UK311
Achanalt Marshes


IBA Justification

The site was identified as internationally important for bird conservation in 2007 because it was regularly supporting significant populations of the species listed below, meeting IBA criteria.

Populations meeting IBA criteria ('key species') at the site:
Species Red List Season (year/s of estimate) Size IBA criteria
Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola LC breeding (1991–1995) 3 breeding pairs B3

IBA Conservation

Ideally the conservation status of the IBA will have been checked regularly since the site was first identified in 2007. The most recent assessment (2007) is shown below.

IBA conservation status
Year of assessment State Pressure Response
2007 not assessed medium medium
Whole site assessed? State assessed by Accuracy of information
yes unset good

Pressure (threats to the key species and/or their habitats)
Threat Timing Scope Severity Result
Agricultural expansion and intensification happen­ing now some of popul­ation/area (10–49%) slow deteri­oration (1–10% over 3 gener­ations) medium

Response (conservation actions taken for the key species and/or their habitats)
Designation Planning 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90%) covered by appropriate conservation designation A manage­ment plan exists, but it is out of date or not compre­hensive Substantive conservation measures are being implemented, but these are not comprehensive and are limited by resources and capacity medium

IBA Protection

Year Protected Area Designation (management category) % coverage of IBA
1989 Achanalt Marshes Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) 100

Habitats

Habitat % of IBA Habitat detail
Wetlands (inland) major (>10) Fens, transition mires and springs; Rivers and streams; Water fringe vegetation
Grassland - Humid grasslands


Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2025) Important Bird Area factsheet: Achanalt Marshes (United Kingdom). Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/achanalt-marshes-iba-united-kingdom on 09/01/2025.