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The site was identified as internationally important for bird conservation in 2000 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 (-)	5–10 breeding pairs	C6

Year	Protected Area	Designation (management category)	% coverage of IBA
1977	Kalmthoutse Heide	Vlaams natuurreservaat (IV)	37
1988	Kalmthoutse Heide	Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IV)	99
2002	Kalmthoutse Heide	Site of Community Importance (Habitats Directive) (IV)	94
2011	Stappersven	Erkend natuurreservaat (IV)	16

Habitat	% of IBA	Habitat detail
Shrubland	40	Heathland
Artificial/Terrestrial	30	Forestry plantations
Forest	15	Broadleaved deciduous woodland
Wetlands (inland)	5	Fens, transition mires and springs

Land use	% of IBA
tourism/recreation	60
nature conservation and research	60
forestry	20
water management	20

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2025) Important Bird Area factsheet: Kalmthoutse Heide (Belgium). Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/kalmthoutse-heide-iba-belgium on 06/01/2025.