Breiðamerkursandur is an important breeding ground for birds, for example Arctic Tern and Great Skua.
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He was also a pioneer conservationist as, in 1831, he instructed the shepherds on Hermaness on Unst to ensure the safety of the tiny population of breeding Great Skuas.
The island's surrounding bird cliffs and steep slopes have been identified as an Important Bird Area (IBA) by BirdLife International because of their significance as a breeding site for seabirds, especially Northern Fulmars (50,000 pairs), Manx Shearwaters (5000 pairs), European Storm Petrels (50,000 pairs), European Shags (150 pairs), Great Skuas (15 pairs), Atlantic Puffins (70,000 pairs) and Black Guillemots (400 pairs).