Assessing the habitat use of Lesser Black-backed Gulls (Larus fuscus) From the Bowland Fells SPA.

The Bowland Fells Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Special Protection Area (SPA) is located to the east of Lancaster within north Lancashire.  It supports the largest area of blanket bog and heather moorland within Lancashire and provides a habitat for an internationally important upland breeding bird community.  The diverse mosaic of upland habitats across the Fells contributes greatly to the ornithological interest of the site, which supports breeding Hen Harrier (Circus cyaneus) (at its only regular breeding site in England), Merlin (Falco columbarius) and one of the five largest UK breeding colonies of Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus), which is a SPA review (Stroud et al. 2001) and pSPA (potential SPA) feature.