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close| Location | Lithuania, Klaipeda and Telsiai |
| Central coordinates | 21o 23.00' East 55o 41.00' North |
| IBA criteria | B2, C1, C6 |
| Area | 2,239 ha |
| Altitude | 10 - 100m |
| Year of IBA assessment | 2004 |
Ornithological information Important numbers of Alcedo atthis breed. Breeding species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Crex crex (a few pairs).
Site description The area comprises the Minija and Babrungas valleys, and includes deciduous forests and meadows. The riverbanks are high.
Populations of IBA trigger species
| Species | Season | Period | Population estimate | Quality of estimate | IBA Criteria | IUCN Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corncrake Crex crex | breeding | 2002 | 300 males only | - | C1 | Least Concern |
| Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis | resident | 1997 | 15 breeding pairs | unknown | B2 | Least Concern |
| Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis | breeding | 2002 | 60-80 breeding pairs | - | C6 | Least Concern |
Protected areas
| Protected area | Designation | Area (ha) | Relationship with IBA | Overlap with IBA (ha) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minija | Ichtiological Reserve | 1,976 | protected area overlaps with site | 300 | |
| Minijos Senslenis Landscape Reserve | Landscape Reserve | 0 | protected area contained by site | 960 | |
| Minijos slenis ties Dyburiais - LTKRE0002 | Habitats Directive | 804 | protected area is adjacent to site | 0 | |
| Minijos upe - LTKLA0007 | Habitats Directive | 2,197 | protected area overlaps with site | 984 | |
| Minijos upes slenis - LTKLA0003 | Habitats Directive | 1,818 | protected area overlaps with site | 226 | |
| Minijos upes slenis - LTKLAB005 | Birds Directive | 2,239 | is identical to site | 2,239 | |
| Nemuno delta - LTSIU0013 | Habitats Directive | 23,921 | protected area is adjacent to site | 0 | |
| Nemuno delta - LTSLUB001 | Birds Directive | 26,673 | protected area is adjacent to site | 0 | |
| Veivirzo ir Salpes upes - LTKLA0010 | Habitats Directive | 1,073 | protected area is adjacent to site | 0 |
Habitats
| IUCN habitat | Habitat detail | Extent (% of site) |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | Broadleaved deciduous woodland; Mixed woodland; Native coniferous woodland | 7% |
| Grassland | 26% | |
| Wetlands (inland) | Rivers and streams; Standing freshwater; Water fringe vegetation | 11% |
| Artificial landscapes (terrestrial) | Arable land; Other urban and industrial areas; Perennial crops, orchards and groves; Urban parks and gardens | 55% |
Land use
| Land-use | Extent (% of site) |
|---|---|
| forestry | 7% |
| nature conservation and research | - |
| tourism/recreation | - |
| agriculture | 55% |
| rangeland/pastureland | 26% |
Management considerations The Ichthyological Reserve protects only the river itself and a narrow zone along the banks, which is enough for Alcedo atthis, but does not provide real protection to the wider river valley.
Protection status National Partial International None300 ha of IBA covered by Ichthyological Reserve (Minija, 1,976 ha).
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Recommended citation BirdLife International (2013) Important Bird Areas factsheet: Valley of Minija River. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 23/05/2013
To provide new information to update this factsheet or to correct any errors, please email BirdLife
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