Selection guidelines for Special Protection Areas

Areas holding or supporting more birds than others and/or holding or supporting birds at higher concentrations are favoured for selection.

Areas selected for a given species provide as wide a geographic coverage across the species'
range as possible.

Areas of higher breeding success than others are favoured for selection.

Areas known to have a longer history of occupation or use by the relevant species are favoured for selection.

Areas holding or supporting the larger number of qualifying species under Article 4 of the Directive are favoured for selection.

Areas comprising natural or semi-natural habitats are favoured for selection over those which do not.

Areas used at least once a decade by significant proportions of the biogeographical population of a species in periods of severe weather in any season, and which are vital to the survival of a viable population, are favoured for selection.