Sites - Important Bird Areas (IBAs)

Ornithological information This is an important area for breeding raptors, particularly Neophron percnopterus and Aquila chrysaetos, and for breeding forest species.

Site description A mountainous area in the central Cordillera Cantábrica, between Asturias and León. The area is crossed by deep valleys, with grasslands and deciduous woodland, and scrub and rocky areas at higher altitudes. The main human activities are forestry, game hunting and tourism.

Populations of IBA trigger species

Protected areas

Protected area	Designation	Area (ha)	Relationship with IBA	Overlap with IBA (ha)
Aller-Lena - ES1200037	Habitats Directive	13,266	protected area overlaps with site	13,139
Caso	National Game Reserve	29,834	protected area contained by site	29,834
Cuencas Mineras - ES1200039	Habitats Directive	13,225	protected area overlaps with site	5,180
MONTAÑA CENTRAL DE LEÓN - ES4130050	Habitats Directive	34,352	protected area overlaps with site	16,718
PICOS DE EUROPA - ES0000003	Birds Directive	23,783	protected area is adjacent to site	0
PICOS DE EUROPA EN CASTILLA Y LEÓN - ES4130003	Birds Directive	101,337	protected area overlaps with site	9,779
Piloña	National Game Reserve	10,492	protected area overlaps with site	1,500
Ponga	National Game Reserve	20,082	protected area contained by site	20,082
Ponga- Amieva - ES0000316	Birds Directive	28,102	protected area overlaps with site	22,870
Ponga-Amieva - ES1200009	Birds Directive	28,100	protected area overlaps with site	22,908
Redes	Nature Park	52,073	protected area overlaps with site	30,000
Redes - ES1200008	Birds Directive	37,803	protected area overlaps with site	32,336
Rioseco	National Game Reserve	150	protected area contained by site	150
Ros Negro y Aller - ES1200054	Habitats Directive	136	protected area overlaps with site	26

Habitats

Land use

Management considerations Enlargement of the ski infrastructure, tourism and dams are the main threats. Woodland fires and grassland fires, used to provide grazing, are also problems.

Protection status National Partial International None29,834 ha of IBA covered by National Game Reserve (Caso, 29,834 ha). 1,500 ha of IBA covered by National Game Reserve (Piloña, 10,492 ha). 20,082 ha of IBA covered by National Game Reserve (Ponga, 20,082 ha). 30,000 ha of IBA covered by Natural Park (Reres, 45,000 ha). 150 ha of IBA covered by National Game Reserve (Rioseco, 150 ha).

Contribute  Please click here to help BirdLife conserve the world's birds - your data for this IBA and others are vital for helping protect the environment.

Recommended citation  BirdLife International (2013) Important Bird Areas factsheet: Central ranges of the Cantabric mountains. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 23/05/2013

To provide new information to update this factsheet or to correct any errors, please email BirdLife