email a friend
printable version
EE036
Alam-Pedja
Location Estonia, Jõgeva County,Tartu County,Viljandi County
Central coordinates 26o 13.00' East  58o 28.00' North
IBA criteria A1, A4i, B1i, C1, C2, C6
Area 34,692 ha
Altitude
Year of IBA assessment 2003

Eesti Ornitiliigiaühing (EOÜ)



Ornithological information The most important breeding area for Gallinago media in Estonia, which also supports a rich assemblage of breeding species of mire, forest and wetland, notably the globally threatened Aquila clanga. Breeding species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Haliaeetus albicilla (2 pairs). Significant proportion (³1%) of national population breeding at site: Pernis apivorus (5-7 pairs), Chlidonias niger (150-200 pairs), Caprimulgus europaeus (min. 20 pairs), Picus canus (min. 15 pairs). Numbers of breeding Tetrao tetrix (min. 75 pairs) are also notable.

Site description A large wetland complex in central Estonia, comprised of raised bogs, fens, transition mires and unregulated rivers with flood-plain meadows, surrounded by extensive alluvial forests. The main land-use is forestry.

Populations of IBA trigger species

Species Season Period Population estimate Quality of estimate IBA Criteria IUCN Category
Hazel Grouse Bonasa bonasia breeding  1991-2000  200-400 breeding pairs  unknown  C6  Least Concern 
Black Grouse Tetrao tetrix breeding  1997  200-300 breeding pairs  unknown  C6  Least Concern 
Tundra Swan Cygnus columbianus passage  1996  300-600 individuals  good  A4i, B1i, C2  Least Concern 
European Honey-buzzard Pernis apivorus breeding  1999-2002  13-15 breeding pairs  unknown  C6  Least Concern 
White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla breeding  1999-2002  4-5 breeding pairs  unknown  C6  Least Concern 
Northern Harrier Circus cyaneus breeding  1991-2000  3-5 breeding pairs  unknown  C6  Least Concern 
Montagu's Harrier Circus pygargus breeding  1991-2000  4-7 breeding pairs  unknown  C6  Least Concern 
Greater Spotted Eagle Aquila clanga breeding  1991-2001  2-4 breeding pairs  unknown  A1, C1, C6  Vulnerable 
Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos breeding  1991-2000  2 breeding pairs  unknown  C6  Least Concern 
Corncrake Crex crex breeding  1997-2002  100 breeding pairs  unknown  A1, C1  Least Concern 
Great Snipe Gallinago media breeding  1997-2002  120-165 males only  unknown  A1, C1, C2, C6  Near Threatened 
Ruff Philomachus pugnax breeding  1997  5-10 breeding pairs  unknown  C6  Least Concern 
Little Gull Larus minutus breeding  1997  15 breeding pairs  unknown  C6  Least Concern 
Ural Owl Strix uralensis breeding  2000  30-40 breeding pairs  unknown  C6  Least Concern 
White-backed Woodpecker Dendrocopos leucotos breeding  1999  23-28 breeding pairs  unknown  C6  Least Concern 
Eurasian Three-toed Woodpecker Picoides tridactylus breeding  1999  15-20 breeding pairs  unknown  C6  Least Concern 
Grey-faced Woodpecker Picus canus breeding  1999  12-20 breeding pairs  unknown  C6  Least Concern 

Protected areas

Protected area Designation Area (ha) Relationship with IBA Overlap with IBA (ha)  
Alam-Pedja - EE0080374 Birds Directive 34,493 protected area overlaps with site 31,161  
Alam-Pedja looduskaitseala Nature Reserve 34,219 protected area overlaps with site 31,010  
Alam-Pedja Nature Reserve Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar) 26,000 protected area overlaps with site 31,010  
Kärevere - EE0080371 Birds Directive 2,497 protected area is adjacent to site 0  

Habitats

IUCN habitat Habitat detail Extent (% of site)
Forest Broadleaved deciduous woodland; Mixed woodland; Native coniferous woodland  51%
Grassland Humid grasslands  7%
Wetlands (inland) Fens, transition mires and springs; Raised bogs  24%
Shrubland   17%

Land use

Land-use Extent (% of site)
forestry 20%
nature conservation and research 87%
agriculture 10%
tourism/recreation -

Management considerations The main threat lies in the overgrowth of flood-plain meadows with scrub, following abandonment of management. Research involves monitoring of birds.

Protection status National High International High25,850 ha of IBA covered by Nature Protection Area (Alam-Pedja, 26,000 ha). 25,850 ha of IBA covered by Ramsar Site (Alam-Pedja Nature Protection Area, 26,000 ha).

Contribute  Please click here to help BirdLife conserve the world's birds - your data for this IBA and others are vital for helping protect the environment.

Recommended citation  BirdLife International (2013) Important Bird Areas factsheet: Alam-Pedja. 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