A shallow coastal area surrounded by cultivated fields. Some former sea inlets have been dammed and converted to freshwater lakes and meadows. The IBA includes southern Langeland, comprising clay cliffs, broadleaved forest (including non-intensively managed forest dominated by Corylus and Carpinus), a brackish lagoon, chalk-rich meadows and agricultural land.
Key biodiversity
Southern Langeland is an important bottleneck site for raptors during autumn migration. Numbers for the 1993 to 1996 period average 11,055 birds per season (minimum 7,293, maximum 15,896), with large annual fluctuations being the result of variable prevailing winds, and changes in observer coverage. Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Haliaeetus albicilla (max. 5, passage). Botaurus stellaris and Circus aeruginosus, listed on Annex I of the EC Birds Directive, breed at the site.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
Two small parts of the IBA are reserves owned by BirdLife Denmark. Two small forest areas are also protected through non-intensive management systems.
Protected areas
National Low International High4,980 ha of IBA covered by Special Protection Area (Marstal Bugt and land areas on Langeland, 4,980 ha).
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2023) Important Bird Area factsheet: Marstal Bugt and the coast of south-west Langeland. Downloaded from
http://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/2989 on 09/06/2023.
