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close| Location | Greece, North Aegean |
| Central coordinates | 26o 0.00' East 39o 10.00' North |
| IBA criteria | A1, A3, B2, B3, C1, C2, C6 |
| Area | 34,000 ha |
| Altitude | 0 - 799m |
| Year of IBA assessment | 2000 |
Ornithological information The site is important for breeding and passage raptors and also other migrants. Breeding birds include nine of the 21 species in Europe that are restricted (when breeding) to the Mediterranean biome. Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Haliaeetus albicilla (non-breeding), Aquila clanga (non-breeding), Larus audouinii (non-breeding).
Site description A rugged area dominated by phrygana with dispersed Quercus macrolepis. The inaccessible northern areas of the site are dominated by maquis. Human activities include livestock-farming, tourism and quarrying.
Populations of IBA trigger species
| Species | Season | Period | Population estimate | Quality of estimate | IBA Criteria | IUCN Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni | breeding | 1996 | 5-10 breeding pairs | good | A1, C1 | Least Concern |
| Eleonora's Falcon Falco eleonorae | breeding | 1996 | frequent [units unknown] | - | A3 | Least Concern |
| Short-toed Snake-eagle Circaetus gallicus | breeding | 1996 | frequent [units unknown] | - | C6 | Least Concern |
| Long-legged Buzzard Buteo rufinus | resident | 1996 | 5 breeding pairs | good | B2 | Least Concern |
| Middle Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos medius | resident | 1996 | frequent [units unknown] | - | C6 | Least Concern |
| Masked Shrike Lanius nubicus | breeding | 1996 | uncommon [units unknown] | - | A3, B2 | Least Concern |
| Sardinian Warbler Sylvia melanocephala | resident | 1996 | common [units unknown] | - | A3 | Least Concern |
| Subalpine Warbler Sylvia cantillans | breeding | 1996 | common [units unknown] | - | A3 | Least Concern |
| Western Rock-nuthatch Sitta neumayer | resident | 1996 | common [units unknown] | - | A3 | Least Concern |
| Black-eared Wheatear Oenanthe hispanica | breeding | 1996 | abundant [units unknown] | - | A3 | Least Concern |
| Cinereous Bunting Emberiza cineracea | breeding | 1996 | 100-250 breeding pairs | good | A1, A3, B2, C1, C2, C6 | Near Threatened |
| Cretzschmar's Bunting Emberiza caesia | breeding | 1996 | common [units unknown] | - | A3, B3, C6 | Least Concern |
| Black-headed Bunting Emberiza melanocephala | breeding | 1996 | common [units unknown] | - | A3 | Least Concern |
Protected areas
| Protected area | Designation | Area (ha) | Relationship with IBA | Overlap with IBA (ha) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apolithomena (Sigriou) | Wildlife Refuge | 2,007 | protected area contained by site | 2,007 |
|
| LESVOS: DYTIKI CHERSONISOS - APOLITHOMENO DASOS - GR4110003 | Habitats Directive | 20,817 | protected area overlaps with site | 14,704 | |
| LESVOS: KOLPOS KALLONIS KAI CHERSAIA PARAKTIA ZONI - GR4110004 | Habitats Directive | 18,311 | protected area is adjacent to site | 0 | |
| LESVOS: PARAKTIOI YGROTOPOI KOLPOU KALLONIS - GR4110007 | Birds Directive | 3,513 | protected area is adjacent to site | 0 | |
| Maliontas-Tavari-Krouso (Mesotopou) | Wildlife Refuge | 911 | protected area overlaps with site | 864 |
|
| Megalonisi-Nisioti (Sigriou) | Wildlife Refuge | 94 | protected area contained by site | 94 |
|
| Mesoros (Agra) | Wildlife Refuge | 699 | protected area contained by site | 699 |
|
| NOTIODYTIKI CHERSONISOS, APOLITHOMENO DASOS LESVOU - GR4110010 | Birds Directive | 28,819 | protected area contained by site | 28,819 | |
| Petrified Forest of Lesbos Island | Natural Monument | 15,000 | protected area overlaps with site | 12,062 | |
| Skamniouda (Antissas) | Wildlife Refuge | 780 | protected area contained by site | 780 |
|
| Vatheia Koilada-Kelemia (Antissas) | Wildlife Refuge | 446 | protected area contained by site | 446 |
|
Habitats
| IUCN habitat | Habitat detail | Extent (% of site) |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | Broadleaved deciduous woodland | 10% |
| Shrubland | Sclerophyllous scrub, garrigue and maquis | 70% |
| Wetlands (inland) | Water fringe vegetation | 5% |
| Rocky areas | Inland cliffs; Scree & boulders | 10% |
| Artificial landscapes (terrestrial) | Other urban and industrial areas; Perennial crops, orchards and groves | 10% |
Land use
| Land-use | Extent (% of site) |
|---|---|
| agriculture | 70% |
| nature conservation and research | 10% |
| urban/industrial/transport | 5% |
| tourism/recreation | 10% |
| not utilised | 10% |
Management considerations The main threats are overgrazing and tourist developments. A large dam and associated infrastructure are currently being constructed. Part of the area is a candidate SAC.
Protection status National Partial International NonePart of IBA covered by Wildlife Refuge (Mesoros/Agra Lesvou, 600 ha). Part of IBA covered by Wildlife Refuge (Apolithomena/Sigriou, 800 ha). Part of IBA covered by Wildlife Refuge (Skamniouda/Antissas, 600 ha). Part of IBA covered by Wildlife Refuge (Vathia Koilada-Kelemia Antissas, 400 ha). 15,000 ha of IBA covered by Natural Monument (Petrified Forest of Lesbos Island, 15,000 ha).
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Recommended citation BirdLife International (2013) Important Bird Areas factsheet: South-west peninsula-petrified forest, Lesvos. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 24/05/2013
To provide new information to update this factsheet or to correct any errors, please email BirdLife
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