COLLIESTON TO WHINNYFOLD COAST Site of Special Scientific Interest

SITE MANAGEMENT STATEMENT

Site code: 392 Address: Inverdee House, Baxter Street, Torry, AB11 9QA Tel: 01224 266500 email: [email protected]

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

Description of the site

The coast between Whinnyfold and Collieston comprises sea cliffs up to 40 metres high, steeply sloping grassland and one small area of beach. The long narrow site comprises the cliffs and cliff tops, steep slopes and shore and a narrow band of grassland above.

Geological

The site is of special interest for its geology as there are excellent exposures of metamorphic rocks of the Dalradian Supergroup. These rocks were originally laid down as muds and sands on the floor of an ancient seabed that existed in this part of Scotland toward the end of the Precambrian period, some 600 million years ago. Millions of years later between 470 and 430 million years ago, the ancient sea was closed by tectonic movements and the sediments it contained were baked, deformed and raised up to form the mountain ancestors of the present Scottish Highlands. The deformation of the Dalradian sediments produced spectacular folds as can be seen in the cliffs today, particularly at Green Craig, the Eye of Poiten and Devil’s Study. The baking and deformation altered (or metamorphosed) the Dalradian rocks, changing sandstones to quartzites and muddier rocks into schists. Towards the end of this period molten rock from deep inside the Earth rose through the altered rocks to form Granite. The Dalradian rocks around this intrusion were baked by the intense heat and further changes occurred including the formation of new minerals such as Andalusite. This site provides a unique insight into the complex evolution of the Scottish Highlands. It is therefore a critical site for conservation from both a research and teaching point of view.

Biological

Several headlands within the site support one of the largest sea bird colonies in Grampian. When considered in conjunction with the seabird colonies of the neighbouring Bullers of SSSI as part of the Buchan Ness to Collieston Special Protection Area (SPA), the breeding population of kittiwake in particular, contribute to internationally important numbers of this species.

Page 1 of 4 A239269.doc The species-rich grasslands and flushes of the cliff tops together with the vegetation on the cliff faces and ledges are also of special interest. The site comprises part of Buchan Ness to Colliestion Special Area of Conservation (SAC), designated for its maritime cliff habitat and associated cliff slope vegetation. The nature of the vegetation varies considerably depending on cliff geology, erosion, geographical location and the degree of exposure to wind and salt spray. The cliff-top grassland is species-rich with plants such as the locally rare carline thistle, and other cliff top plants of interest including cowslip, lady’s bedstraw and grass of Parnassus, as well as a diverse range of flowering plants characteristic of this type of habitat. The cliff faces and ledges support other plants of interest such as the locally rare sea wormwood, and other plants of interest such as biting stonecrop and sea campion. Habitats of regional interest found within the SSSI include the maritime heath and vegetated shingle.

Carline thistle Cowslip

Results of Site Condition Monitoring, Collieston to Whinnyfold Coast SSSI

Natural features of Collieston Condition of feature Other relevant to Whinnyfold Coast SSSI (date monitored) designations Dalradian Favourable, Maintained (August 2002) Maritime cliff Favourable, maintained SAC (September 1999) Fulmar (breeding population) Unfavourable, declining SPA (July 2007) Guillemot (breeding population) Favourable, Maintained SPA* (July 2007) Kittiwake (breeding population) Unfavourable, no change SPA (July 2007) Razorbill (breeding population) Favourable, maintained (July 2007) Seabird colony (breeding Favourable, maintained SPA# population) (July 2007) Sea wormwood Not yet monitored * Favourable, Declining (July 2007) for SPA # Unfavourable, No change (July 2007) for SPA

Page 2 of 4 A239269.doc SCM results for Buchan Ness to Collieston SPA of which the Collieston to Whinnyfold Coast is a part

Features of overlapping Natura Condition of feature SPA or SAC sites that are not notified as (date monitored) SSSI natural features Herring gull (breeding population) Unfavourable, no change SPA (July 2007) Shag (breeding population) Unfavourable, no change SPA (July 2007)

Site condition monitoring in 1999 assessed the maritime grassland as being in favourable condition, though indicated grazing pressure was high on some of the species-rich grasslands. Some of the most species-rich grassland is very closely cropped with little flowering or seeding. Conversely, other areas of tall rank grassland which currently are not grazed, could benefit from additional grazing.

