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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brent Goose Branta bernicla | LC | winter (2001–2006) | 2,925 birds | C7 |
| Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola | VU | winter (2001–2006) | 41 birds | C7 |
| Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa | NT | winter (2001–2006) | 264 birds | C7 |
| Dunlin Calidris alpina | NT | winter (2001–2006) | 5,672 birds | C7 |
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 | moderate | 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 | ||
| Brent Goose Branta bernicla | 2,925 / 2,820 (birds) | 100 | good | ||
| Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola | 41 / 52 (birds) | 79 | moderate | ||
| Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa | 264 / 21 (birds) | 100 | good | ||
| Dunlin Calidris alpina | 5,672 / 4,650 (birds) | 100 | good | ||
| Pressure (threats to the trigger species and/or their habitats) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Threat | Timing | Scope | Severity | Result |
| Biological resource use | happening now | some of population/area (10–49%) | moderate decline (10–30% over 3 generations) | high |
| Climate change and severe weather | happening now | some of population/area (10–49%) | slow decline (1–10% over 3 generations) | medium |
| Residential and commercial development | likely in short term (<4 years) | some of population/area (10–49%) | moderate decline (10–30% over 3 generations) | medium |
| Pollution | happening now | few individuals/small area (<10%) | slow decline (1–10% 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 | Some limited conservation initiatives are in place | medium |
| Year | Protected Area | Designation (management category) | % coverage of IBA |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | Portsmouth Harbour | Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) | 100 |
| 2011 | Portsmouth Harbour | Marine Protected Area (OSPAR) (UA) | 87 |
| Habitat | % of IBA | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Intertidal | major (>10) | |
| Marine Neritic | major (>10) | |
| Wetlands (inland) | minor (<10) | Rivers and streams |
| Land use | % of IBA |
|---|---|
| tourism/recreation | - |
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Portsmouth Harbour (United Kingdom). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/portsmouth-harbour-iba-united-kingdom on 28/12/2024.