Internationally and Nationally Designated Sites in Orkney1

Strategic Environmental Assessment of the Orkney Local Development Plan

Appendix B.1: Internationally and nationally designated sites in Orkney1

Site SSSI qualifying features SSSI Site Condition SPA/SAC/Ramsar qualifying SPA/SAC/Ramsar Site interests Condition

Auskerry SSSI/SPA Breeding storm petrel, Arctic tern favourable maintained Breeding storm petrel, breeding Arctic Arctic tern favourable maintained breeding Arctic tern. (2007). tern. (2007). Storm petrel favourable recovered Storm petrel favourable recovered (2005). (2005).

Bay of Skaill SSSI Palaeozoic palaeobotany Favourable maintained (2012). N/A N/A (fossil plants).

Calf of Eday SSSI/SPA Breeding cormorant. Cormorant favourable maintained Breeding cormorant; breeding fulmar; Kittiwake breeding unfavourable no (2006). breeding great black-backed gull; change (2006). breeding kittiwake breeding guillemot; breeding seabird assemblage. Guillemot breeding unfavourable no change (2006). Cormorant breeding favourable maintained (2006). Great black backed gull unfavourable declining (2006). Seabird assemblage breeding unfavourable declining (2002). Fulmar breeding favourable maintained (2002).

1 Scottish Natural Heritage www.snh.org.uk

Site SSSI qualifying features SSSI Site Condition SPA/SAC/Ramsar qualifying SPA/SAC/Ramsar Site interests Condition

Central Sanday SSSI Coastal geomorphology of Machair unfavourable no change N/A N/A Scotland (coastal sedimentary (2013) landforms); saltmarsh; machair; sand dunes. Sand dunes unfavourable no change (2013). Saltmarsh favourable maintained (2012). Coastal geomorphology of Scotland favourable maintained (2010).

Copinsay SSSI/SPA Breeding seabird colony; Guillemot unfavourable declining Breeding seabird assemblage; Guillemot unfavourable declining breeding guillemot; breeding (2008). breeding fulmar; breeding great black- (2008). kittiwake. backed gull; breeding guillemot; Kittiwake unfavourable declining breeding kittiwake. Kittiwake unfavourable declining (2008) (2008). Seabird colony, breeding Seabird assemblage, breeding unfavourable declining (2008). unfavourable no change (2008). Fulmar breeding favourable recovered (2008). Great black backed gull unfavourable declining (2008).

Cruaday quarry SSSI Silurian - Devonian chordata Silurian-Devonian chordata N/A N/A (fossil fish). favourable maintained (2009)

Denwick SSSI Quaternary of Scotland Quaternary of Scotland favourable N/A N/A (multiple glacial till section). maintained (2010).

Doomy and Whitemaw Breeding Arctic skua; Whimbrel breeding unfavourable N/A N/A Hill SSSI breeding whimbrel. declining (2003). Arctic skua breeding favourable maintained (2000).

2 Site SSSI qualifying features SSSI Site Condition SPA/SAC/Ramsar qualifying SPA/SAC/Ramsar Site interests Condition

East Sanday coast Non-breeding ringed plover, Vascular plant assemblage favourable SPA - Non-breeding bar-tailed godwit; SPA SSSI/SPA/Ramsar site non-breeding bar-tailed maintained (2006). non-breeding turnstone; non-breeding godwit, non-breeding purple purple sandpiper. Purple sandpiper non-breeding sandpiper, non-breeding Bar-tailed godwit non-breeding favourable recovered (2006). – Non-breeding purple sanderling, non-breeding favourable declining (2006). Ramsar sandpiper; non-breeding turnstone. Bar-tailed godwit non-breeding turnstone; passage turnstone; Purple sandpiper non-breeding favourable declining (2006). rocky shore; sandflats; favourable recovered (2006). Harbour seal; vascular plant Turnstone non-breeding favourable assemblage. Turnstone non-breeding favourable recovered (2006). maintained (2006). Ramsar Ringed plover non-breeding favourable maintained (2004). Purple sandpiper non-breeding favourable recovered (2006 Sanderling non-breeding favourable maintained (2004). Turnstone non-breeding unfavourable declining (2004) Harbour seal unfavourable declining (2009). Sandflats favourable maintained (2008). Rocky shore favourable maintained (2008).

