Data Zone
Country/territory: Belgium
IBA criteria met: A4i, A4iii, B1i, B2, C2, C3, C4, C6 (2000)
For more information about IBA criteria, please click here
Area: 5,100 hectares (51.00 km2)
Site description (2000 baseline)
A large area of flat and annually (in winter) inundated hay-meadows and grasslands along the IJzer and Handzame rivers. The site includes the Blankaart, a shallow freshwater lake with extensive reedbeds and Salix marshes.
Key biodiversity
This is an internationally important area for migrating and wintering waders and waterfowl, especially wintering Anas penelope. The site is also nationally important for breeding meadow birds.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: IJzervallei-De Blankaart (Belgium). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/ijzervallei-de-blankaart-iba-belgium on 22/12/2024.