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close| Location | France, Languedoc-Roussillon |
| Central coordinates | 3o 3.00' East 43o 5.00' North |
| IBA criteria | A4i, A4iii, B1i, B1iv, B2, C2, C3, C4, C6 |
| Area | 10,600 ha |
| Altitude | 0 - 69m |
| Year of IBA assessment | 2000 |
Ornithological information The site holds 20,000 or more waterbirds in winter, on a regular basis (including Phoenicopterus ruber 3,338; Anas platyrhynchos 2,520; Aythya ferina 2,200; Fulica atra 20,000). The site is a migratory bottleneck, where more than 3,000 raptors regularly pass (including Pernis apivorus 2,000; Milvus migrans 3,000). Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Aquila clanga (passage, wintering); Larus audouinii (passage).
Site description The area contains beaches, sand-dunes, islands, saltwater lagoons and marshes, mudflats, woodland, maquis and cliffs.
Populations of IBA trigger species
| Species | Season | Period | Population estimate | Quality of estimate | IBA Criteria | IUCN Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus roseus | winter | 1997 | 3,338 individuals | - | A4i, B1i, C2 | Least Concern |
| Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus roseus | passage | 1997 | 1,200 individuals | - | A4i, B1i, C2 | Least Concern |
| Little Egret Egretta garzetta | breeding | 1997 | 100 breeding pairs | - | C6 | Least Concern |
| Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus | breeding | 1997 | 180-205 breeding pairs | - | B2 | Least Concern |
| Little Stint Calidris minuta | winter | 1997 | 2,100 individuals | - | A4i, B1i, C3 | Least Concern |
| Yellow-legged Gull Larus michahellis | breeding | 1997 | 3,500 breeding pairs | - | A4i, B1i, C3 | Least Concern |
| Little Tern Sterna albifrons | breeding | 1997 | 50-200 breeding pairs | - | B2, C6 | Least Concern |
| Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybrida | passage | 1997 | 100-300 individuals | - | B1i, C2 | Least Concern |
| Greater Short-toed Lark Calandrella brachydactyla | breeding | 1997 | 20-50 breeding pairs | - | C6 | Least Concern |
| A4iii Species group - waterbirds | winter | 1997 | - | unknown | A4iii, C4 | |
| A4iv Species group - soaring birds/cranes | passage | 1991 | 3,000 individuals | - | B1iv |
Protected areas
| Protected area | Designation | Area (ha) | Relationship with IBA | Overlap with IBA (ha) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| COMPLEXE LAGUNAIRE DE BAGES-SIGEAN - FR9101440 | Habitats Directive | 9,555 | protected area contained by site | 9,555 | |
| 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 Campignol | Hunting Reserve | 400 | protected area contained by site | 400 | |
| Etang de St Paul | Hunting Reserve | 30 | protected area contained by site | 30 | |
| Etangs de Bage et Sigean | Hunting Reserve | 1,700 | protected area contained by site | 1,700 | |
| ETANGS DU NARBONNAIS - FR9112007 | Birds Directive | 12,314 | protected area overlaps with site | 10,017 |
Habitats
| IUCN habitat | Habitat detail | Extent (% of site) |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | Broadleaved deciduous woodland; Native coniferous woodland | - |
| Shrubland | Heathland; Sclerophyllous scrub, garrigue and maquis | - |
| Grassland | Steppes and dry calcareous grassland | - |
| Wetlands (inland) | Standing brackish and salt water; Water fringe vegetation | - |
| Coastline | Caves; Inland cliffs; Inland sand dunes; Lagoons; Mud flats & sand flats; Rock stacks and islets; Salt marshes; Sand dunes & beaches; Scree and boulders | - |
Land use
| Land-use | Extent (% of site) |
|---|---|
| fisheries/aquaculture | - |
| hunting | - |
| tourism/recreation | - |
| urban/industrial/transport | - |
Management considerations High hunting pressure, eutrophication and tourism development, including boating, are the main threats to the site.
Protection status National Partial International None2,130 ha of IBA covered by 3 Hunting Reserves (Etangs de Bage et Sigean; Etang de St Paul; Etang de Campignol; total area 2,130 ha).
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Recommended citation BirdLife International (2013) Important Bird Areas factsheet: Etangs Narbonnais. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 26/05/2013
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