UK211
North Harris Mountains


IBA Justification

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
Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos LC resident (2003) 7 pairs B2, C6

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 good medium low
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
Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos 7 / 6 (pairs) 100 good

Pressure (threats to the trigger species and/or their habitats)
Threat Timing Scope Severity Result
Agricultural expansion and intensification happe­ning now some of popul­ation/area (10–49%) slow decline (1–10% over 3 gener­ations) medium
Human intrusions and disturbance happe­ning now some of popul­ation/area (10–49%) slow decline (1–10% over 3 gener­ations) medium
Transportation and service corridors likely in short term (<4 years) few indivi­duals/small area (<10%) moderate decline (10–30% over 3 gener­ations) low

Response (conservation actions taken for the trigger species and/or their habitats)
Designation Planning Action Result
Most of area (50–90%) covered (including the most critical parts for important bird species) A management plan exists, but it is out of date or not compre­hensive Very little or no conservation action taking place low

IBA Protection

Year Protected Area Designation (management category) % coverage of IBA
1974 North Harris Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) 72

Habitats

Habitat % of IBA Habitat detail
Grassland major (>10) Steppes and dry calcareous grassland; Alpine, subalpine and boreal grassland
Shrubland major (>10) Heathland; Scrub
Wetlands (inland) major (>10) Standing brackish and salt water; Rivers and streams; Blanket bogs

Land use

Land use % of IBA
agriculture major (>10)
fisheries/aquaculture minor (<10)


Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: North Harris Mountains (United Kingdom). Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/north-harris-mountains-iba-united-kingdom on 28/12/2024.