UK016
Deben Estuary


IBA Criteria

Year of most recent IBA criteria assessment: 2007

Populations of IBA trigger species
Species Current IUCN Red List Category Season Year(s) of estimate Population estimate IBA Criteria Triggered
Pied Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta LC passage 2001-2006 91 individuals B2, C6
Pied Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta LC winter 2001-2006 255 individuals B2, C6
Western Marsh-harrier Circus aeruginosus LC breeding 1990 4 breeding pairs C6
A4iii Species group - waterbirds n/a winter 2001-2006 20,543 individuals A4iii, C4

Note: This table presents the IBA criteria triggered and the species that triggered then at the time of assessment, the current IUCN Red List category may vary from that which was in place at that time.

For more information about the IBA assessment process and criteria please click here


IBA Monitoring

Most recent IBA monitoring assessment
Year of assessment Threat score (pressure) Condition score (state) Action score (response)
2007 high favourable low
Was the whole site covered? Yes State assessed by Population
Accuracy of information good

Threats to the site (pressure)
Threat Level 1 Threat Level 2 Timing Scope Severity Result
Climate change and severe weather habitat shifting and alteration happening now majority/most of area/population (50-90%) slow but significant deterioration high
Natural system modifications dams & water management/use - dams (size unknown) likely in short term (within 4 years) small area/few individuals (<10%) slow but significant deterioration low
Natural system modifications other ecosystem modifications happening now majority/most of area/population (50-90%) slow but significant deterioration high
Pollution agricultural & forestry effluents - nutrient loads happening now majority/most of area/population (50-90%) slow but significant deterioration high

Condition of key/trigger populations (state)
Scientific Common TargetPop ActualPop Units Remaining Result
Recurvirostra avosetta Pied Avocet 83 255 individuals 100 favourable

Conservation actions taken at site (response)
Conservation Designation Management Planning Conservation Action Result
Whole area of site (>90%) covered by appropriate conservation designation No management plan exists but the management planning process has begun Some limited conservation initiatives are in place low
For more information about IBA monitoring please click here

IBA Protection

Protected Area Designation Area (ha) Relationship with IBA Overlap with IBA (ha)
Sutton Hoo Nature Reserve 98 protected area overlaps with site 0
Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty 40,510 protected area contains site 977
Suffolk Coast Heritage Coast 0 protected area overlaps with site 388
Suffolk Heritage Coast 20,697 protected area overlaps with site 0
Ramsholt Cliff Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) 2 protected area contained by site 0
Ferry Cliff, Sutton Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) 3 protected area overlaps with site 0
Deben Estuary Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) 981 protected area overlaps with site 977
Deben Estuary Ramsar Site, Wetland of International Importance 979 protected area overlaps with site 977
Deben Estuary Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) 981 is identical to site 977
Deben Estuary Marine Protected Area (OSPAR) 0 protected area overlaps with site 0

Habitats

IUCN Habitat Habitat detail Extent (% of site)
Marine Intertidal -
Shrubland Scrub -
Marine Neritic -
For further information about the habitat classification please click here.

Land use

Land-use Extent (% of site)
agriculture -
nature conservation and research -
tourism/recreation -
For further information about the land use classification please click here.


Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2023) Important Bird Areas factsheet: Deben Estuary. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 28/03/2023.