Northumbria Coast (2563)
United Kingdom, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2007
National site name: Northumbria Coast
Central coordinates: Latitude: 55.4207, Longitude: -1.5785
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 15
Area of KBA (km2): 10.98172
Protected area coverage (%): 99.22
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The IBA covers much of the coastline between the Scottish border and the Tyne estuary, which consists of sandy bays separated by rocky headlands and backed by sand-dunes and both soft and hard cliffs. It is important for breeding terns, wintering waders and waterfowl, and summer moulting assemblages of Cygnus olor and Somateria mollissima.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that was identified using previously established criteria and thresholds for the identification of Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) and for which available data indicate that it does not meet global KBA criteria and thresholds set out in the Global Standard.
Delineation rationale: First identified as Northumberland Coast in 1989; 2007 renamed and resolved differences with the SPA boundary, adopting that boundary. 2000 area, 1926ha. SPA boundary used from JNCC, with Cresswell Ponds area added; digitised at 1:10,000 scale.
Habitats
Land use: fisheries/aquaculture | nature conservation and research | tourism/recreation
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Intertidal | 32 | |
| Marine Neritic | 32 | |
| Grassland | 5 | |
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 32 |
Threats
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural system modifications | Dams & water management/use | Small dams | Only in the future |
| Energy production & mining | Renewable energy | Only in the future | |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | Ongoing | |
| Residential & commercial development | Commercial & industrial areas | Only in the future |