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Loch of Inch and Torrs Warren
| Location | United Kingdom, Scotland |
| Central coordinates | 4o 54.36' West 54o 50.90' North |
| IBA criteria | B1i, C2, C3 |
| Area | 5,329 ha |
| Altitude | 0 - 29m |
| Year of IBA assessment | 2007 |
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
Site description Lochinch (also known as White Loch) is shallow and rich in nutrients. Torrs Warren lies to the south, at the head of Luce Bay, and is the largest acidic dune system in western Scotland, with a very varied dune morphology. The IBA is important for wintering geese.
Populations of IBA trigger species
| Species | Season | Period | Population estimate | Quality of estimate | IBA Criteria | IUCN Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greater White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons | winter | 1989-1994 | 630 individuals | good | B1i, C2, C3 | Least Concern |
| Greylag Goose Anser anser | winter | 1989-1994 | 2,790 individuals | good | B1i, C3 | Least Concern |
Protected areas
| Protected area | Designation | Area (ha) | Relationship with IBA | Overlap with IBA (ha) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loch of Inch and Torrs Warren | Birds Directive | 2,111 | protected area contained by site | 2,111 |
|
| Loch of Inch and Torrs Warren | Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar) | 2,111 | protected area contained by site | 2,111 |
|
| Luce Bay and Sands | Habitats Directive | 48,754 | protected area overlaps with site | 1,965 | |
| Torrs Warren - Luce Sands | Site of Special Scientific Interest | 2,409 | protected area contained by site | 2,409 |
|
Habitats
| IUCN habitat | Habitat detail | Extent (% of site) |
|---|---|---|
| Shrubland | Heathland | 15% |
| Wetlands (inland) | Sand dunes and beaches; Standing freshwater | 35% |
| Artificial landscapes (terrestrial) | Arable land; Forestry plantations; Highly improved re-seeded landscapes | 50% |
Land use
| Land-use | Extent (% of site) |
|---|---|
| agriculture | major |
| forestry | minor |
| military | major |
| tourism/recreation | minor |
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Recommended citation BirdLife International (2013) Important Bird Areas factsheet: Loch of Inch and Torrs Warren. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 25/05/2013
To provide new information to update this factsheet or to correct any errors, please email BirdLife
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