Data Zone
Country/territory: Israel
IBA criteria met: A4i, A4iv, B1i, B1iv, B2 (1994)
For more information about IBA criteria, please click here
Area: 2,400 hectares (24.00 km2)
| IBA conservation status | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year of assessment (most recent) | State (condition) | Pressure (threat) | Response (action) |
| 2013 | not assessed | high | low |
| For more information about IBA monitoring, please click here | |||
Site description (1994 baseline)
A 20-km-strip along the Mediterranean coast, from Atlit south to the Taninim River Nature Reserve. The site includes the Atlit saltpans (8 km south of Haifa) and a large complex of fish-ponds at Ma'agan Mikhael and Ma'ayan Zvi, c.25 km north of Netanya, as well as some small islands off Ma'agan Mikhael.
Key biodiversity
See boxes for key species. Breeding birds include five species of heron and egret and Plegadis falcinellus. The Atlit saltpans hold the only colony of Sterna albifrons in Israel. Good numbers of many waterbird species winter, when up to 55 Circus aeruginosus are also present. Large flocks of Pelecanus onocrotalus occur on passage.
Non-bird biodiversity: Mammals: Meriones sacramenti (endemic). Reptiles: Chalcides guentheri. Flora: Aegialophila pumilio, Salsola soda.
Acknowledgements
Data-sheet compiled by S. Blitzblau, reviewed by R. Frumkin.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Carmel coast (Israel). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/carmel-coast-iba-israel on 23/12/2024.