ Protection status ■ Birds National None International None Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria ■ Conservation issues Puffinus puffinus Manx Shearwater B 1989 — 2,500 — A4ii, B1ii, B2 Hydrobates pelagicus Storm Petrel B 1989 — 500 — B2 Threats Consequences of animal/plant introductions Cepphus grylle Black Guillemot B 1989 — 300 — A4ii, B1ii, B2 The brown rat Rattus norvegicus, which is present on the island, poses This is an internationally important seabird colony with c.50,000 pairs a threat to seabird colonies. of breeding seabird, including Rissa tridactyla (4,600 pairs) and Uria aalge (11,100 individuals). Bordoy A4ii, B1ii, B2 007 ■ Protection status Admin region — National None International None Coordinates 62°15’N 6°31’W Altitude 0–200 m Area 35 ha ■ Conservation issues Threats Consequences of animal/plant introductions ■ Site description The brown rat Rattus norvegicus, which is present on the island, poses An island with rugged coasts, steep cliffs, boulder-screes, and grass a threat to seabird colonies. slopes. Land-uses include sheep-grazing. The site comprises the seabird colonies of the northern and south-eastern headlands.

Habitats Grassland, Rocky areas (sea cliff/rocky shore; scree/boulders) Kalsoy A4ii, A4iii, B1ii, B2 005 Land-use Agriculture Admin region — Coordinates 62°18’N 6°45’W ■ Birds Altitude 0–200 m Area 50 ha Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Hydrobates pelagicus Storm Petrel B 1989 — 250 — B2 ■ Site description Cepphus grylle Black Guillemot B 1989 — 200 — A4ii, B1ii An island with rugged coasts, steep cliffs, boulder-screes, and grass slopes. Land-uses include sheep-grazing. The site comprises the This is an internationally important seabird colony. northern and western coastline of the island. ■ Protection status Habitats Grassland, Rocky areas (sea cliff/rocky shore; scree/boulders) National None International None Land-use Agriculture ■ Conservation issues ■ Birds Threats Consequences of animal/plant introductions Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria The brown rat Rattus norvegicus, which is present on the island, poses Hydrobates pelagicus Storm Petrel B 1989 — 5,000 — A4ii, B1ii, B2 a threat to seabird colonies. Cepphus grylle Black Guillemot B 1989 — 200 — A4ii, B1ii Fratercula arctica Puffin B 1989 — 40,000 — B1ii, B2

This is an internationally important seabird colony with c.70,000 pairs Vidoy A4ii, A4iii, B1ii, B2 008 of breeding seabird, including Rissa tridactyla (15,600 pairs) and Uria Admin region — aalge (10,700 individuals). Coordinates 62°19’N 6°30’W Altitude 0–200 m Area 75 ha ■ Protection status National None International None ■ Site description ■ Conservation issues An island with rugged coast, steep cliffs, boulder-screes, and grass slopes. Land-uses include sheep-grazing. The site comprises Threats Unknown the seabird colonies along the northern and eastern sides of the island.

Habitats Grassland, Rocky areas (sea cliff/rocky shore; scree/boulders) Kunoy A4ii, A4iii, B1ii, B2 006 Land-use Agriculture Admin region — Coordinates 62°18’N 6°40’W ■ Birds Altitude 0–200 m Area 20 ha Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria ■ Hydrobates pelagicus Storm Petrel B 1989 — 500 — B2 Site description Cepphus grylle Black Guillemot B 1989 — 200 — A4ii, B1ii An island with rugged coasts, steep cliffs, boulder-screes, and grass

182 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Faroe Islands

■ Conservation issues Species ... continued Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Fratercula arctica Puffin B 1989 — 25,000 — B1ii, B2 Threats Unknown This is an internationally important seabird colony with over 50,000 pairs of breeding seabird, including Rissa tridactyla (5,300 pairs) and Uria aalge (6,700 individuals). Nólsoy A4ii, A4iii, B1ii, B2 011 Admin region — ■ Protection status Coordinates 61°58’N 6°37’W National None International None Altitude 0–371 m Area 1,028 ha ■ Conservation issues ■ Site description Threats Consequences of animal/plant introductions An island with rugged coasts, steep cliffs, boulder-screes, and grass The brown rat Rattus norvegicus, which is present on the island, poses slopes with important seabird colonies. Inland there are heath and a threat to seabird colonies. moorland areas. Land-uses include sheep-grazing.

