IBA Slanské vrchy
Slanské vrchy
Districts: Košice okolie, Prešov, Trebišov,Vranov nad Topľou
Altitude: 140 m – 1091 m
Area: 639,04 km2
Description
It is a mountainous area, mostly forested. There can be found beech woods, oak-beech woods, oak woods and in the upper parts maple mountain forests are common. In the foothills, mainly on the deforested margins there is arable land, meadows and unused pastures. In lesser extent there can be found mountain meadows.
Area protection
IBA Slanské vrchy was designated a Special Protection Area (SPA) on April 16, 2010.
Importance
In the territory of Slanské vrchy mountains are nesting significant populations of bird of prey species, mainly Eastern Imperial Eagle (Aquila heliaca), Lesser Spotted Eagle (Aquila pomarina) and the largest population of Ural Owl (Strix uralensis) in Slovakia. The area is also important because of the numerous populations of several Woodpecker species, forest Passerines (Red-breasted Flycatcher (Ficedula parva) and Collared Flycatcher (Ficedula albicollis). Deforested areas are used by bird species that are nesting and hunting on meadows, pastures and in the bush habitats.
Qualifying species
| Species | Breeding population | Criterion | |
| Pop.min. | Pop.max. | ||
| Black Stork – Ciconia nigra | 23 | 33 | C6 |
| Honey Buzzard – Pernis apivorus | 45 | 80 | C6 |
| Lesser Spotted Eagle – Aquila pomarina | 43 | 47 | C6 |
| Eastern Imperial Eagle – Aquila heliaca | 6 | 6 | C6 |
| Corncrake – Crex crex | 90 | 150 | C1 |
| Eagle Owl – Bubo bubo | 16 | 20 | C6 |
| Ural Owl – Strix uralensis | 120 | 400 | C6 |
| Grey-headed Woodpecker – Picus canus | 90 | 150 | C6 |
| Black Woodpecker – Dryocopus martius | 110 | 210 | C6 |
| Middle Spotted Woodpecker – Dendrocopos medius | 300 | 500 | C6 |
| White-backed Woodpecker – Dendrocopos leucotos | 160 | 240 | C6 |
| Woodlark – Lullula arborea | 50 | 90 | C6 |
| Barred Warbler – Sylvia nisoria | 650 | 950 | C6 |
| Red-breasted Flycatcher – Ficedula parva | 1200 | 1800 | C6 |
| Collared Flycatcher – Ficedula albicollis | 3700 | 5300 | C6 |
| Red-backed Shrike – Lanius collurio | 1800 | 2200 | C6 |
Other important species
Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), Hazel Grouse (Tetrastes bonasia/Bonasa bonasia), Common Quail (Coturnix coturnix), Turtle Dove (Streptopelia turtur), European Nightjar (Caprimulgus europaeus), Wryneck (Jynx torquilla), Common Redstart (Phoenicurus phoenicurus), Common Stonechat (Saxicola torquata), Spotted Flycatcher (Muscicapa striata)