Northern Isles Area LAMB HOGA Ground Floor Stewart Building Site of Special Scientific Interest The Esplanade Lerwick SITE MANAGEMENT STATEMENT ZE1 0LL Tel: 01595 693345 Site code: 901 Fax: 01595 692565

Purpose This is a public statement prepared by SNH for owners and occupiers of the SSSI. It outlines the reasons it is designated as an SSSI and provides guidance on how its special natural features should be conserved or enhanced. This Statement does not affect or form part of the statutory notification and does not remove the need to apply for consent for operations requiring consent. We welcome your views on this statement.

Natural features of Lamb Hoga SSSI Condition of feature Other relevant (date monitored) designations Breeding bird assemblage Favourable Maintained (June 2003) Arctic skua (Stercorarius parasiticus), breeding Unfavourable Declining Fetlar SPA (June 2001) Great skua (Stercorarius skua), breeding Favourable Maintained Fetlar SPA (June 2001) Manx shearwater (Puffinus puffinus), breeding Favourable Maintained (August 2003) Storm petrel (Hydrobates pelagicus), breeding Favourable Maintained (August 2003)

Features of overlapping Natura sites that are Condition of feature SPA or SAC not notified as SSSI natural features (date monitored) Seabird assemblage, breeding Favourable Maintained Fetlar SPA (June 2002) Arctic tern (Sterna paradisaea), breeding Unfavourable Recovering Fetlar SPA (June 2002) Dunlin (Calidris alpina schinzii), breeding Favourable Maintained Fetlar SPA (June 2003) Fulmar (Fulmarus glacialis), breeding Favourable Maintained Fetlar SPA (June 2002) Red-necked phalarope (Phalaropus lobatus), Unfavourable No change Fetlar SPA breeding (July 2009) Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus), breeding Favourable Maintained Fetlar SPA (June 2002)

1 Description of the site Lamb Hoga Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) covers the Lamb Hoga peninsula and Gallow Hill in the south west of the island of Fetlar. The mosaic of dry heath, blanket bog and maritime heath and grassland surrounded by sea cliffs provide habitat for a wide range of bird species. A large number of great and Arctic skuas breed on the moorland, as well as dunlin, curlew, golden plover, red-necked phalarope, raven, red-throated diver, snipe, wheatear and whimbrel. Peregrine and merlin also used to breed here but have not done so since 1988. The cliffs are used by nesting seabirds. Most notably, they host the only colony of Manx shearwater in Shetland and a colony of storm petrel - possibly the largest in Shetland. Other species include puffins and black guillemots. Lamb Hoga SSSI is a component of Fetlar Special Protection Area (SPA) designated under the EC Birds Directive along with North Fetlar and Trona Mires SSSIs. Lamb Hoga supports seabird colonies and breeding populations of Arctic and great skua of international importance. The assemblage of breeding moorland birds was last monitored in June 2003. It was found in favourable condition, based on the range of species recorded and the extent of suitable breeding habitat. The population of Arctic skua has dropped between notification in 1986 and last condition monitoring in 2001 (from 46 to 7 territories) which assessed the feature as being in unfavourable, declining condition, while in the same period that of great skua has significantly increased (from 139 to 329 territories) and is therefore in favourable condition. The trend is similar to other Shetland sites and is believed to be a consequence of food shortages, combined with competition for territory between the two species and predation by great skuas. The inaccessible steep cliffs and extensive areas of friable rock and scree slopes which form the nesting habitat of Manx shearwaters and storm petrels are an obstacle to obtaining accurate population counts. The condition of the colonies is therefore assessed using indirect indicators, such as presence of predators and extent of suitable habitat. The last survey in August 2003 found them in favourable condition.

Arctic skua Manx shearwater

Past and present management Most of the site is moorland suitable only for rough grazing. In the past, it is likely to have been grazed by sheep, cattle and ponies. It was also a major source of peat for fuel. Three abandoned crofts on the west coast indicate more intensive use of parts of the site. Lambhoga Common Grazings covers the southern part of the site. It has taken part in the ESA scheme, under which the stocking rate was reduced to a maximum of one ewe per hectare and gimmers removed from the grazings in the winter. The area in the north is grazed by sheep and ponies which also have access to land outwith the SSSI. Scottish Hydro-Electric manages overhead electric lines in the north of the site. There is also a TV relay transmitter owned by the BBC on Gallow Hill, reached by an access track.

2 Objectives for Management (and key factors influencing the condition of natural features) We wish to work with the owners and land managers to protect the site and to maintain and where necessary enhance its features of special interest. SNH aims to carry out site survey, monitoring and research as appropriate to increase our knowledge and understanding of the site and its natural features and to monitor the effectiveness of its management. The EU Habitats and Birds Directives oblige Government to avoid, in SACs and SPAs, the deterioration of natural habitats and the habitats of species, as well as disturbance of the species for which the areas have been designated, in so far as such disturbance could be significant in relation to the objectives of these Directives. The objectives below have been assessed against these requirements. All authorities proposing to carry out or permit to be carried out operations likely to have a significant effect on the European interests of this SSSI must assess those operations against the relevant Natura conservation objectives (which are listed on our website through the SNHi - SiteLink facility). 1. To maintain the diversity and abundance of moorland breeding birds Minimise disturbance of species during the breeding season. Retain a grazing regime compatible with preserving the extent and condition of dry heath and blanket bog habitats. The aim is to produce a range of heather height to suit the diverse species, with areas of taller vegetation providing cover for nesting and shorter sward for feeding. Maintaining water levels is also essential. Species such as dunlin and snipe favour wetter areas for nesting and red- throated divers are sensitive to changes in the condition of bog pools. Drainage, either by ditching or as a result of erosion, should therefore be avoided. Support is available through application for the Rural Development Contracts under the Scotland Rural Development Programme - Rural Priorities scheme to continue conservation management introduced under ESA scheme, including the maintenance of a reduced stocking density. 2. To maintain and enhance seabird populations Little is known about the level of damage caused by ground predators on the site. However the presence of feral cats along the cliffs is a threat to the seabird colonies. They kill Manx shearwaters in their burrows and may also predate storm petrels. An assessment of the impact of predators is needed and measures to control them may benefit seabird populations. Predation by great skua affects seabirds too, in particular Arctic skuas. However, despite their high number on the site and their impact on other species, great skuas are rare on a global scale. Control measures are therefore not justified. Other factors affecting the natural features of the site The condition of the marine environment outside the SSSI influences seabird populations, both during the breeding season and their time at sea. In particular, they rely on the availability of food supplies. External factors such as management of inshore fisheries and pollution incidents may impact on populations. Date last reviewed: 25 November 2010

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