UK031
Hornsea Mere


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
Little Gull Hydrocoloeus minutus LC non-breeding 1994-1995 2,000 individuals A4i, B1i, C3

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 unfavourable high low
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
Branta leucopsis Barnacle Goose 185 115 individuals 63 unfavourable
Mareca strepera Gadwall 300 191 individuals 64 unfavourable

Pressure (threats to the trigger species and/or their habitats)
Threat level 1 Threat level 2 Timing Scope Severity Result
Energy production and mining renewable energy likely in short term (within 4 years) small area/few individuals (<10%) moderate to rapid deterioration low
Natural system modifications dams & water management/use - abstraction of surface water (agricultural use) 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 small area/few individuals (<10%) slow but significant deterioration low
Pollution agricultural & forestry effluents - nutrient loads happening now majority/most of area/population (50-90%) slow but significant deterioration high
Pollution domestic & urban waste water - sewage happening now majority/most of area/population (50-90%) slow but significant deterioration high

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 Unknown Some limited conservation initiatives are in place low
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)
Hornsea Mere Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) 232 protected area overlaps with site 231
Hornsea Mere Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) 232 is identical to site 231

Habitats

Habitat (IUCN level 1) Habitat detail Extent (% of site)
Forest Broadleaved deciduous woodland, Alluvial and very wet forest -
Wetlands (inland) Standing freshwater, Water fringe vegetation, Fens, transition mires and springs -
For more information about the IUCN Habitat classification, please click here.

Land use

Land-use Extent (% of site)
agriculture -
fisheries/aquaculture -
nature conservation and research -
tourism/recreation -
water management -


Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2023) Important Bird Area factsheet: Hornsea Mere. Downloaded from http://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/hornsea-mere-iba-united-kingdom on 10/12/2023.