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Greater protection for rare birds
07/07/2008
One of Scotland's most elusive birds of prey, the hen harrier, will receive greater protection from today with the designation of two new areas of northern moorland as Special Protection Areas (SPAs) under the EC Birds Directive.
The announcement was made by Environment Minister Michael Russell, who has designated Strath Carnaig and Strath Fleet Moors SPA and an extension to the Orkney Mainland Moors SPA at Sleet Moss, both of which are home to significant populations of hen harriers.
Strath Carnaig and Strath Fleet Moors SPA lies between Lairg and Dornoch in Sutherland and is home to around 12 breeding pairs of hen harrier.
The Orkney Mainland Moors SPA has one of the densest and most northerly hen harrier populations in the UK and the extension to the site brings a number of additional nesting sites into the existing SPA.
Mr Russell said:
"I am delighted to announce the classification of Strath Carnaig and Strath Fleet Moors as a Special Protection Area, and the extension to the Orkney Mainland Moors SPA at Sleet Moss."
"The hen harrier is a rarely seen but beautiful bird of prey. Sadly, it is also one of Scotland's most persecuted species.
"Scotland is a stronghold for these rare and vulnerable birds, home to around 80 per cent of the British Isles' breeding population.
"Clearly, it is absolutely vital that we do everything in our power to maintain the hen harrier's presence in Scotland as part of our rich and varied biodiversity.
"The measures I have announced will deliver additional security for the birds and their habitat under European law.
"Persecution of wildlife is a despicable crime, something which we have seen more than enough in recent years. I am sure I speak for all of us when I say that crimes against wildlife in Scotland must end."
Professor Colin Galbraith, Director of Policy and Advice at SNH said:
"The hen harrier is still one of the rarest birds in the country and its population is fragile and threatened. It is important that the habitat of these birds is given further special protection in this way. We welcome the opportunity this creates for SNH to work with landowners and managers to look after these special birds, in these unique places."
Stuart Housden, director of RSPB Scotland, said:
"We applaud the Minister's decision to confirm these important extensions to protected sites coverage for hen harriers in Scotland.
"Together with the recent classification of Renfrewshire Heights, these additions to the EU Natura 2000 [or Special Protection Area] network underline Scotland's importance for hen harriers in a European context.
"The challenge now is to ensure that the habitat is brought to its optimum condition for the harriers and that they are allowed to thrive unmolested beyond SPA boundaries as well as within them."
SPAs are designated under the EC Birds Directive. There are now 145 in Scotland covering an area of over 600,000ha for a wide range of species.
SPAs are intended to safeguard the habitats of the species for which they are selected and to protect the birds from significant disturbance. SPAs together with Special Areas of Conservation (which are designated under the Habitats Directive for habitats and non-bird species), form the Natura 2000 network of sites, which is a pan-EU network of sites for Nature Conservation for the 21st century and beyond.
Strath Carnaig and Strath Fleet Moors Special Protection Area (SPA) is an area of upland moorland between Lairg and Dornoch incised by broad straths and small streams. The predominant habitats of the SPA are extensive heather moors and upland acid grasslands. There are also areas of commercially planted conifer forest and semi-natural broadleaf woodland. All of these habitats are important in supporting breeding and foraging hen harriers. The area qualifies for SPA status by regularly supporting a population of European importance (hen harrier - Circus cyaneus). The site supports around 12 breeding pairs, representing about 2.5 per cent of a Great Britain population of 483 pairs.
Orkney Mainland Moors Special Protection Area (SPA) comprises four areas of moorland on mainland Orkney. The predominant habitats include extensive areas of blanket bog, acid grassland, wet and dry heath, acidic raised-mire and calcareous valley mire. Acid conditions predominate but botanically rich alkaline flushes occur. Sheltered valleys and dales support willow scrub, tall-herb and flush vegetation. There are several small oligotrophic lochs on the site. Orkney Mainland Moors SPA was first classified on October 13, 2000. The boundaries of the SPA are coincident with those of West Mainland Moorlands SSSI (including the extension at Sleet Moss), Glims Moss & Durkadale Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), Orphir & Stenness Hills SSSI, and Keelylang & Swartabeck Burn SSSI. Orkney Mainland Moors SPA qualifies by regularly supporting populations of hen harrier (average of 28 breeding females, 5.9 per cent of Great Britain.
The red-throated diver (Gavia stellata) - average of 18 breeding pairs, two per cent of Great Britain -and short-eared owl (Asio flammeus) - average of 19 breeding pairs between 1993 and 1995, two per cent of Great Britain). The hen harrier population on this site is one of the largest and the densest in Britain. The short-eared owl is widely dispersed across its British distribution and Orkney Mainland Moors is one of the few sites to support significant numbers.