FAROE ISLANDS - BirdLife Internationaldatazone.birdlife.org/userfiles/file/IBAs/... · The Faroe Islands (Føroyar) are a self-governing region of the Kingdom of Denmark. They comprise

179

Important Bird Areas in Europe – Faroe Islands

17

3

16

7 95

2

13

64

10

18

12

19

8

11

1415

1

A T L A N T I CO C E A N

Area of IBA (ha)

A (18 IBAs)

B (1 IBA)

Highest category ofcriteria met by IBA

20 to 59

60 to 174

175 to 999

1,000 to 1,118

0 30

km

15

■■■■■ FAROE ISLANDS

Puffin Fratercula arctica, an important species at IBAs in the Faroe Islands. (PHOTO: JÓHANN ÓLI HILMARSSON)

GENERAL INTRODUCTION

The Faroe Islands (Føroyar) are a self-governing region of theKingdom of Denmark. They comprise a group of 18 islands in thenorth-east Atlantic at about 62°N and 7°W. The total land area is1,399 km2 and the topography is dominated by hills extending to82 m in height. The human population is 44,817 (in 1998) with anaverage population density of 32 persons per km2.

Nineteen Important Bird Areas (IBAs) are identified, coveringan area of 67 km2 (Table 1, Map 1).

The data and descriptions presented in this chapter are takenlargely from the previous pan-European IBA inventory (Grimmettand Jones 1989).

ORNITHOLOGICAL IMPORTANCE

In all, more than 250 bird species have been recorded in the islands,but most of these are rare or irregular visitors, with less than 50species breeding regularly (Bloch et al. 1996), of which 35 are species

Table 1. Summary of Important 19 IBAs covering 67 km2

Bird Areas in the Faroe Islands.

IBA 1989code code International/national name Area (ha) Criteria (see p. 11)

001 FO001 Mykines and Mykineshólmur 1,028 A4ii, B1ii, B2, B3002 FO002 Vágar 175 A4ii, B1ii, B2, B3003 FO003 Streymoy 125 A4ii, B1ii, B2, B3004 FO004 Eysturoy 60 A4ii, B1ii, B2005 FO005 Kalsoy 50 A4ii, B1ii, B2006 FO006 Kunoy 20 A4ii, B1ii, B2007 FO007 Bordoy 35 A4ii, B1ii, B2008 FO008 Vidoy 75 A4ii, B1ii, B2009 FO009 Fugloy 1,118 A4ii, B1ii, B2, B3010 FO010 Svínoy 100 A4ii, B1ii, B2011 FO011 Nólsoy 1,028 A4ii, B1ii, B2012 FO012 Koltur 30 A4ii, B1ii, B2013 FO013 Hestur 50 A4ii, B1ii, B2014 FO014 Sandoy 250 A4ii, B1ii, B2, B3015 FO015 Vøtnini á Sandoy (Lakes of Sandoy) 1,000 B3016 FO016 Skúvoy 999 A4ii, B1ii, B2, B3017 FO017 Stóra Dímun 265 A4ii, B1ii, B2018 FO018 Lítla Dímun 82 A4ii, B1ii, B2019 FO019 Suduroy 200 A4ii, B1ii, B2, B3

Map 1. Location, area and criteria category of Important BirdAreas in the Faroe Islands.

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of European conservation concern (SPECs; Tucker and Heath1994).

Inland, species diversity is low (Bloch and Sørensen 1984), andthe only species of interest are Numenius phaeopus, the c.210 pairsof Stercorarius skua (which has a limited global range), and 10–15pairs of Gavia stellata, breeding on some lakes.

Eighteen IBAs have been included largely because of their hugebreeding seabird populations which are of major internationalimportance (Table 2). Numbers of Rissa tridactyla and Uria aalgeare also very significant at nearly all IBAs, despite numbers beingbelow the criteria threshold of 1% of the global population. Onesite (015) is included because it is outstanding for breeding waders.Several of the breeding seabirds are SPECs. Large proportions ofthe national breeding populations of several SPECs fall within IBAs(Table 3).

