UK021
Exe Estuary


IBA Justification

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
Horned Grebe Podiceps auritus VU winter 2001-2006 6 individuals C6
Pied Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta LC winter 2001-2006 360-423 individuals B2, C6
Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica NT winter 2001-2006 370 individuals C6
Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa NT winter 2000-2006 970 individuals B1i, C3
A4iii Species group - waterbirds n/a winter 2001-2006 20,341 individuals A4iii, C4

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


IBA Conservation

IBA conservation assessment
Year of assessment (most recent) State (condition) Pressure (threat) Response (action)
2007 very unfavourable medium medium
Was the whole site assessed? State assessed by Accuracy of information
yes population good

State (condition of the trigger species' populations)
Scientific name Common name Reference population Actual population Units % of population remaining Result
Podiceps auritus Horned Grebe 20 6 individuals 30 very unfavourable
Recurvirostra avosetta Pied Avocet 360 423 individuals 100 favourable
Limosa lapponica Bar-tailed Godwit 430 370 individuals 87 near favourable
Limosa limosa Black-tailed Godwit 585 970 individuals 100 favourable
Calidris alpina Dunlin 6150 4548 individuals 74 near favourable
Species group - waterbirds A4iii 23216 20341 individuals 88 near favourable

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 small area/few individuals (<10%) slow but significant deterioration low
Human intrusions and disturbance recreational activities happening now some of area/population (10-49%) slow but significant deterioration medium
Invasive and other problematic species and genes problematic native species/diseases - unspecified species happening now small area/few individuals (<10%) slow but significant deterioration low
Natural system modifications dams & water management/use - abstraction of ground water (agricultural use) happening now small area/few individuals (<10%) slow but significant deterioration low
Natural system modifications other ecosystem modifications happening now small area/few individuals (<10%) slow but significant deterioration low

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 A management plan exists but it is out of date or not comprehensive Some limited conservation initiatives are in place medium
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)
Prattshayes Nature Reserve 22 protected area overlaps with site 0
Exmouth Local Nature Reserve 214 protected area contained by site 0
Exe Estuary Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) 2,367 protected area contained by site 2,346
Exe Estuary Ramsar Site, Wetland of International Importance 2,346 protected area overlaps with site 2,346
Exe Estuary Nature Reserve 171 protected area overlaps with site 0
Exe Estuary Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) 2,191 protected area overlaps with site 2,136
Exe Estuary Marine Protected Area (OSPAR) 0 protected area overlaps with site 0
East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty 26,929 protected area is adjacent to site 0
Dorset and East Devon Coast World Heritage Site (natural or mixed) 2,550 protected area is adjacent to site 0
Dawlish Warren Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) 181 protected area overlaps with site 239
Dawlish Warren National Nature Reserve 153 protected area overlaps with site 162
Dawlish Warren Local Nature Reserve 25 protected area overlaps with site 0
Dawlish Warren Site of Community Importance (Habitats Directive) 59 protected area contained by site 0

Habitats

Habitat (IUCN level 1) Habitat detail Extent (% of site)
Grassland Humid grasslands -
Wetlands (inland) Rivers and streams, Water fringe vegetation -
Marine Neritic -
Marine Intertidal -
For more information about the IUCN Habitat classification, please click here.

Land use

Land-use Extent (% of site)
fisheries/aquaculture -
tourism/recreation -


Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2023) Important Bird Area factsheet: Exe Estuary. Downloaded from http://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/exe-estuary-iba-united-kingdom on 03/10/2023.