Rare birds are to gain even greater protection in Scotland.

Rare birds are to gain even greater protection in Scotland.

Two new Special Protection Areas (SPAs) have been designated for the protection of the hen harrier, chough and corncrake, it was confirmed yesterday.

Renfrewshire Heights, 9000 hectares of moorland south of Greenock, in Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park, will now be given SPA status. So too will the southern part of Colonsay together with the neighbouring island of Oronsay.

The decision to designate the SPAs follows consultation by Scottish Natural Heritage with local owners and occupiers on behalf of the Scottish Government.

SPAs are classified under the EC Wild Birds Directive and support rare, vulnerable or migratory wild birds and their habitats. There are now 144 in Scotland.

Michael Russell, Minister for Environment, said: "Scotland is a stronghold for hen harriers in the UK and I am very pleased to provide this extra security for the species in the Clyde Muirshiel area.

"Responsible land management is helping maintain chough and corncrake numbers on Oronsay and South Colonsay, and I would like to thank those involved."

Stuart Housden, director of RSPB Scotland, said: "This is a welcome addition to the network of internationally protected sites recognised for their rare habitats and the birds and wildlife that they support.

"The challenge now is to make sure that land managers get the necessary support to guarantee that the sites are preserved."