Data Zone
The site was identified as internationally important for bird conservation 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 List | Season (year/s of estimate) | Size | IBA criteria |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus | LC | breeding (2004) | 11 pairs | C6 |
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 (<4 years) | few individuals/small area (<10%) | moderate decline (10–30% over 3 generations) | low |
| Response (conservation actions taken for the trigger species and/or their habitats) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Designation | Planning | Action | Result |
| Some of area covered (10–49%) | A management plan exists, but it is out of date or not comprehensive | Substantive conservation measures are being implemented, but these are not comprehensive and are limited by resources and capacity | low |
| Year | Protected Area | Designation (management category) | % coverage of IBA |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1953 | Castle Semple and Barr Lochs | Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) | 1 |
| 1957 | Skelmorlie Glen | Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) | <1 |
| 1972 | Shielhill Glen | Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) | <1 |
| 1973 | Lochwinnoch | Nature Reserve (IV) | 1 |
| 1990 | Dunrod Hill | Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (III) | 1 |
| 1992 | Knocknairs Hill | Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) | <1 |
| 2005 | Renfrewshire Heights | Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) | 32 |
| Habitat | % of IBA | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Artificial/Terrestrial | - | Forestry plantations |
| Shrubland | - | Heathland |
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 28/12/2024.