Eynhallow SSSI Harbour seal. Harbour seal unfavourable declining N/A N/A (2008).

Faray and Holm of Faray Grey seal. Grey seal favourable maintained Grey seal. Grey seal favourable maintained SSSI/SAC (2009). (2009).

Glims Moss and Raised bog; Hydro Hydromorphological mire range N/A N/A Durkadale SSSI morphological mire range; favourable maintained (2011). valley fen. Raised bog favourable maintained (2004).

3 Site SSSI qualifying features SSSI Site Condition SPA/SAC/Ramsar qualifying SPA/SAC/Ramsar Site interests Condition Valley fen favourable maintained (2004).

Holm of Papa Westray Breeding black guillemot. Black guillemot breeding unfavourable Papa Westray SPA Papa Westray SPA SSSI/SPA (also forms no change (2013). Breeding Arctic skua; breeding Arctic Arctic skua breeding unfavourable part of Papa Westray tern. declining (2006). SPA) Arctic tern breeding unfavourable declining (2000).

Hoy SSSI/SPA/SAC Breeding seabird colony; Arctic skua unfavourable declining SPA - Breeding seabird assemblage; SPA breeding Arctic skua, (2009). breeding Arctic skua; breeding great breeding fulmar, breeding skua; breeding great black-backed Peregrine breeding favourable great skua, breeding Upland oak woodland favourable gull; breeding guillemot; breeding maintained (2013). maintained (2009). guillemot. kittiwake; breeding peregrine; Guillemot breeding unfavourable breeding red-throated diver; breeding Breeding bird assemblage; Breeding bird assemblage favourable declining (2007). maintained (2013). fulmar; breeding puffin. breeding peregrine, breeding Kittiwake breeding unfavourable red-throated diver, breeding Blanket bog favourable maintained SAC – Blanket bog; dry heaths; wet declining (2007). great black-backed gull; (2008). heathland with cross-leaved heath; blanket bog. base-rich fens; hard-water springs Red-throated diver breeding Red-throated diver favourable depositing lime; plants in crevices in favourable maintained (2007). maintained (2007). base-rich rocks; Alpine and subalpine Fulmar breeding unfavourable Upland assemblage unfavourable heaths; acid peat-stained lakes and declining (2007). declining (2009). ponds; vegetated sea cliffs. Puffin breeding unfavourable Dystrophic loch favourable maintained declining (2004). (2010). Seabird assemblage breeding Non-marine Devonian favourable favourable maintained (2002). maintained (2003). Arctic skua breeding favourable Old Red Sandstone igneous maintained (2000). favourable maintained (2003). Great skua breeding favourable Coastal geomorphology of Scotland maintained (2000). favourable maintained (2003). Great black-backed gull breeding

4 Site SSSI qualifying features SSSI Site Condition SPA/SAC/Ramsar qualifying SPA/SAC/Ramsar Site interests Condition Quaternary of Scotland favourable favourable maintained (2000). maintained (2003). SAC Fulmar breeding unfavourable declining (2007). Vegetated sea cliffs favourable maintained (2010). Peregrine breeding favourable maintained (2013). Acid peat-stained lakes and ponds favourable maintained (2010). Seabird colony breeding favourable maintained (2000). Base rich fens favourable maintained (2009). Great skua breeding favourable maintained (2000). Blanket bog favourable maintained (2008). Great black backed gull favourable maintained (2000). Dry heaths unfavourable declining (2007). Guillemot breeding unfavourable Alpine and subalpine heaths declining (2007). unfavourable declining (2006). Hard-water springs depositing lime favourable maintained (2006). Plants in crevices on base-rich rocks unfavourable declining (2006). Wet heathland with cross-leaved heath favourable maintained (2004).

