UK174
Loch Ken and Dee Marshes


IBA Justification

The site was identified as important in 2007 because it was regularly supporting significant populations of the species listed below, meeting ('triggering') IBA criteria.

Populations meeting IBA criteria ('trigger species') at the site:
Species Red List1 Season Year(s) Size IBA criteria
Greylag Goose Anser anser LC winter 2001-2006 1,194 individuals B1i, C3

1. The current IUCN Red List category. The category at the time of the IBA criteria assessment (2007) may differ.


IBA Conservation

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 assessment
Year of assessment State Pressure Response
2007 near favourable high medium
Whole site assessed? State assessed by Accuracy of information
yes population good

State (condition of the trigger species' populations)
Species Reference Actual Units % remaining Result
Greylag Goose Anser anser 565 1,194 individuals 100 favourable
Greater White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons 265 229 individuals 87 near favourable

Pressure (threats to the trigger species and/or their habitats)
Threat Timing Scope Severity Result
Agricultural expansion and intensification happening now some of area/population (10-49%) moderate to rapid deterioration high
Human intrusions and disturbance happening now some of area/population (10-49%) slow but significant deterioration medium
Biological resource use past (and unlikely to return) and no longer limiting some of area/population (10-49%) slow but significant deterioration low

Response (conservation actions taken for the trigger species and/or their habitats)
Protected areas Management plan Other action Result
Whole area of site (>90%) covered by appropriate conservation designation A management plan exists but it is out of date or not comprehensive Some limited conservation initiatives are in place medium

IBA Protection

Year Protected Area Designation % overlap with IBA
- Ken-Dee Marshes RSPB Reserve 12
1960 Threave and Carlingwark Loch Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) 32
1968 River Dee (Parton to Crossmichael) Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) 54
1968 Kenmure Holms Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) 16
1978 Ken-Dee Marshes Nature Reserve 10
1992 Loch Ken & River Dee Marshes Ramsar Site, Wetland of International Importance 81
2007 Loch Ken and River Dee Marshes Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) 81

Habitats

Habitat1 Habitat detail % of IBA
Wetlands (inland) Standing freshwater, Fens, transition mires and springs major (>10)
Artificial/Terrestrial Highly improved re-seeded landscapes minor (<10)
Grassland minor (<10)
Shrubland Scrub minor (<10)
1. IUCN Habitat classification.

Land use

Land use % of IBA
water management major (>10)
tourism/recreation major (>10)
agriculture minor (<10)
nature conservation and research minor (<10)
urban/industrial/transport minor (<10)


Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Loch Ken and Dee Marshes (United Kingdom). Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/loch-ken-and-dee-marshes-iba-united-kingdom on 23/11/2024.