This dataset contains basic site details for each and every Special Protection Area (SPA). Special Protection Areas (SPAs) are strictly protected sites classified in accordance with Article 4 of the EC Birds Directive, which came into force in April 1979. They are classified for rare and vulnerable birds (as listed on Annex I of the Directive), and for regularly occurring migratory species. The EU Commission requires information on each site to be compiled in the form of a Standard Data Form.
This dataset is updated every time a new or amended batch of information is submitted to the EU Commission. This dataset contains information drawn from the following sections of the Standard Data Form. Sections 1, 2 (except 2.5) + sections 4.2 (quality and importance) and 4.1 - site characteristics. From December 2015 onwards this included the following fields
SITE_CODE
SITE_NAME
Status
Country
IS_MARINE (1= yes 0 = no)
SITE_MARINE_AREA % of site
Zone (Inshore/offshore or terrestrial)
LOCAL_AUTHORITY
Overview
SITE_AREA ha
Site_length_km
Latitude
Longitude
X_coord (eastings on GB grid)
Y_coord (northings on GB grid)
Grid_ref
SITE_COMP_DATE - date form first compiled
Date_first_classified
SITE_QUALITY (section 4.2 of the data form)
SITE_CHARACTERISTICS
SITE_SPA_LEGAL_REF
SITE_EXPLANATIONS