The productive waters around the islands provide importantforaging areas for seabirds all year-round, and the steep cliffs, grass-covered slopes, and boulder screes facing the sea form ideal nestingsites. The only seabirds that have been censused are Sula bassana(Wanless 1987), Uria aalge (Dyck and Meltofte 1975; Olsenunpublished) and Rissa tridactyla (Olsen unpublished), although

E. Mortensen and B. Olsen have estimated the sizes of the otherpopulations. The most numerous species are Fulmarus glacialis(600,000 pairs), Fratercula arctica (550,000 pairs), Hydrobatespelagicus (250,000 pairs), Rissa tridactyla (230,000 pairs) and Uriaaalge (175,000 pairs).

There has been a dramatic decline in the population of Uriaaalge since the late 1950s (Dyck and Meltofte 1975; Olsen 1982,1986, 1992) and the population of Rissa tridactyla has also beendeclining. The Fulmarus glacialis population has been increasingsince colonization 150 years ago, and the species is now the mostnumerous bird in the islands.

HABITATS

The base rock of the islands is basalt, which is only partly coveredby a thin and stony soil. The main vegetation is grass, with scatteredareas of moor, but around the villages there are cultivated hay-fields, gardens with trees, and a few small woods (Figure 1). Thereare many ponds and a few lakes, some of which are surrounded bypeatbogs. The coasts are rugged with steep grass-covered slopes,and the cliffs (especially on the north and west sides) are very steep,with boulder screes.

IMPACTS ON IBAs – LAND-USE AND THREATS

Throughout the islands, sheep are grazed all year-round; some areas(but not the seabird colonies) are also grazed by cattle during thesummer.

During the next few years hydrocarbon exploration will becarried out in Faroese waters. This may have consequences for theisland’s seabird populations.

The brown rat Rattus norvegicus is on some of the islands, andhas caused great declines and local extinction of Hydrobatespelagicus, Puffinus puffinus and Fratercula arctica. The risk of ratsspreading to the currently rat-free islands is high.

Tourism is a relatively new trade in the Faroes and there is nodocumentation of it having serious negative effects on the birds,although there is some cause for concern. The seabird cliffs arevery popular and tourism may become a serious threat if notmanaged to minimize the effect on the birds.

PROTECTION STATUS

■■■■■ National protectionThe huge seabird colonies (the majority of the IBAs) are notprotected as nature reserves/bird sanctuaries, although they are notcurrently threatened. Any exploitation must be approved by theisland’s Nature Conservancy Tribunal, and the shooting of birdscloser than three nautical miles from Uria aalge colonies and half anautical mile from Fratercula arctica colonies is forbidden.

■■■■■ International protectionThe Faroes are a self-governing region of the Kingdom of Denmark.Unlike mainland Denmark, the islands are not covered by the BernConvention, or World Heritage Convention, nor the EC Wild BirdsDirective, but the Faroes, as part of Denmark, are covered by theBonn Convention and the Ramsar Convention although no RamsarSites have been designated (Box 1).

Table 2. Important Bird Areas in the Faroe Islands that supportimportant numbers of one or more congregatory species (i.e.meeting criteria A4 and/or B1). IBAs meeting both criteria A4 andB1 for the species are shown in bold. IBAs meeting only criterionB1 for the species concerned, and not A4, are shown in normaltype. For key to ‘Season’, see p. 7.

Species Season IBA code

Fulmarus glacialis Fulmar B 001, 002, 003, 014, 016, 019Puffinus puffinus Manx Shearwater B 001, 004, 014, 016Hydrobates pelagicus Storm Petrel B 001, 002, 003, 005, 009, 010, 011, 012, 013,

014, 016, 017, 018, 019Uria aalge Guillemot B 016Cepphus grylle Black Guillemot B 001, 002, 003, 004, 005, 006, 007, 008, 009,

010, 011, 012, 013, 014, 016, 017, 019Fratercula arctica Puffin B 001, 002, 003, 005, 008, 009, 010, 011, 012,

013, 014, 016, 017, 018, 019

Table 3. Species of European conservation concern withsignificant breeding populations at IBAs in the Faroe Islands(meeting criteria B2/B3).

Minimum Proportion (%) of national breeding national population

population breeding at all IBAsSpecies 1 (pairs) 2 in the Faroe Islands

Puffinus puffinus Manx Shearwater 25,000 80Hydrobates pelagicus Storm Petrel 250,000 1003

Sula bassana Gannet 2,000 100Phalacrocorax aristotelis Shag 1,500 83Numenius phaeopus Whimbrel 2,500 10Stercorarius skua Great Skua 450 40Cepphus grylle Black Guillemot 3,500 97Fratercula arctica Puffin 550,000 96

1. Only those species of European conservation concern (see Box 1, p. 12) that meet B2/B3 criteriaat IBAs in the Faroe Islands are listed.

