A shallow coastal area of open water with reefs, sand-banks, lagoons, saltmarshes, islands, reedbeds, cultivated land, woodland, and scattered habitation. The site is internationally important for wintering and staging waterbirds such as cormorants, swans and ducks and is an important breeding area for dabbling ducks. The fjords support a diverse marine fauna, algal flora, and are breeding and haul-out areas for seals. Parts of the common land and saltmarshes were becoming overgrown due to reduced grazing, but a management plan including grazing and other practices is being implemented. Hunting birds from motor boats is prohibited and leisure activities are popular.