Firth of Forth

The Firth of Forth is located on the east coast of Scotland, stretching more than 100km west to east from the heart of the central belt to the coasts of East Lothian and Fife.

The estuary, the coastal and offshore regions of the Firth of Forth, its islands, and adjacent areas are home to an abundance of bird species of international importance. 

Nature conservation designations across the Firth of Forth reflect the importance of this area, the complex of estuarine habitats and the species which it supports, including: 

• The Firth of Forth SPA (Special Protection Area) designated for supporting internationally important numbers of waterfowl including bar-tailed godwit, plover, knot and eider. The SPA is underpinned by the Firth of Forth Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), which is of importance for a variety of geological and geomorphological features, coastal and terrestrial habitats, vascular plants, invertebrates, breeding, passage and wintering birds.
• The Firth of Forth is also a RAMSAR site due to the wide range of waterfowl it accommodates.
• The Forth Islands SPA, located at the mouth of the Forth supports internationally important numbers of seabirds, including fulmar, gannet and puffin and is also underpinned by the Isle of May SSSI and SAC (Special Area of Conservation).
• New Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are being developed under the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010, with the Firth of Forth Banks Complex, located just off Scottish Territorial Waters, identified as an important search location with potential for being designated an MPA.