Site Selection Document: Summary of the Scientific Case for Site Selection

Outer Firth of Forth and St Andrews Bay Complex Proposed Special Protection Area (pSPA) NO. UK9020316

SPA Site Selection Document: Summary of the scientific case for site selection

Document version control

Version and Amendments made and author Issued to date and date Version 1 Formal advice submitted to Marine Scotland on Marine draft SPA. Scotland Nigel Buxton & Greg Mudge 10/07/14 Version 2 Updated to reflect change in site status from draft Marine to proposed and addition of SPA reference Scotland number in preparation for possible formal 30/06/15 consultation. Shona Glen, Tim Walsh & Emma Philip Version 3 Creation of new document site selection Kate document. Susie Whiting Thompson, Emma Philip 17/05/16 Version 4 Document updated to address requirements of Greg revised format agreed by Marine Scotland and to Mudge include changes to seabird assemblages. 18/06/16 Kate Thompson, Emma Philip Version 5 Quality assured Emma Greg Mudge Philip 20/6/16 Version 6 Final draft for JNCC MPA sub-group JNCC acknowledgment of joint advice. 20/06/16 Emma Philip Version 6 Final draft for approval Andrew Emma Philip Bachell 22/06/16 Version 7 Final version for submission to Marine Scotland Marine Scotland, 24/06/16

Contents

1. Introduction ...... 1 2. Site summary ...... 2 3. Bird survey information ...... 6 4. Assessment against the UK SPA Selection Guidelines ...... 9 5. Site status and boundary ...... 23 6. Information on qualifying species ...... 23 7. References ...... 57 Annex 1. Site map ...... 60 Annex 2. Citation ...... 61

1. Introduction

This document provides Scottish Natural Heritage’s (SNH) advice on the proposed classification of a Special Protection Area (SPA) in the marine waters of “Outer Firth of Forth and St Andrews Bay Complex” for inshore wintering waterfowl, wintering gulls, aggregations of (breeding and non-breeding) seabirds and foraging areas for breeding terns and shags. It summarises the evaluation for each of the species of interest according to the SPA site selection guidelines (JNCC, 1999) and provides an overview of how the site boundary was developed.

The Outer Firth of Forth and St Andrews Bay Complex has been selected to provide protection to important wintering grounds used for feeding, moulting and roosting by eight species of non-breeding inshore waterfowl (divers, grebes and seaduck). This wintering waterfowl assemblage includes the Annex 1 species red-throated diver and Slavonian grebe and over 1% of the biogeographical population of common eiders. Many of these birds migrate to Scotland every year to overwinter or to stop off at as one of their staging posts while on migration. The Firth of Forth is also notable for its concentrations of four species of wintering gulls, including Annex 1 little gulls and large numbers of roosting black-headed, common and herring gulls. In the non- breeding season these together with black-legged kittiwakes, common guillemots, European shags and razorbills contribute to an assemblage of over 40,000 seabirds using the site.

The site also encompasses feeding grounds for breeding common terns, Arctic terns and European shags nesting at SPA colonies within the site. During the breeding season black-legged kittiwakes, gannets, herring gulls, common guillemots, puffins, and Manx shearwaters also contribute to a major assemblage of over 100,000 seabirds. The protection of the waters within the Outer Firth of Forth and St Andrews Bay Complex will make a key contribution to the maintenance of these 21 species in their natural range in UK marine waters and form part of a coherent network of sites at a European level.

The importance of the marine environment for birds which spend all or part of their lives around our coasts is well recognised, particularly in Scotland. A total of 106 species of bird are thought to use UK marine waters of which 45 occur in numbers greater than fifty each year and are dependent on the marine environment for a large part of their lifecycle. All of these 45 species except one (black guillemot1) are considered rare or vulnerable bird species (Annex 1), or regularly occurring migratory species by the Birds Directive (EC Directive on the conservation of wild birds (amended) - 2009/147/EC). This means that all Member States are obliged to take account of the requirements of Article 4.1 of the Birds Directive for each of these 44 species.

1 Nature Conservation Marine Protected Areas were designated in August 2014 for black guillemot.

Article 4.1 states that “Member States shall classify in particular the most suitable territories in number and size as special protection areas for the conservation of these species, taking into account their protection requirements in the geographical sea and land area where this Directive applies”. EU guidance on the establishment of SPAs in the marine environment (2007) sets out the groups of marine birds for which SPAs should be considered in the marine environment. This includes sites for wintering waterfowl, aggregations of seabirds and foraging areas for shags and for breeding terns, including those used by birds from existing terrestrial SPAs to ensure they have continued access to key food sources.

In the UK, whilst some coastal SPAs include marine waters below the Mean High Water Springs (MHWS) there are only four entirely marine SPAs classified; Outer Thames Estuary SPA (England), Liverpool Bay/Bae Lerpwl SPA (England/Wales) and Bae Caerfyrddin/Carmarthen Bay SPA (Wales) and Belfast Lough - Open Water SPA (Northern Ireland). In Scotland, 31 marine extensions to seabird colony SPAs have also been classified. The existing suite of sites is not considered sufficient to meet the requirements of Article 4.1 because it currently does not include suitable territories at sea for all of the species that the UK has a responsibility for.

Additionally, the UK SPA Review (Stroud, 2001), which concentrated on terrestrial SPAs, highlighted that the UK had no existing SPAs to support non-breeding gulls. The Review recommended that appropriate data be collected to allow a national (UK) assessment, and through the next national wintering gull survey, to enable the consideration of additional SPAs.

This site is being proposed as part of a suite of marine sites that aim to fulfil the requirements for SPAs in the marine environment for rare or vulnerable birds and regularly occurring migratory birds in the UK. As required by Article 4 of the Directive, the classification of this site will enable the application of special conservation measures concerning the habitat of Annex 1 and regularly occurring migratory birds in order to ensure their survival and reproduction in their area of distribution.

Full details of the site survey methodologies, data and analysis used to inform the proposed selection of this site are provided in Lawson et al (2015) for non-breeding inshore waterfowl and little gull, Kober et al (2010 and 2012) for seabird aggregations, Wilson et al (2014) and Win et al (2014) for breeding terns, Daunt et al (2015) for breeding shag and Burton et al (2013) for wintering gulls (except little gull). All scientific work received full external independent peer review at key stages.

2. Site summary

The Outer Firth of Forth and St Andrews Bay Complex proposed Special Protection Area (SPA) is a large estuarine/marine site with a total area of 2720.68km2 situated off the south-east coast of Scotland. It consists of the outer sections of the adjacent Firth of Forth2 and Tay, including St Andrew’s Bay, together with adjacent marine

2 The Firth of Forth, as defined herein, extends east from the River Forth for almost 100 km to a wide estuary mouth, ending at Fife Ness on the northern coast - the southern extremity of the Firth of Tay and St Andrews Bay - and Dunbar on the southern coast. St Andrews Bay encompasses the marine 2 waters, to the east of the Isle of May, extending in places to beyond the 12mile Territorial Sea limit (Figure 1).

The Outer Firth of Forth and St Andrews Bay Complex proposed SPA, lying adjacent to the existing SPAs of the Firth of Forth and the Firth of Tay and Eden Estuary, supports populations of European importance of the following Annex 1 species:

 Red-throated diver (Gavia stellata)  Little gull (Larus minutus)  Common tern (Sterna hirundo))  Arctic tern (Sterna paradisaea)  Slavonian grebe (Podiceps auritus)

It also supports migratory populations of European importance of the following species:

 Common eider (Somateria mollissima mollissima)  Long-tailed duck (Clangula hyemalis)3  Common scoter (Melanitta nigra)3  Velvet scoter (Melanitta fusca) 3  Common goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) 3  Red-breasted merganser (Mergus serrator) 3  Northern gannet (Morus bassanus)  Manx shearwater (Puffinus puffinus)4  European shag (Phalacrocorax aristotelis)  Black-legged kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla)4  Common guillemot (Uria aalge) 4  Razorbill (Alca torda) 4  Atlantic puffin (Fratercula arctica)  Black-headed gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus)4,5  Common gull (Larus canus)4,5  Herring gull (Larus argentatus)4,5

The Firth of Forth, along with the Firth of Tay, is a major feature formed during the last flooding of the land by the sea at the end of the last glaciation (Barne et al 1997). The mid Firth of Forth holds a belt of mud-rich sediments whilst, on either side, along the shore are sandy gravels and shell material. As the estuary widens towards the outer firth, there are extensive areas of sandy and gravelly muds and fine sediments. In contrast, St Andrews Bay contains clean sands and gravel with only small areas of muddy sediments. Offshore of both the Forth and the Tay lie large areas of muddy sand carried out of the estuaries, as well as gravelly sand and clean shell sand. Water depth is variable but large areas, in both the Firth of Forth and St Andrews Bay, are shallow and less than 10m deep (Barne et. al. 1997).

area stretching from Red Head in the north, to Fife Ness in the south, including the estuary of the Tay (Figure 1) 3 Named qualifier of the non-breeding waterfowl assemblage 4 Named qualifier of a breeding or non-breeding seabird assemblage 5 Species included as part of the UK SPA Review requirements 3

The area supports a wide variety of both pelagic and demersal fish, including sandeels, and crustaceans, molluscs and marine worms. The range of prey species available within shallow and in places relatively sheltered waters is reflected in the diversity of bird species using the area throughout the year.

Red-throated divers and mergansers move to coastal areas in winter from their breeding sites and feed on a wide variety of fish, which they catch by diving from the surface and pursuing their prey underwater. Slavonian grebe and little gull are winter migrants from the North and also feed on small fish species, as well as on marine invertebrates such as small amphipods and other crustaceans. Black-headed gull, common gull and herring gull use the inshore waters primarily for roosting, although some day time foraging in intertidal areas will also take place. When foraging in intertidal areas black-headed gulls and common gulls will eat a variety of molluscs, crustaceans, fish and marine worms, whilst herring gulls, will take fish (including fisheries discards) and larger invertebrates including crabs and starfish.

Eider, scoters and long-tailed duck feed almost exclusively on molluscs and small crustaceans, diving from the surface to pluck their prey from the seabed. Common goldeneye also feed mainly on invertebrates such as molluscs, worms, and crustaceans but will take also small fish. Eider are resident throughout the year, and breed on islands in the Firth of Forth, but long-tailed duck, common and velvet scoters and goldeneye migrate long distances from their northern breeding grounds to reach wintering grounds in Britain.

The abundance of sandeels is of particular importance to colonial seabirds including terns, shags, puffins, razorbills, guillemots and kittiwakes which breed in colonies within and close to the pSPA, including the Isle of May. Northern gannet also feed on sandeels but are capable of taking a wider range of fish, including larger species such as herring and mackerel. Bass Rock, which is the largest gannet colony in the UK, is also situated in the Firth of Forth. Terns and kittiwake feed on prey close to the water surface, whereas shags, puffins, razorbills, guillemots and gannet will also pursue prey underwater, in some cases to great depths

Large numbers of Manx shearwaters also use the offshore waters for feeding during the breeding season. There are no nearby breeding colonies. The status of the birds is uncertain but they are likely to be a mixture of breeding adults from distant colonies, sabbatical or pre-breeding age birds and possibly failed breeders, with the majority being in the latter categories after June. Manx shearwater feed mainly by pursuit-plunging and pursuit-diving on small shoaling fish, but also take squid and crustaceans.

