Rare birds get more protection in Scotland.
Having read harvesting advise to farmers to protect corncrakes by cutting crops in a diminishing circle to leave a central standing island, but never having seen this, Gaberlunzie was delighted to read that the Renfrewshire Heights or 9,000 hectares of moorland south of Greenock in Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park is being given SPA status, as is the southern part of Colonsay and neighbouring Oronsay.
17 December, 2007
The new Special Protection Areas (SPAs) have been designated for the
protection of the hen
harrier, chough and corncrake in a decision to designate the SPAs
following consultation by Scottish Natural Heritage with local owners and occupiers on behalf of the Scottish Government.
SPAs are classified under the EC Wild Birds Directive and support rare, vulnerable or migratory wild birds and their habitats. There are now 144 in Scotland.
Hen harrier: http://www.everythingexmoor.org.uk/
Chough:www.choughs.co.uk