Keelylang and Breeding hen harrier; Hen harrier breeding favourable Orkney Mainland Moors SPA Orkney Mainland Moors SPA Swartaback Burn breeding bird assemblage; maintained (2013). Breeding hen harrier, breeding short- Short-eared owl breeding favourable SSSI/SPA SPA upland assemblage (mosaic). Breeding bird assemblage favourable eared owl and breeding red-throated maintained (2004). (also forms part of maintained (2003). diver; non-breeding hen harrier. Red-throated diver breeding Orkney Mainland Moors favourable maintained (2007). SPA) Hen harrier breeding favourable maintained (2013).

5 Site SSSI qualifying features SSSI Site Condition SPA/SAC/Ramsar qualifying SPA/SAC/Ramsar Site interests Condition Hen harrier non-breeding favourable maintained (2013).

Loch of Banks SSSI Non-breeding hen harrier; Basin fen unfavourable no change N/A N/A breeding bird assemblage; (2013). basin fen. Hen harrier non-breeding unfavourable no change (2014). Breeding bird assemblage favourable maintained (2002).

Loch of Isbister and The Breeding pintail; breeding bird Breeding bird assemblage favourable Very wet mires often identified by an Naturally nutrient-rich lochs often Loons SSSI/SAC assemblage; basin fen. maintained (2007). unstable 'quaking' surface; Otter; dominated by pondweed favourable Naturally nutrient-rich lakes or lochs maintained (2004). Pintail breeding favourable which are often dominated by maintained (2012). pondweed. Otter favourable maintained (2004). Basin fen favourable maintained Very wet mires often identified by an (2012). unstable quaking surface favourable maintained (2012).

Lochs of Harray and Non-breeding goldeneye, Eutrophic loch unfavourable no Stenness SAC Lagoons favourable maintained Stenness SSSI non-breeding pochard, non- change (2004). (1999). breeding scaup, non-breeding Lagoons. Stenness SAC tufted duck; saline lagoon; Freshwater nerite snail favourable freshwater nerite snail maintained (2003). (Theodoxus fluviatilis); a Caddis fly favourable maintained caddis fly; eutrophic loch. (2003). Goldeneye non-breeding favourable maintained (2000). Tufted duck non-breeding unfavourable declining (2007). Scaup non-breeding favourable maintained (2000).

6 Site SSSI qualifying features SSSI Site Condition SPA/SAC/Ramsar qualifying SPA/SAC/Ramsar Site interests Condition Pochard non-breeding (2000). Saline lagoon favourable maintained (1999).

Marwick Head SSSI/SPA Breeding seabird colony; Kittiwake breeding unfavourable Breeding seabird assemblage; Kittiwake breeding unfavourable breeding guillemot; breeding declining (2006). breeding guillemot; breeding declining (2006). kittiwake. kittiwake. Seabird colony breeding unfavourable Seabird assemblage breeding declining (2006). unfavourable declining (1999). Guillemot breeding favourable Guillemot breeding favourable maintained (1999). maintained (1999).

Mill Bay SSSI Quaternary of Scotland Quaternary of Scotland favourable N/A N/A (exposed shelly till). maintained (2014).

Mill Loch SSSI Breeding red-throated diver. Red-throated diver breeding N/A N/A favourable maintained (2012).

Muckle Head and Selwick Quaternary of Scotland. Quaternary of Scotland favourable N/A N/A SSSI maintained (2002).

Muckle and Little Green Grey seal. Grey seal favourable maintained N/A N/A Holm SSSI (2009).

North Hill SSSI/SPA (also Breeding Arctic skua; Maritime cliff favourable maintained Papa Westray SPA Arctic tern breeding unfavourable forms part of Papa breeding Arctic tern; maritime (2012). declining (2006). Breeding Arctic skua; breeding Arctic Westray SPA) cliff. Arctic skua breeding unfavourable no tern. Arctic skua breeding unfavourable change (2006). declining (2000). Arctic tern breeding unfavourable declining (2006).

Northwall SSSI Machair loch; machair. Machair loch favourable maintained N/A N/A

7 Site SSSI qualifying features SSSI Site Condition SPA/SAC/Ramsar qualifying SPA/SAC/Ramsar Site interests Condition (2004). Machair favourable maintained (2012).