SCM of the bird features was last carried out in 2007. Between 2001 and 2007 guillemot numbers had increased by 11% in the SSSI but had declined by 34% in the SPA, though still 12% greater than the 1995 baseline for the SPA. Hence guillemot was assessed as Favourable, maintained and Favourable, declining for the SSSI and SPA respectively.

Fulmar was assessed as in unfavourable condition due to a 56% decline from the baseline population. Numbers of guillemots were 34% lower than in 1995, which was a concern, but did not warrant unfavourable status.

The trend for falling seabird numbers is consistent with national trends, thought to be linked to changes in food supply outside the designated site.

Past and present management

The principal use of the land above the cliffs within the site is grazing by sheep. Some but not all of the cliff-top grassland is grazed.

Footpaths run the length of the site. Some of these are being developed as part of the Coastal Path by Aberdeenshire Council. The route has been proposed as a Core Path in the Aberdeenshire Core Paths Plan. There are four houses within the SSSI near to Old Slains Castle. There has been a little fly-tipping and some consented dumping of stones. In one place the skeleton of a railway carriage is up-ended against the cliff.

Objectives for Management (and key factors influencing the condition of natural features) We wish to work with the owners and occupiers to protect the site and to maintain and where necessary enhance its features of special interest. SNH aims to carry out site survey, monitoring and research as appropriate to increase our knowledge and understanding of the site and its natural features and monitor the effectiveness of the management agreement.

The EU Habitats and Birds Directives oblige Government to avoid, in SACs and SPAs, the deterioration of natural habitats and the habitats of species, as well as disturbance of the species for which the areas have been designated, in so far as such disturbance could be significant in relation to the objectives of these Directives. The objectives below have

Page 3 of 4 A239269.doc been assessed against these requirements. All authorities proposing to carry out or permit to be carried out operations likely to have a significant effect on the European interests of this SSSI must assess those operations against the relevant Natura conservation objectives (which are listed on our website through the SNHi - SiteLink facility)

1. To maintain the important maritime cliff and cliff-slope habitats including and associated flora and fauna

Management of the timing and duration of grazing is important to producing the best conservation benefit. A management plan for the site should be produced and implemented to address grazing issues. Excessive grazing pressure can reduce species diversity by suppression of sensitive plants and inhibition of flowering and seed setting. Conversely, a reduction in grazing pressure or the removal of stock can also reduce diversity by allowing the expansion of invasive species such as robust grasses or gorse. Timing and intensity of the grazing is important. Grazing during spring and autumn can be beneficial by maintaining a low sward, but grazing during the flowering season can reduce the propagation of annual plants because the flower heads are consumed. Part of the site is managed as Species-rich grassland under the Rural Development Programme.

Stones should only be dumped at existing sites in order to avoid introducing foreign rocks and soil, damaging important/sensitive habitats and damaging the amenity value of the site.

2. To maintain the visibility of and access to the rock outcrops for educational and research purposes

The rock formations of interest are well exposed in the cliffs throughout the site and there are few threats to their integrity. No activities should take place which may significantly limit visibility of, or impede access to, the rocks. Small amounts of dumping have occurred, but to date these are not having a significant impact on the exposures.

3. To support appropriate public access and the development of interpretation for amenity, education and research purposes as compatible with the first two objectives

The development of the coastal path has implications for disturbance of the internationally important seabird colony and localised habitat loss from erosion. Though impacts are not likely to be significant at present usage levels, possible changes should be monitored. There are a number of badger setts on the site, in some cases near to the informal path. Any further development of the path would require minimisation of disturbance to the badgers.

Other factors affecting the site

The seabird colony is most vulnerable to factors external to the site, for example over- fishing and oil spills. The SPA was recently extended by 2 km into the marine environment.

Date last reviewed: 13 June 2011.

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