Site description Run-off from a large part of Orkney's West Mainland enters the sea via these two lochs. The shallow freshwater Loch of Harray becomes brackish at the junction with the Loch of Stenness, which is entirely brackish and classed as a lagoon. The flora and fauna therefore consists of brackish, marine and freshwater species. The lochs support large numbers of wintering wildfowl. Anser anser are from the Icelandic breeding population.
Populations of IBA trigger species
Protected areas
| Protected area |
Designation |
Area (ha) |
Relationship with IBA |
Overlap with IBA (ha) |
|
| Loch of Stenness |
Habitats Directive |
792 |
protected area contained by site |
792 |
|
| Lochs of Harray and Stenness |
Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) |
1,930 |
is identical to site |
1,779 |
|
Habitats
| IUCN habitat |
Habitat detail |
Extent (% of site) |
| Wetlands (inland) |
Standing brackish and salt water; Standing freshwater; Water fringe vegetation |
- |
Land use
| Land-use |
Extent (% of site) |
| fisheries/aquaculture |
100% |
| water management |
100% |
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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2013) Important Bird Areas factsheet: Lochs of Harray and Stenness. Downloaded from
http://www.birdlife.org on 19/06/2013
To provide new information to update this factsheet or to correct any errors, please email BirdLife
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