BG057
Besaparski Hills


IBA Justification

The site was identified as important in 2005 because it was regularly supporting significant populations of the species listed below, meeting ('triggering') IBA criteria.

Populations meeting IBA criteria ('trigger species'):
Species Current IUCN Red List Category Season Year(s) Population estimate at site IBA criteria met
Long-legged Buzzard Buteo rufinus LC resident 1996 15-17 breeding pairs B2, C6
Eastern Imperial Eagle Aquila heliaca VU resident 1996 2-3 breeding pairs A1, C1, C6
Saker Falcon Falco cherrug EN resident 1996 1-3 breeding pairs B2, C6
Calandra Lark Melanocorypha calandra LC resident 1996 100-150 breeding pairs C6
Tawny Pipit Anthus campestris LC breeding 1996 35-38 breeding pairs C6

The current IUCN Red List category may differ from that which was valid at the time of IBA criteria assessment (2005).


IBA Conservation

IBA conservation assessment
Year of assessment (most recent) State (condition) Pressure (threat) Response (action)
2013 very unfavourable high low
Was the whole site assessed? State assessed by Accuracy of information
yes habitat medium

State (condition of the trigger species' populations)
Scientific name Common name Reference population Actual population Units % of population remaining Result
Aquila heliaca Eastern Imperial Eagle 6 4 individuals 67 unfavourable
Buteo rufinus Long-legged Buzzard 19 7 breeding pairs 37 very unfavourable
Falco cherrug Saker Falcon 2 0 individuals 0 very unfavourable

State (condition of the trigger species' habitats)
Habitat Habitat detail Reference area (ha) Actual area (ha) Habitat quantity (% remaining) Habitat quality (carrying capacity) Result
Grassland 0 0 very poor (< 40%) very poor (< 40%) very unfavourable

Pressure (threats to the trigger species and/or their habitats)
Threat level 1 Threat level 2 Timing Scope Severity Result
Agricultural expansion and intensification annual & perennial non-timber crops - agro-industry farming likely in long term (beyond 4 years) some of area/population (10-49%) very rapid to severe deterioration medium
Biological resource use hunting & collecting terrestrial animals - persecution/control likely in long term (beyond 4 years) whole area/population (>90%) very rapid to severe deterioration high
Energy production and mining mining and quarrying likely in long term (beyond 4 years) some of area/population (10-49%) slow but significant deterioration medium

Response (conservation actions taken for the trigger species and/or their habitats)
Protected-area designation Management planning Other conservation action Result
Whole area of site (>90%) covered by appropriate conservation designation No management planning has taken place Substantive conservation measures are being implemented but these are not comprehensive and are limited by resources and capacity low
For more information about IBA conservation status, please click here

IBA Protection

Protected area (PA) PA designation PA area (ha) Relationship of PA with IBA Overlap of PA with IBA (ha)
Reka Maritsa Site of Community Importance (Habitats Directive) 14,693 protected area overlaps with site 1,194
Reka Luda Yana Site of Community Importance (Habitats Directive) 474 protected area overlaps with site 37
Ognianovsko-Sinitevski rid Zashtitena Mestnost 843 protected area contained by site 0
Nahodishte na atinska merendera selo Isperihovo Zashtitena Mestnost 37 protected area contained by site 0
Besaparski vazvishenia Site of Community Importance (Habitats Directive) 6,743 protected area contained by site 6,743
Besaparski ridove Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) 14,765 is identical to site 14,765

Habitats

Habitat (IUCN level 1) Habitat detail Extent (% of site)
Grassland -
For more information about the IUCN Habitat classification, please click here.


Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2023) Important Bird Area factsheet: Besaparski Hills. Downloaded from http://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/besaparski-hills-iba-bulgaria on 26/09/2023.