UK334
Renfrewshire Heights


IBA Justification

The site was identified as important in 2007 because it was regularly supporting significant populations of the species listed below, meeting ('triggering') IBA criteria.

Populations meeting IBA criteria ('trigger species') at the site:
Species Red List1 Season Year(s) Size IBA criteria
Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus LC breeding 2004 11 breeding pairs C6

1. The current IUCN Red List category. The category at the time of the IBA criteria assessment (2007) may differ.


IBA Conservation

Ideally the conservation status of the IBA will have been checked regularly since the site was first identified in 2007. The most recent assessment (2007) is shown below.

IBA conservation assessment
Year of assessment State Pressure Response
2007 not assessed low low
Whole site assessed? State assessed by Accuracy of information
yes unset good

Pressure (threats to the trigger species and/or their habitats)
Threat Timing Scope Severity Result
Energy production and mining likely in short term (within 4 years) small area/few individuals (<10%) moderate to rapid deterioration low

Response (conservation actions taken for the trigger species and/or their habitats)
Protected areas Management plan Other action Result
Some of site covered (10-49%) A management plan exists but it is out of date or not comprehensive Substantive conservation measures are being implemented but these are not comprehensive and are limited by resources and capacity low

IBA Protection

Year Protected Area Designation % overlap with IBA
1953 Castle Semple and Barr Lochs Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) 1
1957 Skelmorlie Glen Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) <1
1972 Shielhill Glen Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) <1
1973 Lochwinnoch Nature Reserve 1
1990 Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park 100
1990 Dunrod Hill Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) 1
1992 Knocknairs Hill Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) <1
2005 Renfrewshire Heights Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) 32
2009 Renfrewshire Heights Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) 32

Habitats

Habitat1 Habitat detail % of IBA
Artificial/Terrestrial Forestry plantations -
Shrubland Heathland -
1. IUCN Habitat classification.


Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Renfrewshire Heights (United Kingdom). Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/renfrewshire-heights-iba-united-kingdom on 24/11/2024.