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Inshore aggregations of non-breeding waterbirds

 

Many areas of the UK’s inshore waters are used by waterbirds (seaducks, divers and grebes) outwith the breeding season as moulting and feeding areas, and also as migration staging posts.  JNCC in conjunction with the four country nature conservation agencies, has compiled a list of 45 inshore areas that are being considered in identifying possible SPAs for non breeding inshore waterbirds. 

 

This intial list of inshore areas formed the basis of an inshore survey programme started during winter 2000/01. These surveys aim to collect up-to-date, detailed data on the distribution and abundance of inshore waterbirds using these areas.  To date, data have been collected in at least 29 of these sites either by the JNCC (mainly Scottish sites), or the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust / British Trust for Ornithology (other UK sites).

 

Areas of search for inshore SPAs

 

Data from the inshore survey work, along with other data sources, are used to estimate total population sizes and to model the spatial distributions of the main target species using each survey area during the non-breeding season. JNCC then makes recommendations on which areas should be considered as possible SPAs, as well as making scientifically based recommendations on the positioning of appropriate boundaries for such sites.The current anticipated date for recommendations on this type of marine SPA to be complete is 2012.

 

The first entirely marine SPA in Britain, Bae Caerfyrddin/Carmarthen Bay SPA (Wales) was classified in 2003 for its internationally important wintering population of common scoter, based on this work. JNCC is currently reporting to Scottish Natural Heritage on several sites including Scapa Flow, Moray Firth, Aberdeen Bay, Firth of Forth, and Firth of Tay.

 

In addition, Natural England, the Countryside Council for Wales and the JNCC have now formally advised an additional two marine SPAs to Defra and the Welsh Assembly Government; Outer Thames Estuary pSPA and Liverpool Bay/Bae Lerpwl  pSPA. The Outer Thames Estuary pSPA has been proposed because of its nationally important wintering red-throated diver population. It crosses the 12 nautical mile boundary, but because more than 90% of it lies within the 12 nautical mile boundary, Natural England will be taking the lead in progressing this site, rather than JNCC. Liverpool Bay/Bae Lerpwl pSPA holds internationally important numbers of north-west Europe’s wintering common scoters and nationally important numbers of GB’s wintering red-throated divers. This pSPA is a cross-border site, with elements within both English and Welsh territorial waters. Natural England and CCW will jointly progress this site. Details of both sites are available from Natural England's website. 

 

 

Further reading

Buckland, S.T., Anderson, R.R., Burnham, K.P., Laake, J.L., Borchers, D.L. & Thomas, L.  (2001)  Introduction to distance sampling: estimating abundance in biological populations.  T.J. International Ltd, Padstow, Cornwall.

 

Webb, A.,  McSorley, C.A., Dean, B.J., Reid, J.B. (2004)  Modelling the distribution and abundance of common scoter Melanitta nigra in Carmarthen Bay in winter 2001/02: a method for identifying potential boundaries for a marine Special Protection Area.  Unpublished JNCC Report No. 330 

 

Webb, A., Dean, B.J., O'Brien, S.H., Sohle, I., McSorley, C., Reid, J.B Cranswick, P.A, Smith L.E & Hall. C. (2009) The numbers of inshore waterbirds using the Greater Thames during the non-breeding season; an assessment of the area's potential for qualification as a marine SPA.  JNCC Report No. 374.

 

Webb, A, McSorley, C.A., Dean, B.J, Reid, J.B., Cranswick, P.A, Smith, L., Hall, C. (2006) Dispersion patterns of inshore waterbirds in Liverpool Bay in the non-breeding season.  JNCC Report No. 373 

 

Webb, A., McSorley, C.A., Dean, B.J. & Reid, J.B. (2006)  Recommendations for the selection of and boundary options for an SPA in Liverpool Bay.   JNCC Report No. 388 

 

Söhle, I., McSorley, C., Dean, B.J., Webb, A. & Reid, J.B. (2007) The numbers of inshore waterbirds using Tay Bay during the non-breeding season, and an assessment of the area's potential for qualification as a marine SPA. JNCC Report No. 401

 

Dawson, N., Söhle, I., Wilson, L.J., Dean, B.J., Webb, A. & Reid, J.B. (2008) The numbers of inshore waterbirds using the Firth of Forth during the non-breeding season, and an assessment of the area's potential for qualification as a marine SPA. JNCC Report No. 402.

 

O’Brien, S.H., Wilson, L.J., Webb, A. and Cranswick, P.A. (2008) Revised estimate of numbers of wintering Red-throated Divers Gavia stellata in Great Britain. Bird Study 55 (2) 152-160  

 



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