2. Data are taken from Bloch et al. 1996.3. The percentage of the national population in IBAs exceeds 100%. This is most likely to be

because the national population estimate needs to be reassessed (often as a result of newdata on species numbers from comprehensive surveys of IBAs themselves).

Figure 1. Occurrence of habitats at Important Bird Areas in theFaroe Islands (see Appendix 3 for definitions of habitats).

Scrub

Wetland

Grassland

100 3020 605040 908070Percentage of IBAs (100% = 19 sites)

Rocky areas

100

Box 1. Internationallegislation and initiatives thatare relevant to siteconservation in the FaroeIslands (see Appendix 1 for ageneral description of theseagreements).

Global

Biodiversity Convention

Ramsar Convention ✔

Bonn Convention ✔

World Heritage Convention

MAB Programme

Pan-European

Bern Convention

✔ Convention ratified/initiative supported(✔) Convention signed

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CONSERVATION

• According to the island’s game legislation all birds are protectedfrom hunting within the 200 nautical-mile fishing limit, exceptthe following: Fulmarus glacialis, Puffinus puffinus, Sula bassana,Phalacrocorax aristotelis, Stercorarius parasiticus, Stercorariusskua, Laridae, Uria aalge, Alca torda, Fratercula arctica, Corvuscorone and Corvus corax.

• The main quarry species is Fulmarus glacialis which can behunted all year-round. Phalacrocorax aristotelis, Uria aalge, Alcatorda, Fratercula arctica and young of Puffinus puffinus and Sulabassana are also hunted, but in restricted periods.

• No important sea areas are included. Ship-based surveys of themarine distribution of seabirds around the Faroes are currentlybeing undertaken and important areas will be identified in theyear 2000.

ANALYTICAL METHODS

• The figures given for Uria aalge in the text are from 1987 and areindividuals seen on the cliffs. Birds out to sea are not included,therefore the figures should probably be increased by at least 50%.

• Numbers of Rissa tridactyla and Uria aalge are also verysignificant at nearly all IBAs, despite falling below the criteriathreshold of 1% of the global population of the species.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The site descriptions and overview were compiled from information providedby B. Olsen (all seabird sites) and D. Bloch (Føroya Náttúrugripasavn [Museumof Natural History]) in 1989, with some additional information provided byB. Olsen in 1999.

■ SITE ACCOUNTS

Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria

Fulmarus glacialis Fulmar B 1989 — 100,000 — A4ii, B1ii

Mykines and A4ii, A4iii, B1ii, B2, B3 001MykineshólmurAdmin region —Coordinates 62°06’N 7°37’WAltitude 0–150 m Area 1,028 ha

■■■■■ Site descriptionAn island and islet with rugged coasts, steep cliffs, and grass-coveredslopes. The seabird colonies cover 100 ha of the island. Land-usesinclude sheep-grazing.

Habitats Grassland, Rocky areas (sea cliff/rocky shore; rock stacks/islets)Land-use Agriculture

■■■■■ Birds

This is an internationally important seabird colony with over 250,000pairs of breeding seabirds, including Rissa tridactyla (23,100 pairs)and Uria aalge ((9,500 individuals).

■■■■■ Protection statusNational None International None

■■■■■ Conservation issues

Threats Unknown

Vágar A4ii, A4iii, B1ii, B2, B3 002Admin region –Coordinates 62°04’N 7°15’WAltitude 0–150 m Area 175 ha

■■■■■ Site descriptionAn island and two islets with rugged coasts and steep grass-coveredslopes. Land-uses include sheep-grazing. The site comprises the seabirdcolonies that are mainly on the north-west, west and south-west coasts.

Habitats Grassland, Rocky areas (sea cliff/rocky shore; rock stacks/islets)Land-use Agriculture


This is an internationally important seabird colony with over 50,000pairs of breeding seabirds, including Rissa tridactyla (8,400 pairs) andUria aalge (2,700 individuals).



Threats Consequences of animal/plant introductions

The brown rat Rattus norvegicus, which is present on the island butnot the islets, poses a threat to seabird colonies.

