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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Common Redshank Tringa totanus | LC | breeding (1993) | 520 pairs | B1i, B3, C3 |
| Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus | LC | breeding (2002) | 2 pairs | C6 |
| Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus | LC | breeding (2001) | 18,518 pairs | A4i, B1i, B3, C3 |
| Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus | LC | resident (1994) | 9 pairs | C6 |
| Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus | LC | resident (1994) | 14 pairs | C6 |
| Merlin Falco columbarius | LC | resident (1994) | 17 pairs | C6 |
| Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus | LC | resident (1994) | 10 pairs | C6 |
| A4iii Species group - waterbirds | n/a | breeding (1999–2002) | 20,681 pairs | A4iii, C4 |
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 | low | very low |
| 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 | ||
| Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus | 18,518 / 11,500 (pairs) | 100 | good | ||
| A4iii Species group - waterbirds | 20,681 / 11,950 (pairs) | 100 | good | ||
| Pressure (threats to the trigger species and/or their habitats) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Threat | Timing | Scope | Severity | Result |
| Transportation and service corridors | likely in short term (<4 years) | few individuals/small area (<10%) | slow decline (1–10% over 3 generations) | low |
| Response (conservation actions taken for the trigger species and/or their habitats) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Designation | Planning | Action | Result |
| Some of area covered (10–49%) | Unknown | Not assessed | very low |
| Year | Protected Area | Designation (management category) | % coverage of IBA |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1964 | Forest of Bowland | Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (V) | 100 |
| 1984 | Roeburndale Woods | Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) | <1 |
| 1984 | Burton Wood | Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) | <1 |
| 1985 | Robert Hall Moor | Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) | <1 |
| 1985 | Myttons Meadows | Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) | <1 |
| 1986 | Hodder River Section | Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) | <1 |
| 1986 | Little Mearley Clough | Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) | <1 |
| 1987 | Clitheroe Knoll Reefs | Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) | <1 |
| 1988 | Bowland Fells | Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) | 20 |
| 1988 | Austwick and Lawkland Mosses | Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) | <1 |
| 1988 | Clear Beck Meadow | Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) | <1 |
| 1989 | Tarnbrook Meadows | Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) | <1 |
| 1989 | Keasden Moor | Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) | <1 |
| 1989 | Langcliff Cross Meadow | Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) | <1 |
| 1990 | Artle Dale | Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) | <1 |
| 1990 | Giggleswick Scar and Kinsey Cave | Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) | <1 |
| 1992 | New Ing Meadow | Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) | <1 |
| 1993 | Hesley Moss | Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) | <1 |
| 1994 | Far Holme Meadow | Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) | <1 |
| 1996 | Barn Gill Meadow | Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) | <1 |
| 1998 | Standridge Farm Pasture | Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) | <1 |
| 1999 | Bell Sykes Meadows | Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) | <1 |
| 1999 | Field Head Meadow | Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) | <1 |
| 2000 | Calf Hill and Cragg Woods | Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) | <1 |
| 2011 | Fishwick Bottoms | Local Nature Reserve (IV) | <1 |
| Habitat | % of IBA | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | - | Broadleaved deciduous woodland |
| Grassland | - | Humid grasslands |
| Shrubland | - | Heathland |
| Wetlands (inland) | - | Rivers and streams; Blanket bogs |
| Land use | % of IBA |
|---|---|
| agriculture | - |
| fisheries/aquaculture | - |
| forestry | - |
| hunting | - |
| water management | - |
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Bowland Fells (United Kingdom). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/bowland-fells-iba-united-kingdom on 23/12/2024.