email a friend
printable version
ES284
Pela mountain range-Orellana reservoir-Zorita
Location Spain, Extremadura
Central coordinates 5o 25.00' West  39o 5.00' North
IBA criteria A1, A4i, A4ii, A4iii, B1i, B1iii, B2, B3, C1, C2, C3, C4, C6
Area 140,000 ha
Altitude 340 - 751m
Year of IBA assessment 2000

SEO/BirdLife



Ornithological information An important site for resident raptors and particularly for wintering Grus grus, which has 16 roost sites within the IBA. The site is also important for steppic species and waterbirds around the reservoir.

Site description An isolated mountain range with sclerophyllous scrub and plains with extensive dehesas, pastures, olive-groves, and arable cultivation. The site includes a reservoir.

Populations of IBA trigger species

Species Season Period Population estimate Quality of estimate IBA Criteria IUCN Category
Black Stork Ciconia nigra passage  1995  47-52 individuals  good  B1i, C2  Least Concern 
Black Stork Ciconia nigra breeding  1995  6 breeding pairs  good  B1i, C2  Least Concern 
White Stork Ciconia ciconia breeding  1996  342-362 breeding pairs  good  B1i, B2, C2, C6  Least Concern 
Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis breeding  1996  5,000-6,000 breeding pairs  medium  A4i, B1i, C3  Least Concern 
Little Egret Egretta garzetta breeding  1996  50-60 breeding pairs  good  C6  Least Concern 
Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni breeding  1996  310-340 breeding pairs  good  A1, A4ii, B1iii, B2, C1, C2, C6  Least Concern 
Black-winged Kite Elanus caeruleus resident  1996  12-14 breeding pairs  good  B2, C6  Least Concern 
Montagu's Harrier Circus pygargus breeding  1996  105-120 breeding pairs  good  B3, C6  Least Concern 
Bonelli's Eagle Aquila fasciatus resident  1995  7 breeding pairs  good  B2, C6  Least Concern 
Great Bustard Otis tarda resident  1995  448 breeding pairs  good  A1, B2, C1, C2  Vulnerable 
Little Bustard Tetrax tetrax resident  1992  200 breeding pairs  medium  A1, C1  Near Threatened 
Common Crane Grus grus winter  1996  13,500-24,000 individuals  good  A4i, B1i, C2  Least Concern 
Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus breeding  1992  140 breeding pairs  medium  B1i, C2, C6  Least Concern 
Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa winter  1996  2,000-4,000 individuals  medium  B1i, C3  Near Threatened 
Collared Pratincole Glareola pratincola breeding  1996  60-120 breeding pairs  medium  A4i, B1i, B2, C2, C6  Least Concern 
Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus winter  1996  5,000-6,000 individuals  medium  A4i, B1i, C3  Least Concern 
Gull-billed Tern Sterna nilotica breeding  1995  400-450 breeding pairs  medium  A4i, B1i, B2, C2, C6  Least Concern 
European Roller Coracias garrulus breeding  1996  40 breeding pairs  medium  B2  Near Threatened 
A4iii Species group - waterbirds winter  1996  -  unknown  A4iii, C4   

Protected areas

Protected area Designation Area (ha) Relationship with IBA Overlap with IBA (ha)  
ARROZALES DE PALAZUELO Y GUADALPERALES - ES0000400 Birds Directive 13,134 protected area overlaps with site 5,239  
COLONIAS DE CERNICALO PRIMILLA DE ACEDERA - ES0000401 Birds Directive 1 protected area contained by site 1  
DEHESAS DEL RUECAS Y CUBILAR - ES4320005 Habitats Directive 6,882 protected area contained by site 6,882  
Embalse de Orellana Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar) 5,500 protected area contained by site 5,500  
EMBALSE DE ORELLANA Y SIERRA DE PELA - ES0000068 Birds Directive 42,610 protected area contained by site 42,610  
LA SERENA - ES4310010 Habitats Directive 144,512 protected area is adjacent to site 0  
LA SERENA Y SIERRAS PERIFÉRICAS - ES0000367 Birds Directive 153,702 protected area is adjacent to site 0  
LLANOS DE ZORITA Y EMBALSE DE SIERRA BRAVA - ES0000333 Birds Directive 18,786 protected area overlaps with site 16,734  
REFUGIO DEL ALTO DE SAN BLAS - ES4320057 Habitats Directive 5 protected area contained by site 5  
RIO GUADIANA ALTO - ZUJAR - ES4310026 Habitats Directive 7,698 protected area is adjacent to site 0  
VEGAS DEL RUECAS, CUBILAR Y MOHEDA ALTA - ES0000408 Birds Directive 14,213 protected area contained by site 14,213  

Habitats

IUCN habitat Habitat detail Extent (% of site)
Forest Broadleaved evergreen woodland  10%
Grassland Steppes and dry calcareous grassland  15%
Wetlands (inland) Rivers and streams; Standing freshwater  10%
Artificial landscapes (terrestrial) Arable land; Forestry plantations  65%

Land use

Land-use Extent (% of site)
agriculture 80%
hunting 90%
water management 10%

Management considerations The main threats are from irrigation of arable cultivation and a new road.

Protection status National None International Partial5,500 ha of IBA covered by Ramsar Site (Embalse de Orellana, 5,500 ha). 25,000 ha of IBA covered by Special Protection Area (Embalse de Orellana y Sierra de Pela, 25,000 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: Pela mountain range-Orellana reservoir-Zorita. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 25/05/2013

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