Streymoy A4ii, A4iii, B1ii, B2, B3 003Admin region —Coordinates 62°07’N 7°00’WAltitude 0–200 m Area 125 ha

■■■■■ Site descriptionAn island with rugged coasts, steep cliffs, boulder-screes, and grassslopes. Land-uses include sheep-grazing. The site comprises the seabirdcolonies that are mainly on the north-west coast.

Habitats Grassland, Rocky areas (sea cliff/rocky shore; scree/boulders)Land-use Agriculture


This is an internationally important seabird colony with c.130,000pairs of breeding seabirds, including Rissa tridactyla (9,000 pairs) andUria aalge (16,300 individuals).




The brown rat Rattus norvegicus, which is present on the island, posesa threat to seabird colonies.


Fulmarus glacialis Fulmar B 1989 — 50,000 — A4ii, B1iiPuffinus puffinus Manx Shearwater B 1989 — 2,500 — A4ii, B1ii, B2Hydrobates pelagicus Storm Petrel B 1989 — 50,000 — A4ii, B1ii, B2Sula bassana Gannet B 1989 — 2,000 — B2Phalacrocorax aristotelis Shag B 1989 — 250 — B3Cepphus grylle Black Guillemot B 1989 — 200 — A4ii, B1iiFratercula arctica Puffin B 1989 — 125,000 — A4ii, B1ii, B2

Species ... continued Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc CriteriaHydrobates pelagicus Storm Petrel B 1989 — 5,000 — A4ii, B1ii, B2Phalacrocorax aristotelis Shag B 1989 — 500 — B3Stercorarius skua Great Skua B 1989 — 20 — B3Cepphus grylle Black Guillemot B 1989 — 400 — A4ii, B1ii, B2Fratercula arctica Puffin B 1989 — 40,000 — A4ii, B1ii, B2


Fulmarus glacialis Fulmar B 1989 — 75,000 — A4ii, B1iiHydrobates pelagicus Storm Petrel B 1989 — 2,500 — A4ii, B1ii, B2Phalacrocorax aristotelis Shag B 1989 — 150 — B3Stercorarius skua Great Skua B 1989 — 120 — B3Cepphus grylle Black Guillemot B 1989 — 300 — A4ii, B1ii, B2Fratercula arctica Puffin B 1989 — 20,000 — B1ii, B2

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Puffinus puffinus Manx Shearwater B 1989 — 2,500 — A4ii, B1ii, B2Hydrobates pelagicus Storm Petrel B 1989 — 500 — B2Cepphus grylle Black Guillemot B 1989 — 300 — A4ii, B1ii, B2


Hydrobates pelagicus Storm Petrel B 1989 — 250 — B2Cepphus grylle Black Guillemot B — — 200 — A4ii, B1ii


Hydrobates pelagicus Storm Petrel B 1989 — 250 — B2Cepphus grylle Black Guillemot B 1989 — 200 — A4ii, B1ii


Hydrobates pelagicus Storm Petrel B 1989 — 500 — B2Cepphus grylle Black Guillemot B 1989 — 200 — A4ii, B1ii

Eysturoy A4ii, A4iii, B1ii, B2 004Admin region —Coordinates 62°13’N 6°55’WAltitude 0–200 m Area 60 ha

■■■■■ Site descriptionAn island with rugged coasts, steep cliffs, boulder-screes andgrass slopes. Land-uses include sheep-grazing. The site comprises theseabird colonies that are on the north, north-east, and south-eastcoasts.



This is an internationally important seabird colony with c.50,000 pairsof breeding seabird, including Rissa tridactyla (4,600 pairs) and Uriaaalge (11,100 individuals).





Kalsoy A4ii, A4iii, B1ii, B2 005Admin region —Coordinates 62°18’N 6°45’WAltitude 0–200 m Area 50 ha

■■■■■ Site descriptionAn island with rugged coasts, steep cliffs, boulder-screes, and grassslopes. Land-uses include sheep-grazing. The site comprises thenorthern and western coastline of the island.






Threats Unknown

Kunoy A4ii, A4iii, B1ii, B2 006Admin region —Coordinates 62°18’N 6°40’WAltitude 0–200 m Area 20 ha

■■■■■ Site descriptionAn island with rugged coasts, steep cliffs, boulder-screes, and grass

slopes. Land-uses include sheep-grazing. The site comprises thecoastline of the northern tip of the island.



