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close| Location | France, Languedoc-Roussillon |
| Central coordinates | 3o 0.00' East 42o 53.00' North |
| IBA criteria | A4i, A4iii, B1i, B1iv, B2, C2, C3, C4, C6 |
| Area | 13,650 ha |
| Altitude | 0 - 69m |
| Year of IBA assessment | 2000 |
Ornithological information The site is very important for breeding and wintering wetland birds and passage raptors and passerines. The site is a major migratory bottleneck, where 20,000 or more raptors regularly pass (including Pernis apivorus 15,000; Milvus migrans 3,000). Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Larus audouinii (passage).
Site description A complex of coastal habitats, including saltmarshes and lagoons.
Populations of IBA trigger species
| Species | Season | Period | Population estimate | Quality of estimate | IBA Criteria | IUCN Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus roseus | winter | 1997 | 529-805 individuals | - | A4i, B1i, C2 | Least Concern |
| Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus roseus | passage | 1997 | 500-1,500 individuals | - | A4i, B1i, C2 | Least Concern |
| Western Marsh-harrier Circus aeruginosus | breeding | 1997 | 10-15 breeding pairs | - | C6 | Least Concern |
| Pied Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta | breeding | 1997 | 50-60 breeding pairs | - | C6 | Least Concern |
| Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus | breeding | 1997 | 100-180 breeding pairs | - | B2 | Least Concern |
| Yellow-legged Gull Larus michahellis | winter | 1997 | 5,615-8,700 individuals | - | A4i, B1i, C3 | Least Concern |
| Yellow-legged Gull Larus michahellis | breeding | 1997 | 4,000 breeding pairs | - | A4i, B1i, C3 | Least Concern |
| Slender-billed Gull Larus genei | breeding | 1997 | 50-100 breeding pairs | - | C2 | Least Concern |
| Little Tern Sterna albifrons | breeding | 1997 | 50-100 breeding pairs | - | C6 | Least Concern |
| Greater Short-toed Lark Calandrella brachydactyla | breeding | 1997 | 50-250 breeding pairs | - | C6 | Least Concern |
| Moustached Warbler Acrocephalus melanopogon | breeding | 1997 | 50-250 breeding pairs | - | C2, C6 | Least Concern |
| A4iii Species group - waterbirds | unknown | 1997 | 20,000 individuals | unknown | A4iii, C4 | |
| A4iv Species group - soaring birds/cranes | passage | 1991 | 6,000-18,000 individuals | - | B1iv |
Protected areas
| Protected area | Designation | Area (ha) | Relationship with IBA | Overlap with IBA (ha) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| COMPLEXE LAGUNAIRE DE LAPALME - FR9101441 | Habitats Directive | 1,840 | protected area contained by site | 1,840 | |
| COMPLEXE LAGUNAIRE DE SALSES - FR9101463 | Habitats Directive | 7,797 | protected area overlaps with site | 7,166 | |
| COMPLEXE LAGUNAIRE DE SALSES-LEUCATE - FR9112005 | Birds Directive | 7,701 | protected area overlaps with site | 7,116 | |
| COTE LANGUEDOCIENNE - FR9112035 | Birds Directive | 71,874 | protected area is adjacent to site | 0 | |
| COTES SABLEUSES DE L'INFRALITTORAL LANGUEDOCIEN - FR9102013 | Habitats Directive | 8,634 | protected area is adjacent to site | 0 | |
| ETANG DE LAPALME - FR9112006 | Birds Directive | 3,904 | protected area overlaps with site | 3,118 | |
| La Rigole | Hunting Reserve | 43 | protected area contained by site | 43 | |
| PLATEAU DE LEUCATE - FR9101442 | Habitats Directive | 303 | protected area contained by site | 303 | |
| PLATEAU DE LEUCATE - FR9112030 | Birds Directive | 303 | protected area contained by site | 303 | |
| PROLONGEMENT EN MER DES CAP ET ETANG DE LEUCATE - FR9102012 | Habitats Directive | 13,733 | protected area is adjacent to site | 0 | |
| Salses-Leucate | Hunting Reserve | 1,250 | protected area contained by site | 1,250 |
Habitats
| IUCN habitat | Habitat detail | Extent (% of site) |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | Alluvial and very wet forest; Broadleaved evergreen woodland; Native coniferous woodland | - |
| Shrubland | Sclerophyllous scrub, garrigue and maquis | - |
| Grassland | Steppes and dry calcareous grassland | - |
| Wetlands (inland) | Fens, transition mires and springs; Rivers and streams; Standing brackish and salt water; Tidal rivers and enclosed tidal waters; Water fringe vegetation | - |
| Coastline | Lagoons; Mud flats & sand flats; Rock stacks and islets; Salt marshes; Sand dunes & beaches; Sea cliffs and rocky shores | - |
| Artificial landscapes (terrestrial) | Arable land; Highly improved re-seeded landscapes; Perennial crops, orchards and groves; Ruderal land; Urban parks and gardens | - |
Land use
| Land-use | Extent (% of site) |
|---|---|
| agriculture | - |
| fisheries/aquaculture | - |
| hunting | - |
| tourism/recreation | - |
| urban/industrial/transport | - |
Management considerations Urbanization, the consolidation of land into larger more homogeneous units, and the expansion of tourism are the main threats.
Protection status National Low International None1,293 ha of IBA covered by 2 Hunting Reserves (Salses-Leucate, 1,250 ha; La Rigole; total area 1,293 ha).
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Recommended citation BirdLife International (2013) Important Bird Areas factsheet: Etangs de Leucate et Lapalme. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 19/06/2013
To provide new information to update this factsheet or to correct any errors, please email BirdLife
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