The Site is a complex of shallow coastal waters, sandbanks, lagoons, sand and shingle beaches, coastal meadows, moors featuring Calluna and Erica heathers, damp heaths and some limited areas of cultivated land. It is one of the most important gathering points in northern Europe for migrating shorebirds and raptors during the autumn migration, and regularly supports over 280,000 waterbirds. These internationally significant numbers include well over 1% of the corresponding biogeographic populations of the Brent goose Branta bernicla, the barnacle goose Branta leucopsis and and the common eider Somateria mollissima. The Site is an important area for breeding, staging and wintering waterbirds, and also an important reproduction area for the harbour seal Phoca vitulina and the gray seal Halichoerus grypus. The shallow coastal waters provide important fish spawning grounds and nursery areas, particularly for the critically endangered eel Anguilla anguilla and species of flatfish. The area is very attractive for outdoor recreation and many private boats visit during the summer.