Orphir and Stenness Breeding hen harrier; Hen harrier breeding favourable Orkney Mainland Moors SPA Orkney Mainland Moors SPA Hills SSSI/SPA breeding bird assemblage; recovered (2013). Upland assemblage (mosaic). Breeding hen harrier, breeding short- Short-eared owl breeding favourable (also forms part of Upland assemblage favourable eared owl and breeding red-throated maintained (2004). Orkney Mainland Moors maintained (2006). diver; non-breeding hen harrier. Red-throated diver breeding SPA) Breeding bird assemblage favourable favourable maintained (2007). maintained (2012). Hen harrier breeding favourable maintained (2013). Hen harrier non-breeding favourable maintained (2013).

Pentland Firth Islands Breeding Arctic tern; Vascular Arctic tern breeding unfavourable Breeding Arctic tern. Arctic tern breeding unfavourable SSSI/SPA plant assemblage. declining (2007). declining (2007). Vascular plant assemblage unfavourable declining (2003).

Rousay SSSI/SPA Breeding Arctic tern, breeding Vascular plant assemblage favourable Breeding seabird assemblage; Arctic skua breeding unfavourable guillemot, breeding kittiwake; maintained (2009). breeding guillemot; breeding Arctic declining (2009). breeding seabird colony; skua; breeding Arctic tern; breeding breeding Arctic skua; Blanket bog unfavourable no change fulmar; breeding kittiwake. Arctic tern breeding unfavourable breeding bird assemblage; (2004). declining (2007). blanket bog; subalpine wet Subalpine wet heat unfavourable no Seabird assemblage unfavourable heath; mesotrophic loch; change (2004). declining (2009). maritime cliff. Mesotrophic loch favourable Fulmar breeding favourable recovered maintained (2004). (2009). Maritime cliff unfavourable recovering Guillemot breeding favourable (2008). recovered (2009).

8 Site SSSI qualifying features SSSI Site Condition SPA/SAC/Ramsar qualifying SPA/SAC/Ramsar Site interests Condition Breeding bird assemblage favourable Kittiwake breeding unfavourable maintained (2002). declining (2009). Seabird colony breeding unfavourable declining (2009). Arctic skua breeding unfavourable declining (2007). Arctic tern breeding unfavourable declining (2007). Guillemot breeding favourable recovered (2009). Kittiwake breeding unfavourable declining (2009)

Sanday SAC N/A N/A Reefs; subtidal sandbanks; intertidal Harbour seal unfavourable declining mudflats and sandflats; Harbour seal. (2009). Intertidal mudflats and sandflats favourable maintained (2008). Reefs favourable maintained (2008). Subtidal sandbanks favourable maintained (2008).

Stromness heaths and Subalpine dry heath; coastal Non-marine Devonian favourable Dry heaths; base-rich fens; vegetated Base rich fens favourable maintained Coast SSSI/SAC geomorphology; non-marine maintained (2010). sea cliffs. (2009). Devonian stratigraphy; maritime cliff. Maritime cliff favourable maintained Dry heaths favourable maintained (2012). (2008). Subalpine dry heath favourable Vegetated sea cliffs favourable maintained (2008). maintained (2003). Coastal geomorphology of Scotland favourable maintained (2012).

9 Site SSSI qualifying features SSSI Site Condition SPA/SAC/Ramsar qualifying SPA/SAC/Ramsar Site interests Condition

Sule Skerry SSSI/SPA Breeding seabird colony; Storm petrel breeding favourable Sule Skerry and Sule Stack SPA Sule Skerry and Sule Stack SPA breeding puffin; breeding maintained (2001). shag; breeding storm petrel. Breeding gannet; Gannet breeding favourable Seabird colony breeding favourable maintained (2004). maintained (1998). breeding storm petrel; Storm petrel breeding favourable Shag breeding favourable maintained breeding seabird assemblage; maintained (2001). (1998). breeding guillemot; Leach’s petrel breeding favourable Puffin breeding favourable maintained breeding Leach’s petrel; maintained (2001). (1998). breeding puffin; Puffin breeding favourable maintained (1998). Sule Stack SSSI/SPA Breeding gannet. Gannet breeding favourable breeding shag. maintained (2004). Shag breeding favourable maintained (1998). Seabird assemblage breeding favourable maintained (1998). Guillemot breeding favourable maintained (1998).

