Introduction
This review represents the UK's contribution to the Natura
2000 network for terrestrial Special Protection Areas. It draws on
an extensive background of ornithological surveys undertaken over
many years, and previous lists of important sites. It distils best
available information concerning species' conservation requirements
as stated by Article 4 of the Directive as well as knowledge of
internationally important sites for birds in the UK.
The carefully selected network resulting from this review is
of large size, contains a wide variety of habitats and includes
sites spread throughout the UK. It is logically and scientifically
derived, collectively robust, and therefore able to make an
enduring contribution to conserving Britain's birds. We recognise,
however, the need to be aware of and respond to major biological
changes, in particular those consequent upon climate change, or to
the availability of significant new data.
1.1 The 'Birds Directive' and Special Protection Areas
In 1979, the European Community adopted the Council Directive
on the Conservation of Wild Birds (79/409/EEC). This Directive (see
Appendix 2) is usually referred to as the
Birds Directive. It provides for the protection,
management and control of naturally occurring wild birds within the
European Union through a range of mechanisms. One of the key
provisions is the establishment of an internationally co-ordinated
network of protected areas.
Article 4 of the Birds Directive requires Member States to
identify and classify in particular, the most suitable territories
in size and number for rare or vulnerable species listed in Annex I
(Article 4.1), and for regularly occurring migratory species
(Article 4.2). Member States are also required to pay particular
attention to the protection of wetlands, especially wetlands of
international importance. These sites have become known throughout
the Member States as Special Protection Areas (SPAs). Within SPAs,
Member States are obliged to take necessary steps to avoid
deterioration of natural habitats and disturbance of the species,
where this disturbance would be significant having regard to the
objectives of the Directive.
The Directive envisages that the classification of SPAs by all
Member States will result in a European network of protected sites.
This SPA network, together with Special Areas of Conservation under
the Habitats Directive, is known as 'Natura 2000'.
1.2 The UK avifauna – features of outstanding international
importance
The UK's geographic position – a north temperate island close
to a major continental land-mass – results in its particular
European importance for a number of groups of birds. Whilst many
species or populations occur in internationally important numbers,
there are various groups of birds that are of outstanding
importance.
- The UK is exceptionally important for many populations of
breeding seabirds. Together with Ireland, the UK holds over half
the relevant biogeographic (and in some cases, the world)
populations of Manx Shearwater, Storm Petrel, Gannet, Great Skua,
Lesser Black-backed Gull and Puffin (Lloyd et al.
1991).
- Britain is the wintering area for many waterbirds (ducks,
geese, swans, waders) breeding throughout Arctic and sub-Arctic
areas. Birds visiting the UK come from as far afield as the central
Canadian Arctic (110o W) and central Siberia
(110o E). Most of these waterbirds nest at very low
densities over extensive areas of the arctic but gather in winter
in UK wetlands in dense aggregations. The UK thus has significant
international responsibility for high proportions of total
populations.
- For many other waterbirds, the UK is not their final
destination but is a stepping-stone on their migratory flyways to
ultimate winter destinations in Africa. For many waders – such as
Ringed Plover, Black-tailed Godwit, Redshank, Sanderling, Dunlin
and Knot – the coast of the UK is of crucial importance during the
spring and autumn passage periods.
- The British uplands have a unique and characteristic bird
community (Ratcliffe 1990, 1991; Brown & Bainbridge 1995).
Species such as Golden Plover and Merlin probably nest at higher
densities in the British uplands than anywhere else in Europe
(Ratcliffe & Thompson 1988), whilst several Arctic breeding
birds, such as Red-throated Diver, are at the southern edge of
their breeding range.
- The ancient Caledonian pine-forests of the central Scottish
Highlands contain Britain's only endemic bird species, the Scottish
Crossbill.
Other Sections
The identification of the UK's
SPA network
Selection guidelines for
Special Protection Areas