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close| Location | Timor-Leste, Dili |
| Central coordinates | 125o 36.00' East 8o 31.00' South |
| IBA criteria | A2 |
| Area | 2,994 ha |
| Altitude | 0 - 500m |
| Year of IBA assessment | 2007 |
Ornithological information Nine restricted-range species have been recorded in this IBA; the Critically Endangered Christmas Island Frigatebird Fregata andrewsi has also occurred but only as a vagrant (Trainor 2004b).
Site description A scenic area close to Dili with numerous steep low hills covered in Eucalyptus alba savanna woodland. It includes a limited coastal embayment including extensive shallow mudflats and sea-grass beds, limited mangrove, rock platforms and beaches. Small stands of tropical dry forest are developing in gullies and on ridge tops. This area is part of a network of coastal wetlands that includes the Tibar, Tasitolu, Hera and Metinaro areas, which are characterised by extensive mudflat and mangrove habitats.
Populations of IBA trigger species
| Species | Season | Period | Population estimate | Quality of estimate | IBA Criteria | IUCN Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christmas Island Frigatebird Fregata andrewsi | non-breeding | 2007 | present [units unknown] | - | Critically Endangered | |
| Pink-headed Imperial-pigeon Ducula rosacea | - | 2007 | present [units unknown] | - | A2 | Near Threatened |
| Streaky-breasted Honeyeater Meliphaga reticulata | - | 2007 | present [units unknown] | - | A2 | Least Concern |
| Plain Friarbird Philemon inornatus | - | 2007 | present [units unknown] | - | A2 | Least Concern |
| Plain Gerygone Gerygone inornata | - | 2007 | present [units unknown] | - | A2 | Least Concern |
| Fawn-breasted Whistler Pachycephala orpheus | - | 2007 | present [units unknown] | - | A2 | Least Concern |
| Olive-brown Oriole Oriolus melanotis | - | 2007 | present [units unknown] | - | A2 | Least Concern |
| Red-chested Flowerpecker Dicaeum maugei | - | 2007 | present [units unknown] | - | A2 | Least Concern |
| Flame-breasted Sunbird Nectarinia solaris | - | 2007 | present [units unknown] | - | A2 | Least Concern |
| Timor Sparrow Padda fuscata | - | 2007 | present [units unknown] | - | A2 | Near Threatened |
Protected areas
| Protected area | Designation | Area (ha) | Relationship with IBA | Overlap with IBA (ha) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cristo Rei beach and hinterland | Protected Wild Area | 2,000 | is identical to site | 2,000 |
Habitats
| IUCN habitat | Habitat detail | Extent (% of site) |
|---|---|---|
| Savanna | major | |
| Forest | minor | |
| Wetlands (inland) | minor | |
| Coastline | minor |
Management considerations Threats to this IBA include intensive collection of Eucalyptus alba trees for fuel wood, subsistence and trade, disposal of household rubbish and illegal extraction of sand behind the beaches. The beach area is increasingly being used for recreational purposes by the large expatriate community, and recreation and tourism hotel developments pose a potentially significant threat in the future.
Protection status The Areia Branca beach and the hinterland hills and ridges were recognised as a Protected Wild Area (erroneously named “Cristo Rei beach”) by UNTAET (2000) under Regulation Number 2000/19.
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Recommended citation BirdLife International (2013) Important Bird Areas factsheet: Areia Branca beach and hinterland. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 21/05/2013
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