This is an internationally important seabird colony with over 20,000pairs of breeding seabird.





Bordoy A4ii, B1ii, B2 007Admin region —Coordinates 62°15’N 6°31’WAltitude 0–200 m Area 35 ha

■■■■■ Site descriptionAn island with rugged coasts, steep cliffs, boulder-screes, and grassslopes. Land-uses include sheep-grazing. The site comprises theseabird colonies of the northern and south-eastern headlands.



This is an internationally important seabird colony.





Vidoy A4ii, A4iii, B1ii, B2 008Admin region —Coordinates 62°19’N 6°30’WAltitude 0–200 m Area 75 ha

■■■■■ Site descriptionAn island with rugged coast, steep cliffs, boulder-screes, andgrass slopes. Land-uses include sheep-grazing. The site comprisesthe seabird colonies along the northern and eastern sides of theisland.




Hydrobates pelagicus Storm Petrel B 1989 — 5,000 — A4ii, B1ii, B2Cepphus grylle Black Guillemot B 1989 — 200 — A4ii, B1iiFratercula arctica Puffin B 1989 — 40,000 — B1ii, B2

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Hydrobates pelagicus Storm Petrel B 1989 — 25,000 — A4ii, B1ii, B2Numenius phaeopus Whimbrel B 1989 — 50 — B3Cepphus grylle Black Guillemot B 1989 — 100 — A4ii, B1iiFratercula arctica Puffin B 1989 — 15,000 — B1ii


Hydrobates pelagicus Storm Petrel B 1989 — 25,000 — A4ii, B1ii, B2Cepphus grylle Black Guillemot B 1989 — 100 — A4ii, B1iiFratercula arctica Puffin B 1989 — 10,000 — B1ii

This is an internationally important seabird colony with over 50,000pairs of breeding seabird, including Rissa tridactyla (5,300 pairs) andUria aalge (6,700 individuals).





Fugloy A4ii, A4iii, B1ii, B2, B3 009Admin region —Coordinates 62°19’N 6°18’WAltitude 0–600 m Area 1,118 ha

■■■■■ Site descriptionAn island with rugged coasts, steep cliffs, boulder-screes, grassslopes, and moorland areas to 600 m. Land-uses include sheep-grazing.






Threats Unknown

Svínoy A4ii, A4iii, B1ii, B2 010Admin region —Coordinates 62°15’N 6°25’WAltitude 0–200 m Area 100 ha

■■■■■ Site descriptionAn island with rugged coasts, steep cliffs, boulder-screes, and grassslopes. Land-uses include sheep-grazing. The site comprises the seabirdcolonies that surround the island.



Svínoy holds internationally important seabird colonies, with over30,000 pairs of breeding seabird.



Threats Unknown

Nólsoy A4ii, A4iii, B1ii, B2 011Admin region —Coordinates 61°58’N 6°37’WAltitude 0–371 m Area 1,028 ha

■■■■■ Site descriptionAn island with rugged coasts, steep cliffs, boulder-screes, and grassslopes with important seabird colonies. Inland there are heath andmoorland areas. Land-uses include sheep-grazing.

Habitats Scrub (heathland), Grassland, Rocky areas (sea cliff/rocky shore; scree/boulders)Land-use Agriculture


Nólsoy holds internationally important seabird colonies, with c.90,000pairs of breeding seabird.



Threats Unknown

Koltur A4ii, A4iii, B1ii, B2 012Admin region —Coordinates 62°00’N 6°58’WAltitude 0–250 m Area 30 ha

■■■■■ Site descriptionAn island with rugged coasts, steep cliffs, boulder-screes, and grassslopes. Land-uses include sheep-grazing. The site comprises the seabirdcolonies that almost surround the island.



Koltur holds internationally important seabird colonies, with c.30,000pairs of breeding seabird.



Threats Unknown

Hestur A4ii, A4iii, B1ii, B2 013Admin region —Coordinates 61°58’N 6°49’WAltitude 0–300 m Area 50 ha

■■■■■ Site descriptionAn island with rugged coasts, steep cliffs, boulder-screes, and grass

Species ... continued Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria

Fratercula arctica Puffin B 1989 — 25,000 — B1ii, B2





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Numenius phaeopus Whimbrel B 1989 100 150 — B3

slopes. Land-uses include sheep-grazing. The site comprises the seabirdcolonies that almost surround the island.



