Leixão da Gaivota (376)
Portugal, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2002
National site name: Leixão da Gaivota
Central coordinates: Latitude: 37.1000, Longitude: -8.5000
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 23
Area of KBA (km2): 0.00156
Protected area coverage (%): 100.00
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Small inshore rocky islet, near 250 metres at SE of Ponta de Altar, close to River Arade mouth. The islet (leixão) has a very little area, with cliffy banks to a maximum altitude of 23 metres.The flat top is relatively plane and covered by spread scrub.
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.
Additional biodiversity: The most important heronry on offshore rocky islets in Portugal.
Habitats
Land use: not utilised
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 100 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The heronry is inaccessible and therefore not prone to disturbance. The egrets do however feed in a nearby estuary that is subject to pressure from port development and tourism activities.