SPA

SPAs are areas which have been identified as being of national and international importance for the breeding, feeding, wintering or the migration of rare and vulnerable species of birds found within European Union countries. They are European designated sites, classified under the ‘Birds Directive 1979’ which provides enhanced protection given by the Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) status all SPAs also hold.

The Colne SPA covers 2700ha and was designated due to the presence of breeding birds and over-wintering birds listed on Annexe I of the Birds Directive. Breeding birds include Pochard (Aythya ferina), Ringed Plover (Charadrius hiaticula) and Little Tern (Sterna albifrons). Wintering birds include Brent Goose (Branta bernicla bernicla), Hen Harrier (Circus cyaneus) and Redshank (Tringa totanus).

The area also supports an internationally important assemblage of some 38600 wintering wildfowl.

Click here to view the Colne estuary SPA citation.

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