UK035
Lea Valley


IBA Criteria

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
Northern Shoveler Spatula clypeata LC passage 2001-2006 412 individuals B1i, C3
Gadwall Mareca strepera LC passage 2001-2006 555 individuals B1i, C3
Gadwall Mareca strepera LC winter 2001-2006 704 individuals B1i, C3
Eurasian Bittern Botaurus stellaris LC winter 2003-2007 4 individuals 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


IBA Monitoring

Most recent IBA monitoring assessment
Year of assessment Threat score (pressure) Condition score (state) Action score (response)
2007 medium unfavourable low
Was the whole site covered? Yes State assessed by Population
Accuracy of information good

Threats to the site (pressure)
Threat Level 1 Threat Level 2 Timing Scope Severity Result
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
Pollution domestic & urban waste water - type unknown/unrecorded happening now some of area/population (10-49%) slow but significant deterioration medium

Condition of key/trigger populations (state)
Scientific Common TargetPop ActualPop Units Remaining Result
Mareca strepera Gadwall 300 704 individuals 100 favourable
Botaurus stellaris Eurasian Bittern 7 4 individuals 58 unfavourable

Conservation actions taken at site (response)
Conservation Designation Management Planning Conservation Action Result
Some of site covered (10-49%) A management plan exists but it is out of date or not comprehensive Substantive conservation measures are being implemented but these are not comprehensive and are limited by resources and capacity low
For more information about IBA monitoring please click here

IBA Protection

Protected Area Designation Area (ha) Relationship with IBA Overlap with IBA (ha)
Walthamstow Reservoirs Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) 180 protected area overlaps with site 177
Walthamstow Marshes Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) 38 protected area overlaps with site 0
Waltham Abbey Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) 34 protected area overlaps with site 0
Turnford & Cheshunt Pits Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) 174 protected area overlaps with site 174
Rye Meads Nature Reserve 26 protected area overlaps with site 0
Rye Meads Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) 60 protected area overlaps with site 0
Lee Valley Ramsar Site, Wetland of International Importance 448 protected area overlaps with site 448
Lee Valley Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) 451 protected area contained by site 448
Chingford Reservoirs Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) 387 protected area overlaps with site 368
Amwell Quarry Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) 37 protected area overlaps with site 0

Habitats

IUCN Habitat Habitat detail Extent (% of site)
Grassland Humid grasslands -
Wetlands (inland) Standing freshwater, Rivers and streams, Fens, transition mires and springs -
For further information about the habitat classification please click here.

Land use

Land-use Extent (% of site)
fisheries/aquaculture -
military -
nature conservation and research -
tourism/recreation -
urban/industrial/transport -
water management -
For further information about the land use classification please click here.


Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2023) Important Bird Areas factsheet: Lea Valley. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 25/03/2023.