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 IBA criteria.
Populations meeting IBA criteria ('key species') at the site:| Species | Red List | Season (year/s of estimate) | Size | IBA criteria |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tundra Swan Cygnus columbianus | LC | winter (2001–2006) | 165 individuals | B2, C2, C6 |
| Smew Mergellus albellus | LC | winter (2001–2006) | 32 individuals | C6 |
| Northern Shoveler Spatula clypeata | LC | passage (2001–2006) | 457 individuals | B1i, C3 |
| Northern Shoveler Spatula clypeata | LC | winter (2001–2006) | 547 individuals | B1i, C3 |
| Eurasian Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria | LC | winter (2001–2006) | 3,864 individuals | C6 |
| Ruff Calidris pugnax | LC | winter (2001–2006) | 35 individuals | C6 |
| Common Tern Sterna hirundo | LC | breeding (2006) | 170 breeding pairs | C6 |
| Common Tern Sterna hirundo | LC | breeding (2000) | 118 breeding pairs | C6 |
| Sandwich Tern Thalasseus sandvicensis | LC | breeding (2006) | 500 breeding pairs | B1i, B2, C6 |
| A4iii Species group - waterbirds | n/a | winter (2001–2006) | 33,589 individuals | 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 status | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year of assessment | State | Pressure | Response |
| 2007 | unfavourable | medium | low |
| Whole site assessed? | State assessed by | Accuracy of information | |
| yes | population | good | |
| State (condition of the key species' populations) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Species | Actual vs Reference (units) | % remaining | Result | ||
| Tundra Swan Cygnus columbianus | 165 / 325 (individuals) | 51 | unfavourable | ||
| Smew Mergellus albellus | 32 / 38 (individuals) | 85 | near favourable | ||
| Northern Shoveler Spatula clypeata | 547 / 515 (individuals) | 100 | favourable | ||
| Eurasian Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria | 3,864 / 2,850 (individuals) | 100 | favourable | ||
| Ruff Calidris pugnax | 35 / 47 (individuals) | 75 | near favourable | ||
| Little Tern Sternula albifrons | 21 / 41 (breeding pairs) | 52 | unfavourable | ||
| Common Tern Sterna hirundo | 170 / 280 (breeding pairs) | 61 | unfavourable | ||
| Sandwich Tern Thalasseus sandvicensis | 500 / 100 (breeding pairs) | 100 | favourable | ||
| A4iii Species group - waterbirds | 33,589 / 33,194 (individuals) | 100 | favourable | ||
| Pressure (threats to the key species and/or their habitats) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Threat | Timing | Scope | Severity | Result |
| Natural system modifications | happening now | some of population/area (10–49%) | slow deterioration (1–10% over 3 generations) | medium |
| Transportation and service corridors | likely in short term (within 4 years) | few individuals/small area (<10%) | moderate deterioration (10–30% in 3 generations) | low |
| Energy production and mining | likely in short term (within 4 years) | few individuals/small area (<10%) | slow deterioration (1–10% over 3 generations) | low |
| Response (conservation actions taken for the key species and/or their habitats) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Designation | Planning | Action | Result |
| Some of site covered (10–49%) | A management plan exists, but it is out of date or not comprehensive | Substantive conservation measures are being implemented, but these are not comprehensive and are limited by resources and capacity | low |
| Year | Protected Area | Designation (management category) | % coverage of IBA |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1931 | Dungeness | Nature Reserve (IV) | 4 |
| 1975 | Winchelsea | Nature Reserve (V) | <1 |
| 1987 | High Weald | Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (V) | 4 |
| 1990 | Hastings Cliffs To Pett Beach | Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) | <1 |
| 1998 | Dungeness | National Nature Reserve (IV) | 4 |
| 2006 | Dungeness, Romney Marsh and Rye Bay | Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) | 46 |
| 2009 | Rye Harbour | Local Nature Reserve (IV) | 3 |
| Habitat | % of IBA | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Artificial/Terrestrial | - | Highly improved re-seeded landscapes; Arable land |
| Grassland | - | Humid grasslands |
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | - | |
| Marine Intertidal | - | |
| Wetlands (inland) | - | Rivers and streams; Water fringe vegetation; Fens, transition mires and springs |
| Land use | % of IBA |
|---|---|
| agriculture | - |
| military | - |
| nature conservation and research | - |
| tourism/recreation | - |
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2025) Important Bird Area factsheet: Dungeness To Pett Levels (United Kingdom). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/dungeness-to-pett-levels-iba-united-kingdom on 14/01/2025.