Cha Potami River (31315)
Cyprus, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2012
National site name: Cha Potami River
Central coordinates: Latitude: 34.7727, Longitude: 32.7347
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 70 to 1000
Area of KBA (km2): 79.01955
Protected area coverage (%): 100.00
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: This new IBA is the easternmost of the four ‘valley’ IBAs carved by rivers flowing from the Troodos massif to the south-west coast. The main qualifying species are European Roller (Coracias garrulus) and Long-legged Buzzard (Buteo rufinus), while this is also an Endemic Bird Area site with both Cyprus Wheatear (Oenanthe cypriaca) and Cyprus Warbler (Sylvia melanothorax) found in good numbers here. The site is also notable as an important feeding area for the Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus) and also hosts a breeding pair of Bonelli’s Eagle (Aquila fasciata) and 3-4 pairs of Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus). Like in all four ‘valley’ sites, at Cha Potami too there is an autumn raptor passage.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Shrubland | 55 | |
| Grassland | 11 | |
| Forest | 1 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 32 | |
| Other | 1 |
Additional information
References: Hellicar, M.A., Anastasi, V., Beton, D. & Snape, R. (2014). Important Bird Areas of Cyprus. BirdLife Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus.