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 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 |
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 |
Habitat (IUCN level 1) | Habitat detail | Extent (% of site) |
---|---|---|
Grassland | Humid grasslands | - |
Wetlands (inland) | Rivers and streams, Water fringe vegetation | - |
Marine Neritic | - | |
Marine Intertidal | - |
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.