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The site was identified as important in 2007 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
European Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus	LC	breeding	2006	82 males	C6
Dartford Warbler Curruca undata	NT	resident	2006	83 males	C6

The current IUCN Red List category may differ from that which was valid at the time of IBA criteria assessment (2007).

State (condition of the trigger species' populations)
Scientific name	Common name	Reference population	Actual population	Units	% of population remaining	Result
Caprimulgus europaeus	European Nightjar	79	82	males	100	favourable
Curruca undata	Dartford Warbler	130	83	males	64	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	livestock farming and ranching (includes forest grazing) - small-holder grazing, ranching or farming	happening now	some of area/population (10-49%)	slow but significant deterioration	medium
Human intrusions and disturbance	recreational activities	happening now	small area/few individuals (<10%)	slow but significant deterioration	low
Natural system modifications	fire & fire suppression - increase in fire frequency/intensity	happening now	small area/few individuals (<10%)	slow but significant deterioration	low
Natural system modifications	other ecosystem modifications	happening now	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
Most of site (50-90%) covered (including the most critical parts for important bird species)	A management plan exists but it is out of date or not comprehensive	Very little or no conservation action taking place	low

For more information about IBA conservation status, please click here

Protected area (PA)	PA designation	PA area (ha)	Relationship of PA with IBA	Overlap of PA with IBA (ha)
East Devon Pebblebed Heaths	Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK)	1,135	protected area overlaps with site	1,130
East Devon Pebblebed Heaths	Site of Community Importance (Habitats Directive)	1,124	protected area contained by site	0
East Devon Heaths	Special Protection Area (Birds Directive)	1,124	protected area contained by site	1,120
East Devon	Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty	26,929	protected area contains site	1,398
Aylesbeare Common	RSPB Reserve	242	protected area contained by site	242
Aylesbeare Common	Nature Reserve	242	protected area overlaps with site	0

Habitat (IUCN level 1)	Habitat detail	Extent (% of site)
Forest	Mixed woodland	-
Shrubland	Scrub, Heathland	-
Wetlands (inland)	Fens, transition mires and springs	-

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

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2023) Important Bird Area factsheet: East Devon Heaths. Downloaded from http://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/east-devon-heaths-iba-united-kingdom on 24/09/2023.