Literature review to assess bird species connectivity to Special ...

COMMISSIONED REPORT
Summary
Literature review to assess bird species connectivity to
Special Protection Areas
Commissioned Report No. 390
Contractor: Pendlebury, C., Zisman, S., Walls, R., Sweeney, J., McLoughlin, E.,
Robinson, C., Turner, L. & Loughrey, J.
Year of publication: 2011
Background
The purpose of this literature review is to help to identify where there may be
‘connectivity’ between qualifying bird species of a Special Protection Area (SPA) and
the SPA when the birds are recorded outwith its boundary. Stage 3 of the Habitats
Regulations Appraisal process asks “Is the proposal likely to have a significant effect
on the site?” This step acts as a screening stage, removing from the Habitats
Regulations Appraisal plans/projects which clearly have no connectivity to a site’s
qualifying interests or those where it is very obvious that the conservation objectives
for the site’s qualifying interests will not be undermined despite a connection. This
review provides information on dispersal and foraging distances for a range of bird
species (listed in Table 1) which, as qualifying interests of SPAs, are frequently
encountered during the consideration of plans and projects. This information should
help in the identification of potential connectivity.
Main findings
The review presents information on foraging distances during breeding and winter
seasons and distances between alternative nest sites for a range of bird species
which need to be taken into account when assessing connectivity. The main findings
are summarised in tables 7 – 9 of the report.
For further information on this project contact:
Dr Susan Haysom Tel: 01463 725000
For further information on the SNH Research & Technical Support Programme contact:
DSU (Policy & Advice Directorate), Scottish Natural Heritage, Great Glen House, Inverness, IV3 8NW.
Tel: 01463 725000 or research@snh.gov.uk
ii