Figure 1. Location of the Outer Firth of Forth and St Andrews Bay Complex pSPA

3. Bird survey information

The data used in these analyses originate from a variety of sources determined by the group of birds or species being surveyed. All of these surveys were conducted by the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) or the data obtained under contract to JNCC.

Inshore wintering waterfowl (divers, grebes and seaduck) and little gull6 Existing data (including Wetland Bird Surveys (WeBS), Important Bird Areas (IBA) under BirdLife International, existing survey data and an atlas of seabird distributions) and information from published scientific literature were used to determine which initial areas might be important for inshore wintering waterfowl. Based on this initial assessment, 46 areas of search were identified across the UK, with 22 of these, including the Firth of Forth and Firth of Tay, in Scotland. Further surveys were carried out in these areas to characterise their use by wintering waterfowl and other species.

Aerial transect (2001/02-2004/05) Line transect aerial surveys were carried out on 6 occasions in the Firth of Forth on 14th December 2001, 26th February 2002, 5th December 2003, 16th February 2004 12th December 2004 and 3rd February 2005. In the Firth of Tay 7 complete aerial surveys were carried out on 13th & 15th of December 2001, 26th February 2002, 4th December 2003, 29th February 2004, 12th December 2004, 2nd February 2005 and 18th March 2005. All of these surveys were conducted by the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (Lawson et al 2015). Surveys were conducted between November and March to enable estimates of non-breeding populations to be made. No data were collected during migration periods or for aggregations of moulting birds.

Red-throated diver, common eider, long-tailed duck, common scoter, red-breasted merganser and little gull were recorded in good numbers from aerial survey and the aerial survey data were used to establish both mean density surfaces and population estimates for each of species. The population estimates were compared against the relevant national and/or biogeographic reference population estimates (Musgrove et al 2013 or Wetlands International 2014) to provide a percentage of the reference population for each species of interest (Lawson et al 2015).

Shore-based surveys Aerial surveys are one of the most effective methods for surveying inshore concentrations of birds over large areas. However, certain species are not amenable to survey from aircraft and some species that remain very close to the shore may often be missed, as the aircraft makes sharp turns at the shoreline. Hence shore- based WeBS data for Firths of Forth and Tay were collated from the five most recent

6 Full details of the methodologies, data and analysis used are provided in the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) Report 567: Lawson et al 2015 and the JNCC generic document ‘Identification of important marine areas for inshore wintering waterfowl’. JNCC Report 567 received full external independent peer review. 6 years of available data (2006/07-2010/11). These data provided estimates of numbers (mean maximum count of number of individuals) for Slavonian grebe, velvet scoter and common goldeneye. The population estimates were compared against the relevant national and/or biogeographic reference population estimates (Musgrove et al 2013 or Wetlands International 2014) to provide a percentage of the reference population for each species of interest (Lawson et al 2015).

Aggregations of seabirds: Breeding Northern gannet, Manx shearwater, black- legged kittiwake, common guillemot, Atlantic puffin and herring gull and non- breeding European shag, razorbill and black-legged kittiwake 7

The European Seabirds at Sea (ESAS) database, covering all 12 months of the year, is the most comprehensive and longest running data-set for the distribution of seabirds at sea in north-west European waters (Pollock and Barton 2006). The data were obtained from ship-board transects and those from 1980-2006 were extracted for the analysis.

Observers counted all birds on the water within a 200m or 300m wide line transect parallel to the vessel’s track. The data were used to provide sequences of point locations along transects, each holding information about seabird numbers and survey effort deployed at that particular location.

Subsequent analyses, to identify potential hotspots of activity for individual seabird species and seasons throughout UK waters, used continuous seabird density distribution maps generated from these point data. These analyses enabled areas holding consistently large aggregations of seabirds, relative to surrounding areas, to be identified (Kober et al 2010 & 2012).

To estimate the seabird population size in a given hotspot, the boundary of the hotspot was superimposed on the relevant seabird density map, and population size was calculated from the map (i.e. adding up the number of birds within each grid cell within the hotspot boundary).

The population estimates were compared against the relevant national and/or biogeographic reference population estimates (Musgrove et al 2013) to provide a percentage of the reference population for each species of interest.

Feeding terns: Arctic tern and common tern8 The starting point for identifying marine sites for foraging terns was the existing breeding colony SPAs. These sites have already been identified as holding >1% of

7 Full details of the methodologies, data and analysis used are provided in the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) Reports 431 and 461: Kober et al 2009 and Kober et al 2012 and in the JNCC generic document ‘Identification of possible marine SPAs for seabirds: The European Seabirds at Sea database, analysis and boundary delineation’. JNCC Report 431 received an independent peer review by Statutory Nature Conservation Bodies (SNBOs). Report 461 received full external independent peer review. 8 Full details of the methodologies, data and analysis used are provided in the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) Report 500: Wilson et al 2013, Win at al 2013 and in the JNCC generic document ‘Tern marine SPA identification: Tracking data collection and analysis’. JNCC Report 500 received full external independent peer review. 7 the GB populations of breeding large terns (all Annex 1 species) and therefore, it stands to reason that the marine area within the birds foraging ranges (30 and 20km for Arctic and common tern respectively) will provide essential foraging habitat for the breeding colony SPA populations.

Data collected between 2009 and 2011 from a sample of Arctic tern and common tern SPAs, including Imperial Dock Lock and the Isle of May in the Firth of Forth, were used to characterise the types of marine environment used by these birds when foraging in the vicinity of their colonies. Statistical models were then developed from these survey data to quantify the relationship between a wide range of environmental characteristics and foraging locations and identify which aspects of the environment were most strongly associated with presence of feeding terns of each species. These models were then used to calculate the relative likely usage of the waters around tern colonies, based on the environmental characteristics of each location (Wilson et al 2014, Win et al 2014).

Population estimates are based on the number of pairs present at classification of the colony SPAs (2004 and 1990 for Imperial Dock Lock and Forth Islands respectively).

Feeding areas of breeding European shags9 Foraging track data on 322 shags from the Isle of May were collected by the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology between 1987 and 2010 using a combination of GPS loggers, VHF telemetry and compass loggers. The positional data obtained were then analysed, at a resolution of 400m across a study area of c.40x40km, using kernel density estimation, to identify the main foraging areas utilised by shags around the colony.

Population estimates are based on the number of pairs present at classification of the colony SPA (1990).

National Winter Gull Survey (WINGS): Herring gull, common gull and black- headed gull The 6th national wintering gull survey (Wintering Gull Roost Survey (WINGS)) was undertaken over the period 2003/04 - 2005/06 (Banks et al 2007, Burton et al 2013). Black-headed gulls, common gull and herring gull flying into coastal, inshore water roost sites around dusk were counted. The national survey consisted of a co- ordinated count of key sites, identified prior to the survey as being important for gulls on the basis that previous Winter Gull Roost Surveys or recent local bird reports had shown that they had held at least 1000 roosting gulls. One off counts were carried

9 Full details of the methodologies, data and analysis used are provided in the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) Report 556: Daunt et al 2015 and in the JNCC generic document ‘Shag marine SPA identification: Data collection, collation and analysis’. JNCC Report 556 received an independent peer review by Statutory Nature Conservation Bodies (SNBOs).

8 out as the gulls flew into their night-time roosts to give an estimation of numbers. This count of key sites was supplemented by counts of additional randomly selected stretches of coastline.

Estuaries were treated as single discrete sites, with their boundaries matching those of existing protected sites, by summing counts from individual sub-sites within that total area. The population estimates were compared against the relevant national and biogeographic reference population estimates (Burton et al 2013) to provide a percentage of the reference population for each species of interest.

WeBS surveys were also used to confirm regularity of use. WeBS surveys primarily count wader and wildfowl species during daylight and consequently do not adequately assess maximum numbers of any gull species using a site. Nevertheless the WeBS data are vitally important because they consistently support the maximum site populations singly estimated from WINGS and therefore provide high confidence in regularity of use of the site for non-breeding gulls.

Estimating numbers of inshore wintering waterfowl and seabirds within an SPA boundary SPA boundaries were drawn only for those species which occurred in qualifying numbers in the areas of search (section 4) and for which suitable at sea distributions data were available (section 5). ArcGIS was used to calculate the area [km2] of each cell (1km x 1km for inshore wintering waterfowl, 6km x 6km for ESAS), or partial cell, located within the new boundary. For each cell the total number of individuals for each species was then estimated by multiplying the cell area with the species densities within each individual cell. The total of individuals for each species within the new boundary was provided by summing all cell totals within the boundary by species and season. During this analysis any species that occurred in numbers exceeding 1% of their GB reference population and/or more than 2000 individuals were also considered for inclusion in a breeding or non-breeding seabird assemblage.

The number of birds within the SPA boundary was then reassessed against the UK SPA Selection Guidelines to ensure the site still qualified for consideration as an SPA.

4. Assessment against the UK SPA Selection Guidelines

The UK SPA Selection Guidelines establish a two stage process for SPA identification (JNCC, 1999). Stage 1 allows identification of areas that are likely to qualify for SPA status.

Stage 1

To qualify under Stage 1 the area needs to meet one or more of the following four guidelines:

1.1. The area is used regularly by 1% or more of the Great Britain population of a species listed in Annex I to the Birds Directive in any season. 1.2. The area is used regularly by 1% or more of the biogeographical population of a regularly occurring migratory species (other than those listed in Annex I) in any season. 1.3. The area is used regularly by over 20,000 waterfowl (waterfowl as defined by the Ramsar Convention) or 20,000 seabirds in any season. 1.4. The area meets the requirements of one or more of the Stage 2 guidelines in any season, where the application of Stage 1 guidelines 1.1-1.3 for a species does not identify an adequate suite of most suitable areas for the conservation of that species.

Additionally, it is established practice to apply a minimum threshold of 50 individuals to be regularly present on a site before it can be considered for site selection. Exception to this rule however applies where its application would preclude the selection of any suitable territories and therefore prevent the fulfilment of UK obligations under the Birds Directive.

Stage 2

Those areas that meet one or more of the Stage 1 guidelines undergo further consideration using one or more of the ecological judgements set out in Stage 2. There are seven Stage 2 judgements. These judgments are used to facilitate the selection of the most suitable areas from the areas identified at Stage 1 to produce a network of marine SPAs in Scotland. The Stage 2 judgements are:

2.1 Population size and density 2.2 Species range 2.3 Breeding success 2.4 History of occupancy 2.5 Multi-species area 2.6 Naturalness 2.7 Severe weather refuges

Assessment against Stage 1 of the UK SPA Selection Guidelines

Red-throated diver, Slavonian grebe10, little gull, common tern and Arctic tern are Annex 1 species present in numbers at or above 1% of the GB population. Red- throated diver, little gull, common tern and Arctic tern all met Stage 1.1 of the SPA guidelines (Table 1).

Common eider (non-breeding), European shag (breeding) and Northern gannet (breeding) are regularly occurring migratory species present in numbers at or above 1% of their biogeographical populations. These species therefore met Stage 1.2 of the SPA guidelines (Table 1).