Habitats Scrub (heathland), Grassland, Rocky areas (sea cliff/rocky shore; scree/boulders) Land-use Agriculture Fugloy A4ii, A4iii, B1ii, B2, B3 009 Admin region — ■ Birds Coordinates 62°19’N 6°18’W Altitude 0–600 m Area 1,118 ha Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Hydrobates pelagicus Storm Petrel B 1989 — 50,000 — A4ii, B1ii, B2 ■ Cepphus grylle Black Guillemot B 1989 — 100 — A4ii, B1ii Site description Fratercula arctica Puffin B 1989 — 30,000 — B1ii, B2 An island with rugged coasts, steep cliffs, boulder-screes, grass slopes, and moorland areas to 600 m. Land-uses include sheep- Nólsoy holds internationally important seabird colonies, with c.90,000 grazing. pairs of breeding seabird.

Habitats Grassland, Rocky areas (sea cliff/rocky shore; scree/boulders) ■ Protection status Land-use Agriculture National None International None ■ Birds ■ Conservation issues Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Threats Unknown Hydrobates pelagicus Storm Petrel B 1989 — 25,000 — A4ii, B1ii, B2 Numenius phaeopus Whimbrel B 1989 — 50 — B3 Cepphus grylle Black Guillemot B 1989 — 100 — A4ii, B1ii Fratercula arctica Puffin B 1989 — 15,000 — B1ii Koltur A4ii, A4iii, B1ii, B2 012 This is an internationally important seabird colony with c.80,000 pairs Admin region — of breeding seabird, including Rissa tridactyla (2,500 pairs) and Uria Coordinates 62°00’N 6°58’W aalge (23,700 individuals). Altitude 0–250 m Area 30 ha

■ Protection status ■ Site description National None International None An island with rugged coasts, steep cliffs, boulder-screes, and grass slopes. Land-uses include sheep-grazing. The site comprises the seabird ■ Conservation issues colonies that almost surround the island. Threats Unknown Habitats Grassland, Rocky areas (sea cliff/rocky shore; scree/boulders) Land-use Agriculture

■ Birds Svínoy A4ii, A4iii, B1ii, B2 010 Admin region — Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Coordinates 62°15’N 6°25’W Hydrobates pelagicus Storm Petrel B 1989 — 5,000 — A4ii, B1ii, B2 Altitude 0–200 m Area 100 ha Cepphus grylle Black Guillemot B 1989 — 50 — A4ii, B1ii Fratercula arctica Puffin B 1989 — 20,000 — B1ii, B2

■ Site description Koltur holds internationally important seabird colonies, with c.30,000 An island with rugged coasts, steep cliffs, boulder-screes, and grass pairs of breeding seabird. slopes. Land-uses include sheep-grazing. The site comprises the seabird colonies that surround the island. ■ Protection status National None International None Habitats Grassland, Rocky areas (sea cliff/rocky shore; scree/boulders) Land-use Agriculture ■ Conservation issues Threats Unknown ■ Birds Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Hydrobates pelagicus Storm Petrel B 1989 — 25,000 — A4ii, B1ii, B2 Cepphus grylle Black Guillemot B 1989 — 100 — A4ii, B1ii Hestur A4ii, A4iii, B1ii, B2 013 Fratercula arctica Puffin B 1989 — 10,000 — B1ii Admin region — Coordinates 61°58’N 6°49’W Svínoy holds internationally important seabird colonies, with over Altitude 0–300 m Area 50 ha 30,000 pairs of breeding seabird.

■ Protection status ■ Site description National None International None An island with rugged coasts, steep cliffs, boulder-screes, and grass

183 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Faroe Islands slopes. Land-uses include sheep-grazing. The site comprises the seabird ■ Birds colonies that almost surround the island. Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Habitats Grassland, Rocky areas (sea cliff/rocky shore; scree/boulders) Numenius phaeopus Whimbrel B 1989 100 150 — B3 Land-use Agriculture This is an important site for breeding waders.

■ Birds ■ Protection status National None International None Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Hydrobates pelagicus B 1989 — 5,000 — A4ii, B1ii, B2 ■ Conservation issues Storm Petrel Cepphus grylle Black Guillemot B 1989 — 50 — A4ii, B1ii Threats Unknown Fratercula arctica Puffin B 1989 — 25,000 — B1ii Hestur holds internationally important seabird colonies, with over 70,000 pairs of breeding seabird, including Rissa tridactyla (26,100 A4ii, A4iii, B1ii, B2, B3 pairs) and Uria aalge (2,300 individuals). Skúvoy 016 Admin region — Coordinates 61°46’N 6°49’W ■ Protection status Altitude 0–392 m Area 999 ha National None International None

■ Conservation issues ■ Site description An island with rugged coasts, steep cliffs, boulder-screes, and coastal Threats Unknown grass slopes. Land-uses include sheep-grazing.

