IBA Nízke Tatry
Nízke Tatry – Low Tatras
Districts: Banská Bystrica, Brezno, Liptovský Mikuláš, Ružomberok, Poprad
Altitude: 520 m – 2040
Area: 969,51 km2
Description
It is largely divided mountainous area that is composed of orographic units of Nízke Tatry, Starohorské vrchy and Kozie chrbty. It is forested area with prevailing coniferous forests in the northern part and mixed forests in the south. There can be found large number of rocky habitats. The upper parts lay in the subalpine an alpine vegetation level.
Area protection
IBA Nízke Tatry was designated a Special Protection Area (SPA) on April 16, 2010.
Other protected areas in the region of IBA Nízke Tatry: NAPANT – Nízke Tatry (Low Tatras) National Park
Importance
According to its level of preservation and extent it is an important breeding site for several raptor species, forest owls and Passerines. In the area nests the most significant population of Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysateos), Tengmalm’s Owl (Aegolius funereus) and Pygmy Owl (Glaucidium passerinum) in Slovakia. It has a special importance for Grouse species, because here can be found largest populations of Black Grouse (Lyrurus tetrix/Tetrao tetrix) and Capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus) in Slovakia
Qualifying species
| Species | Breeding population | Criterion | |
| Pop.min. | Pop.max. | ||
| Golden Eagle – Aquila chrysateos | 10 | 10 | C6 |
| Hazel Grouse -Bonasa bonasia | 1150 | 1550 | C6 |
| Black Grouse – Tetrao tetrix | 160 | 180 | C6 |
| Capercaillie – Tetrao urogallus | 190 | 210 | C6 |
| Eagle Owl – Bubo bubo | 11 | 19 | C6 |
| Pygmy Owl – Glaucidum passerinum | 280 | 320 | C6 |
| Tengmalm’s Owl – Aegolius funereus | 275 | 325 | C6 |
| European Nightjar – Caprimulgus europaeus | 30 | 70 | C6 |
| Three-toed Woodpecker – Picoides tridactylus | 170 | 330 | C6 |
Other important species
Black Stork (Ciconia nigra), Honey Buzzard (Pernis apivorus), Lesser Spotted Eagle (Aquila pomarina), Common Quail (Coturnix coturnix), Grey-headed Woodpecker (Picus canus), Black Woodpecker (Dryocopus martius), White-backed Woodpecker (Dendrocopos leucotos), Common Redstart (Phoenicurus phoenicurus), Spotted Flycatcher (Muscicapa striata), Red-breasted Flycatcher (Ficedula parva), Collared Flycatcher (Ficedula albicollis), Great Grey Shrike (Lanius excubitor)