For Special Protection Areas (SPA), Proposed Sites for Community Importance (pSCI),
Sites of Community Importance (SCI) and for Special Areas of Conservation (SAC)
PF: for the habitat types that can have a non-priority as well as a priority form (6210, 7130, 9430) enter "X" in the column PF to indicate the priority form.
NP: in case that a habitat type no longer exists in the site enter: x (optional)
Cover: decimal values can be entered
Caves: for habitat types 8310, 8330 (caves) enter the number of caves if estimated surface is not available.
Data quality: G = 'Good' (e.g. based on surveys); M = 'Moderate' (e.g. based on partial data with some extrapolation); P = 'Poor' (e.g. rough estimation)
3.2 Species referred to in Article 4 of Directive 2009/147/EC and listed in Annex II of Directive 92/43/EEC and site evaluation for them
Group: A = Amphibians, B = Birds, F = Fish, I = Invertebrates, M = Mammals, P = Plants, R = Reptiles
S: in case that the data on species are sensitive and therefore have to be blocked for any public access enter: yes
NP: in case that a species is no longer present in the site enter: x (optional)
Type: p = permanent, r = reproducing, c = concentration, w = wintering (for plant and non-migratory species use permanent)
Unit: i = individuals, p = pairs or other units according to the Standard list of population units and codes in accordance with Article 12 and 17 reporting (see reference portal)
Abundance categories (Cat.): C = common, R = rare, V = very rare, P = present - to fill if data are deficient (DD) or in addition to population size information
Data quality: G = 'Good' (e.g. based on surveys); M = 'Moderate' (e.g. based on partial data with some extrapolation); P = 'Poor' (e.g. rough estimation); VP = 'Very poor' (use this category only, if not even a rough estimation of the population size can be made, in this case the fields for population size can remain empty, but the field "Abundance categories" has to be filled in)
3.3 Other important species of flora and fauna (optional)
Group: A = Amphibians, B = Birds, F = Fish, Fu = Fungi, I = Invertebrates, L = Lichens, M = Mammals, P = Plants, R = Reptiles
CODE: for Birds, Annex IV and V species the code as provided in the reference portal should be used in addition to the scientific name
S: in case that the data on species are sensitive and therefore have to be blocked for any public access enter: yes
NP: in case that a species is no longer present in the site enter: x (optional)
Unit: i = individuals, p = pairs or other units according to the standard list of population units and codes in accordance with Article 12 and 17 reporting, (see reference portal)
Cat.: Abundance categories: C = common, R = rare, V = very rare, P = present
Motivation categories: IV, V: Annex Species (Habitats Directive), A: National Red List data; B: Endemics; C: International Conventions; D: other reasons
Situated on the north Co. Sligo coastline, this site comprises a fine diversity of coastal habitats. A shingle/stony spit is overlaid by a well developed sand dune system, fronted by a boulder beach. The spit provides shelter for the formation of salt marshes, which fringe extensive intertidal sand flats. The River Grange flows into the site. Underlying geology is limestone (Glencar formation), shale (Benbulben formation) and sandstone (Mullaghmore formation). The fossilised remains of corals and brachiopods are locally abundant. Site also has a number of National Monuments. Main landuses within site are grazing and recreational activities.
4.2 Quality and importance
Sand dunes are part of an interesting tombolo formation. Fixed dunes are well represented and are notably species-rich. Also good development of shifting marram dunes and both Atlantic and Mediterranean salt meadows. Extensive intertidal sand flats of good quality. The Annex II mollusc Vertigo angustior recently confirmed at site. Supports moderate populations of wintering waterfowl. Site of importance for both ecological, geological and geomorphological reasons.
4.3 Threats, pressures and activities with impacts on the site
The most important impacts and activities with high effect on the site
Negative Impacts
Rank
Threats and pressures [code]
Pollution (optional) [code]
inside/outside [i|o|b]
L
C01.01.01
i
M
G05.01
i
L
G02.08
i
L
G01.03.02
i
H
G01.02
i
L
G01.01
i
Positive Impacts
Rank
Activities, management [code]
Pollution (optional) [code]
inside/outside [i|o|b]
L
X
i
Rank: H = high, M = medium, L = low
Pollution: N = Nitrogen input, P = Phosphor/Phosphate input, A = Acid input/acidification,
T = toxic inorganic chemicals, O = toxic organic chemicals, X = Mixed pollutions
i = inside, o = outside, b = both
4.4 Ownership (optional)
No information provided
4.5 Documentation (optional)
Cawley, M. (1996). Notes on some non-marine mollusca from Co Sligo and Co Leitrim, including a new site for Vertigo geyeri Lindholm. Irish Naturalists? Journal 25: 183-185. Colhoun, K. (1998). I-WeBS Report 1996-97. BirdWatch Ireland, Dublin. Curtis, T.G.F. (1991a). A site inventory of the sandy coasts of Ireland. In Quigley, M.B. (ed.) A Guide to the Sand Dunes of Ireland. E.U.C.C. Dublin. Curtis, T.G.F. (1991b). The flora and vegetation of sand dunes in Ireland. In Quigley, M.B. (ed.) A Guide to the Sand Dunes of Ireland. E.U.C.C. Dublin.Curtis, T., Goodwillie, R. and Young, R. (1978). A preliminary report on areas of scientific interest in County Sligo, An Foras Forbartha, Dublin.Curtis, T.G.F. and Sheehy Skeffington, M.J. (1998). The salt marshes of Ireland: an inventory and account of their geographical variation. Biology and the Environment, Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy 98B: 87-104. Falvey, J.P., Costello, M.J. and Dempsey, S. (1997). Survey of intertidal biotopes in estuaries in Ireland. Unpublished report to the National Parks and Wildlife Service, Dublin.Moorkens, E.A. (1997). An Inventory of Mollusca in Potential SAC Sites, with Special Reference to Vertigo angustior, V. moulinsiana and V. geyeri. Unpublished report, National Parks & Wildlife Service, Dublin. Sheppard, R. (1993). Ireland?s Wetland Wealth. IWC, Dublin.