IBA Veľká Fatra
Veľká Fatra
Districts: Banská Bystrica, Martin, Ružomberok, Turčianske Teplice
Altitude: 430 m – 1592 m
Rozloha: 604,80 km2
Description
Veľká Fatra is a large forested mountain range of inner Western Carpathians with small population density. There can be seen contrast between rangy rocky limestone parts, mountain meadows and pastures and forested parts. Beech and beech-spruce forests are the prevailing forest ecosystems. There can be found fragments of mountain spruce forests.
Area protection
IBA Veľká Fatra was designated a Special Protection Area (SPA) on April 16, 2010.
Other protected areas in the region of IBA Veľká Fatra: Veľká Fatra National Park
Importance
The area is one of the top five most important nesting sites in Slovakia for Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) and Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos). Preserved habitats provide good nesting and feeding conditions for Grouse, Owls, cavity nestlers, species of rocky habitats and species of mountain water courses.
Qualifying species
| Species | Breeding population | Criterion | |
| Pop. min. | Pop. max. | ||
| Golden Eagle – Aquila chrysaetos | 7 | 7 | C6 |
| Peregrine Falcon – Falco peregrinus | 3 | 9 | C6 |
| Hazel Grouse – Bonasa bonasia | 900 | 1900 | C6 |
| Black Grouse – Tetrao tetrix | 30 | 40 | C6 |
| Capercaillie – Tetrao urogallus | 90 | 125 | C6 |
| Pygmy Owl – Glaucidium passerinum | 180 | 220 | C6 |
| European Nightjar – Caprimulgus europaeus | 30 | 110 | C6 |
| Black Woodpecker – Dryocopus martius | 90 | 230 | C6 |
| White-backed Woodpecker – Dendrocopos leucotos | 120 | 240 | C6 |
| Three-toed Woodpecker – Picoides tridactylus | 110 | 210 | C6 |
| Red.breasted Flycatcher – Ficedula parva | 900 | 1700 | C6 |
| Collared Flycatcher – Ficedula albicollis | 2700 | 5300 | C6 |
Other important species
Black Stork (Ciconia nigra), Honey Buzzard (Pernis apivorus), Eagle Owl (Bubo bubo), Ural Owl (Strix uralensis), Grey-headed Woodpecker (Picus canus), Common Redstart (Phoenicurus phoenicurus), Spotted Flycatcher (Muscicapa striata)