10 Slavonian grebe is one of five Annex 1 species for which a minimum threshold of 50 individuals does not apply (UK SPA Scientific Working Group, 2015). 10

Long-tailed duck, common scoter, velvet scoter, common goldeneye and red- breasted merganser are all regularly occurring non-breeding migratory species that did not occur in numbers at or above 1% of their biogeographical population and therefore did not meet Stage 1.2 of the guidelines. However, numbers of all five species exceed 1% of their relevant GB populations and/or 2,000 individuals. Together with red-throated diver, Slavonian grebe and common eider they comprise a non-breeding waterfowl assemblage exceeding 20,000 individuals. These five species therefore met Stage 1.3 of the SPA guidelines (Table 1).

In the breeding season, black-legged kittiwake, common guillemot, Atlantic puffin, herring gull and Manx shearwater are regularly occurring migratory seabirds that did not occur in numbers at or above 1% of their bio-geographical population and therefore did not meet Stage 1.2 of the guidelines. However, numbers of all five species exceed 1% of their relevant GB populations and/or 2,000 individuals. Together with common and Arctic terns, Northern gannets and European shags they comprise a breeding seabird assemblage of more than 20,000 individuals. These five species therefore met Stage 1.3 of the SPA guidelines (Table 1).

Similarly, in the non-breeding season common guillemot, razorbill, European shag, black-headed gull, common gull, herring gull and black-legged kittiwake occur in numbers exceeding 1% of seasonal GB population and/or 2,000 individuals and comprise a non-breeding seabird assemblage of more than 20,000 individuals. These seven species therefore met Stage 1.3 of the SPA guidelines (Table 1).

Table 1. Assessment against Stage 1 a) Non-breeding waterfowl 13 Annex 1 or Population % of GB Status in terrestrial SPA(s) Site selection Species and season 11 12 migratory size in site population Listed feature Assemblage guideline Red-throated diver Annex 1 5.0 851 F F 1.1 (non-breeding) Slavonian grebe Annex 1 2.7 30 F F 1.1 (non-breeding) Common eider Migratory 35.9 21,546 F & T 1.2 (non-breeding) (2.1) 14 Long-tailed duck Migratory 17.7 1,948 F & T 1.3 (non-breeding) Common scoter Migratory 4.7 4,677 F & T 1.3 (non-breeding) Velvet scoter Migratory 23.2 579 F & T 1.3 (non-breeding) Common goldeneye Migratory 2.9 589 F & T 1.3 (non-breeding) Red-breasted merganser Migratory 5.1 431 F & T 1.3 (non-breeding) Non-breeding waterfowl assemblage Mixed >20,000 N/A F & T 1.3

(divers, grebe & ducks)

11 The population sizes are based on the mean maximum population estimates provided in Lawson et al 2015 for all inshore aggregations of non-breeding waterfowl and little tern, Kober et al 2010 &2012 for aggregations of seabirds, Wilson et al 2013 and Win et al 2013 for Arctic tern and common tern, Burton et al 2013 for gulls (excluding little gull) and Daunt et al 2015 for European shag and amended, where appropriate to the site boundary. All numbers are individual birds unless otherwise indicated. 12 Reference populations are from Musgrove et al 2013 and Wetlands International 2014. 13 F= Firth of Forth SPA; T= Firth of Tay and Eden Estuary SPA; I = Forth Islands SPA 14 Figures in parenthesis are %s of bio-geographical populations for species qualifying under guideline 1.2 12

Table 1. Assessment against Stage 1 continued b) Breeding seabirds

Annex 1 % of GB Qualifying feature in Population 15 or population terrestrial SPA(s)13 Site selection Species and season migratory size in 11 Listed guideline site Assemblage feature Common tern (breeding)16 Annex 1 892 pairs 8.8 I I 1.1 Arctic tern (breeding)12 Annex 1 540 pairs 1.0 I I 1.1 European shag 4.6 Migratory 2,400 I I 1.2 (breeding)12 (1.7)14 2.5 Northern gannet (breeding) Migratory 10,945 I I 1.2 (1.4)14 Atlantic puffin (breeding) Migratory 61,086 5.3 I I 1.3 Kittiwake (breeding) Migratory 12,020 1.6 I I 1.3 Manx shearwater [n/a; >2,000 (present during breeding Migratory 2,885 1.3 birds] season) Common guillemot Migratory 28,123 1.6 I 1.3 (breeding) Herring gull (breeding) Migratory 3,044 1.1 I 1.3 Seabird assemblage Mixed >20,000 1.3 (breeding)

15 Seasonal reference populations are from Musgrove et al 2013 plus, for breeding seabirds, Mitchell et al 2004 and, for non-breeding gulls, Burton et al 2013 16 Average numbers at classification of Forth islands SPA 13

Table 1. Assessment against Stage 1 cont. c) Non-breeding seabirds

Annex 1 % of GB Qualifying feature in 15 or Population population terrestrial SPA(s)13 Site selection Species and season migratory size in 11 Listed guideline site Assemblage feature [n/a; >2,000 Common guillemot Migratory 21,968 birds] 1.3 (non-breeding)

European shag Migratory 2,426 2.2 1.3 (non-breeding) [n/a; >2,000 Kittiwake (non-breeding) Migratory 3,191 1.3 birds] [n/a; >2,000 Razorbill (non-breeding) Migratory 5,481 1.3 birds] [n/a; >50 Little gull (non-breeding) Annex 1 126 1.1 birds] Black-headed gull 1.2 Migratory 26,835 1.3 (non-breeding) Common gull 2.1 Migratory 14,647 1.3 (non-breeding) Herring gull 1.7 Migratory 12,313 1.3 (non-breeding) Seabird assemblage Mixed >20,000 1.3 (non-breeding)

Assessment against Stage 2 of the UK SPA Selection Guidelines

One or more of the Stage 2 guidelines are used to identify the most suitable areas for classifying as SPA from those areas that meet the Stage 1 guidelines. The focus for considering which areas were most suitable concentrated on three of the seven judgements; population size and density, species range and multi-species areas. Population densities were only considered for non-breeding Annex 1 species.

Non-breeding waterfowl Fourteen areas around Scotland (from the initial 22 Areas of Search) were identified as meeting Stage 1.1 for non-breeding Annex 1 species (great northern diver, black- throated diver, red-throated diver and Slavonian grebe). To help identify the most suitable sites for SPAs from the initial 14 areas, the non-breeding Annex 1 species were ranked for each site according to their population size, density and number of other non-breeding qualifying species also present within each area. Particular emphasis was placed on identifying areas that function as “hotspots” for many species rather than just a few. The results of the ranking exercise for Outer Firth of Forth and St Andrews Bay Complex are provided in Table 2.

Table 2: Summary of initial Annex 1 ranking and overlapping multi-species interest for inshore non-breeding waterfowl

Assessment/ Ranked importance for non-breeding Annex 1 Qualifying feature species 17 Great northern diver Not qualifying Black-throated diver Not qualifying Red-throated diver Most important site in Scotland. Slavonian grebe Excluded from analysis as population estimate was less than 50 individuals.

Stage 2 judgements were also applied to the other non-breeding waterfowl (non- Annex 1) species considered at stage 1.3 on the basis of their populations exceeding 1% of the GB population (common eider, long-tailed duck, common scoter, velvet scoter, goldeneye and red-breasted merganser) to ensure it was appropriate to include these species within the Outer Firth of Forth and St Andrews Bay Complex (Table 3).

These analyses highlight the outstanding importance of the Outer Firth of Forth and St Andrews Bay Complex to non-breeding waterfowl. Together, over 30,500 birds of eight species use this area and the numbers of all but one species are the highest or second highest among the 14 areas in Scotland identified as meeting Stage 1.1 for non-breeding Annex 1 species. There are extensive overlaps in distribution among non-breeding waterfowl species and the majority of the overall area identified for these species falls within the maximum curvature boundary for red-throated diver.

17 Ranking was only applied to non-breeding Annex 1 species to provide an initial short-listing of most suitable areas that could then be subject to further checks for other marine bird interests. Ranking combines population size, density and multi-species interest to provide an overall rank. 15

Seabirds – breeding season The ESAS analysis identified several thousand seabird “hotspots” within the British Fisheries Limit. However, only a few tens of these “hotspots” (Kober et al 2010 & 2012), regularly held 1% or more of the GB populations of some birds and were therefore considered appropriate by SNH for further consideration under Stage 2. These included overlapping hotspots for puffins, gannets and kittiwakes in the breeding season and for guillemots in the non-breeding season in the outer Firth of Forth.

Also overlapping the ESAS and inshore wintering waterfowl “hotspots” were the foraging areas of Arctic tern, common tern (qualifying under 1.1) and European shag (qualifying under 1.2) from existing colony SPAs within the Firth of Forth.

The combined numbers of Arctic and common terns, shags, puffins, gannet and kittiwake present within the Outer Firth of Forth and St Andrews Bay Complex pSPA in the breeding season were estimated at just under 77,300 which is considerably in excess of the 20,000 threshold for identification of a seabird assemblage under guideline 1.3. Numbers of all other seabird species within the whole pSPA boundary (see Section 3 and 5) during the breeding season were also calculated from the ESAS database. As detailed in Table 1 these calculations indicated that the numbers of Manx shearwater, common guillemot and herring gull merited their inclusion within the breeding seabird assemblage feature under 1.3. This analysis also established that the number of gannets present in the pSPA as a whole (i.e. not just in the gannet “hotpsot”) during the breeding season exceeded 1% of the biogeographic population, such that gannet qualify at stage 1.2.

Stage 2 judgements were then applied to all of the species identified above to ensure that it was appropriate to include them within the pSPA (Table 4).

Seabirds – non-breeding season The ESAS analysis of hotspots described above identified two regular occurring inshore hotspots for common guillemot in the non-breeding season. The larger of these holding some 11,000 individuals, in the outer Firth of Forth, overlaps those for breeding season puffins, gannets and kittiwakes and foraging areas of breeding Arctic terns and shags from the Isle of May. A smaller hotpot, holding some 1,400 guillemots, was identified in the inner Firth of Forth. While these hotspots did not together hold over 20,000 birds, the total number of guillemot present in the Firth of Forth and St Andrews Bay Complex pSPA (Table 1) together with all other non- breeding seabirds exceeded the 20,000 threshold for identification of a seabird assemblage under guideline 1.3.

Numbers of all other seabird species within the boundary of the Outer Firth of Forth and St Andrews Bay Complex pSPA during the non-breeding season were calculated from the ESAS database. As detailed in Table 1 these calculations indicated that the numbers of shag, kittiwake and razorbill, merited their inclusion as named qualifiers within a non-breeding seabird assemblage feature. In addition, the 2003/04 -2005/6 National Winter Gull Survey, based on counts of birds flying to coastal roosts, identified the Firth of Forth as holding a large assemblage of wintering black-headed, common and herring gulls (Table 1). The

Firth of Forth and St Andrews Bay Complex pSPA supports the largest non-breeding concentrations of these gulls in Scotland.

