UK016
Deben Estuary


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
Pied Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta LC passage 2001-2006 91 individuals B2, C6
Pied Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta LC winter 2001-2006 255 individuals B2, C6
Western Marsh-harrier Circus aeruginosus LC breeding 1990 4 breeding pairs C6
A4iii Species group - waterbirds n/a winter 2001-2006 20,543 individuals A4iii, C4

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 favourable 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
Recurvirostra avosetta Pied Avocet 83 255 individuals 100 favourable

Pressure (threats to the trigger species and/or their habitats)
Threat level 1 Threat level 2 Timing Scope Severity Result
Climate change and severe weather habitat shifting and alteration happening now majority/most of area/population (50-90%) slow but significant deterioration high
Natural system modifications dams & water management/use - dams (size unknown) 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 majority/most of area/population (50-90%) slow but significant deterioration high
Pollution agricultural & forestry effluents - nutrient loads 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 No management plan exists but the management planning process has begun 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)
Sutton Hoo Nature Reserve 98 protected area overlaps with site 0
Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty 40,510 protected area contains site 977
Suffolk Coast Heritage Coast 0 protected area overlaps with site 388
Suffolk Heritage Coast 20,697 protected area overlaps with site 0
Ramsholt Cliff Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) 2 protected area contained by site 0
Ferry Cliff, Sutton Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) 3 protected area overlaps with site 0
Deben Estuary Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) 981 protected area overlaps with site 977
Deben Estuary Ramsar Site, Wetland of International Importance 979 protected area overlaps with site 977
Deben Estuary Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) 981 is identical to site 977
Deben Estuary Marine Protected Area (OSPAR) 0 protected area overlaps with site 0

Habitats

Habitat (IUCN level 1) Habitat detail Extent (% of site)
Marine Intertidal -
Shrubland Scrub -
Marine Neritic -
For more information about the IUCN Habitat classification, please click here.

Land use

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


Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2023) Important Bird Area factsheet: Deben Estuary. Downloaded from http://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/deben-estuary-iba-united-kingdom on 07/12/2023.