TARBAT NESS EAST HIGHLAND AREA Site of Special Scientific Interest Fodderty Way Dingwall Business Park SITE MANAGEMENT STATEMENT Dingwall Site ref: 1519 IV15 9XB Tel: 01349 865333 Fax: 01349 865609 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 Tarbat Ness Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) lies to the east of Tain at the southeastern end of the Dornoch Firth. The SSSI includes the most exposed section of coastline in Easter Ross. One biological and two geological features are present on this site. In relation to the maritime cliff feature, the exposed location of Tarbat Ness means that it is heavily influenced by salt spray and this has enabled habitats tolerant of such conditions to develop in areas closest to high tide. The top of the cliffs on the east facing side of the site support a species-rich maritime heath with salt tolerant species such as crowberry, heather and thrift. The maritime cliff feature was monitored in August 2001 and found to be in favourable condition. The extent of the natural feature has been maintained and grazing pressure is low enough to allow flowering and fruiting. There were no agricultural impacts on the feature; therefore no review of management is currently required. The two geological features occur mainly, but not exclusively, in the intertidal zone around the promontory. These features are called Non-marine Devonian and Coastal geomorphology of Scotland. The geomorphological interest is focussed on four different types of erosional processes. Cliff undercutting is most evident on the SE side of the peninsula whereas rock abrasion occurs to the north and west. The latter is formed by the action of pebbles and wave action on the rock. Chemical and biological weathering also occurs largely as a result of the action of salt water spray on the rock whereas marine organisms can cause pitting and hollows in the exposed strata. The Non-marine Devonian interest at this site illustrates well the relationship between the different types of Devonian rocks which are some 400 million years old. The rocks are formed of alluvial sediments which drained into the Orcadian Basin and this has allowed reconstruction of the environment at this time in north-east Scotland. The two geological features have not yet been monitored to determine their condition. Tarbat Ness SSSI is part of the Dornoch Firth and Loch Fleet Special Protection Area (SPA) which is designated for several bird species. Small numbers of nationally important populations of curlew and redshank use the SSSI. The SSSI also supports a range of other wader species particularly those associated with rocky shores such as oystercatcher, turnstone and purple sandpiper. Although the numbers of birds using the SSSI are not of national or international importance in their own right, the SSSI’s position at the junction of the Dornoch Firth and the wider Moray Firth make this site a valuable addition to the SPA. Within the SPA as a whole the following features were found to be in favourable condition when monitored between 2000 and 2003: bar- tailed godwit, curlew, dunlin, greylag, osprey, oystercatcher, teal, wigeon, waterfowl assemblage. The site is also of interest as a landfall for a range of birds on migration but this is not a qualifying feature for the SSSI. Considerable numbers of Scandinavian migrants in particular may land here during the autumn migration period. Whilst not a notified feature, the site supports the fossil tracks of an amphibian preserved on a bed of sandstone which are some of the oldest known in the world. Erosional processes Maritime heath with crowberry Natural features of Tarbat Ness SSSI Condition of feature (date monitored) Non-marine Devonian Not yet monitored Coastal geomorphology of Scotland Not yet monitored Maritime cliff Favourable – maintained (August 2001) Features of overlapping Natura Condition of feature SPA or SAC sites that are not notified as (date monitored) SSSI natural features Bar-tailed Godwit Favourable – maintained SPA (February 2001) Greylag goose Favourable – maintained SPA (September 2003) Curlew* Favourable – maintained SPA (February 2001) Dunlin* Favourable – maintained SPA (February 2001) Osprey Favourable – maintained SPA (July 2003) Oystercatcher* Favourable – maintained SPA (February 2001) Teal* Favourable – maintained SPA (February 2001) Waterfowl assemblage Favourable – maintained SPA * indicates assemblage qualifier (February 2001) only Wigeon Favourable – maintained SPA (February 2001) Past and present management The site has been affected in the past by the laying of sewage outfall pipes across the intertidal land at the lighthouse and the construction of a stone pier at Wilkhaven. This has obscured a minor amount of rock exposure but has not damaged the natural features. There is also thought to be an old salmon netting station to the south of the lighthouse although this appears to be no longer used. There is now little formal use of the site. There is grazing on the site but it is low enough to permit the plants to flower and set seed. It is a popular site for informal recreation, mainly walking, bird watching and sea angling. The Highland Council has built a car park adjacent to the SSSI and a path leads from there to the point. There is an interpretation panel on the site which describes the marine mammal interests of the wider Moray Firth Objectives for management (and key factors influencing the condition of natural features) We wish to work with the owners 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. The EU Habitats and Birds Directives oblige Government to avoid, in SACs and SPAs, the deterioration of natural habitats and the habitats of species, as well as disturbance of the species for which the areas have been designated, in so far as such disturbance could be significant in relation to the objectives of these Directives. The objectives below have been assessed against these requirements. All authorities proposing to carry out or permit to be carried out operations likely to have a significant effect on the European interests of third SSSI must assess those operations against the relevant Natura conservation objectives (which are listed on our website through the Sitelink facility). 1. To maintain the condition and extent of the geological features 2. To maintain the condition and extent of the maritime heath feature by: • Controlling the invasion of gorse into the maritime heath when necessary 3. Maintain the population and distribution of overwintering wildfowl and waders as they contribute to the total number of birds species on the SPA. Other factors affecting the natural features of the site None Date last reviewed: 2 November 2007 .