UK108
Ben Alder


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
Eurasian Dotterel Eudromias morinellus LC breeding 1993 11 breeding pairs C6

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 not assessed high low
Was the whole site assessed? State assessed by Accuracy of information
yes unset good

Pressure (threats to the trigger species and/or their habitats)
Threat level 1 Threat level 2 Timing Scope Severity Result
Human intrusions and disturbance recreational activities happening now whole area/population (>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90%) covered by appropriate conservation designation A management plan exists but it is out of date or not comprehensive Very little or no conservation action taking place low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)
Ben Alder and Aonach Beag Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) 6,653 protected area contains site 2,847
Ben Alder And Aonach Beag Site of Community Importance (Habitats Directive) 6,653 protected area contains site 2,847
Ben Alder Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) 2,878 is identical to site 2,847

Habitats

Habitat (IUCN level 1) Habitat detail Extent (% of site)
Shrubland Heathland -
Grassland Steppes and dry calcareous grassland -
Wetlands (inland) Blanket bogs -
Rocky areas (eg. inland cliffs, mountain peaks) Scree & boulders, Inland cliffs -
For more information about the IUCN Habitat classification, please click here.

Land use

Land-use Extent (% of site)
hunting -


Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2023) Important Bird Area factsheet: Ben Alder. Downloaded from http://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/ben-alder-iba-united-kingdom on 01/12/2023.