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The site was identified as important in 2008 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
Eastern Imperial Eagle Aquila heliaca	VU	resident	2007	12-15 breeding pairs	A1, B2
European Roller Coracias garrulus	LC	breeding	2006	10-30 breeding pairs	A1, B2
Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni	LC	breeding	2003	200-250 breeding pairs	A1, B2
Lesser Grey Shrike Lanius minor	LC	breeding	2006	30-100 breeding pairs	B2

The current IUCN Red List category may differ from that which was valid at the time of IBA criteria assessment (2008).

State (condition of the trigger species' populations)
Scientific name	Common name	Reference population	Actual population	Units	% of population remaining	Result
Falco naumanni	Lesser Kestrel	120	10	breeding pairs	9	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	happening now	some of area/population (10-49%)	moderate to rapid deterioration	high
Biological resource use	hunting & collecting terrestrial animals - persecution/control	happening now	majority/most of area/population (50-90%)	very rapid to severe deterioration	very high
Energy production and mining	renewable energy	likely in short term (within 4 years)	some of area/population (10-49%)	slow but significant deterioration	medium
Residential and commercial development	commercial and industrial development	happening now	some of area/population (10-49%)	very rapid to severe deterioration	high
Transportation and service corridors	utility & service lines	happening now	some of area/population (10-49%)	very rapid to severe deterioration	high

Response (conservation actions taken for the trigger species and/or their habitats)
Protected-area designation	Management planning	Other conservation action	Result
Little/none of site covered (<10%)	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

Habitat (IUCN level 1)	Habitat detail	Extent (% of site)
Artificial/Terrestrial	Arable land, Other urban and industrial areas, Perennial crops, orchards and groves	-
Forest	Broadleaved deciduous woodland, Native coniferous woodland	-

For more information about the IUCN Habitat classification, please click here.

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2023) Important Bird Area factsheet: Ovche Pole. Downloaded from http://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/ovche-pole-iba-north-macedonia on 03/10/2023.