Data Zone
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 ('triggering') IBA criteria.
Populations meeting IBA criteria ('trigger species') at the site:| Species | Red List | Season (year/s of estimate) | Size | IBA criteria |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus | LC | resident (1995) | 13 pairs | C6 |
| Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus | LC | resident (1995) | 25 pairs | B2, C6 |
| Red-billed Chough Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax | LC | resident (1995) | 3 pairs | C6 |
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 assessment | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year of assessment | State | Pressure | Response |
| 2007 | not assessed | medium | low |
| Whole site assessed? | State assessed by | Accuracy of information | |
| yes | unset | good | |
| Pressure (threats to the trigger species and/or their habitats) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Threat | Timing | Scope | Severity | Result |
| Agricultural expansion and intensification | happening now | some of population/area (10–49%) | slow decline (1–10% over 3 generations) | medium |
| Energy production and mining | happening now | some of population/area (10–49%) | slow decline (1–10% over 3 generations) | medium |
| Biological resource use | likely in short term (<4 years) | few individuals/small area (<10%) | moderate decline (10–30% over 3 generations) | low |
| Response (conservation actions taken for the trigger species and/or their habitats) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Designation | Planning | Action | Result |
| Most of area (50–90%) covered (including the most critical parts for important bird species) | A management plan exists, but it is out of date or not comprehensive | Very little or no conservation action taking place | low |
| Year | Protected Area | Designation (management category) | % coverage of IBA |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | GLENARIFF | Area of Special Scientific Interest (NI) (IV) | <1 |
| 1987 | CLEGGAN VALLEY | Area of Special Scientific Interest (NI) (IV) | <1 |
| 1988 | ANTRIM COAST & GLENS AONB | Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (NI) (V) | 100 |
| 1988 | Antrim Coast and Glens | Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (V) | 100 |
| 1994 | GARRON PLATEAU | Area of Special Scientific Interest (NI) (IV) | 10 |
| 1995 | Cushleake Mountain | Nature Reserve (V) | 4 |
| 1997 | BREEN WOOD | Area of Special Scientific Interest (NI) (IV) | <1 |
| 2009 | Slieveanorra and Croaghan | Area of Special Scientific Interest (NI) (IV) | 5 |
| 2009 | Carey Valley | Area of Special Scientific Interest (NI) (IV) | <1 |
| 2009 | Glenballyemon River | Area of Special Scientific Interest (NI) (IV) | <1 |
| 2011 | Glenariff Glen | Area of Special Scientific Interest (NI) (IV) | <1 |
| Habitat | % of IBA | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Artificial/Terrestrial | - | Forestry plantations |
| Forest | - | Broadleaved deciduous woodland |
| Grassland | - | |
| Rocky areas (eg. inland cliffs, mountain peaks) | - | Inland cliffs |
| Shrubland | - | Heathland |
| Wetlands (inland) | - | Rivers and streams; Blanket bogs |
| Land use | % of IBA |
|---|---|
| agriculture | - |
| forestry | - |
| nature conservation and research | - |
| tourism/recreation | - |
| urban/industrial/transport | - |
| other | - |
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Antrim Hills (United Kingdom). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/antrim-hills-iba-united-kingdom on 23/12/2024.