Foula's Designations

Foula is the most westerly of the Shetland Islands, which are situated to the north of the Scottish mainland and Orkney. It lies 20 km west of the Shetland mainland and is the most isolated inhabited island in the UK. The island is formed of Old Red Sandstone with a low-lying eastern side rising steeply to a central ridge and terminating on the western coast in sea-cliffs, including the second highest sea-cliff in the UK (The Kame at 317 m a.s.l). The cool oceanic climate has produced extensive peat formation and much of the island is covered in different types of bog vegetation, largely dominated by Hare’s-tail Cottongrass Eriophorum vaginatum and Crowberry Empetrum nigrum, although with very little Heather Calluna vulgaris. At higher altitudes the vegetation becomes sub-maritime, whilst near cliff-tops it is highly spray-influenced. The island is important for a wide range of breeding seabirds, with different species nesting in different parts of the island. It is one of only seven known nesting localities in the EU for Leach’s Petrel Oceanodroma leucorhoa. The seabirds feed outside the SPA in nearby waters, as well as more distantly in the North Atlantic.

Qualifying species

This site qualifies under Article 4.1 of the Directive (79/409/EEC) by supporting populations of European importance of the following species listed on Annex I of the Directive:

During the breeding season:

Arctic Tern Sterna paradisaea, 1,100 pairs representing at least 2.5% of the breeding population in Great Britain (5 year mean, 1992-1996). Leach's Storm-petrel Oceanodroma leucorhoa, 50 pairs representing at least 0.1% of the breeding population in Great Britain (Count as at 1976). Red-throated Diver Gavia stellata, 11 pairs representing at least 1.2% of the breeding population in Great Britain (1994 national survey).

This site also qualifies under Article 4.2 of the Directive (79/409/EEC) by supporting populations of European importance of the following migratory species:

During the breeding season:

Great Skua Catharacta skua, 2,170 pairs representing at least 16.0% of the breeding World population (Count, as at 1992). Guillemot Uria aalge, 25,125 pairs representing at least 1.1% of the breeding East Atlantic population (Count as at1987). Puffin Fratercula arctica, 48,000 pairs representing at least 5.3% of the breeding population (Count, as at 1987). Shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis, 2,400 pairs representing at least 1.9% of the breeding Northern Europe population (1987).

Assemblage qualification: A seabird assemblage of international importance. The area qualifies under Article 4.2 of the Directive (79/409/EEC) by regularly supporting at least 20,000 seabirds.

During the breeding season, the area regularly supports 250,000 individual seabirds including: Leach's Storm-petrel Oceanodroma leucorhoa, Razorbill Alca torda, Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla, Arctic Skua Stercorarius parasiticus, Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis, Puffin Fratercula arctica, Guillemot Uria aalge, Great Skua Catharacta skua, Shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis, Arctic Tern Sterna paradisae

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Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA)

Two of the five most important sites for breeding seabirds (including gulls and terns) are in or adjacent to the SEA 4 area: Foula and Caithness Cliffs. Foula is the most westerly of the Shetland Islands. The IBA is important for breeding red-throated diver, Arctic skua, Leach’s petrel, great skua, guillemot, puffin and shag. Site holds large populations of nesting cliff and moorland seabirds, regularly supporting 127,000 pairs. Arctic tern 1,100 (1992-96), Leach’s petrel 50 (1976), Great skua 2,170 (1992), Arctic skua 125 (1995), Guillemot 25,125 (1987), Puffin 48,000 (1987), Shag 2,400 (1987), Razorbill 6,200 (1987), Fulmar 46,800 (1986), Kittiwake 3,840.

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Important Bird Area

FOULA

Area 1323 ha. Altitude 0 - 418m.

Site description: An island characterized by steep slopes and a cool oceanic climate. Vegetation types include mire and cliff-top communities, with submaritime and montane communities on higher ground.

Habitats and percentage cover: Grassland: 4%. Wetlands (inland): Fens, transition mires and springs: 5%. Coastline: Sea cliffs and rocky shores 10%.

Land-use and percentage cover: Agriculture 90%.

Birds: The site holds very large populations of cliff and moorland nesting seabirds, totalling 127,000 pairs on a regular basis. The Important Bird Area is also nationally important for breeding Red Throated Diver Gavia stellata (11 pairs, 1994, 1%) and Arctic Skua Stercorarius parasiticus (125 pairs, 1995, 4%). Northern Fulmar (Fulmarus glacialis) 46,800 1987. Leach's Storm-petrel (Oceanodroma leucorhoa) breeding 1987. European Shag (Phalacrocorax aristotelis) 2,400 1987. Great Skua (Catharacta skua) 2,170 1992. Arctic Tern (Sterna paradisaea) 1,000 1995. Common Murre (Uria aalge) 25,100 1987. Razorbill (Alca torda) 4,150 1987. Atlantic Puffin (Fratercula arctica) 48,000 1987.

Protection status: National: High. International: High. Important Bird Area partly or wholly overlaps with the following national designated areas.

Sites of Special Scientific Interest: 1. Foula and 2. Foula Coast.

Overlaps with international designated areas: 1,323 ha of Important Bird Area covered by Special Protection Area (Foula, 1,323 ha).

Conservation issues: Unsustainable fishing of sandeels Ammodytes poses a potential threat to seabirds. The predation of breeding birds by introduced species, particularly feral cats Felis catus and hedgehogs Erinaceus europaeus, is also a problem.

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Sites of Special Scientific Interest

From: Consolidated list of Sites notified under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 as at 31^st March 2004.

Foula Biological 1,326.9ha Shetland 19/03/1987 Northern Isles HT960390

Foula Coast Geological 235.7ha Shetland 12/09/1990 Northern Isles HT961391

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National Scenic Area

National Scenic Area is a conservation designation specifically for Scotland, administered by Scottish Natural Heritage. NSAs are defined as having outstanding scenic interest or unsurpassed attractiveness. The whole of Foula is part of the Shetland National Scenic Area, which covers about 8% of Shetland.

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