WIREDGOV

Internationally important populations of two rare species of water bird are to receive greater protection with the classification of a new Special Protection Area (SPA) under the EC Birds Directive.

The new SPA is West Inverness-shire Lochs. This network of eight lochs to the west of the Great Glen supports an internationally significant population of black throated divers. It also represents one of the main concentrations of breeding common scoter in Great Britain.

The SPA was designated following consultation by Scottish Natural Heritage.

Minister for Environment, Roseanna Cunningham said:

"Scotland is renowned for its fantastic wildlife and we have a duty to conserve threatened species not only for ourselves but for future generations.

"Scotland is the UK stronghold for both of these rare species. With its distinctive wailing call, the black-throated diver is an icon of our upland freshwater habitats. And despite the name, the common scoter is extremely rare in the UK, with fewer than a hundred pairs.

"With the International Year of Biodiversity just around the corner I can think of no better time to give Scotland's bird-life a boost."

Stuart Housden, Director of RSPB Scotland said:

"Black throated diver and common scoter are two of Scotland's rarest and most enigmatic breeding birds, which depend on undisturbed Lochs in the Highlands to nest. Both species are confined as regular UK breeding birds to the Highlands, and this decision fills an important geographical gap in the network of European protected sites for these species. It is vital that we do all we can to help land managers to maintain and enhance these sites for the rare birds that live there, and we look forward to helping to achieve that."

The SPA is underpinned by a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) which was notified by SNH on 28 November 2006 and confirmed on 7 May 2009.

West Inverness-shire Lochs SPA consists of Lochs Affric, Cluanie, Loyne (including Lochan Bad an Loisguinn), Garry (including part of the River Garry and Loch Poulary), Lundie and Blair.

West Inverness-shire Lochs SPA qualifies under Article 4.1 of the EC Birds Directive by supporting a population of the Annex 1 species black-throated diver Gavia arctica (average number between 1990 and 2005 was 6.6 pairs, 3.4 per cent of the GB population of 189 pairs). The site is particularly important for black-throated divers due to its long history of use and above average level of chick productivity.

West Inverness-shire Lochs SPA also qualifies under Article 4.2 of the EC Birds Directive by regularly supporting a population of common scoter Melanitta nigra (average number between 1994-200 and 2004-2005 of 7.8 pairs, 8.2 per cent of the GB population of 95 pairs). The area represents one of the main concentrations of breeding common scoter in Britain.