Holm of Papa Westray
Also within
Condition (NatureScot)
| Unit | Feature | Condition | Area (ha) | Assessed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| F1 | Black guillemot (Cepphus grylle), breeding | Unfavourable No Change | — | 2013-11-28 |
Climate exposure
This is about exposure to a nationwide pressure this habitat type carries — not a verdict on this site's own management.
Coastal habitats are exposed to sea-level rise and storm erosion. Where hard sea defences sit behind them, there's nowhere landward to retreat to — a squeeze that keeps compressing the habitat no matter how well it's managed.
Geology & landscape
Landscape processes: Coastal
Birds & fish recorded
Birds
| Species | Season |
|---|---|
| guillemot | Breeding |
| guillemot | Wintering |
Description
HOLM OF PAPA WESTRAY Holm of Papa Westray is a low lying island situated off the east coast of Papa Westray. The island is covered by maritime grassland with a rocky coastline. The site supports a nationally important breeding colony of black guillemot on the coast. The island also attracts large numbers of non-breeding black guillemot and concentrations of up to 600 birds occur regularly.
Species mentioned
Show the 2 species mentioned in the description, with red-list status| English name search for this in other sites |
Latin name search with Google |
IUCN / Red List | Type | Family |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| black guillemot | Cepphus grylle | NT (Breeding) | bird-auk | alcidae |
| guillemot | Uria aalge | LC (Breeding) | bird-auk | alcidae |