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FR069
Etangs d'Argonne
Location France, Champagne-Ardenne
Central coordinates 4o 56.00' East  48o 58.00' North
IBA criteria B2, C6
Area 44,100 ha
Altitude 110 - 250m
Year of IBA assessment 2000

Ligue Pour La Protection des Oiseaux



Ornithological information This is an important site for birds breeding in reedbeds (Phragmites) and forests. Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Aythya nyroca (passage); Haliaeetus albicilla (passage, wintering); Crex crex (breeding).

Site description Lakes with marshes, surrounded by woodlands, wet meadows, grassland and arable land.

Populations of IBA trigger species

Species Season Period Population estimate Quality of estimate IBA Criteria IUCN Category
Great Bittern Botaurus stellaris breeding  1991  8-12 breeding pairs  -  C6  Least Concern 
Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus breeding  1991  6-15 breeding pairs  -  C6  Least Concern 
European Honey-buzzard Pernis apivorus breeding  1991  20-30 breeding pairs  -  C6  Least Concern 
Red Kite Milvus milvus breeding  1991  6-10 breeding pairs  -  C6  Near Threatened 
Black Kite Milvus migrans breeding  1991  12-15 breeding pairs  -  C6  Least Concern 
Western Marsh-harrier Circus aeruginosus breeding  1991  12-15 breeding pairs  -  C6  Least Concern 
Northern Harrier Circus cyaneus breeding  1991  6-10 breeding pairs  -  C6  Least Concern 
Booted Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus breeding  1991  1-3 breeding pairs  -  B2, C6  Least Concern 
Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis breeding  1991  8-15 breeding pairs  -  C6  Least Concern 
Middle Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos medius breeding  1991  15-30 breeding pairs  -  C6  Least Concern 
Black woodpecker Dryocopus martius breeding  1991  10-15 breeding pairs  -  C6  Least Concern 
Grey-faced Woodpecker Picus canus breeding  1991  4-15 breeding pairs  -  C6  Least Concern 

Protected areas

Protected area Designation Area (ha) Relationship with IBA Overlap with IBA (ha)  
Etangs d'Argonne - FR2112009 Birds Directive 14,250 protected area contained by site 14,250  
Etangs de Belval et d'Etoges - FR2112003 Birds Directive 229 protected area contained by site 229  
ETANGS DE BELVAL, D'ETOGES ET DE LA GRANDE ROUILLIE - FR2100335 Habitats Directive 280 protected area contained by site 280  
Etangs de Champagne humide: CA02+CA05 Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar) 135,000 protected area overlaps with site 44,100  
Forêts et étangs d'Argonne et vallée de l'Ornain - FR4112009 Birds Directive 15,308 protected area overlaps with site 6,151  
FORET DOMANIALE DE BEAULIEU - FR4100185 Habitats Directive 573 protected area overlaps with site 66  
FORETS DES ARGONNELLES - FR4100183 Habitats Directive 1,030 protected area contained by site 1,030  

Habitats

IUCN habitat Habitat detail Extent (% of site)
Forest Broadleaved deciduous woodland; Mixed woodland; Native coniferous woodland  46%
Grassland Humid grasslands  -
Wetlands (inland) Rivers and streams; Standing freshwater; Water fringe vegetation  5%
Artificial landscapes (terrestrial) Arable land; Highly improved re-seeded landscapes; Perennial crops, orchards and groves  44%

Land use

Land-use Extent (% of site)
agriculture 42%
fisheries/aquaculture 4%
forestry 48%
hunting 95%
urban/industrial/transport 2%

Management considerations There is disturbance from hunting, fishing and sailing.

Protection status National None International High44,100 ha of IBA covered by Ramsar Site (Etangs de Champagne humide, 135,000 ha).

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Recommended citation  BirdLife International (2013) Important Bird Areas factsheet: Etangs d'Argonne. 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