Eilean Hoan
Also within
Condition (NatureScot)
| Unit | Feature | Condition | Area (ha) | Assessed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| F1 | Great black-backed gull (Larus marinus), breeding | Unfavourable Declining | — | 2017-11-17 |
| F2 | Greenland barnacle goose (Branta leucopsis), non-breeding | Favourable | — | 2016-05-06 |
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 |
|---|---|
| barnacle goose | Roosting |
| barnacle goose | Wintering |
| great black-backed gull | Breeding |
| great black-backed gull | Roosting |
| great black-backed gull | Wintering |
Description
Eilean Hoan Eilean Hoan Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) is located off the north coast of Sutherland, just east of Durness. The island has a nationally important wintering population of Greenland barnacle goose Branta leucopsis and a nationally important breeding population of great black-backed gull Larus marinus. Greenland barnacle goose Along with the nearby Eilean nan Ron, Eilean Hoan supports approximately 1.8% of the UK wintering population of Greenland barnacle geese. The geese use Eilean Hoan both for feeding on the areas of maritime grassland and as a roost site where they are protected from potential predators by the isolation of the island from mainland Sutherland. great black-backed gull The island also has a nationally important breeding population of great black-backed gull. Approximately 2% of the UK population breed on the island. Greenland barnacle goose Branta leucopsis, non-breeding great black-backed gull Larus marinus, breeding
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| barnacle goose | Branta leucopsis | LC (NonBreeding) | bird-goose | anatidae |
| great black-backed gull | Larus marinus | EN (NonBreeding), CR (Breeding) | bird-gull | laridae |