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BE005
Polderkomplex
Location Belgium, Vlaams Gewest
Central coordinates 3o 13.00' East  51o 15.00' North
IBA criteria A4i, A4iii, B1i, B2, C2, C3, C4, C6
Area 9,349 ha
Altitude 2 - 8m
Year of IBA assessment 2000

BirdLife Belgium



Ornithological information This is an internationally important wintering site for Anser brachyrhynchus, A. albifrons and Anas penelope. The area is also important for breeding meadow birds.

Site description The area includes the most interesting parts of the coastal polders to the north of Brugge which consist of grasslands, extensively used ditches, canals and reedbeds. It also includes a small part of the coastal dunes near Blankenberge.

Populations of IBA trigger species

Species Season Period Population estimate Quality of estimate IBA Criteria IUCN Category
Pink-footed Goose Anser brachyrhynchus winter  -  20,000-36,000 individuals  good  A4i, B1i, C3  Least Concern 
Bean Goose Anser fabalis winter  1989  3,000 individuals  -  B1i, C3  Least Concern 
Greater White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons winter  -  15,000-30,000 individuals  good  A4i, B1i, C3  Least Concern 
Eurasian Wigeon Anas penelope winter  -  10,000-40,000 individuals  good  A4i, B1i, C3  Least Concern 
Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata winter  -  300-500 individuals  good  B1i, C3  Least Concern 
Great Bittern Botaurus stellaris passage  -  15 individuals  medium  C2  Least Concern 
Western Marsh-harrier Circus aeruginosus breeding  1996  10 breeding pairs  good  C6  Least Concern 
Eurasian Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria passage  -  10,000-15,000 individuals  medium  B1i, C2  Least Concern 
Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa breeding  1995  100-120 breeding pairs  good  B2  Near Threatened 
Bluethroat Luscinia svecica breeding  1993  60-80 breeding pairs  good  C6  Least Concern 
A4iii Species group - waterbirds winter  -  -  unknown  A4iii, C4   

Protected areas

Protected area Designation Area (ha) Relationship with IBA Overlap with IBA (ha)  
De Fonteintjes Certified Nature Reserve 12 protected area contained by site 12  
Duingebieden inclusief Ijzermonding en Zwin. - BE2500001 Habitats Directive 3,782 protected area is adjacent to site 0  
Poldercomplex - BE2500932 Birds Directive 9,766 protected area contains site 9,349  
Polders - BE2500002 Habitats Directive 1,866 protected area overlaps with site 739  
Uitkerkse Polder Nature Reserve 60 protected area contained by site 60  

Habitats

IUCN habitat Habitat detail Extent (% of site)
Grassland   60%
Artificial landscapes (terrestrial) Arable land; Perennial crops, orchards and groves  40%

Land use

Land-use Extent (% of site)
agriculture 90%
tourism/recreation 5%
nature conservation and research 5%

Management considerations Because of its ornithological importance the site is well monitored by BNVR/RNOB and the Institute of Nature Conservation. Seventeen percent of the area has been designated as a green area on the physical planning map. Securing the populations of waders and geese on this site will depend on the success of management agreements with farmers, buying of land and an overall management scheme. 25 ha of IBA covered by proposed Site of Community Importance (Dune areas including IJzermonding and Zwin, 2,891 ha). 350 ha of IBA covered by proposed Site of Community Importance (Zilte poldergraslanden, 884 ha).

Protection status National Low International High12 ha of IBA covered by Nature Reserve (De Fonteintjes, 12 ha). 60 ha of IBA covered by Nature Reserve (Uitkerkse Polder, 60 ha). 9,349 ha of IBA covered by Special Protection Area (Poldercomplex Hoeke, Damme, Meetkerke, Uitkerke, 9,530 ha).

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Recommended citation  BirdLife International (2013) Important Bird Areas factsheet: Polderkomplex. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 25/05/2013

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