Current view: Text account
Site description (2000 baseline):
Site location and context
A large wetland complex in central Estonia, comprised of raised bogs, fens, transition mires and unregulated rivers with flood-plain meadows, surrounded by extensive alluvial forests. The main land-use is forestry.
The most important breeding area for
Gallinago media in Estonia, which also supports a rich assemblage of breeding species of mire, forest and wetland, notably the globally threatened
Aquila clanga. Breeding species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria:
Haliaeetus albicilla (2 pairs). Significant proportion (³1%) of national population breeding at site:
Pernis apivorus (5-7 pairs),
Chlidonias niger (150-200 pairs),
Caprimulgus europaeus (min. 20 pairs),
Picus canus (min. 15 pairs). Numbers of breeding
Tetrao tetrix (min. 75 pairs) are also notable.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
The main threat lies in the overgrowth of flood-plain meadows with scrub, following abandonment of management. Research involves monitoring of birds.
National High
International High25,850 ha of IBA covered by Nature Protection Area (Alam-Pedja, 26,000 ha). 25,850 ha of IBA covered by Ramsar Site (Alam-Pedja Nature Protection Area, 26,000 ha).
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Alam-Pedja (Estonia). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/alam-pedja-iba-estonia on 23/12/2024.
