Otterswick
Also within
Condition (NatureScot)
| Unit | Feature | Condition | Area (ha) | Assessed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| F1 | Red-throated diver (Gavia stellata), breeding | Unfavourable Declining | — | 2018-07-26 |
Climate exposure
This is about exposure to a nationwide pressure this habitat type carries — not a verdict on this site's own management.
Peat habitats store centuries of carbon and depend on a stable, waterlogged water table. Warmer, drier summers dry out peat, making it far more vulnerable to wildfire and to carbon release — a pressure that can undo years of restoration work regardless of how well the site is otherwise managed.
Geology & landscape
Landscape processes: Peatland / Mire
Birds & fish recorded
Birds
| Species | Season |
|---|---|
| red-throated diver | Breeding |
Description
Otterswick Otterswick SSSI is located in the south of the island of Yell, in Shetland. The site is covered in an extensive peat layer; one of the largest areas of peatland in Shetland. Lochans and peatland pools across the site regularly support a nationally important breeding population of red-throated diver, representing more than 1% of the British population.
Species mentioned
Show the 1 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| red-throated diver | Gavia stellata | LC (NonBreeding), LC (Breeding) | bird-diver | gaviidae |