Hestur holds internationally important seabird colonies, with over70,000 pairs of breeding seabird, including Rissa tridactyla (26,100pairs) and Uria aalge (2,300 individuals).



Threats Unknown

Sandoy A4ii, A4iii, B1ii, B2, B3 014Admin region —Coordinates 61°51’N 6°48’WAltitude 0–250 m Area 250 ha

■■■■■ Site descriptionAn island with rugged coasts, steep cliffs, boulder-screes, and grassslopes. Land-uses include sheep-grazing. The site comprises the seabirdcolonies that almost surround the island.



The island holds internationally important seabird colonies, withc.170,000 pairs of breeding seabird, including Rissa tridactyla (20,500pairs) and Uria aalge (29,500 individuals).



Threats Unknown

Vøtnini á Sandoy B3 015(Lakes of Sandoy)Admin region —Coordinates 61°49’N 6°49’WAltitude 0–50 m Area 1,000 ha

■■■■■ Site descriptionThis site includes the lowland areas around Sandur with moorlandand peatbogs, and the lakes Gróthúsvatn, Sandsvatn, Stóravatn andLítlavatn. There is hay cultivation and sheep-grazing.

Habitats Wetland (standing fresh water; raised bog)Land-use Agriculture


This is an important site for breeding waders.



Threats Unknown

Skúvoy A4ii, A4iii, B1ii, B2, B3 016Admin region —Coordinates 61°46’N 6°49’WAltitude 0–392 m Area 999 ha

■■■■■ Site descriptionAn island with rugged coasts, steep cliffs, boulder-screes, and coastalgrass slopes. Land-uses include sheep-grazing.



The site holds internationally important seabird colonies, with c.280,000pairs of breeding seabird, including Rissa tridactyla (22,900 pairs).



Threats Unknown

Stóra Dímun A4ii, A4iii, B1ii, B2 017Admin region —Coordinates 61°42’N 6°45’WAltitude 0–395 m Area 265 ha

■■■■■ Site descriptionA small island with rugged coasts, steep cliffs, boulder-screes, andgrass slopes. Land-uses include sheep-grazing.



The island holds internationally important seabird colonies, withc.130,000 pairs of breeding seabird, including Rissa tridactyla (36,900pairs) and Uria aalge (29,600 individuals).



Hydrobates pelagicus B 1989 — 5,000 — A4ii, B1ii, B2Storm Petrel

Cepphus grylle Black Guillemot B 1989 — 50 — A4ii, B1iiFratercula arctica Puffin B 1989 — 25,000 — B1ii


Fulmarus glacialis Fulmar B 1989 — 50,000 — A4ii, B1iiPuffinus puffinus Manx Shearwater B 1989 — 5,000 — A4ii, B1ii, B2Hydrobates pelagicus B 1989 — 50,000 — A4ii, B1ii, B2

Storm PetrelPhalacrocorax aristotelis Shag B 1989 — 150 — B3Stercorarius skua Great Skua B 1989 — 15 — B3Cepphus grylle Black Guillemot B 1989 — 400 — A4ii, B1ii, B2Fratercula arctica Puffin B 1989 — 70,000 — A4ii, B1ii




Fulmarus glacialis Fulmar B 1989 — 50,000 — A4ii, B1iiPuffinus puffinus Manx Shearwater B 1989 — 10,000 — A4ii, B1ii, B2Hydrobates pelagicus Storm Petrel B 1989 — 20,000 — A4ii, B1ii, B2Numenius phaeopus Whimbrel B 1989 — 40 — B3Stercorarius skua Great Skua B 1989 — 25 — B3

1 Uria aalge Guillemot B 1989 — 135,300 — A4ii, B1iiCepphus grylle Black Guillemot B 1989 — 150 — A4ii, B1iiFratercula arctica Puffin B 1989 — 40,000 — B1ii, B2

1. Individuals.

185



Hydrobates pelagicus Storm Petrel B 1989 — 5,000 — A4ii, B1ii, B2Fratercula arctica Puffin B 1989 — 10,000 — B1ii


Threats Unknown

Lítla Dímun A4ii, A4iii, B1ii, B2 018Admin region —Coordinates 61°37’N 6°43’WAltitude 0–413 m Area 82 ha

■■■■■ Site descriptionA small island with rugged coasts, steep cliffs, boulder-screes, andgrass slopes. Land-uses include sheep-grazing.