Little gull (Annex 1 species) were also recorded in the central Firth of Forth in large numbers (over 300) during the 2003/04 aerial surveys for wintering waterfowl. This is equivalent to an average of 106 birds over the three winters of aerial survey is the largest population recorded in the Areas of Search in Scotland. Smaller numbers were detected in the Firth of Tay in 2003/04 and 2004/05 with an average of 20 across the three survey years contributing to an overall population estimate for the pSPA of 126 birds. At present there is no GB population estimate for little gulls against which to assess potential qualification under guideline 1.1, so the default threshold of regular presence of 50 individuals (Stroud et al 2001) was applied to identification of potentially suitable sites for little gull in the UK.

The numbers of little gull detected in the Outer Firth of Forth and St Andrews Bay Complex pSPA well exceed 50 and actual numbers are likely to be considerably greater as this species is often missed by observers during aerial surveys. The ESAS database also indicates presence of substantial numbers of little gulls within this pSPA outwith the breeding season, thus confirming this as a regular species within the site.

Stage 2 judgements were applied to all of the species listed above (Table 4) to ensure that it was appropriate to include them within the Outer Firth of Forth and St Andrews Bay Complex pSPA (Table 4).

Seabirds - summary The ESAS analyses (Kober et al, 2010) identified the Firth of Forth/Wee Bankie/Marr Bank as one of only four regions in the UK important for multiple seabird species. In addition, the National Winter Gull Survey highlighted the importance of the Firth of Forth to wintering gulls. The Outer Firth of Forth and St Andrews Bay Complex pSPA supports qualifying populations of three Annex 1 seabirds and substantial breeding and non-breeding season assemblages of a further ten species in all. The seabird assemblages exceeded the Stage 1.3 Site Selection Guideline with a total of 122,245 birds in the whole pSPA during the breeding season (a large assemblage of seabirds (101,618 birds) was still present during later summer) and non-breeding assemblage of 44,628 birds, at which time large numbers of wintering gulls were also recorded during roost surveys in the Firth of Forth.

The site is a coherent unit, with extensive overlaps in distribution both among seabird species and between seabird and wintering waterfowl interests reflecting suitability of supporting habitats.

Table 3: Summary of assessment against Stage 2 of the UK SPA Selection Guidelines for inshore non-breeding waterfowl, including summary of individual species influences on boundary.

Population size18 Species range Influence on composite inshore Stage 2 judgement wintering waterfowl (IWW) (features) boundary? Qualifying feature Red-throated diver Largest Important component in northern Pre-dominate species influencing concentration in and easterly part of winter range in IWW composite boundary Scotland GB. Slavonian grebe 9th largest One of only two notable Distribution fully overlaps that of concentration in concentrations within range in east other qualifying wintering waterfowl Scotland Scotland. Common eider Largest One of the most important sites in Influences western boundary in concentration in GB and highest concentration FoT; with long-tailed duck, Scotland within eastern Scotland influences boundary in north-west part of central FoF Long-tailed duck 2nd largest Largest concentration in south-east With eider, influences boundary in concentration in Scotland near southern limit of north-west part of central FoF. Scotland main winter range in GB. Common scoter 2nd largest In core range in Scotland and Marginal influence in multi-species concentration in northerly part of range in GB areas of FoF only. Scotland Velvet scoter 2nd largest Important population in core part of No influence concentration in range in eastern Scotland Scotland Common goldeneye 2nd largest Within core part of marine No influence

18 The population sizes are the mean maximum population estimates provided in Lawson et al 2015 for all inshore aggregations of non-breeding waterfowl and little tern, Kober et al 2010 & 2012 for aggregations of seabirds 18

concentration in wintering range in GB Scotland Red-breasted 2nd largest Largest concentration in eastern Marginal influence in multi-species merganser concentration in Scotland and one of a handful of areas only Scotland major concentrations across GB

Stage 2 judgement (site) Multi- Two non-breeding Annex 1 species (red-throated diver and Slavonian grebe) with six other inshore species migratory waterfowl species occur in nationally important numbers during winter in close association. area Together, these species contribute to a non-breeding waterfowl assemblage (divers, grebes and ducks) in excess of 30,500 birds. The distribution of these species overlaps extensively with feeding areas for two further Annex 1 species, little gull and common tern and partially within feeding area of Annex 1 species Arctic tern breeding on the Isle of May. The composite inshore wintering waterfowl and little tern boundary also overlaps distributions of an additional 10 species of migratory seabirds (see Table 4). Hence, a total of 21 qualifying species regularly occur in the pSPA. History of The Firths of Forth and Tay have been recognised for at least 100 years for presence of non-breeding occupancy waterfowl (e.g. Turnbull 1867, Gray 1871, Rintoul & Baxter 1935, Baxter & Rintoul 1953) and ornithological studies, during the last 50 years (e.g. Prater 1981, Lack 1986, Forrester & Andrews 2007, O`Brien et al 2008) have demonstrated that, both individually and together, these areas are amongst the most important non-breeding concentrations of wintering waterfowl in Scotland. Numbers of eider have increased since the mid-20th century and species such as common scoter and red-breasted merganser are now more common than in the 19th century. There have been declines in some species, notably goldeneye, since the 1970s associated with improvements in water quality (Milne & Campbell 1973, Owen et al 1986) but as detailed in Tables 1 and 3 the area remains of high importance to all of these species. See section 6 for further details for individual species.

Table 4: Summary of assessment against Stage 2 of the UK SPA Selection Guidelines for breeding and non-breeding seabirds, including summary of individual species’ influences on boundary.

Stage 2 judgement Population size18 Species range Influences pSPA boundary19 (features) Qualifying feature Common tern (b) Qualifying feature of The pSPA is within the core Overlaps inshore wintering waterfowl Forth Islands and of this species’ range in GB composite boundary at western end of Imperial Dock Lock FoF and influences multi-species SPAs together form extension of pSPA boundary around largest aggregation in Isle of May Scotland Arctic tern (b) Qualifying feature of The pSPA is at the south- Influences multi-species extension of Forth Islands SPA and eastern extremity of this pSPA boundary around Isle of May largest aggregation in species’ GB range Scotland south of Orkney European shag (b & Qualifying feature of The Outer Firth of Forth and No influence. Summer distribution nb) Forth Islands SPA. St Andrews Bay Complex is overlaps fully with that of breeding near the south-east extent of puffins, terns and other seabirds the GB range around Isle of May. Qualifying numbers also present within pSPA during non-breeding season, but do not influence site boundary. Northern gannet (b) 2nd largest aggregation One of three important Overlaps composite inshore wintering of gannets in GB concentrations of gannets at waterfowl boundary, tern foraging sea in Scotland areas in outer FoF and breeding puffin hotspot to east of Isle of May, influences south-eastern boundary of pSPA.

19 Note that this refers to boundary for whole site (see section 5 for further explanation) 20

Atlantic puffin (b) Largest known Significant contributor to the Overlaps composite inshore wintering aggregation in UK range of breeding puffins at waterfowl in both FoF and FoT and waters sea round the coast of Great influences multi-species eastern Britain extension of pSPA boundary around and to east of Isle of May Kittiwake (b & nb) Largest known breeding Within the core range of this In breeding season, lies within multi- season aggregation of species in GB species extension of pSPA boundary this species in UK to east of Isle of May. Qualifying waters. numbers also present within pSPA during non-breeding season, but do not influence the site boundary. Manx shearwater One of only five known Only aggregation on east Qualifying numbers present within (present in at-sea aggregations in coast pSPA during breeding season, but do breeding season) GB not influence the site boundary. Little gull (nb) Largest known wintering The concentration of little Overlaps distributions of inshore population in Scotland gulls is within the core of the wintering waterfowl and breeding puffin known Scottish range; no in FoF and supports inclusion of other sites have been central FoF within site boundary. identified for this species in Scotland. Black-headed gull Largest known wintering Representative of the No influence - within inshore wintering (nb) coastal concentration in northern part of this species’ waterfowl composite boundary in FoF Scotland GB range in winter Common gull (nb) Largest known wintering Representative of the No influence - within inshore wintering coastal concentration in northern part of this species’ waterfowl composite boundary in FoF Scotland GB range in winter Herring gull (nb & Largest known wintering Representative of the Wintering concentration lies within b) coastal concentration in northern part of this species’ inshore wintering waterfowl composite Scotland GB range in winter boundary in FoF. Qualifying numbers also present within pSPA during breeding season, but do not influence

the site boundary. Common guillemot One of the largest and Significant contributor to the No influence. Non-breeding (nb & b) highest density regular range representation of non- distribution overlaps composite inshore non-breeding breeding guillemots at sea wintering waterfowl in FoF and multi- aggregations of this round the coast of GB. species eastern extension of pSPA species in UK waters. boundary around Isle of May for breeding seabirds. Qualifying numbers are also present within pSPA during breeding season, but do not influence the site boundary. Stage 2 judgement (site) Multi- The pSPA provides foraging areas for nationally important numbers of three Annex 1 species (breeding species Arctic and common terns and wintering little gull). In addition, it supports important populations throughout area the year of migratory seabirds, including 7 species which breed at colonies within the site. Together, with Manx shearwater and wintering gulls these species contribute to seabird assemblages in excess of 100,000 birds in the breeding and post-breeding period and of over 80,000 birds in winter. The distributions of these seabird species overlap with those of two non-breeding Annex 1 species (red-throated diver and Slavonian grebe) and six other inshore migratory waterfowl species present in nationally important numbers during winter. The Outer Firth of Forth and St Andrews Bay Complex pSPA supports 21 qualifying species. History of The presence of little gulls in this area has been recorded for at least 50 years (Prater 1981). Gannets occupancy have bred in increasing numbers at the Bass Rock since before 1900 and the colony is now the largest in the UK. Common and Arctic terns have been noted as breeding at sites within this pSPA for several decades. Other species including kittiwake, guillemot, razorbill, shag, herring gull and puffin also nest in substantial colonies within the pSPA and their occurrence in these waters has been regularly noted over 30 years of ESAS survey. Large numbers of wintering gulls have been recorded in the Firth of Forth for over 40 years (Prater, 1981).

5. Site status and boundary

The proposed name for this new site, lying adjacent to the existing SPAs of the Firth of Forth and the Firth of Tay & Eden Estuary, is the “Outer Firth of Forth and St Andrews Bay Complex SPA”.

Red-throated diver, common eider, long-tailed duck, common scoter, velvet scoter and red-breasted merganser were recorded in good numbers from aerial survey and these data were used to establish mean density surfaces for each species. A boundary was drawn around a threshold density as determined by maximum curvature analysis to provide a species-specific boundary (Lawson et al 2015).

In both the Firth of Forth and St Andrews Bay a boundary identified on the basis of numbers and distribution of red-throated divers also encompassed the majority of the populations of common scoter, velvet scoter, long-tailed duck, common eider and red-breasted merganser. An inshore wintering waterfowl composite species boundary was produced for both areas by combining the species-specific boundaries and the most important shore and boat-based count sectors for Slavonian grebe, common goldeneye, velvet scoter and red-breasted merganser.

The inshore wintering waterfowl composite boundaries also encompass a substantial proportion of the Atlantic puffin, common guillemot and Northern gannet hotspots identified by analysis of the ESAS database. These overlapping seabird distributions effectively linked the Firth of Forth and St Andrews Bay composite boundaries to produce one composite boundary that includes both inshore wintering waterfowl and important seabird aggregations. This area then encompassed the remainder of the 21 species.

