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Greater protection for rare birds
17/12/2007
Two new Special Protection Areas (SPAs) have been designated in Scotland for the protection of the hen harrier, chough and corncrake.
Renfrewshire Heights (a large area of moorland south of Greenock) and the island of Oronsay and the southern part of Colonsay will now be protected under European conservation law.
The decision to designate the SPAs follows consultation by Scottish Natural Heritage with local owners and occupiers on behalf of the Scottish Government.
Minister for Environment Michael Russell said:
"I am delighted to be able to announce the classification of two new Special Protected Areas.
"Scotland is a stronghold for hen harriers in the UK and I am very pleased to provide this extra security for the species in the Clyde Muirshiel area.
"Responsible land management is helping maintain chough and corncrake numbers on Oronsay and South Colonsay, and I would like to thank those involved.
"The area being designated as an SPA will be an additional boost to these efforts.
"Scotland is home to a rich and varied biodiversity and we must do everything we can to protect this wonderful natural resource.
SPAs are classified under the EC Wild Birds Directive and support rare, vulnerable or migratory wild birds and their habitats. Today's announcement means there are now 144 in Scotland.
Together, SPAs and SACs (which are designated under the EC Habitats Directive) make up "Natura 2000", a network of the most important conservation sites across Europe, designed to protect rare, endangered or vulnerable habitats and species in the European Community.
The Oronsay and South Colonsay SPA comprises the southern part of the island of Colonsay and the main part of the adjacent island of Oronsay. The site covers an area of some 2,000 hectares and includes a mosaic of habitats including coastal and herb-rich grassland, arable grassland and coastal heath which supports extensive sheep grazing, cattle grazing. A combination of well drained soils, animal dung and washed up seaweed provides good habitat for the different types of invertebrates larvae on which chough feed. Corncrake breed in areas of improved grasslands and use the iris and nettle beds around the fringes of these areas for early and late cover.
Renfrewshire Heights SPA comprises almost 9,000 hectares of upland moorland to the south of Greenock (in Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park). The area is mainly covered by blanket mire, wet and dry heaths, and rough grassland. Much of the heath and mire is dominated by dwarf shrubs, especially the heather Calluna vulgaris.