Hartlepool's Ecology

Ramsar sites are wetlands of international importance.  They are designated under the Convention of Wetlands of International Importance which was adopted in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971 and from which the Convention takes its name.

In the UK, sites proposed for selection are advised by the UK statutory nature conservation agencies.  The UK also has a national Ramsar Committee composed of experts who provide further advice.

Many Ramsar sites have been selected for their importance to waterbirds and hence many Ramsar sites are also Special Protection Areas (SPA's) as designated under the EU Birds Directive.

In Hartlepool the Ramsar site and SPA have the same boundaries.

The coastline from Crimdon Dene to Hartlepool Headland and much of Seaton Common and Teesmouth is classed as a Ramsar site.

Special Protection Areas (SPAs) are classified under article 4 of the EU Birds Directive.  The Directive requires Member States to classify as SPA's the most suitable territories for species listed on Annex 1 of the Directive and migratory species.

The Teesmouth and Cleveland Coast SPA covers parts of the coast and adjacent areas of Hartlepool.  It qualifies as an SPA by supporting nationally important populations of Annex 1 species, Little Tern and Sandwich Tern; by supporting internationally important populations of migratory species, Ringed Plover, Knot and Redshank.  It further qualifies by regularly supporting over 20,000 wintering waterfowl.