The coastal boundary for the proposed marine site is mean low water springs. This means that in some locations it abuts the existing estuarine SPAs (Firth of Forth SPA and Firth of Tay and Eden Estuary SPA).

The proposed site extends to 2,720.68km2. Boundary co-ordinates for the pSPA are given on the site map in Annex 1.

6. Information on qualifying species

Red-throated diver The population of red-throated divers for the single site during the period of 2001/02- 2004/05 is 851 birds, clearly in excess of the 170 birds SPA selection threshold and also meets the definition of regular occurrence in exceeding the threshold in at least 3 out of the 5 survey years.

Population size and density Although the species often frequents areas well offshore (Figure 2), the numbers recorded by WeBS survey, and corroborated by aerial surveys off south-east Scotland is outstandingly high. The population of red-throated divers in the Firth of 23

Forth alone is recorded as one of the largest in Scotland but, in association with that in St Andrews Bay, it is substantially the largest in Scotland (851 birds, 5.0% of the Great Britain population). Mean densities recorded in aerial surveys ranging in the Firth of Forth between <0.1-1.3 birds/km2 and in St Andrews Bay between 0.1 -3.8 birds/km2, are fairly typical in a Scottish context. These are lower than the densities present in the two main areas in Great Britain of Liverpool Bay and the Greater Thames.

Distribution within the site Red-throated diver was the main species influencing the extent of the inshore wintering waterfowl composite boundary (Figure 2).

Species range The species occurs predominantly around much of the coastline of Great Britain. Numbers and densities are greatest in south-east and north-west England with very low numbers in north-west and north Scotland. The Firth of Forth is the most southerly concentration in Scotland and, whilst good numbers do occur on stretches of coast in north-east England, these are fairly dispersed north of the Humber.

History of occupancy Red-throated divers have been consistently present in both the Forth and Tay estuaries for at least 100 years (Rintoul & Baxter 1935, Baxter & Rintoul 1953), although during that time, numbers appear to have fluctuated. Most importantly, more recent ornithological studies, during the last 50 years (Prater 1981, Lack 1986, Forrester & Andrews 2007, O`Brien et al 2008) have demonstrated that, both individually and together, these areas have maintained their status amongst the most important non-breeding concentrations of this species in Scotland.

Figure 2. The distribution of red-throated divers in the Outer Firth of Forth and St Andrews Bay Complex pSPA

Slavonian grebe Slavonian grebe (Annex I species) are excluded from the SPA minimum threshold of 50 birds because application of this rule would constrain selection of an appropriate SPA suite (UK SPA Scientific Working Group, 2015). For this species, UK SPAs are therefore selected on the basis of the 1% Great Britain threshold (as they are for other Annex 1 species). Slavonian grebe occurred in the Outer Firth of Forth and St Andrews Bay Complex in numbers (an average of 30 birds) greatly exceeding the 1% Great Britain population level in every year since 2000/01.

Population size and density The population of Slavonian grebes in the Firth of Forth (26 birds, 2.3% of the Great Britain population) during the period 2006/07-2010/11(Figure 3), augmented by small numbers in St Andrews Bay, is one of the largest on the coast of east mainland Scotland; the only other notable concentration being in the Moray Firth.

Distribution within the site Slavonian grebes occurred in both of the major estuaries of the firths but were far more abundant in the Forth (Figure 3). The Slavonian grebe distribution at this site did not influence the overall site boundary.

Species range The species occurs round the coasts of Great Britain with concentrations in specific localities. The Firth of Forth is one of the two important concentrations on east mainland Scotland and is therefore, together with St Andrews Bay, is an important component in range representation for south and east Scotland.

History of occupancy There is a history of long term use of the area continuing up to the more detailed knowledge of the present day (Lack 1986). The species is mentioned as rare by Turnbull (1867) but there are several records in the first three decades of the 20th century with up to 7 together in Largo Bay (Rintoul & Baxter 1935).

Figure 3. The distribution of Slavonian grebe in the Outer Firth of Forth and St Andrews Bay Complex pSPA Point symbols represent the relative number of Slavonian grebe in each count sector.

Common eider South-east Scotland is a very important area throughout the year for the common eider in Great Britain (over the three most recent aerial survey seasons; 2001/02- 2004/05), the peak mean estimate of the non-breeding population in the pSPA was 9,832 eiders in the Firth of Forth and 11,714 in St Andrews Bay). The numbers of eiders in the Outer Firth of Forth and St Andrews Bay Complex, and indeed St Andrews Bay alone (Figure 4), substantially exceeds the Stage 1.2 (10,300) bird SPA selection threshold for a migratory species and also meets the definition of regular occurrence in exceeding the threshold in all 3 survey years.

Population size and density The Outer Firth of Forth and St Andrews Bay Complex (21,546 birds; 2.1% of the biogeographic population and 35.9 % of the Great Britain population) is one of the top sites for eider in both Great Britain and Scotland alongside the Clyde (and occasionally Morecambe Bay in England). Density estimates for this species in this site can be huge; in the Firth of Forth densities varied from <0.1-80.0 birds/km2 and in St Andrews Bay from <2.8-585.8 birds/km2.

Distribution within the site Distribution of eiders within the site is shown in Figures 4. There is substantial overlap with that of Annex 1 red-throated diver, but high densities of eiders extend further west in the Firth of Tay and, together with long-tailed duck, encompass a larger proportion of the central and northern Firth of Forth

Species range The species is totally marine and can occur round much of the United Kingdom coastline. However it is virtually absent from the Republic of Ireland and the west and south coasts of England and sparse in eastern England. Its strongholds are eastern Scotland, Orkney, Shetland and south west Scotland.

History of occupancy Eiders have been recorded as breeding birds in the Forth and the Tay, at least since the17th century in the former location. Baxter & Rintoul mentioned that, outwith the breeding season, they were known regularly in the Forth in the early part of 20th century they were becoming much commoner in the mid years of the 20th century; in Largo Bay they first occurred in numbers in the spring of 1927. Large numbers have regularly occurred subsequently in both areas but in especially large concentrations in the Tay area around Tentsmuir.

Figure 4. The distribution of common eiders in the Outer Firth of Forth and St Andrews Bay Complex pSPA

Long-tailed duck With 976 long-tailed ducks in the Firth of Forth and 972 in St Andrews Bay during the period of 2001/02-2004/05 the Outer Firth of Forth and St Andrews Bay Complex supports the second largest concentration in Great Britain (after the Moray Firth) (Figure 5). This is clearly well below the SPA selection threshold for Guideline 1.2 (16,000 birds) although it exceeds 1% of the Great Britain population by a considerable margin (110 birds) and therefore meets the Stage 1.3 Selection guideline for a species within an assemblage of waterfowl.

Population size and density Over the past decade, shore – based WeBS counts have suggested that the Firth of Forth is one of the top sites for long-tailed duck in both GB and Scotland. The population estimate for the whole of the pSPA supports this with 1,948 birds; 17.7% of the Great Britain population. The current mean population size in the Firths of Forth and Tay, set alongside the largest population in the Moray Firth, emphasize the importance of the east coast Scottish mainland for this truly marine species. Density estimates for this species on the Firth of Forth varied between <0.1-12.9 birds/km2 and in St Andrews Bay between 0.2-16.6 birds/km2.

Distribution within the site Distribution of long-tailed duck within the pSPA is shown in Figures 5. There is substantial overlap with that of Annex 1 red-throated diver, but together with eider, notable densities of long-tailed duck are found across a greater area of the central and northern Firth of Forth.

Species range The species is relatively widespread around the shores of Great Britain but occurs most densely in Scotland, especially Orkney, Shetland, the Outer Hebrides and along the east coast mainland as far south as the border with England. In contrast to most other seaducks it can occur in large numbers well offshore as well as close inshore. It is virtually absent from the rocky coasts of NW Scotland and much of western England and Wales

History of occupancy Large numbers have been noted on occasions for nearly 150 years. Gray (1871) noted an immense flock in April. Baxter & Rintoul suggested that they were not uncommon in the early years of 20th century, mentioning a flock of at least 200 birds in March 1915.

Figure 5. The distribution of long-tailed ducks in the Outer Firth of Forth and St Andrews Bay Complex pSPA

Common scoter Within the Outer Firth of Forth and St Andrews Bay Complex (Figure 6) the mean peak estimate of the annual non-breeding population over the three most recent seasons (2001/02-2004/05), was 2,218 common scoter in the Firth of Forth and a further 2,458 in St Andrews Bay. The total (4,677) is regular in occurrence and, whilst clearly well below the SPA selection threshold for Guideline 1.2 (5,500), it is in excess of 1% of the Great Britain population (1000) and therefore meets the Stage 1.3 Selection guideline for a species within an assemblage of waterfowl.

Population size and density Over the past decade, shore – based WeBS counts have suggested that the Firth of Forth is one of the top sites for common scoter in both GB and Scotland, alongside very large concentrations in west Wales and north-western England. The population estimate for the whole of the pSPA supports this with 4,677 birds; 4.7% of the Great Britain population. The Outer Firth of Forth and St Andrews Bay Complex pSPA supports one of only two large (>1,500 birds) flocks on the east coast of Scotland. On the Firth of Forth densities range from <0.3-15.0 birds/km2 but in St Andrews Bay densities range between <0.4-29.6 birds/km2.

Distribution within the site Common scoter has a marginal influence on the pSPA boundary in the southern Firth of Forth (Figure 6).

Species range Whilst very widespread and relatively common round much of the Great Britain coastline large concentrations are few (those south of the Scottish border in Carmarthen and north Liverpool Bays being by far the most notable) and they are virtually absent from much of the Scottish island groups and the west, north- west and north Scottish coasts. They occur most frequently in Scotland in consistent local concentrations on the east mainland coast.

History of occupancy This species is more common now than during the 19th century when it was present but less common than the velvet scoter. By the 1930s Rintoul & Baxter considered it to be very common in winter, so it has been an important member of the marine water fowl community for at least 100 years.

Figure 6. The distribution of common scoters in the Outer Firth of Forth and St Andrews Bay Complex pSPA

Velvet scoter Within the Outer Firth of Forth and St Andrews Bay Complex (Figure 7) the mean peak estimate of the annual non-breeding population over the five most recent seasons of WeBS data (2006/07-2010/11), was 577 velvet scoter in the Firth of Forth and 198 from aerial surveys in St Andrews Bay (2001/02-2004/05). When these counts were totalled (775 birds) they clearly fell below the SPA selection threshold for Guideline 1.2 (4,500 birds) although did exceed 1% of the Great Britain population (25 birds) and also the default site selection threshold of 50 birds (for those scarce species with a small population or where the population is not known with certainty) by a considerable margin. Hence, the Outer Firth of Forth and St Andrews Bay Complex met the Stage 1.3 Selection guideline for a species within an assemblage of waterfowl.

