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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	97 breeding pairs	C6
Woodlark Lullula arborea	LC	breeding	2007	176 males	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	small area/few individuals (<10%)	slow but significant deterioration	low
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
Human intrusions and disturbance	recreational activities	happening now	small area/few individuals (<10%)	slow but significant deterioration	low
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%)	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	small area/few individuals (<10%)	slow but significant deterioration	low
Residential and commercial development	housing and urban areas	likely in short term (within 4 years)	small area/few individuals (<10%)	moderate to rapid deterioration	low

Condition of key/trigger populations (state)
Scientific	Common	TargetPop	ActualPop	Units	Remaining	Result
Caprimulgus europaeus	European Nightjar	135	97	males	72	near favourable
Lullula arborea	Woodlark	25	176	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	Some limited conservation initiatives are in place	low

For more information about IBA monitoring please click here

Protected Area	Designation	Area (ha)	Relationship with IBA	Overlap with IBA (ha)
Westleton Heath	National Nature Reserve	48	protected area overlaps with site	0
Tunstall Common	Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK)	37	protected area overlaps with site	0
Sutton and Hollesley Heaths	Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK)	483	protected area overlaps with site	483
Suffolk Coast and Heaths	Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty	40,510	protected area contains site	4,287
Suffolk Coast	National Nature Reserve	981	protected area overlaps with site	0
Suffolk	Heritage Coast	20,697	protected area overlaps with site	0
Staverton Park And The Thicks; Wantisden	Site of Community Importance (Habitats Directive)	84	protected area is adjacent to site	0
Staverton Park and The Thicks, Wantisden	Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK)	81	protected area is adjacent to site	0
Snape Warren	Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK)	48	protected area overlaps with site	0
Snape	Nature Reserve	235	protected area overlaps with site	0
Sandlings Forest	Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK)	2,482	protected area overlaps with site	2,474
Sandlings	Special Protection Area (Birds Directive)	3,406	protected area contained by site	3,392
Potton Hall Fields, Westleton	Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK)	17	protected area overlaps with site	0
North Warren	RSPB Reserve	430	protected area overlaps with site	251
North Warren	Nature Reserve	412	protected area overlaps with site	0
Minsmere-Walberswick Heaths and Marshes	Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK)	2,325	protected area is adjacent to site	0
Minsmere-Walberswick	Special Protection Area (Birds Directive)	2,019	protected area is adjacent to site	0
Minsmere To Walberswick Heaths And Marshes	Site of Community Importance (Habitats Directive)	1,257	protected area is adjacent to site	0
Minsmere - Walberswick	Ramsar Site, Wetland of International Importance	2,019	protected area is adjacent to site	0
Minsmere	Nature Reserve	979	protected area is adjacent to site	0
Leiston - Aldeburgh	Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK)	534	protected area overlaps with site	308
Iken Wood	Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK)	5	protected area overlaps with site	0
Dingle Marshes	Nature Reserve	204	protected area overlaps with site	0
Blaxhall Heath	Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK)	46	protected area overlaps with site	0
Alde; Ore And Butley Estuaries	Site of Community Importance (Habitats Directive)	1,633	protected area is adjacent to site	0
Alde-Ore Estuary	Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK)	2,532	protected area is adjacent to site	0
Alde-Ore Estuary	Ramsar Site, Wetland of International Importance	2,547	protected area is adjacent to site	0
Alde-Ore Estuary	Special Protection Area (Birds Directive)	2,404	protected area is adjacent to site	0

IUCN Habitat	Habitat detail	Extent (% of site)
Forest	Broadleaved deciduous woodland	-
Shrubland	Heathland	-
Grassland		-
Artificial/Terrestrial	Forestry plantations	-

For further information about the habitat classification please click here.

Land-use	Extent (% of site)
agriculture	-
forestry	-
nature conservation and research	-

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

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2023) Important Bird Areas factsheet: Suffolk Sandlings. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 27/01/2023.