This dataset provides distribution data (Kernel Density Estimates) for waterbirds in the Greater Wash area. The methods used to generate these shapefiles can be found in JNCC Report 574. The European Council (EC) Directive on the conservation of wild birds, commonly known as the 'Birds Directive' (Directive 2009/147/EC), requires Member States to classify the “most suitable territories” in number and size as Special Protection Areas (SPAs) for species listed on Annex I of the Directive and regularly occurring migratory species. The UK SPA selection guidelines for the identification of SPAs advise that sites should be identified in two stages (Stroud et al 2001). While Stage 1 identifies areas that are likely to qualify for SPA status, Stage 2 further considers these areas to select the most suitable areas in number and size for SPA classification. In order to help identify inshore areas that might be suitable for SPA classification for waterbirds (mostly divers, grebes, and seaduck), 45 areas of search (AoS) were selected where potentially important numbers of these birds congregate outside the breeding season. The Greater Wash was one these areas of search, as the existing literature indicated that large numbers of red-throated diver occurred there annually outside the breeding season.
Distributions of wintering red-throated diver, little gull, and common scoter in the Greater Wash