Surveys of Falmouth Bay to St Austell Bay SPA Winter 2020/21.

Published online
23 Oct 2022
Published by
Natural England
Content type
Reports
Website(s)

Author(s)
Rogerson, K. & Williams, A. J. & McGovern, S.
Contact email(s)
enquiries@naturalengland.org.uk

Publication language
English
Location
England & UK

Abstract

This report summarises the findings of surveys conducted in winter 2020/21 to determine the distribution and numbers of the qualifying features of the Falmouth Bay to St Austell Bay Special Protection Area (SPA) in England, UK. This work will be used to monitor the site and assess the condition of the SPA to inform its future management. Aerial digital surveys captured images along 32 transects spaced 1 km apart across the survey area. Observations of all bird and marine mammal species from the survey imagery were enumerated. Overall, 6719 birds and 77 marine mammals were recorded in the February survey, and 7149 birds and 65 marine mammals were recorded in the March survey. Data from the surveys was used to calculate robust population estimates of the three qualifying features of the SPA: black-throated diver (Gavia arctica), great northern diver (Gavia immer) and Slavonian grebe (Podiceps auritus).

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