Special Protection Areas (SPA’s)

~ mylittleowlblog

What are Special Protection Areas? 

Special Protection Areas (SPAs’) are protected sites that are classified in accordance with Article 4 of the EU Birds Directive. Special Protection Areas are specific sites that have been selected and protected based on the species of bird that inhabits the area. Habitats for bird species that are vulnerable or rare (Annex I birds) and migratory are all protected as Special Protection Areas to ensure the habitats of these species are unaffected by human influences.

Examples of SPA’s in Ireland:  

Irelands total Special Protection Areas include over 570,000 hectares of both marine and terrestrial habitats. These SPA’s are selected based on the species that inhabit them. For example, marine habitats that are designated as SPA’s include areas that have Waders, Bar-tailed Godwait, Divers, Grebes and Chough as well as Dunlin. Terrestrial habitats that are deemed as SPA’s in Ireland include areas that are known to be habitats for bird species such as the Curlew, Hen Harriers, Golden Plovers, Corncrakes, Kingfishers and Peregrines among many more.

Irish Red Grouse
White-Tailed Sea Eagle

Agricultural land has been classed as highly important habitats for many bird species in Ireland and for that reason these landscapes are designated as SPA’s as they are particularly important for bird species such as Red Grouse, Whooper Swans and Hen Harriers.

Examples of SPA’s found on the island would be Lough Ennell in Mullingar, Co. Westmeath, The Murrough, Co. Wicklow, Cregganna Marsh, Co. Galway and Kilcolman Bog, Co. Cork. There are approximately 154 SPA’s in Ireland at present.

 

Relevant Links:  

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