Current view: Text account
Site description (2000 baseline):
Site location and context
An extensive semi-desertic rocky plain holding salt-tolerant and drought-resistant scrub, with sandy areas, hills, gullies and small patches of arable land. Human activities include cattle-grazing and military manoeuvres.
One of the most important areas in Fuerteventura for
Chlamydotis undulata and other steppic birds. Areas of arable land provide habitat for migrating and wintering passerines.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
Threats include overgrazing, urban development and infrastructure improvements related to tourism, and disturbance to birds caused by military activity (`Other' threat) and tourism (for example, jeep-safaris). The area is a game refuge. The local government has undertaken six censuses of
Chlamydotis undulata since 1979, and is implementing a recovery plan for this species.
National None
International Partial2,700 ha of IBA covered by Special Protection Area (Lajares, 2,700 ha).
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Lajares sandy plain-Cotillo-Ezquinzo (Spain). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/lajares-sandy-plain-cotillo-ezquinzo-iba-spain on 23/11/2024.
