UK049
North Yorkshire Moors


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
European Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus LC breeding 2004 207 males C6
Eurasian Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria LC breeding 2000 141 breeding pairs C6
Merlin Falco columbarius LC resident 1996 40 breeding pairs C6

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 very unfavourable medium low
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
European Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus 89 207 males 100 favourable
Eurasian Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria 615 141 breeding pairs 23 very unfavourable

Pressure (threats to the trigger species and/or their habitats)
Threat Timing Scope Severity Result
Climate change and severe weather likely in long term (beyond 4 years) some of area/population (10-49%) slow but significant deterioration medium
Biological resource use happening now some of area/population (10-49%) slow but significant deterioration medium
Natural system modifications likely in short term (within 4 years) small area/few individuals (<10%) slow but significant deterioration low
Agricultural expansion and intensification happening now small area/few individuals (<10%) slow but significant deterioration low

Response (conservation actions taken for the trigger species and/or their habitats)
Protected areas Management plan Other action Result
Some of site covered (10-49%) Unknown Some limited conservation initiatives are in place low

IBA Protection

Year Protected Area Designation % overlap with IBA
1936 Robin Hood's Bay Nature Reserve <1
1937 Scarthwood Moor Nature Reserve <1
1944 Bridestones Nature Reserve <1
1952 North York Moors National Park 100
1972 Bransdale Nature Reserve <1
1972 Rievaulx Terrace Nature Reserve <1
1977 Ravenscar Nature Reserve <1
1977 Forge Valley Woodlands National Nature Reserve <1
1981 North Yorkshire & Cleveland Heritage Coast 4
1981 Hayburn Wyke Nature Reserve <1
1983 Biller Howe Dale Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) <1
1983 Castlebeck and Scar Woods Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) <1
1983 Scar End Wood Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) <1
1983 Littlebeck Wood Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) <1
1983 Seive Dale Fen Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) <1
1983 Eller's Wood and Sand Dale Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) <1
1983 Broughton Bank Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) <1
1983 Hackness Head Quarry Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) <1
1983 Ellerburn Bank Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) <1
1983 Bull Ings Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) <1
1984 Hole Of Horcum Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) <1
1984 Bride Stones Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) <1
1984 Ashberry and Reins Wood Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) <1
1984 Raincliffe & Forge Valley Woods Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) <1
1984 Staithes - Port Mulgrave Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) <1
1984 Spring Wood,Hawnby Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) <1
1984 Hayburn Wyke Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) <1
1984 Ruston Cottage Pasture Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) <1
1984 Cockrah Wood Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) <1
1984 Runswick Bay Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) <1
1984 Gowerdale Windy Pits/Peak Scar Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) <1
1984 Hill House Nab Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) <1
1984 Botton Head Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) <1
1984 Shaw's Gate Quarry Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) <1
1985 Roseberry Common Nature Reserve <1
1985 Duncombe Park Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) <1
1985 Beck Hole Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) <1
1985 Gormire Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) <1
1985 Tripsdale Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) <1
1985 Whitby-Saltwick Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) <1
1985 Tranmire Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) <1
1986 Iron Scar and Hundale Point To Scalby Ness Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) <1
1986 Rievaulx Woods Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) <1
1986 Roseberry Topping Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) <1
1987 Newtondale Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) 1
1987 Farndale Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) <1
1987 Cropton Banks and Howlgate Head Woods Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) <1
1987 Sleightholme Dale Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) <1
1987 Pinkney and Gerrick Woods Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) <1
1987 Low Pasture Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) <1
1987 Noddle End Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) <1
1987 Nabgate Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) <1
1988 Port Mulgrave and Runswick Nature Reserve <1
1988 Cliff Ridge Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) <1
1989 Boulby Quarries Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) <1
1989 Blaiskey Bank Springs Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) <1
1990 Cawthorn Moor Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) <1
1991 Farndale Woodlands Nature Reserve <1
1991 Spiker's Hill Quarry Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) <1
1992 Troutsdale and Rosekirk Dale Fens Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) <1
1992 Fairy Call Beck Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) <1
1992 Hackness Rock Pit Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) -
1993 North York Moors Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) 31
1993 Snaper Farm Meadows Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) <1
1993 Kildale Hall Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) <1
1994 Duncombe Park National Nature Reserve <1
1996 Guisborough Branch Walkway Local Nature Reserve <1
1998 North York Moors Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) 31
1998 Eller`S Wood And Sand Dale Site of Community Importance (Habitats Directive) <1
1999 Robin Hood's Bay: Maw Wyke to Beast Cliff Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) <1
1999 Harwood Dale Moor Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) -
2000 Arnecliff and Park Hole Woods Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) <1
2001 North York Moors Site of Community Importance (Habitats Directive) 31
2001 Beast Cliff - Whitby (Robin Hood`S Bay) Site of Community Importance (Habitats Directive) <1
2001 Arnecliff And Park Hole Woods Site of Community Importance (Habitats Directive) <1
2003 Fen Bog Site of Community Importance (Habitats Directive) <1
2004 Caydale Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) <1
2012 Castle Hill Deer Park and Windy Pits Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) <1
2016 Runswick Bay Marine Conservation Zone <1

Habitats

Habitat1 Habitat detail % of IBA
Shrubland Scrub, Heathland major (>10)
Wetlands (inland) Rivers and streams, Blanket bogs, Fens, transition mires and springs major (>10)
Rocky areas (eg. inland cliffs, mountain peaks) Inland cliffs minor (<10)
Artificial/Terrestrial Arable land, Forestry plantations -
Forest Broadleaved deciduous woodland, Mixed woodland -
Grassland Steppes and dry calcareous grassland, Humid grasslands, Mesophile grasslands -
1. IUCN Habitat classification.

Land use

Land use % of IBA
agriculture 30
hunting 30
forestry 15
military 10
nature conservation and research 10
urban/industrial/transport 5
water management 5


Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: North Yorkshire Moors (United Kingdom). Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/north-yorkshire-moors-iba-united-kingdom on 23/11/2024.