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 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 (2004) | 197 breeding pairs | B2, C6 |
| Woodlark Lullula arborea | LC | resident (2006) | 123 breeding pairs | C6 |
| Dartford Warbler Curruca undata | NT | resident (2006) | 334 breeding pairs | C6 |
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 status | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year of assessment | State | Pressure | Response |
| 2007 | favourable | medium | medium |
| Whole site assessed? | State assessed by | Accuracy of information | |
| yes | population | good | |
| State (condition of the key species' populations) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Species | Actual vs Reference (units) | % remaining | Result | ||
| European Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus | 197 / 140 (males) | 100 | favourable | ||
| Woodlark Lullula arborea | 123 / 44 (males) | 100 | favourable | ||
| Dartford Warbler Curruca undata | 334 / 160 (males) | 100 | favourable | ||
| Pressure (threats to the key species and/or their habitats) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Threat | Timing | Scope | Severity | Result |
| Agricultural expansion and intensification | happening now | some of population/area (10–49%) | slow deterioration (1–10% over 3 generations) | medium |
| Natural system modifications | happening now | some of population/area (10–49%) | slow deterioration (1–10% over 3 generations) | medium |
| Residential and commercial development | likely in short term (within 4 years) | some of population/area (10–49%) | moderate deterioration (10–30% in 3 generations) | medium |
| Invasive and other problematic species and genes | happening now | few individuals/small area (<10%) | slow deterioration (1–10% over 3 generations) | low |
| Response (conservation actions taken for the key species and/or their habitats) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Designation | Planning | Action | Result |
| Most of site (50–90%) covered (including the most critical parts for important bird species) | A management plan exists, but it is out of date or not comprehensive | Substantive conservation measures are being implemented, but these are not comprehensive and are limited by resources and capacity | medium |
| Year | Protected Area | Designation (management category) | % coverage of IBA |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1906 | Hindhead Commons | Nature Reserve (V) | 5 |
| 1908 | Ludshott Commons | Nature Reserve (V) | 6 |
| 1921 | Witley and Milford Commons | Nature Reserve (V) | 3 |
| 1925 | Frensham Common | Nature Reserve (V) | 6 |
| 1937 | Lavington | Nature Reserve (V) | 1 |
| 1958 | Surrey Hills | Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (V) | 42 |
| 1958 | Woolbeding Countryside | Nature Reserve (V) | 1 |
| 1966 | Sussex Downs | Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (V) | 25 |
| 1978 | Thursley | National Nature Reserve (IV) | 6 |
| 1978 | Iping Common | Local Nature Reserve (IV) | 2 |
| 1979 | Broxhead Common | Local Nature Reserve (IV) | 1 |
| 1984 | Bramshott and Ludshott Commons | Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) | 7 |
| 1985 | Thursley, Hankley & Frensham Commons | Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) | 36 |
| 1985 | Lavington Common | Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) | 1 |
| 1986 | Devil's Punch Bowl | Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) | 5 |
| 1986 | Ambersham Common | Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) | 2 |
| 1986 | Iping Common | Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) | 2 |
| 1992 | The Flashes | Local Nature Reserve (IV) | 2 |
| 1993 | Broxhead and Kingsley Commons | Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) | 1 |
| 1994 | Woolmer Forest | Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) | 25 |
| 1998 | Woolbeding and Pound Commons | Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) | 1 |
| 1998 | Chapel Common | Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) | 1 |
| 2010 | South Downs | National Park (V) | 26 |
| Habitat | % of IBA | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | - | Broadleaved deciduous woodland; Mixed woodland |
| Grassland | - | Dry siliceous grassland |
| Shrubland | - | Scrub; Heathland |
| Wetlands (inland) | - | Standing freshwater; Fens, transition mires and springs |
| Land use | % of IBA |
|---|---|
| agriculture | - |
| forestry | - |
| military | - |
| nature conservation and research | - |
| tourism/recreation | - |
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2025) Important Bird Area factsheet: Wealden Heaths (United Kingdom). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/wealden-heaths-iba-united-kingdom on 06/01/2025.