Switha SSSI/SPA Non-breeding Greenland Greenland barnacle goose non- Non-breeding Greenland barnacle Greenland barnacle goose non- barnacle goose. breeding favourable maintained goose. breeding favourable maintained (2013). (2013).

Ward Hill Cliffs SSSI Maritime cliff. Maritime cliff favourable maintained N/A N/A (2012).

Waulkmill SSSI Saltmarsh; golden-rod case- Saltmarsh favourable maintained N/A N/A bearer moth; maritime cliff. (2012). Maritime cliff favourable maintained (2012).

10 Site SSSI qualifying features SSSI Site Condition SPA/SAC/Ramsar qualifying SPA/SAC/Ramsar Site interests Condition

West Mainland Breeding hen harrier, Upland assemblage favourable Orkney Mainland Moors SPA Orkney Mainland Moors SPA Moorlands SSSI/SPA breeding short-eared owl and maintained (2006). breeding red-throated diver; Breeding hen harrier, breeding short- Short-eared owl breeding favourable (also forms part of breeding bird assemblage; Blanket bog unfavourable recovering eared owl and breeding red-throated maintained (2004). Orkney Mainland Moors (2006). diver; non-breeding hen harrier. upland assemblage (mosaic); Red-throated diver breeding SPA) blanket bog. Breeding bird assemblage favourable favourable maintained (2007). maintained (2010). Hen harrier breeding favourable Red-throated diver breeding maintained (2013). favourable maintained (2007). Hen harrier non-breeding favourable Hen harrier breeding favourable maintained (2013). maintained (2013).

West Westray SSSI/SPA Breeding guillemot; breeding Guillemot breeding favourable Breeding guillemot; breeding seabird Razorbill breeding favourable seabird colony; breeding maintained (2007). assemblage; breeding Arctic skua; maintained (2007). Arctic skua; breeding Arctic breeding Arctic tern; breeding fulmar; tern; breeding kittiwake; Seabird colony breeding unfavourable breeding kittiwake; breeding razorbill; Seabird assemblage breeding breeding razorbill; maritime declining (2007). unfavourable declining (2007). cliff. Razorbill breeding unfavourable Kittiwake breeding unfavourable declining (2007). declining (2007). Kittiwake breeding unfavourable Guillemot breeding favourable declining (2007). maintained (2007). Arctic tern breeding unfavourable Fulmar breeding unfavourable declining (2007). declining (2007). Arctic skua breeding unfavourable Arctic skua breeding unfavourable declining (2007). declining (2007). Maritime cliff favourable maintained Arctic tern breeding unfavourable (2012). declining (2007).

Site Nature Conservation Marine Conservation Objectives NCMPA Site Condition Protected Area (NCMPA)

11 qualifying features

Kelp and seaweed Conserve in favourable condition, or bring into and maintain in, favourable Wyre and Rousay Sound communities on sublittoral condition. Unknown sediment; maerl beds; Marine Geomorphology of the Scottish Shelf Seabed – forms part of the Orkney carbonate production area..

Black guillemot; Papa Westray Marine Geomorphology of the Conserve in favourable condition, or bring into and maintain in, favourable Unknown Scottish Shelf Seabed – forms condition. part of the Orkney carbonate production area..

Sandeels; North-west Orkney Sand banks, sand wave fields Conserve in favourable condition, or bring into and maintain in, favourable Unknown and sediment wave fields condition. representative of the Fair Isle Strait Marine Process Bedforms Key Geodiversity Area

Proposed SPA proposed Special Protection Area (pSPA) qualifying interests Breeding red-throated diver; North Orkney Wintering common eider, European shag, great northern diver, long-tailed duck, red-breasted merganser, Slavonian grebe and velvet scoter.

Scapa Flow Breeding red-throated diver Non-breeding black-throated diver, common eider, common goldeneye, European shag, great northern diver, long-tailed duck, red-breasted merganser, Slavonian grebe.

Pentland Firth Breeding Arctic skua, Arctic tern, common guillemot. Breeding seabird assemblage.