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close| Location | France, Languedoc-Roussillon |
| Central coordinates | 3o 48.00' East 43o 50.00' North |
| IBA criteria | A1, B1iv, B2, C1, C6 |
| Area | 90,700 ha |
| Altitude | 33 - 942m |
| Year of IBA assessment | 2000 |
Ornithological information The site is a migratory bottleneck, where 3,000 or more raptors regularly pass (including Pernis apivorus 2,000; Milvus migrans 1,000).
Site description An area of garrigue with vineyards, Pinus woodlands, rivers, cliffs and rocky slopes.
Populations of IBA trigger species
| Species | Season | Period | Population estimate | Quality of estimate | IBA Criteria | IUCN Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black Kite Milvus migrans | breeding | 1997 | 10-20 breeding pairs | - | C6 | Least Concern |
| Short-toed Snake-eagle Circaetus gallicus | breeding | 1997 | 20-25 breeding pairs | - | B2, C6 | Least Concern |
| Montagu's Harrier Circus pygargus | breeding | 1997 | 20-30 breeding pairs | - | C6 | Least Concern |
| Bonelli's Eagle Aquila fasciatus | breeding | 1996 | 4 breeding pairs | - | B2, C6 | Least Concern |
| Little Bustard Tetrax tetrax | breeding | 1996 | 25-30 breeding pairs | - | A1, C1, C6 | Near Threatened |
| Eurasian Eagle-owl Bubo bubo | breeding | 1997 | 30-40 breeding pairs | - | B2, C6 | Least Concern |
| Eurasian Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus | breeding | 1997 | 100-250 breeding pairs | - | C6 | Least Concern |
| European Roller Coracias garrulus | breeding | 1997 | 30-50 breeding pairs | - | B2, C6 | Near Threatened |
| European Bee-eater Merops apiaster | breeding | 1997 | 50-250 breeding pairs | - | B2 | Least Concern |
| Woodchat Shrike Lanius senator | breeding | 1997 | 50-250 breeding pairs | - | B2 | Least Concern |
| Wood Lark Lullula arborea | breeding | 1997 | 100-300 breeding pairs | - | C6 | Least Concern |
| Dartford Warbler Sylvia undata | breeding | 1997 | 250-750 breeding pairs | - | B2, C6 | Near Threatened |
| Tawny Pipit Anthus campestris | breeding | 1997 | 100-500 breeding pairs | - | B2, C6 | Least Concern |
| Ortolan Bunting Emberiza hortulana | breeding | 1997 | 50-250 breeding pairs | - | B2, C6 | Least Concern |
| A4iv Species group - soaring birds/cranes | passage | 1997 | 3,000 individuals | - | B1iv |
Protected areas
| Protected area | Designation | Area (ha) | Relationship with IBA | Overlap with IBA (ha) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAUSSE DU LARZAC - FR9101385 | Habitats Directive | 29,619 | protected area is adjacent to site | 0 | |
| GORGES DE L'HERAULT - FR9101388 | Habitats Directive | 21,736 | protected area contained by site | 21,736 | |
| GORGES DE LA VIS ET CIRQUE DE NAVACELLES - FR9112011 | Birds Directive | 20,321 | protected area is adjacent to site | 0 | |
| GORGES DE LA VIS ET DE LA VIRENQUE - FR9101384 | Habitats Directive | 5,513 | protected area is adjacent to site | 0 | |
| GORGES DE RIEUTORD, FAGE ET CAGNASSE - FR9112012 | Birds Directive | 12,308 | protected area overlaps with site | 6,013 | |
| HAUTES GARRIGUES DU MONTPELLIERAIS - FR9112004 | Birds Directive | 45,444 | protected area overlaps with site | 43,023 | |
| LE VIDOURLE - FR9101391 | Habitats Directive | 210 | protected area overlaps with site | 38 | |
| PIC SAINT-LOUP - FR9101389 | Habitats Directive | 4,440 | protected area contained by site | 4,440 |
Habitats
| IUCN habitat | Habitat detail | Extent (% of site) |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | Alluvial and very wet forest; Broadleaved deciduous woodland; Broadleaved evergreen woodland; Native coniferous woodland | - |
| Shrubland | Heathland; Sclerophyllous scrub, garrigue and maquis | - |
| Grassland | Steppes and dry calcareous grassland | - |
| Wetlands (inland) | Rivers and streams; Standing freshwater | - |
| Caves | Caves | - |
| Artificial landscapes (terrestrial) | Arable land; Highly improved re-seeded landscapes; Other urban and industrial areas; Perennial crops, orchards and groves; Ruderal land | - |
| Rocky areas | Inland cliffs; Scree & boulders | - |
Land use
| Land-use | Extent (% of site) |
|---|---|
| agriculture | - |
| fisheries/aquaculture | - |
| forestry | - |
| hunting | - |
| tourism/recreation | - |
| urban/industrial/transport | - |
| water management | - |
Management considerations High hunting pressure, recreation and urbanization are the main threats.
Protection status National None International None
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Recommended citation BirdLife International (2013) Important Bird Areas factsheet: Hautes garrigues du Montpellierais. 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
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