MK024
Pelagonia


IBA Justification

The site was identified as internationally important for bird conservation in 2008 because it was regularly supporting significant populations of the species listed below, meeting IBA criteria.

Populations meeting IBA criteria ('key species') at the site:
Species Red List Season (year/s of estimate) Size IBA criteria
Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca NT resident (2002) 10–15 breeding pairs B2
White Stork Ciconia ciconia LC breeding (2002) 220–230 breeding pairs B2
Dalmatian Pelican Pelecanus crispus NT resident (2008) 20–30 individuals A1
Eurasian Thick-knee Burhinus oedicnemus LC breeding (2002) 10–30 breeding pairs B2
Little Owl Athene noctua LC resident (2002) 150–300 breeding pairs B2
Eurasian Scops-owl Otus scops LC breeding (2002) 50–200 breeding pairs B2
European Roller Coracias garrulus LC breeding (2002) 10–30 breeding pairs A1
Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni LC breeding (2002) 750–850 breeding pairs A1, B2
Lesser Grey Shrike Lanius minor LC breeding (2002) 30–100 breeding pairs B2

IBA Conservation

Ideally the conservation status of the IBA will have been checked regularly since the site was first identified in 2008. The most recent assessment (2013) is shown below.

IBA conservation status
Year of assessment State Pressure Response
2013 unfavourable high very low
Whole site assessed? State assessed by Accuracy of information
yes population unknown

State (condition of the key species' populations)
Species Actual vs Reference (units) % remaining Result
Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni 350 / 850 (breeding pairs) 42 unfavourable

Pressure (threats to the key species and/or their habitats)
Threat Timing Scope Severity Result
Agricultural expansion and intensification happen­ing now most of popul­ation/area (50–90%) moderate deteri­oration (10–30% in 3 gener­ations) high
Natural system modifications happen­ing now most of popul­ation/area (50–90%) moderate deteri­oration (10–30% in 3 gener­ations) high
Residential and commercial development happen­ing now some of popul­ation/area (10–49%) rapid deteri­oration (>30% over 3 gener­ations) high
Transportation and service corridors happen­ing now some of popul­ation/area (10–49%) rapid deteri­oration (>30% over 3 gener­ations) high

Response (conservation actions taken for the key species and/or their habitats)
Designation Planning Action Result
Little/none of site covered (<10%) No manage­ment planning has taken place Very little or no conservation action taking place very low

IBA Protection

Year Protected Area Designation (management category) % coverage of IBA
2003 Lokvi-Golemo Konjare Spomenik na prirodata (III) <1
2006 Markovi Kuli Spomenik na prirodata (III) <1

Habitats

Habitat % of IBA Habitat detail
Artificial/Terrestrial 89 Arable land; Other urban and industrial areas; Perennial crops, orchards and groves
Forest 4 Broadleaved deciduous woodland; Mixed woodland; Native coniferous woodland
Grassland 1
Wetlands (inland) minor (<10) Standing freshwater


Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2025) Important Bird Area factsheet: Pelagonia (North Macedonia). Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/pelagonia-iba-north-macedonia on 13/01/2025.