Data Zone
The site was identified as internationally important for bird conservation in 2000 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| European Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus | LC | breeding (1991) | 100–200 breeding pairs | B2, C6 |
| Eurasian Eagle-owl Bubo bubo | LC | breeding (1991) | 22 breeding pairs | B2, C6 |
| European Honey-buzzard Pernis apivorus | LC | breeding (1991) | 25–50 breeding pairs | C6 |
| Short-toed Snake-eagle Circaetus gallicus | LC | breeding (1991) | 15–20 breeding pairs | B2, C6 |
| Montagu's Harrier Circus pygargus | LC | breeding (1991) | 5–10 breeding pairs | C6 |
| Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus | LC | breeding (1991) | 10–15 breeding pairs | C6 |
| Red Kite Milvus milvus | LC | breeding (1991) | 40–60 breeding pairs | B3, C6 |
| Black Kite Milvus migrans | LC | breeding (1991) | 50–100 breeding pairs | B2, C6 |
| Black Woodpecker Dryocopus martius | LC | breeding (1991) | 40–50 breeding pairs | C6 |
| Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio | LC | breeding (1991) | 100–500 breeding pairs | C6 |
| Woodlark Lullula arborea | LC | breeding (1991) | 100–500 breeding pairs | B2, C6 |
| Ortolan Bunting Emberiza hortulana | LC | breeding (1991) | 10–20 breeding pairs | C6 |
| Year | Protected Area | Designation (management category) | % coverage of IBA |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | Bas-en-Banet | Hunting Reserve (-) | <1 |
| 1981 | Gail sur l'île de la Garenne | Arrêté de protection de biotope (IV) | <1 |
| 2012 | Gorges de la Loire | Réserve naturelle régionale (IV) | 1 |
| Habitat | % of IBA | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Artificial/Terrestrial | - | Highly improved re-seeded landscapes; Perennial crops, orchards and groves |
| Forest | - | Broadleaved deciduous woodland; Native coniferous woodland; Mixed woodland; Alluvial and very wet forest |
| Grassland | - | Dry siliceous grassland; Humid grasslands |
| Rocky areas (eg. inland cliffs, mountain peaks) | - | Inland cliffs |
| Shrubland | - | Heathland |
| Wetlands (inland) | - | Standing freshwater; Rivers and streams; Water fringe vegetation |
| Land use | % of IBA |
|---|---|
| agriculture | 25 |
| fisheries/aquaculture | - |
| forestry | - |
| hunting | - |
| tourism/recreation | - |
| urban/industrial/transport | - |
| water management | - |
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2025) Important Bird Area factsheet: Vallée de la Loire : gorges de la Loire (France). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/vallée-de-la-loire-:-gorges-de-la-loire-iba-france on 16/01/2025.