Population size and density Over the past decade the shore – based counts of WeBS data have suggested that the Outer Firth of Forth and St Andrews Bay Complex is one of the two most important site for velvet scoter in both the Great Britain and Scotland. The population estimate for the whole of the pSPA supports this with 579 birds20; 23.2% of the Great Britain population. The core non-breeding range of this species is along the east coast of Great Britain, especially the east mainland coast of Scotland with smaller numbers in Orkney. Elsewhere the species is irregular and very sparse. No density estimates exist for the Firth of Forth but in St Andrews Bay they range from <0.1-2.9 birds/km2.

Distribution within the site Velvet scoter did not influence the boundary of the Outer Firth of Forth and St Andrews Bay Complex pSPA (Figures 7).

Species range The range in Great Britain overlaps with that of the common scoter although it is nowhere near as common. It usually occurs amongst common scoters (usually less than 10-20% of the flock), largely in Orkney and down the east mainland coast. The most regular best known sites have tended to be the Dornoch and Moray Firths, the Firth of Forth and open water areas around the Orkney Islands.

History of occupancy The species has been present in considerable numbers since at least the early years of last century (Turn bull 1867, Nash 1935) when it was common at Aberlady and hundreds were noted off Gullane in 1902 (Baxter and Rintoul 1935).

20 The population estimate for the whole site includes all WeBS count sectors within the boundary, including those between the Firth of Forth and Tay. 34

Figure 7. The distribution of velvet scoters in the Outer Firth of Forth and St Andrews Bay Complex pSPA Point symbols represent the relative number of velvet scoters in each count sector. Count sectors with the highest relative count that warranted inclusion within the proposed boundary were identified by maximum curvature.

Common goldeneye Within the Outer Firth of Forth and St Andrews Bay Complex (Figure 8) the mean peak estimate of the annual non-breeding population over the five most recent seasons (2006/07-2010/11) of WeBS data, was 546 goldeneye in the Firth of Forth and 43 in St Andrews Bay. This is clearly well below the SPA selection threshold for Guideline 1.2 (11,400 birds) although it exceeds 1% of the Great Britain population by a considerable margin (200 birds) and therefore meets the Stage 1.3 Selection guideline for a species within an assemblage of waterfowl. .

Population size and density Over the past decade the shore – based counts of WeBS data have suggested that the Outer Firth of Forth and St Andrews Bay Complex (589 birds; 2.9% of the Great Britain population) is one of the most important sites for goldeneye in Great Britain. In Scotland, aerial surveys have identified an even larger population in the Moray Firth and shore-based counts are likely to underestimate numbers of this species in coastal waters. The most important site in the United Kingdom is the freshwater Loch Neagh in Northern Ireland, averaging over 3,500 birds.

Goldeneye did occur in St Andrews Bay area but were much more abundant in the Firth of Forth with in excess of 250 birds recorded in some locations such as Largo Bay and off Musselburgh.

Distribution within the site Goldeneye did not influence the boundary of the Outer Firth of Forth and St Andrews Bay Complex pSPA (Figure 8).

Species range The goldeneye`s non-breeding range in Great Britain, in contrast to other seaducks, is widespread in both fresh and coastal waters, A substantial proportion of the non- breeding population occurs on freshwater bodies throughout Great Britain. On the sea it is again most abundant in the east mainland firths with a strong attraction to sewers and waste discharges.

History of occupancy In the 1920s and 30s Baxter & Rintoul considered it common in certain locations e.g. Culross and Burntisland. It remains a widespread duck although, in common with scaup, its total numbers have decreased considerably in association with the improvement in water quality of much of the Forth (Milne & Campbell 1973, Owen et al 1986)

Figure 8. The distribution of common goldeneye in the Outer Firth of Forth and St Andrews Bay Complex pSPA Point symbols represent the relative number of common goldeneye in each count sector. Count sectors with the highest relative count that warranted inclusion within the proposed boundary were identified by maximum curvature.

Red-breasted merganser Within the Outer Firth of Forth and St Andrews Bay Complex (Figure 9) the mean peak estimate of the annual non-breeding population over the five most recent seasons of WeBS data (2006/07-2010/11), was 189 in the Firth of Forth and 180 (2001/02-2004/05) from aerial surveys in St Andrews Bay. When these counts were totalled (369 birds) they clearly fell below the SPA selection threshold of 1,700 birds for Guideline 1.2 are significantly larger than the 1% GB level of 84 birds and therefore meets the Stage 1.3 Selection guideline for a species within an assemblage of waterfowl.

Population size and density Over the past decade, shore–based WeBs counts have suggested that this is one of the most important sites for red-breasted merganser in the Great Britain and the numbers found are second only to Scapa Flow among the SPA areas of search in Scotland. The population estimate for the whole of the pSPA supports this with 431 birds21; 5.1% of the Great Britain population. In St Andrews Bay, average densities of up to 6.6 birds per km2 were recorded in aerial surveys.

Distribution within the site In the Firth of Forth WeBs counts indicate a fairly regular distribution through the central Firth, typically with several tens of birds recorded in each count sector and this species was a marginal influence only on the pSPA boundary (See Figures 9).

Species range During the non-breeding season the red-breasted merganser is a widespread species in small flocks around much of the coastline of Great Britain. Its Scottish range includes all the island groups, much of the west and north-west Scottish mainland as well as the firths and open coastlines on the east

History of occupancy Rintoul & Baxter (1935) inferred that it was a species which had increased in numbers in the previous 100 years since the New Statistical Account in 1839 only gave mention of a single bird but by the 1930s it was a common winter visitor.

21 The population estimate for the whole site includes all WeBS count sectors within the boundary, including those between the Firth of Forth and Tay. 38

Figure 9. The distribution of red-breasted mergansers in the Outer Firth of Forth and St Andrews Bay Complex pSPA Point symbols represent the relative number of red-breasted mergansers in each count sector. Count sectors with the highest relative count that warranted inclusion within the proposed boundary were identified by maximum curvature.

Common tern When the Forth Islands and Imperial Dock Lock SPAs were classified they supported 334 and 558 pairs of common terns respectively. Between 2009 and 2013 they still supported an average of, at least, 769 pairs between them. Common terns are widely distributed in Great Britain, both inland and on the coast, except in Wales and the south west of England. Foraging birds feed relatively close to the colony (Figures 10) rarely moving to feed more than 13km from the colony and more usually around 10km, such that all feeding took place within areas also identified for other interests (Wilson et al 2013, Win et al 2013).

Population size and density The common terns in the Outer Firth of Forth and St Andrews Bay Complex are the single largest aggregation of this species in Scotland and one of the largest in Great Britain.

Distribution within the site There are two distinct foraging areas for common tern within the pSPA. Birds from the SPA colony at Leith forage in a band stretching across the Forth to the Fife coast around Burntisland, with highest levels of activity between Leith and the island of Inchkeith. Isle of May birds forage in an essentially radial pattern out from the colony and stretching to the adjacent Fife coastline (See Figures 10)

Species range The site lies in the core of the range in Great Britain.

History of occupancy Common terns have bred in numbers in the Firth of Forth since at least the late 19th century (Holloway, 1996)

Figure 10. The foraging distribution of common terns in the Outer Firth of Forth and St Andrews Bay Complex pSPA.

Arctic tern When the Forth Islands SPA was classified it supported 540 pairs of Arctic terns. Between 2009 and 2013 at least 250 pairs still bred on the Isle of May. Arctic terns are more restricted in their Great Britain distribution than common terns. Few birds breed south of Anglesey in the west and Northumberland in the east, with most birds concentrated in the Northern Isles of Scotland. As with common terns, foraging Arctic terns feed relatively close to the colony (Figure 11), rarely moving further than 12km from their home colony (Wilson et al 2013, Win et al 2013).

Population size and density The Arctic terns in the Outer Firth of Forth and St Andrews Bay Complex are the single largest aggregation of this species in Scotland south of Orkney.

Distribution within the site The foraging distribution around the Isle of May is similar to, but slightly more extensive, than that for common tern (Figure 11).

Species range The site represents the south east of the GB range.

History of occupancy Arctic terns have bred in substantial numbers in the Firth of Forth for several decades and have been recorded as breeding on the Isle of May since at least the late 19th century (Holloway, 1996)

Figure 11. The foraging distribution of Arctic terns in the Outer Firth of Forth and St Andrews Bay Complex pSPA.

European shag When the Forth Islands were classified they supported 2,400 pairs of shags. Between 2007 and 2011 the SPA supported an average of 1009 pairs (3.7% of the Great Britain population). Although shags do forage up to a maximum of 17km from their colony (Thaxter et al. 2012) tracking studies of birds from the Isle of May show that these birds feed within the Firth of Forth (Figure 12) with few moving more than 12km (Bogdanova et al 2013). The area used during breeding is within that also identified for other species.

Substantial numbers (2,426) of shag also winter within the pSPA and contribute to the winter assemblage of seabirds in the site.

Population size and density Although the population in the Forth Islands SPA has decreased since classification, this is in line with the national trend over the last 15 years, and Forth remains an important area supporting over 3% of the national population.

Distribution within the site The foraging areas of breeding shags in the Outer Firth of Forth and St Andrews Bay Complex are determined by the location of the breeding colonies of which that on the Isle of May is the largest (Figure 12). There is substantial overlap with foraging areas for breeding terns, but shags can dive to deeper depths.

Species range The distribution of breeding shags in Great Britain is substantially north and west; few colonies occurring between Northumberland and the extreme south-west of England. The Outer Firth of Forth and St Andrews Bay Complex represents the south-east extent of the range in southern Scotland.

History of occupancy Shags have bred in the area for many decades and the colony at the Isle of May has been studied for over 40 years.

Figure 12. The distribution of foraging shags from the Isle of May in the Outer Firth of Forth and St Andrews Bay Complex pSPA.

Northern gannet (breeding) Gannets are widespread during the breeding season but concentrated in moderate to high densities around the colonies, in this instance the Bass Rock (Figure 13).

Population size and density The number of gannets (at least 10,945 birds, 2.5% of the Great Britain population and 1.4% of the biogeographical population) in the Outer Firth of Forth is the second largest recorded after that around St Kilda. The density of birds (7.0 birds/km2) is relatively high compared to other seabird hotspots around Great Britain but only approximately half the density of gannets off St Kilda (the largest colony in the United Kingdom) or around the far smaller colony at Noss off the coast of south east Shetland. Further detail of the relative densities within the ESAS hotspots are provided in JNCC 2016.

Distribution within the site As shown in Figure 13 breeding gannets were concentrated in the outermost Firth of Forth and influenced the south-eastern boundary of the site, towards the English border.

Species range This location on the east coast of Scotland, as one of three important locations in Scotland, makes a significant contribution to the range of gannets at sea round the coast of Great Britain

History of occupancy Although it has greatly increased in size over the last 50 years (Mitchell et al 2004) the colony in this area, the Bass Rock, was well established at the beginning of the twentieth century and, as such, was included in the first national gannet census (Gurney 1913).

Figure 13 The major concentration of gannets in the Outer Firth of Forth and St Andrews Bay Complex pSPA during the breeding season

Atlantic puffin (breeding) Marine surveys during April to July showed the distribution of puffins largely tied to the distribution of colonies in Scotland and north eastern England; elsewhere puffins were sparse or absent.

