Pentashoinos River (31314)
Cyprus, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2012
National site name: Pentashoinos River
Central coordinates: Latitude: 34.8477, Longitude: 33.3500
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 680
Area of KBA (km2): 47.90359
Protected area coverage (%): 88.40
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Important numbers of breeding Bonelli’s Eagles (Aquila fasciata), European Rollers (Coracias garrulus) and Cyprus Warblers (Sylvia melanothorax) are the key features of this new IBA. The site, which captures the valley of the Pentashoinos River, from the Mahairas Mountains to the Larnaca coast, is also important for breeding Cyprus Wheatears (Oenanthe cypriaca) and Black Francolins (Francolinus francolinus). The site also hosts breeding Long-legged Buzzards (Buteo rufinus) and Peregrine Falcons (Falco peregrinus), though not in qualifying numbers. The valley is also a “bottleneck” for migrating passerines, a fact that does not escape the unwelcome and destructive attentions of illegal bird trappers.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance because it meets one or more previously established criteria and thresholds for identifying sites of biodiversity importance (including Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas, Alliance for Zero Extinction sites, and Key Biodiversity Areas)
Habitats
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 36 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 4 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 29 | |
| Shrubland | 31 |
Additional information
References: Hellicar, M.A., Anastasi, V., Beton, D. & Snape, R. (2014). Important Bird Areas of Cyprus. BirdLife Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus.