USE OF BREEDING BIRD ATLAS DATA TO IDENTIFY IMPORTANT BIRD AREAS - A NORTHERN ENGLAND CASE-STUDY

This paper provides a method for the evaluation of the relative import ance of different parts of extensive geographical areas for birds. It uses data from the 'New Atlas of Breeding Birds: 1988-1991' at the 2-k m and at the 10-km square scale in a case study of the uplands of nort hern England. Six important bird areas are identified, each consisting of a series of 2-km squares holding at least 1.5 times the mean regio nal species-richness and importance index of upland birds. Their relat ionships to existing Sites of Special Scientific Interest, Important B ird Areas and proposed Special Protection Areas are discussed.