Detailed analyses of ESAS data revealed a large concentration (at least 61,086 birds in total; 5.3% of the Great Britain population) in the waters of the Firth of Forth (Figure 14) and at some distance offshore of the Firths of Forth and Tay eastwards during the breeding season.

Population size and density22 Whilst other concentrations are scattered round the more northerly coasts of both western and eastern Scotland, immediately offshore of the Firths of Forth and Tay stand out with both the largest aggregations (61,086 birds) and high densities of birds (locally up to 80 birds/km2) in a species which is markedly sparsely distributed in this season away from its colonies.

Distribution within the site The puffin hotspot is roughly cantered on the Isle of May extending west into the Firth of Forth, north to St Andrews bay and east into the North Sea. It substantially overlaps or encompasses the distributions of the other seabirds in the breeding season aggregation of seabirds in the Outer Firth of Forth and St Andrews Bay Complex pSPA (Figure 14).

Species range This location on the east coast of Scotland, the largest recorded from the ESAS data, makes a significant contribution to the range of breeding puffins at sea round the coast of Great Britain.

History of occupancy Puffins have occurred regularly in parts of this area during the period of ESAS surveys and there is no reason to believe this has substantially changed over previous decades or even centuries. Puffins have been studied on the Isle of May for over 40 years.

22 Further details of the relative densities within the ESAS hotspots are provided in the JNCC generic document ‘Additional maps for the proposed Special Protection Areas in Scottish waters’, 2016. 48

Figure 14. The major concentration of puffins in the Outer Firth of Forth and St Andrews Bay Complex pSPA during the breeding season.

Common guillemot Marine surveys showed that during the non-breeding season guillemots were found throughout the North Sea although there was an obvious abundance offshore of the large Scottish east coast colonies from the Borders to Caithness. During winter a regular aggregation of common guillemots (at least 21,968 birds in the ESAS hotspot; more than 2,000 individuals) occurred in much the same areas of the Outer Firth of Forth and St Andrews Bay Complex (Figure15) as the overwintering seaduck and gannets and puffins during the breeding season.

Large numbers (at least 28,123 throughout the whole site) of guillemots use the area during the breeding season, with, this number increasing to 34,586 birds in early autumn (August-September). Hence guillemot also contributes to both the breeding and non–breeding seabird assemblage of the pSPA.

Population size and density22 Analysis of the ESAS data showed the offshore areas of eastern Scotland were important for large numbers of non-breeding guillemots (21,968 birds). This gathering in the Forth is one of the largest and most dense (20 birds/km2) regularly occurring aggregations.

Distribution within the site The observed non-breeding distribution was centred around the Isle of May in the outer Firth of Forth, where it fully overlapped distributions of other seabird species, with a second concentration in the inner Firth within the composite boundary for wintering waterfowl (Figure 15).

Species range This location on the east coast of Scotland makes a significant contribution to the range representation of non-breeding guillemots at sea round the coast of the UK.

History of occupancy Birds have occurred regularly in this area during the period of ESAS surveys and there is no reason to believe this has substantially changed over previous decades or even centuries. Breeding guillemots on the Isle of May have been studied since the early 1970s and have been recorded as breeding on the island since at least the late 19th century (Holloway, 1996).

Figure 15. The major concentrations of guillemots in the Outer Firth of Forth and St Andrews Bay Complex pSPA during winter

Little gull Within the Outer Firth of Forth and St Andrews Bay Complex (Figure 16) during the non-breeding period 1980-2005 the population estimates derived from ESAS database reached 153 birds and in the passage period 270 birds. The mean peak estimate of the annual non-breeding population derived from aerial surveys over the five most recent seasons (2001/02-2004/05), was 126 little gulls. This Annex 1 species meets the Stage 1. 1 Selection Guideline as these estimates exceed the default site selection threshold of 50 birds (for those scarce species with a small population or where the population is not known with certainty) by a considerable margin).

Population size and density Population numbers and distribution of this species in Great Britain are currently poorly known. 317 individuals were recorded within the area of search on the aerial survey in 2003/04, but not recorded in the other years of aerial survey. The population in the Outer Firth of Forth and St Andrews Bay Complex is the largest known in Scotland, but is offshore and largely out of sight from land.

The major concentration of little gulls identified in the Outer Firth of Forth and St Andrews Bay Complex pSPA was in the Firth of Forth.

Distribution within the site Aerial survey found a concentration of little gulls in the central Firth of Forth, overlapping and extending the composite boundary of inshore wintering waterfowl (Figure 10).

Species range The range of non-breeding little gulls in Great Britain is only now being better understood but knowledge is still far from complete. The Scottish range is mostly in the south east around Angus and Fife.

History of occupancy The presence of little gulls in this area has been recorded, albeit imperfectly, for at least 50 years (Prater 1981)

Figure 16. The distribution of non-breeding little gulls in the Firth of Forth

Black-legged kittiwake During the breeding season large numbers of kittiwakes (12,020 individuals, 1.6% of the Great Britain population) are concentrated just offshore across the 12nm territorial limit in a relatively small location although many birds also use areas further offshore that are also used extensively by other species, especially auks.

Substantial numbers (3,191) of kittiwakes also use the area in winter and contribute to the non-breeding seabird assemblage in the pSPA.

Population size and density22 The concentration of kittiwakes (over 12,000 birds) in the outer reaches of the Outer Firth of Forth and St Andrews Bay Complex is the largest recorded during this study with the density usually varying between 5 – 10 birds/km2 but exceptionally in specific localities up to 43.4 birds/km2.

Species range Kittiwakes during the breeding season occur round much of the British coast, with the exception of south and south-east of England; the largest colonies being distributed northwards from the Humber up the east coast to Cape Wrath. This location on the east coast of Scotland thus lies in the core range of the species in Great Britain.

Distribution within the site Kittiwakes were distributed through much of the pSPA throughout the year.

History of occupancy There are no specific data to demonstrate the history of use of this area by kittiwakes but, during the 30 years of ESAS survey, the presence of kittiwake here has been a regular occurrence and the colony at the Isle of May has been studied for over 40 years.

Manx shearwater Whilst onshore surveys have shown concentrations of birds close inshore to the breeding colony (McSorley et al 2008), Manx shearwaters are known to travel large distances in order to feed (Thaxter et al. 2012) although few data currently exist on such locations. ESAS data revealed a restricted number of large concentrations (5 >2,000 birds) in Great Britain waters further from the shore. The biggest were off the southern tip of South Wales but two were in Scotland with one in the Outer Firth of Forth and St Andrews Bay Complex (2,885 birds, 0.5% of the Great Britain population but >2,000 individuals) and therefore this species contributes to the breeding seabird assemblage.

Population size and density The Outer Firth of Forth and St Andrews Bay Complex supports large numbers of Manx shearwaters (2,885 birds; >2,000 birds) during the breeding season.

Distribution within the site Manx shearwaters are distributed through much of the pSPA during the breeding season.

Species range During the breeding season the Manx shearwater frequents a limited number of breeding colonies in Great Britain, all on the west coast. Whilst it is unknown where the birds in the Outer Firth of Forth and St Andrews Bay Complex pSPA originate, this site comprises one of only two at-sea aggregations for a species which is known to range long distances in search of food.

History of occupancy No earlier site specific data are available other than ESAS which itself has covered three decades.

Black-headed gull During winter Great Britain supports over 2,155, 000 black-headed gulls; almost 200, 000 of which occur in Scotland (Burton et al 2013). The largest roosting concentrations in Scotland are in the Firth of Forth and the Solway Firth; numbers of all species are relatively low in other coastal locations.

Population size and density In January 2004 the population of black-headed gulls in the Firth of Forth, based on counts of birds flying in to roost, was estimated at 26,835 birds (1.2% of the Great Britain population) and the largest known concentration in Scotland.

The night time roosting distribution within the pSPA is largely unknown.

Species range During winter the black-headed gull is very widely distributed throughout England but relatively scarce in Scotland north of the central belt and the eastern seaboard. The Firth of Forth is therefore representative of the northern range in Great Britain.

History of occupancy Detailed counts are few but large numbers of black-headed gulls have been recorded in the Firth of Forth for over 40 years (Prater 1981).

Common gull During winter Great Britain supports almost 700,000 common gulls; over 200,000 of which occur in Scotland (Burton et al 2013). The largest coastal roosting concentrations in Scotland are in the Firth of Forth and the Solway Firth and the two largest inland concentrations on the Loch of Skene, Grampian (17,284 birds) and West Water Reservoir, Borders (10,050 birds).

Population size and density In January 2004 the population of common gulls in the Firth of Forth, based on counts of birds flying in to roost, was estimated at 14,647 birds (2.1% of the Great Britain population) and the largest known coastal concentration in Scotland.

The night time roosting distribution at sea within the pSPA is largely unknown.

Species range During winter the common gull is well distributed throughout England but perhaps concentrated towards the east side of the country, a trend which continues in Scotland into Orkney and Shetland. The Firth of Forth is therefore representative of the northern range in Great Britain

History of occupancy Detailed counts are few but large numbers of common gulls have been recorded in the Firth of Forth for over 40 years (Prater 1981).

Herring gull During winter Great Britain supports almost 730,000 herring gulls; over 270, 000 of which occur in Scotland (Burton et al 2013). The largest coastal roosting concentrations in Scotland are in the Firth of Forth and the Solway Firth and the largest inland concentration on the Roughrigg Reservoir, Strathclyde (15,144 birds).

Substantial numbers (3,044) of herring gull were also found in the Outer Firth of Forth and St Andrews Bay Complex SPA during the breeding season and contribute to the breeding seabird assemblage in the pSPA. Their presence is consistent with presence of substantial breeding colonies, particularly in the Firth of Forth.

Population size and density In January 2004 the population of non-breeding herring gull in the Firth of Forth, based on counts of birds flying in to roost, was estimated at 12,313 birds (1.7% of the Great Britain population) and is the largest known coastal concentration in Scotland

The night time roosting distribution at sea within the pSPA is largely unknown. database.

Species range Herring gulls are ubiquitous round the coasts of Great Britain. The Firth of Forth is representative of the northern-most parts of that range.

History of occupancy Detailed counts are few but large numbers of herring gulls have been recorded in the Firth of Forth for over 40 years (Prater 1981).

Razorbill (non-breeding) Substantial numbers (5,481, >2000 birds) of razorbills were found within the pSPA during the non-breeding season, but there were no significant hotspots. Hence razorbill contributes to the non–breeding seabird assemblage in the pSPA.

Population size and density Whilst other concentrations are scattered round the more northerly coasts of both western and eastern Scotland, immediately offshore of the firths of Forth and Tay

56 stands out as one of only 5 aggregations (>1,000 birds) identified in a species which is markedly sparsely distributed over much of its range.

Distribution within the site Razorbills were distributed through much of the site but substantially concentrated in the same area as puffins during the breeding season.

Species range This location on the east coast of Scotland makes a significant contribution to the range of breeding razorbill at sea round the coast of Great Britain.

7. References

Banks, A.N., Burton, N.H.K., Calladine, J.R. & Austin, G.E. 2007. Winter Gulls in the UK: population estimates from the 2003/04-2005/06 Winter Gull Roost Survey, BTO report 456

Barne, J. H., Robson, C.F., Kaznowska, S.S., Doody, J.P., Davidson, N.C., & Buck, A. L., eds. 1997. Coasts and seas of the United Kingdom. Region 4 South-east Scotland: Montrose to Eyemouth. Peterborough, Joint Nature Conservation Committee. (Coastal Directories Series.).

