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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
European Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus	LC	breeding	2004	197 breeding pairs	B2, C6
Woodlark Lullula arborea	LC	resident	2006	123 breeding pairs	C6
Dartford Warbler Curruca undata	NT	resident	2006	334 breeding pairs	C6

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

Threats to the site (pressure)
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
Agricultural expansion and intensification	wood and pulp plantations (includes afforestation) - agro-industry plantations	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 - small dams	likely in short term (within 4 years)	small area/few individuals (<10%)	moderate to rapid deterioration	low
Natural system modifications	other ecosystem modifications	happening now	some of area/population (10-49%)	slow but significant deterioration	medium
Residential and commercial development	housing and urban areas	likely in short term (within 4 years)	some of area/population (10-49%)	moderate to rapid deterioration	medium

Condition of key/trigger populations (state)
Scientific	Common	TargetPop	ActualPop	Units	Remaining	Result
Caprimulgus europaeus	European Nightjar	140	197	males	100	favourable
Lullula arborea	Woodlark	44	123	males	100	favourable
Curruca undata	Dartford Warbler	160	334	males	100	favourable

Conservation actions taken at site (response)
Conservation Designation	Management Planning	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	Substantive conservation measures are being implemented but these are not comprehensive and are limited by resources and capacity	medium

For more information about IBA monitoring please click here

Protected Area	Designation	Area (ha)	Relationship with IBA	Overlap with IBA (ha)
Woolmer Forest	Site of Community Importance (Habitats Directive)	670	protected area contained by site	0
Woolmer Forest	Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK)	1,299	protected area overlaps with site	1,294
Woolbeding Countryside	Nature Reserve	266	protected area overlaps with site	0
Woolbeding and Pound Commons	Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK)	172	protected area overlaps with site	0
Witley and Milford Commons	Nature Reserve	161	protected area overlaps with site	0
Wealden Heaths Phase 2	Special Protection Area (Birds Directive)	2,056	protected area contained by site	1,949
Thursley; Hankley and Frensham Commons (Wealden Heaths Phase 1)	Special Protection Area (Birds Directive)	1,880	protected area contained by site	1,872
Thursley; Ash, Pirbright And Chobham	Site of Community Importance (Habitats Directive)	5,154	protected area overlaps with site	0
Thursley, Hankley & Frensham Commons	Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK)	1,879	protected area overlaps with site	1,870
Thursley & Ockley Bog	Ramsar Site, Wetland of International Importance	265	protected area overlaps with site	265
Thursley	National Nature Reserve	323	protected area overlaps with site	318
The Flashes	Local Nature Reserve	115	protected area overlaps with site	0
Sussex Downs	Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty	98,300	protected area overlaps with site	1,268
Surrey Hills	Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty	42,266	protected area overlaps with site	2,147
South Downs	National Park	165,351	protected area overlaps with site	1,354
Rodborough Common	Local Nature Reserve	62	protected area is adjacent to site	0
Ludshott Commons	Nature Reserve	405	protected area overlaps with site	0
Lavington Common	Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK)	31	protected area overlaps with site	0
Lavington	Nature Reserve	66	protected area overlaps with site	0
Iping Common	Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK)	125	protected area overlaps with site	0
Iping Common	Local Nature Reserve	118	protected area overlaps with site	0
Hindhead Commons	Nature Reserve	574	protected area overlaps with site	0
Frensham Common	Nature Reserve	382	protected area overlaps with site	0
Devil's Punch Bowl	Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK)	282	protected area overlaps with site	280
Chapel Common	Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK)	101	protected area overlaps with site	0
Broxhead Common	Local Nature Reserve	42	protected area overlaps with site	0
Broxhead and Kingsley Commons	Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK)	105	protected area overlaps with site	0
Bramshott and Ludshott Commons	Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK)	375	protected area overlaps with site	375
Ambersham Common	Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK)	142	protected area overlaps with site	0

IUCN Habitat	Habitat detail	Extent (% of site)
Forest	Broadleaved deciduous woodland, Mixed woodland	-
Shrubland	Scrub, Heathland	-
Grassland	Dry siliceous grassland	-
Wetlands (inland)	Standing freshwater, Fens, transition mires and springs	-

For further information about the habitat classification please click here.

Land-use	Extent (% of site)
agriculture	-
forestry	-
military	-
nature conservation and research	-
tourism/recreation	-

For further information about the land use classification please click here.

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2023) Important Bird Areas factsheet: Wealden Heaths. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 01/02/2023.