Data Zone
The site was identified as internationally important for bird conservation in 2010 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black Grouse Lyrurus tetrix | LC | breeding (2008) | 107 males | C6 |
| Tundra Swan Cygnus columbianus | LC | passage (2007–2010) | 300 birds | C2 |
| Greater White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons | LC | passage (2007–2010) | 50,000 birds | C3 |
| Eurasian Wigeon Mareca penelope | LC | passage (2007–2010) | 25,000 birds | C3 |
| Northern Pintail Anas acuta | LC | passage (2007–2010) | 10,000 birds | C3 |
| Corncrake Crex crex | LC | breeding (2006) | 700 males | C1, C6 |
| Spotted Crake Porzana porzana | LC | breeding (1991–1997) | 300–1,500 males | C6 |
| Little Crake Zapornia parva | LC | breeding (1991–1997) | 27–80 males | C6 |
| Common Crane Grus grus | LC | passage (2009) | 1,900 birds | C2 |
| Common Crane Grus grus | LC | breeding (2009) | 600 pairs | C6 |
| Black Stork Ciconia nigra | LC | breeding (1989–1994) | 24–26 pairs | C6 |
| White Stork Ciconia ciconia | LC | breeding (2009) | 300–400 pairs | C6 |
| Eurasian Bittern Botaurus stellaris | LC | breeding (1991–2000) | 27–120 males | C2, C6 |
| Great White Egret Ardea alba | LC | breeding (2008–2009) | 10 pairs | C6 |
| Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata | NT | breeding (2007–2010) | 50 pairs | C1 |
| Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa | NT | breeding (2007–2010) | 200 pairs | C1 |
| Ruff Calidris pugnax | LC | passage (2007–2010) | 20,000 birds | C2 |
| Great Snipe Gallinago media | NT | breeding (1991–1997) | 400–480 males | C1, C2, C6 |
| Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybrida | LC | breeding (1991–2000) | 1–150 pairs | C6 |
| Black Tern Chlidonias niger | LC | breeding (1991–1997) | 200–700 pairs | C2, C6 |
| Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus | LC | breeding (2008–2009) | 4 pairs | C6 |
| Eurasian Eagle-owl Bubo bubo | LC | breeding (2005–2009) | 34–35 pairs | C6 |
| Lesser Spotted Eagle Clanga pomarina | LC | breeding (2005–2009) | 34–35 pairs | C6 |
| Greater Spotted Eagle Clanga clanga | VU | breeding (2005–2009) | 21–23 pairs | C1, C6 |
| Western Marsh-harrier Circus aeruginosus | LC | breeding (1991–1997) | 170–296 pairs | C6 |
| Montagu's Harrier Circus pygargus | LC | breeding (1997) | 97 pairs | C6 |
| White-tailed Sea-eagle Haliaeetus albicilla | LC | breeding (2005–2009) | 12–13 pairs | C6 |
| Grey-faced Woodpecker Picus canus | LC | breeding (1990–1997) | 70–80 pairs | C6 |
| White-backed Woodpecker Dendrocopos leucotos | LC | breeding (2005–2009) | 100 pairs | C6 |
| Aquatic Warbler Acrocephalus paludicola | VU | breeding (2009) | 2,528 males | C1, C6 |
| Bluethroat Luscinia svecica | LC | breeding (2006) | 100 pairs | C6 |
| Red-breasted Flycatcher Ficedula parva | LC | breeding (1991–1997) | 250–350 pairs | C6 |
| A4iii Species group - waterbirds | n/a | passage (2007–2010) | 100,000 birds | C4 |
Ideally the conservation status of the IBA will have been checked regularly since the site was first identified in 2010. The most recent assessment (2013) is shown below.
| IBA conservation assessment | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year of assessment | State | Pressure | Response |
| 2013 | not assessed | very high | medium |
| Whole site assessed? | State assessed by | Accuracy of information | |
| yes | unset | unknown | |
| Pressure (threats to the trigger species and/or their habitats) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Threat | Timing | Scope | Severity | Result |
| Invasive and other problematic species and genes | happening now | whole of population/area (>90%) | rapid decline (>30% over 3 generations) | very high |
| Agricultural expansion and intensification | happening now | most of population/area (50–90%) | rapid decline (>30% over 3 generations) | very high |
| Human intrusions and disturbance | happening now | most of population/area (50–90%) | rapid decline (>30% over 3 generations) | very high |
| Climate change and severe weather | likely in short term (<4 years) | whole of population/area (>90%) | rapid decline (>30% over 3 generations) | very high |
| Natural system modifications | happening now | some of population/area (10–49%) | moderate decline (10–30% over 3 generations) | high |
| 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 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 | medium |
| Year | Protected Area | Designation (management category) | % coverage of IBA |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1958 | Czapliniec Bełda | Rezerwat Przyrody (IV) | <1 |
| 1995 | Szelągówka | Rezerwat Przyrody (IV) | <1 |
| Habitat | % of IBA | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Wetlands (inland) | 31 | Rivers and streams; Raised bogs; Water fringe vegetation; Fens, transition mires and springs |
| Grassland | 27 | Humid grasslands |
| Forest | 26 | Broadleaved deciduous woodland; Native coniferous woodland; Mixed woodland; Alluvial and very wet forest |
| Artificial/Terrestrial | 15 | Highly improved re-seeded landscapes; Other urban and industrial areas; Ruderal land |
| Other | 1 |
| Land use | % of IBA |
|---|---|
| nature conservation and research | 47 |
| not utilised | 43 |
| forestry | 28 |
| agriculture | 26 |
| hunting | - |
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Biebrza river valley (Poland). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/biebrza-river-valley-iba-poland on 22/12/2024.