Habitats Grassland, Rocky areas (sea cliff/rocky shore; scree/boulders) Land-use Agriculture Sandoy A4ii, A4iii, B1ii, B2, B3 014 Admin region — ■ Birds Coordinates 61°51’N 6°48’W Altitude 0–250 m Area 250 ha Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Fulmarus glacialis Fulmar B 1989 — 50,000 — A4ii, B1ii Puffinus puffinus Manx Shearwater B 1989 — 10,000 — A4ii, B1ii, B2 ■ Site description Hydrobates pelagicus Storm Petrel B 1989 — 20,000 — A4ii, B1ii, B2 An island with rugged coasts, steep cliffs, boulder-screes, and grass Numenius phaeopus Whimbrel B 1989 — 40 — B3 slopes. Land-uses include sheep-grazing. The site comprises the seabird Stercorarius skua Great Skua B 1989 — 25 — B3 colonies that almost surround the island. 1 Uria aalge Guillemot B 1989 — 135,300 — A4ii, B1ii Habitats Grassland, Rocky areas (sea cliff/rocky shore; scree/boulders) Cepphus grylle Black Guillemot B 1989 — 150 — A4ii, B1ii Land-use Agriculture Fratercula arctica Puffin B 1989 — 40,000 — B1ii, B2 1. Individuals.

■ Birds The site holds internationally important seabird colonies, with c.280,000 Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria pairs of breeding seabird, including Rissa tridactyla (22,900 pairs). Fulmarus glacialis Fulmar B 1989 — 50,000 — A4ii, B1ii ■ Puffinus puffinus Manx Shearwater B 1989 — 5,000 — A4ii, B1ii, B2 ■ Protection status Hydrobates pelagicus B 1989 — 50,000 — A4ii, B1ii, B2 National None International None Storm Petrel Phalacrocorax aristotelis Shag B 1989 — 150 — B3 ■ Conservation issues Stercorarius skua Great Skua B 1989 — 15 — B3 Cepphus grylle Black Guillemot B 1989 — 400 — A4ii, B1ii, B2 Threats Unknown Fratercula arctica Puffin B 1989 — 70,000 — A4ii, B1ii The island holds internationally important seabird colonies, with c.170,000 pairs of breeding seabird, including Rissa tridactyla (20,500 A4ii, A4iii, B1ii, B2 pairs) and Uria aalge (29,500 individuals). Stóra Dímun 017 Admin region — Coordinates 61°42’N 6°45’W ■ Protection status Altitude 0–395 m Area 265 ha National None International None

■ Conservation issues ■ Site description A small island with rugged coasts, steep cliffs, boulder-screes, and Threats Unknown grass slopes. Land-uses include sheep-grazing.

Habitats Grassland, Rocky areas (sea cliff/rocky shore; scree/boulders) Land-use Agriculture Vøtnini á Sandoy B3 015 (Lakes of Sandoy) ■ Birds Admin region — Coordinates 61°49’N 6°49’W Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Altitude 0–50 m Area 1,000 ha Hydrobates pelagicus Storm Petrel B 1989 — 15,000 — A4ii, B1ii, B2 Cepphus grylle Black Guillemot B 1989 — 50 — A4ii, B1ii Fratercula arctica Puffin B 1989 — 40,000 — B1ii, B2 ■ Site description This site includes the lowland areas around Sandur with moorland The island holds internationally important seabird colonies, with and peatbogs, and the lakes Gróthúsvatn, Sandsvatn, Stóravatn and c.130,000 pairs of breeding seabird, including Rissa tridactyla (36,900 Lítlavatn. There is hay cultivation and sheep-grazing. pairs) and Uria aalge (29,600 individuals).

Habitats Wetland (standing fresh water; raised bog) ■ Protection status Land-use Agriculture National None International None

184 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Faroe Islands

■ Conservation issues Suduroy A4ii, A4iii, B1ii, B2, B3 019 Threats Unknown Admin region — Coordinates 61°31’N 6°49’W Altitude 0–250 m Area 200 ha

Lítla Dímun A4ii, A4iii, B1ii, B2 018 ■ Site description Admin region — An island with rugged coasts, steep cliffs, boulder-screes, and grass Coordinates 61°37’N 6°43’W slopes. The site comprises the seabird colonies that are mainly along Altitude 0–413 m Area 82 ha the western side of the island.

