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 ('triggering') IBA criteria.
Populations meeting IBA criteria ('trigger species') at the site:| Species | Red List | Season (year/s of estimate) | Size | IBA criteria |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tundra Swan Cygnus columbianus | LC | winter (2001–2006) | 738 birds | A4i, B1i, B2, C2, C6 |
| Northern Pintail Anas acuta | LC | winter (2001–2006) | 1,423 birds | B1i, C3 |
| Corncrake Crex crex | LC | breeding (2007) | 4 males | C6 |
| Spotted Crake Porzana porzana | LC | breeding (2006) | 3 males | C6 |
| Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa | NT | breeding (2007) | 41 males | B2 |
| Ruff Calidris pugnax | LC | winter (2001–2006) | 90 birds | C6 |
| A4iii Species group - waterbirds | n/a | winter (2001–2006) | 29,008 birds | A4iii, C4 |
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 | poor | high | medium |
| Whole site assessed? | State assessed by | Accuracy of information | |
| yes | population | good | |
| State (condition of the trigger species' populations) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Species | Actual vs Reference (units) | % remaining | Result | ||
| Tundra Swan Cygnus columbianus | 738 / 1,640 (birds) | 45 | poor | ||
| Northern Pintail Anas acuta | 1,423 / 1,210 (birds) | 100 | good | ||
| Spotted Crake Porzana porzana | 3 / 2 (males) | 100 | good | ||
| Ruff Calidris pugnax | 90 / 95 (birds) | 95 | good | ||
| A4iii Species group - waterbirds | 29,008 / 22,594 (birds) | 100 | good | ||
| Pressure (threats to the trigger species and/or their habitats) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Threat | Timing | Scope | Severity | Result |
| Pollution | happening now | most of population/area (50–90%) | slow decline (1–10% over 3 generations) | high |
| Energy production and mining | likely in short term (<4 years) | few individuals/small area (<10%) | moderate decline (10–30% over 3 generations) | low |
| Residential and commercial development | likely in short term (<4 years) | few individuals/small area (<10%) | moderate decline (10–30% over 3 generations) | low |
| Natural system modifications | likely in short term (<4 years) | few individuals/small area (<10%) | slow decline (1–10% over 3 generations) | low |
| Response (conservation actions taken for the trigger species and/or their habitats) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Designation | Planning | Action | Result |
| Whole area (>90%) covered by appropriate conservation designation | A management plan exists, but it is out of date or not comprehensive | Substantive conservation measures are being implemented, but these are not comprehensive and are limited by resources and capacity | medium |
| Year | Protected Area | Designation (management category) | % coverage of IBA |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | Nene Washes | RSPB Reserve (-) | 83 |
| 1982 | Nene Washes | Nature Reserve (IV) | 73 |
| 1983 | Nene Washes (Whittlesey) | Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) | 100 |
| Habitat | % of IBA | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Grassland | major (>10) | Humid grasslands |
| Wetlands (inland) | major (>10) | Standing freshwater; Water fringe vegetation; Rivers and streams |
| Land use | % of IBA |
|---|---|
| agriculture | - |
| hunting | - |
| nature conservation and research | - |
| water management | - |
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Nene Washes (United Kingdom). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/nene-washes-iba-united-kingdom on 23/12/2024.