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Special protection areas

Under EC Directive (79/409/EEC) on the Conservation of Wild Birds, the UK is committed to taking the requisite measures to preserve, maintain or re-establish a sufficient diversity and area of habitats for all species of naturally occurring birds in the wild state.

Over and above this, the UK is committed to taking special measures for two groups of birds. These are certain vulnerable species listed in Annex 1 of the Directive and regularly occurring migratory species. Among the measures to be taken is the classification of Special Protection Areas (SPAs) which is a requirement of Article 4 of the Directive.

SPAs will form part of the Natura 2000 network.

Visit: Joint Nature Conservation Committee: Special Areas of Protection in Wales (external link)

The Dee Estuary

We made changes to the Dee Estuary Special Protection Area (SPA) and Ramsar site in December 2009. The Minister responsible for the English parts of these cross-border sites also agreed the changes.  

The SPA and Ramsar site has been extended by 1,185 hectares. It now includes the Site of Special Scientific Interests (SSSIs) which were next to the site and used by the same birds.  Also, 19.3 hectares was deleted from the original site, to correct mapping errors and because birds no longer used these parts of the site, and some additions were made to qualifying species.