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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| European Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus | LC | breeding (2004) | 85 pairs | B2, C6 |
| Dartford Warbler Curruca undata | NT | resident (2006) | 38 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 | good | medium | high |
| Whole site assessed? | State assessed by | Accuracy of information | |
| yes | population | good | |
| State (condition of the trigger species' populations) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Species | Actual vs Reference (units) | % remaining | Result | ||
| European Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus | 85 / 36 (males) | 100 | good | ||
| Dartford Warbler Curruca undata | 38 / 29 (males) | 100 | 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 |
| Natural system modifications | happening now | some of population/area (10–49%) | slow decline (1–10% over 3 generations) | medium |
| Response (conservation actions taken for the trigger species and/or their habitats) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Designation | Planning | Action | Result |
| Whole area (>90%) covered by appropriate conservation designation | A comprehensive and appropriate management plan exists that aims to maintain or improve the populations of qualifying bird species | Substantive conservation measures are being implemented, but these are not comprehensive and are limited by resources and capacity | high |
| Year | Protected Area | Designation (management category) | % coverage of IBA |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1930 | Wych Cross: The Warren | Nature Reserve (V) | <1 |
| 1983 | Old Lodge, Nutley | Local Nature Reserve (IV) | 3 |
| 1986 | Ashdown Forest | Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) | 100 |
| 1986 | Rock Wood | Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) | <1 |
| 1987 | High Weald | Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (V) | 100 |
| Habitat | % of IBA | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | - | Broadleaved deciduous woodland |
| Shrubland | - | Heathland |
| Wetlands (inland) | - | Standing freshwater; Rivers and streams; Fens, transition mires and springs |
| Land use | % of IBA |
|---|---|
| agriculture | - |
| forestry | - |
| nature conservation and research | - |
| tourism/recreation | - |
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Ashdown Forest (United Kingdom). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/ashdown-forest-iba-united-kingdom on 25/12/2024.