One of Scotland's most elusive birds of prey, the hen harrier, will receive greater protection from today with the designation of two new areas of northern moorland as Special Protection Areas (SPAs) under the EC Birds Directive.
The announcement was made by environment minister Michael Russell, who has designated Strath Carnaig and Strath Fleet Moors SPA and an extension to the Orkney Mainland Moors SPA at Sleet Moss, both of which are home to significant populations of hen harriers.
Strath Carnaig and Strath Fleet Moors SPA lies between Lairg and Dornoch in Sutherland and is home to around 12 breeding pairs of hen harrier.
The Orkney Mainland Moors SPA has one of the densest and most northerly hen harrier populations in the UK and the extension to the site brings a number of additional nesting sites into the existing SPA.