Habitats Grassland, Rocky areas (sea cliff/rocky shore; scree/boulders) ■ Site description Land-use Unknown A small island with rugged coasts, steep cliffs, boulder-screes, and grass slopes. Land-uses include sheep-grazing. ■ Birds Habitats Grassland, Rocky areas (sea cliff/rocky shore; scree/boulders) Land-use Agriculture Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Fulmarus glacialis Fulmar B 1989 — 100,000 — A4ii, B1ii Hydrobates pelagicus Storm Petrel B 1989 — 2,500 — A4ii, B1ii, B2 ■ Birds Phalacrocorax aristotelis Shag B 1989 — 200 — B3 Cepphus grylle Black Guillemot B 1989 — 400 — A4ii, B1ii, B2 Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Fratercula arctica Puffin B 1989 — 20,000 — B1ii, B2 Hydrobates pelagicus Storm Petrel B 1989 — 5,000 — A4ii, B1ii, B2 Fratercula arctica Puffin B 1989 — 10,000 — B1ii Suduroy holds internationally important seabird colonies, with nearly 200,000 pairs of breeding seabird, including Rissa tridactyla (39,200 The site holds internationally important seabird colonies, with over pairs) and Uria aalge (31,900 individuals). 30,000 pairs of breeding seabird, including Rissa tridactyla (13,100 pairs) and Uria aalge (6,200 individuals). ■ Protection status National None International None ■ Protection status National None International None ■ Conservation issues Threats Consequences of animal/plant introductions (U) ■ Conservation issues The brown rat Rattus norvegicus, which is present on the island, poses Threats Unknown a threat to seabird colonies.

REFERENCES

BLOCH, D. AND SØRENSEN, S. (1984) Checklist of Faroese birds. Tórshavn: OLSEN, B. (1986) Stødan hjá tí føroyska lomviga- og álkustovninum. [Status of Føroya Skúlabókagrunnur. the Faroese Guillemot and Razorbill populations.] Tórshavn: Fisheries BLOCH, D., JENSEN, J.-K. AND OLSEN, B. (1996) Liste over fugle der er set på Laboratory. Færøerne. [List of the birds seen in the Faroe Islands.] Tórshavn: Føroya OLSEN, B. (1992) Teljingar av lomviga í Høvdanum á Skúvoynni 1973 til 1991. Fuglafrøðifelag and Føroya Skúlabókagrunnur. [Census of guillemots on the Høvdin on Skúvoy.] Fiskirannsóknir, Tórshavn DYCK, J. AND MELTOFTE, H. (1975) The Guillemot Uria aalge population of 7: 5–15. the Faroes 1972. Dansk Orn. Foren. Tidsskr. 69: 55–64. OLSEN, B. AND PERMIN, M. (1974) Bestanden av Sule Sula bassana på GRIMMETT, R. F. A. AND JONES T. A. (1989) Important Bird Areas in Mykineshólmur 1972. [The population of Gannet Sula bassana on Europe. Cambridge, UK: International Council for Bird Preservation (Tech. Mykineshólmur 1972.] Dansk Orn. Foren. Tidsskr. 68: 39–42. (With English Publ. 9). summary.) JOENSEN, A. H. (1966) Fuglene på Færøerne. [The birds on the Faroe Islands.] TUCKER, G. M. AND HEATH, M. F. (1994) Birds in Europe: their conservation København: Rhodos. status. Cambridge, UK: BirdLife International (BirdLife Conservation NØRREVANG, A. (1977) Fuglefangsten på Færøerne. [Bird-catching in the Faroe Series no. 3). Islands.] København: Rhodos. WANLESS, S. (1987) A survey of the numbers and breeding distribution of the OLSEN, B. (1982) Nogle årsager til nedgangen i den færøske lomviebestand North Atlantic Gannet Sula bassana and an assessment of the changes vurderet ud fra mønsteret i tilbagegangen og ringmærkningsresultater. which have occurred since Operation Seafarer 1969/70. Peterborough, UK: [Some of the reasons for the decline of the Faroese Guillemot population Nature Conservancy Council (Research and Survey in Nature Conservation as revealed by the pattern of the decline and by ringing results.] Viltrapport no. 4). 21: 24–30.

185 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Faroe Islands

186