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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres | NT | passage (2001–2006) | 1,188 birds | A4i, B1i, C3 |
| Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres | NT | winter (2001–2006) | 953 birds | A4i, B1i, C3 |
| Common Redshank Tringa totanus | LC | winter (2001–2006) | 1,826 birds | B1i, C3 |
| Little Tern Sternula albifrons | LC | breeding (2000) | 43 pairs | B2, C6 |
| Little Tern Sternula albifrons | LC | breeding (2006) | 51 pairs | B2, C6 |
| Arctic Tern Sterna paradisaea | LC | breeding (2000) | 1,200 pairs | C2, C6 |
| Arctic Tern Sterna paradisaea | LC | breeding (2006) | 1,441 pairs | C2, C6 |
| A4iii Species group - waterbirds | n/a | winter (2001–2006) | 22,827 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 | very poor | high | 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 | ||
| Whooper Swan Cygnus cygnus | 8 / 68 (birds) | 12 | very poor | ||
| Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres | 1,188 / 970 (birds) | 100 | good | ||
| Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres | 953 / 1,130 (birds) | 85 | moderate | ||
| Ruff Calidris pugnax | 3 / 38 (birds) | 8 | very poor | ||
| Purple Sandpiper Calidris maritima | 186 / 535 (birds) | 35 | very poor | ||
| Common Redshank Tringa totanus | 1,826 / 1,060 (birds) | 100 | good | ||
| Little Tern Sternula albifrons | 51 / 49 (pairs) | 100 | good | ||
| Arctic Tern Sterna paradisaea | 1,441 / 245 (pairs) | 100 | good | ||
| Pressure (threats to the trigger species and/or their habitats) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Threat | Timing | Scope | Severity | Result |
| Human intrusions and disturbance | happening now | most of population/area (50–90%) | moderate decline (10–30% over 3 generations) | high |
| Natural system modifications | likely in short term (<4 years) | some of population/area (10–49%) | slow decline (1–10% over 3 generations) | medium |
| Energy production and mining | likely in short term (<4 years) | few individuals/small area (<10%) | slow decline (1–10% over 3 generations) | low |
| Residential and commercial development | 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 | Unknown | Some limited conservation initiatives are in place | low |
| Year | Protected Area | Designation (management category) | % coverage of IBA |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1935 | Seahouses | Nature Reserve (V) | 1 |
| 1958 | Northumberland Coast | Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (V) | 53 |
| 1961 | Dunstanburgh and Newton Coast | Nature Reserve (V) | <1 |
| 1986 | Bamburgh Coast and Hills | Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) | 1 |
| 1987 | Low Hauxley Shore | Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) | 2 |
| 1987 | Souter Lighthouse and The Leas | Nature Reserve (V) | <1 |
| 1988 | Newton Links | Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) | 2 |
| 1989 | Howick To Seaton Point | Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) | 10 |
| 1989 | Tynemouth To Seaton Sluice | Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) | 3 |
| 1989 | Castle Point To Cullernose Point | Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) | <1 |
| 1992 | North Northumberland | Heritage Coast (V) | 62 |
| 1992 | Northumberland Shore | Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) | 72 |
| 1992 | Cresswell and Newbiggin Shores | Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) | 7 |
| 1992 | St Mary's Island | Local Nature Reserve (IV) | 1 |
| 1994 | Amble Dunes | Local Nature Reserve (IV) | 2 |
| 1999 | Durham Coast | Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) | 12 |
| 2001 | Durham | Heritage Coast (V) | 5 |
| 2005 | Berwickshire and North Northumberland Coast | Marine Protected Area (OSPAR) (UA) | 52 |
| Habitat | % of IBA | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | major (>10) | |
| Marine Intertidal | major (>10) | |
| Marine Neritic | major (>10) | |
| Grassland | minor (<10) |
| Land use | % of IBA |
|---|---|
| fisheries/aquaculture | - |
| nature conservation and research | - |
| tourism/recreation | - |
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Northumbria Coast (United Kingdom). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/northumbria-coast-iba-united-kingdom on 24/12/2024.