250,000 seabirds to get safe space on coast

THOUSANDS OF puffins and other seabirds are set to benefit from the expansion of a protected area along the Yorkshire coastline.

The Flamborough Head and Filey Coast special protection area (SPA) is being extended by 7,600 hectares (18,800 acres) to protect England’s largest seabird colony. The move will give a quarter of a million breeding birds including gannets, razorbills and 2,000 puffins better protection and a safe space for feeding and foraging, the Government said.

Government conservation agency Natural England has also launched a consultation on plans to extend the nearby Teesmouth and Cleveland Coast SPA by nearly 10,000 hectares (24,700 acres).

This would help protect populations of breeding little terns and common terns.

Special protection areas are designated under the European Union’s Birds Directive, which requires countries to protect habitats for rare, vulnerable and migratory birds.

The Withdrawal Bill will make sure rules including marine protected areas set up under EU Directives will continue to be protected under UK law, officials said. The announcement comes during National Marine Week. Environment minister Thérèse Coffey said: “These new safeguards for seabirds will help our most precious and iconic wildlife to thrive.”

PICTURE: DANNY LAWSON/PA WIRE. FEEDING AND BREEDING: Gannets nest at the RSPB nature reserve at Bempton Cliffs in Yorkshire, as more than 250,000 seabirds flock to the chalk cliffs.