The site holds internationally important seabird colonies, with over30,000 pairs of breeding seabird, including Rissa tridactyla (13,100pairs) and Uria aalge (6,200 individuals).



Threats Unknown

Suduroy A4ii, A4iii, B1ii, B2, B3 019Admin region —Coordinates 61°31’N 6°49’WAltitude 0–250 m Area 200 ha

■■■■■ Site descriptionAn island with rugged coasts, steep cliffs, boulder-screes, and grassslopes. The site comprises the seabird colonies that are mainly alongthe western side of the island.

Habitats Grassland, Rocky areas (sea cliff/rocky shore; scree/boulders)Land-use Unknown


Suduroy holds internationally important seabird colonies, with nearly200,000 pairs of breeding seabird, including Rissa tridactyla (39,200pairs) and Uria aalge (31,900 individuals).



Threats Consequences of animal/plant introductions (U)


BLOCH, D. AND SØRENSEN, S. (1984) Checklist of Faroese birds. Tórshavn:Føroya Skúlabókagrunnur.

BLOCH, D., JENSEN, J.-K. AND OLSEN, B. (1996) Liste over fugle der er set påFærøerne. [List of the birds seen in the Faroe Islands.] Tórshavn: FøroyaFuglafrøðifelag and Føroya Skúlabókagrunnur.

DYCK, J. AND MELTOFTE, H. (1975) The Guillemot Uria aalge population ofthe Faroes 1972. Dansk Orn. Foren. Tidsskr. 69: 55–64.

GRIMMETT, R. F. A. AND JONES T. A. (1989) Important Bird Areas inEurope. Cambridge, UK: International Council for Bird Preservation (Tech.Publ. 9).

JOENSEN, A. H. (1966) Fuglene på Færøerne. [The birds on the Faroe Islands.]København: Rhodos.

NØRREVANG, A. (1977) Fuglefangsten på Færøerne. [Bird-catching in the FaroeIslands.] København: Rhodos.

OLSEN, B. (1982) Nogle årsager til nedgangen i den færøske lomviebestandvurderet ud fra mønsteret i tilbagegangen og ringmærkningsresultater.[Some of the reasons for the decline of the Faroese Guillemot populationas revealed by the pattern of the decline and by ringing results.] Viltrapport21: 24–30.

REFERENCES

OLSEN, B. (1986) Stødan hjá tí føroyska lomviga- og álkustovninum. [Status ofthe Faroese Guillemot and Razorbill populations.] Tórshavn: FisheriesLaboratory.

OLSEN, B. (1992) Teljingar av lomviga í Høvdanum á Skúvoynni 1973 til 1991.[Census of guillemots on the Høvdin on Skúvoy.] Fiskirannsóknir, Tórshavn7: 5–15.

OLSEN, B. AND PERMIN, M. (1974) Bestanden av Sule Sula bassana påMykineshólmur 1972. [The population of Gannet Sula bassana onMykineshólmur 1972.] Dansk Orn. Foren. Tidsskr. 68: 39–42. (With Englishsummary.)

TUCKER, G. M. AND HEATH, M. F. (1994) Birds in Europe: their conservationstatus. Cambridge, UK: BirdLife International (BirdLife ConservationSeries no. 3).

WANLESS, S. (1987) A survey of the numbers and breeding distribution of theNorth Atlantic Gannet Sula bassana and an assessment of the changeswhich have occurred since Operation Seafarer 1969/70. Peterborough, UK:Nature Conservancy Council (Research and Survey in Nature Conservationno. 4).

Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc CriteriaFulmarus glacialis Fulmar B 1989 — 100,000 — A4ii, B1iiHydrobates pelagicus Storm Petrel B 1989 — 2,500 — A4ii, B1ii, B2Phalacrocorax aristotelis Shag B 1989 — 200 — B3Cepphus grylle Black Guillemot B 1989 — 400 — A4ii, B1ii, B2Fratercula arctica Puffin B 1989 — 20,000 — B1ii, B2

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FAROE ISLANDS - BirdLife Internationaldatazone.birdlife.org/userfiles/file/IBAs/... · The Faroe Islands (Føroyar) are a self-governing region of the Kingdom of Denmark. They comprise