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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| European Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus | LC | breeding (2006) | 82 males | C6 |
| Dartford Warbler Curruca undata | NT | resident (2006) | 83 males | 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 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 | ||
| European Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus | 82 / 79 (males) | 100 | favourable | ||
| Dartford Warbler Curruca undata | 83 / 130 (males) | 64 | unfavourable | ||
| Pressure (threats to the key species and/or their habitats) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Threat | Timing | Scope | Severity | Result |
| Agricultural expansion and intensification | happening now | some of population/area (10–49%) | slow deterioration (1–10% over 3 generations) | medium |
| Human intrusions and disturbance | happening now | few individuals/small area (<10%) | slow deterioration (1–10% over 3 generations) | low |
| Natural system modifications | happening now | 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 |
| Most of site (50–90%) covered (including the most critical parts for important bird species) | A management plan exists, but it is out of date or not comprehensive | Very little or no conservation action taking place | low |
| Year | Protected Area | Designation (management category) | % coverage of IBA |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | Aylesbeare Common | RSPB Reserve (-) | 17 |
| 1963 | East Devon | Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (V) | 100 |
| 1977 | Aylesbeare Common | Nature Reserve (IV) | 15 |
| 1986 | East Devon Pebblebed Heaths | Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) | 80 |
| Habitat | % of IBA | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | - | Mixed woodland |
| Shrubland | - | Scrub; Heathland |
| Wetlands (inland) | - | Fens, transition mires and springs |
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2025) Important Bird Area factsheet: East Devon Heaths (United Kingdom). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/east-devon-heaths-iba-united-kingdom on 06/01/2025.