Baxter, E. V and Rintoul, L. J. 1953. The Birds of Scotland: their history distribution and migration. Edinburgh, Oliver and Boyd.

Bogdanova, M. I., Wanless, S., Harris, M. P., Lindström, J., Butler, A., Newell, M. A., Sato, K., Watanuki, Y., Parsons, M. & Daunt, F. 2013. Among-year and within- population variation in foraging distribution of European shags Phalacrocorax aristotelis over two decades: implications for marine spatial planning. Unpubld MS – report to JNCC

Burton, N. H K., Banks, A. N., Calladine, J. R. & Austin, G. E. 2013. The importance of the United Kingdom for non-breeding gulls: population estimates and conservation requirements. Bird Study 60 (1) 87-101.

Daunt, F., Bogdanova, M., McDonald, C. & Wanless, S., (2015), Determining important marine areas used by European shag breeding on the Isle of May that might merit consideration as additional SPAs. JNCC Report no. 556. JNCC, Peterborough.

Forrester, R & Andrews, I. 2007. The Birds of Scotland. SOC.

Gray, R 1871. The Birds of the West of Scotland; Including the Outer Hebrides, with Occasional Records of the Occurrence of the Rarer Species Throughout Scotland Generally

Gurney, J. H. 1913. The gannet; a bird with a history. Witherby & co. 576pp

Holloway, S. (1996) The Historical Atlas of Breeding Birds in Britain and Ireland 1875-1900. T. & A.D. Poyser, London

JNCC. 1999. The Birds Directive; Selection Guidelines for Special Protection Areas

JNCC generic documents, 2016: Identification of possible marine SPAs for seabirds: The European Seabirds at Sea database, analysis and boundary delineation Shag marine SPA identification: Data collection, collation and analysis Identification of important marine areas for inshore wintering waterfowl Tern marine SPA identification: Tracking data collection and analysis Additional maps for the proposed Special Protection Areas in Scottish waters.

Kober, K., Webb, A,, Win, I., Lewis, M., O`Brien, S., Wilson, L, J. & Reid, J.B. 2010 An analysis of the numbers and distributions of seabirds within the British Fishery Limit aimed at identifying areas that qualify as possible marine SPAs. JNCC Report No 431. JNCC, Peterborough.

Kober, K., Wilson, L. J., Black, J., O`Brien, S., Allen, S., Win, I., Bingham, C., & Reid, J.B. 2012 The identification of possible marine SPAs for seabirds in the UK: The application of Stage 1.1-1.4 of the SPA selection guidelines 85pp. JNCC Report No 461. JNCC, Peterborough.

Lawson, J., Kober, K., Win, I., Bingham, C., Buxton, N.E., Mudge, G., Webb, A., Reid, J.B., Black, J., Way, L. & O’Brien, S. 2015. An assessment of numbers of wintering divers, seaduck and grebes in inshore marine areas of Scotland. JNCC Report No 567. JNCC, Peterborough.

McSorley C.A., Wilson, L. J., Dunn, T. J., Gray, C., Dean, B. J., Webb, A. & Reid, J.B. 2008. Manx shearwater Puffinus puffinus evening rafting behaviour around colonies on Skomer, Rum and Bardsey: its spatial extent and implications for recommending seaward boundary extensions to existing colony Special Protection Areas in the UK. JNCC Report No 406.43pp.

Milne, H. & Campbell L. H. 1973. Wintering Sea-ducks off the East Coast of Scotland. Bird Study 20 (3) 153-172.

Mitchell, P. I., Newton, S.F., Ratcliffe, N. & Dunn T. E. 2004. Seabird Populations of Britain and Ireland: Results of the Seabird 2000 Census (1998-2002). T & A.D. Poyser. 511 pp.

Musgrove, A., Aebischer, N Eaton, M., Hearn, R., Newton, S Noble S., Parsons, M., Risely, K. & Stroud, D. 2013. Population estimates of birds in Great Britain and the United Kingdom. British Birds 106; 64-100.

Nash, J. K. 1935. The Birds of Midlothian.

O`Brien, S. H., Wilson, l. J., Webb. A. & Cranswick, P.A. 2008. Revised estimate of numbers of wintering red-throated divers. Gavia stellata in Great Britain. Bird Study 55 (2)152-160.

Owen, M., Atkinson-Willes, G. L & Salmon, D. G 1986. Wildfowl in Great Britain. Cambridge University Press. 613pp

Prater, A. J. 1981. Estuary Birds of Britain and Ireland. T. & A. D. Poyser Rintoul, L. J. & Baxter, E. V. 1935. A Vertebrate Fauna of Forth. Oliver and Boyd, Edinburgh.

Stroud, DA, Chambers, D, Cook, S, Buxton, N, Fraser, B, Clement, P, Lewis, P, McLean, I, Baker, H & Whitehead, S (eds). 2001. The UK SPA network: its scope and content. JNCC, Peterborough. Volume 2: Species accounts.

Thaxter, C. B., Lascelles, B., Sugar, K., Cook, A.S.C.P., Roos, S., Bolton, M., Langston, R.H.W. & Burton, N.H.K. 2012. Seabird foraging ranges as a preliminary tool for identifying candidate Marine Protected Areas. Biological Conservation. 156: 53-61.

Turnbull, W. P. 1867. The Birds of East Lothian and a Portion of the Surrounding Counties. Caxton Press, Philadelphia

Wetlands International (2014). "Waterfowl Population Estimates”. Retrieved from wpe.wetlands.org on Friday 18 Apr 2014

Wilson, L., Black, J., Brewer, M. J., Potts, J. M., Kuepfer, A., Win, I., Kober, K., Bingham, C., Mavor, R. & Webb, A. 2013. Quantifying usage of the marine environment by terns Sterna sp. around their breeding colony SPA. 113pp. JNCC Report No 500. JNCC, Peterborough.

Win, I., Wilson, L & Kuepfer, A. 2013. Identification of possible marine SPA boundaries for the larger tern species around the United Kingdom. Supplement to JNCC Report 500. JNCC, Peterborough.

Annex 1. Site map

Annex 2. Citation

Directive 2009/147/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the conservation of wild birds (this is the codified version of Directive 79/409/EEC as amended)

CITATION FOR PROPOSED SPECIAL PROTECTION AREA (SPA) OUTER FIRTH OF FORTH AND ST ANDREWS BAY COMPLEX (UK9020316)

Site Description:

The Outer Firth of Forth and St Andrews Bay Complex proposed Special Protection Area (SPA) is a large estuarine/marine site on south-east coast of Scotland consisting of the two closely adjacent Firths of Forth and Tay. In the mid Firth of Forth a belt of mud-rich sediments lies between areas of sandy gravels and shell material on either side along the shore. As the estuary widens towards the outer firth, there are extensive areas of sandy and gravelly muds and fine sediments. In contrast St Andrews Bay contains clean sands and gravel with only small areas of muddy sediments. Water depth is variable but large areas, in both the Firth of Forth and St Andrews Bay, are shallow and less than 10m deep.

The area supports a wide variety of both pelagic and demersal fish, including sandeels, and crustaceans, molluscs and marine worms, all of which, especially sandeels, comprise the prey of the waterfowl species

Qualifying Interest: The Outer Firth of Forth and St Andrews Bay Complex proposed Special Protection Area (SPA) qualifies under Article 4.1 by regularly supporting a non-breeding population of European importance of the following Annex 1 species: red-throated diver Gavia stellata during the period 2001/02 to 2004/05 (a mean peak estimate of 851 individuals; 5.0% of the Great Britain population); Slavonian grebe Podiceps auritus during the period 2006/07 to 2010/11 (an average of 30 individuals (2.7% of the Great Britain population); Little Gull Larus minutus during the period 2001/02 to 2004/05 (126 individuals; more than 50 individuals) and feeding common tern Sterna hirundo and Arctic tern Sterna paradisaea from the adjacent breeding colonies.

The Outer Firth of Forth and St Andrews Bay Complex proposed Special Protection Area (SPA) further qualifies under Article 4.2 by regularly supporting populations of European importance of the following migratory waterfowl species: Common eider Somateria mollissima average peak counts recorded during the five year period 2001/02 to 2004/05 (21,546 individuals 2.1% of the biogeographic population and

35.9% of the Great Britain population) and by regularly supporting in excess of 20,000 individual waterfowl including nationally important populations of the following species during the five year period 2001/02 to 2004/05: long tailed duck Clangula hyemalis (1,948 individuals, 17.7% of the Great Britain population), common scoter Melanitta nigra (4,677 individuals, 4.7% of the Great Britain population) and during the period 2006/07-2010/11: velvet scoter Melanitta fusca (775 individuals, 31% of the Great Britain population), common goldeneye Bucephala clangula (589 individuals, 2.9% of the Great Britain population) and red- breasted merganser Mergus serrator (369 individuals, 4.4% of the Great Britain population).

The Outer Firth of Forth and St Andrews Bay Complex proposed Special Protection Area (SPA) further qualifies under Article 4.2 by regularly supporting populations of European importance of the following migratory species of seabird: foraging European shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis from the nearby colonies, and Northern gannet Morus bassanus during the period 1980-2006 (10,945 individuals, 1.4% of biogeographical population and 2.7% of the Great Britain population).

The Outer Firth of Forth and St Andrews Bay Complex proposed Special Protection Area (SPA) further qualifies under Article 4.2 by regularly supporting in excess of 20,000 individual seabirds during the breeding season including nationally important populations of the following species during the period 1980-2006: Atlantic puffin Fratercula arctica (61,086 individuals, 5.3% of the Great Britain population), black-legged kittiwake Rissa tridactyla (12,020 individuals,1.6% of the Great Britain population) Manx shearwater Puffinus puffinus (2,885 individuals, more than 2,000 individuals ), common guillemot Uria aalge (28.123 individuals, more than 2,000 individuals) and herring gull Larus argentatus (3,044 individuals, 1.1% of the Great Britain population).

The Outer Firth of Forth and St Andrews Bay Complex proposed Special Protection Area (SPA) further qualifies under Article 4.2 by regularly supporting in excess of 20,000 individual seabirds during the non-breeding season including nationally important populations of the following species during the period 2003/04-2005/06: black-headed gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus (26,835 individuals,1.2% of the Great Britain population), common gull Larus canus (14,647 individuals, 2.1% of the Great Britain population), and herring gull Larus argentatus (12,313 individuals, 1.7% of the Great Britain population) and, during the period 1980-2006: common guillemot Uria aalge (21,968 individuals, more than 2,000 individuals), European shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis (2,426 individuals, 2.2% of the Great Britain population), black-legged kittiwake Rissa tridactyla (3,191 individuals, more than 2,000 individuals) and razorbill Alca torda (5,481 individuals, more than 2,000 individuals).

Area: 2,720.68 km2 (272068.09 ha). Location: 58.136278 o N 2.742096 o W. OS Sheet 1:50,000 – 54, 59, 66, 67

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