For Special Protection Areas (SPA),
Proposed Sites for Community Importance (pSCI),
Sites of Community Importance (SCI) and
for Special Areas of Conservation (SAC)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• 1. SITE IDENTIFICATION
• 2. SITE LOCATION
• 3. ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION
• 4. SITE DESCRIPTION
• 5. SITE PROTECTION STATUS
• 6. SITE MANAGEMENT
• 7. MAP OF THE SITE

1. SITE IDENTIFICATION

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1.1 Type

B

1.2 Site code

IE0000147

1.3 Site name

Horn Head and Rinclevan SAC

1.4 First Compilation date

1999-07

1.5 Update date

2020-10

1.6 Respondent:

Name/Organisation:	National Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht
Address:
Email:	datadelivery@chg.gov.ie

1.7 Site indication and designation / classification dates

Date site proposed as SCI:	1999-07
Date site confirmed as SCI:	No information provided
Date site designated as SAC:	No information provided
National legal reference of SAC designation:	No information provided

2. SITE LOCATION

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2.1 Site-centre location [decimal degrees]:

Longitude:	-7.995926
Latitude:	55.198769

2.2 Area [ha]

2343.3180

2.3 Marine area [%]

No information provided

2.4 Sitelength [km] (optional):

No information provided

2.5 Administrative region code and name

NUTS level 2 code	Region Name
IE01	Border, Midland and Western

2.6 Biogeographical Region(s)

Atlantic

(0.00 %)

3. ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION

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3.1 Habitat types present on the site and assessment for them

Annex I Habitat types						Site assessment
Code	PF	NP	Cover [ha]	Cave [number]	Data quality	A|B|C|D	A|B|C
						Representativity	Relative Surface	Conservation	Global
2110			0.3878	0.00	M	B	C	B	B
2120			5.1759	0.00	M	B	C	B	B
2130			292.334	0.00	M	A	B	A	A
2170			9.0423	0.00	M	A	C	A	B
2190			42.569	0.00	M	A	C	A	B
21A0	X		41.3206	0.00	M	C	C	C	C
3130			23.9353	0.00	M	B	C	B	B

• 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

Species					Population in the site						Site assessment
G	Code	Scientific Name	S	NP	T	Size		Unit	Cat.	D.qual.	A|B|C|D	A|B|C
						Min	Max				Pop.	Con.	Iso.	Glo.
B	A200	Alca torda			r	1	6000	i		M	A	A	C	A
B	A052	Anas crecca			w	158	158	i		G	C	C	C	C
B	A050	Anas penelope			w	200	200	i		G	C	B	C	C
B	A053	Anas platyrhynchos			w	100	100	i		G	C	C	C	C
B	A395	Anser albifrons flavirostris			w	160	160	i		G	C	B	C	A
B	A059	Aythya ferina			w	366	366	i		G	C	B	C	B
B	A061	Aythya fuligula			w	112	112	i		G	C	B	C	C
B	A046	Branta bernicla			w	145	145	i		G	C	B	C	C
B	A045	Branta leucopsis			w	250	300	i		G	B	A	C	A
B	A149	Calidris alpina			r	6	6	p		G	B	A	C	B
B	A137	Charadrius hiaticula			w	61	61	i		G	C	B	C	C
B	A038	Cygnus cygnus			w	38	38	i		G	C	A	C	C
B	A103	Falco peregrinus			p	3	3	p		G	C	A	C	B
B	A204	Fratercula arctica			r	1	100	p		M	C	B	C	C
B	A125	Fulica atra			w	24	24	i		G	C	C	C	C
B	A009	Fulmarus glacialis			r	1000	1000	p		G	B	A	C	B
B	A130	Haematopus ostralegus			w	76	76	i		G	C	C	C	C
M	1364	Halichoerus grypus			p	20	30	i		G	C	B	C	C
P	1833	Najas flexilis			p				P	DD	B	A	C	A
B	A160	Numenius arquata			w	200	200	i		G	C	B	C	C
P	1395	Petalophyllum ralfsii			p	1	1	area	P	G	C	B	C	C
B	A017	Phalacrocorax carbo			r	20	20	p		G	C	B	C	C
B	A346	Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax			p	6	6	p		G	C	A	C	B
B	A188	Rissa tridactyla			r	4500	4500	p		G	B	A	C	A
B	A162	Tringa totanus			r	2	2	p		G	C	B	C	C
B	A199	Uria aalge			r	1	5000	i		M	B	A	C	B
B	A142	Vanellus vanellus			r	11	11	p		G	C	A	C	B
I	1013	Vertigo geyeri			p				P	DD	B	B	A	B

• 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)

Species					Population in the site				Motivation
Group	CODE	Scientific Name	S	NP	Size		Unit	Cat.	Species Annex		Other categories
					Min	Max		C|R|V|P	IV	V	A	B	C	D
P		Bryum marratii												X
B		Cepphus grylle			12	25	p						X
B		Cygnus olor			70	70	i						X
B		Lagopus lagopus											X
M		Lepus timidus hibernicus									X
M		Lepus timidus hibernicus											X
M		Lepus timidus hibernicus										X
P		Ligusticum scoticum									X
B		Phalacrocorax aristotelis				200	p						X
A		Rana temporaria									X
A		Rana temporaria											X

• 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

4. SITE DESCRIPTION

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4.1 General site character

Habitat class	% Cover
N01	13.00
N02	5.00
N04	23.00
N05	7.00
N06	6.00
N07	10.00
N08	28.00
N10	4.00
N14	2.00
N22	1.00
N23	1.00
Total Habitat Cover	100

Other Site Characteristics

This coastal site is located to the west of Dunfanaghy village, in north Co. Donegal. The bedrock geology is dominated by quartzite (which forms the Horn Head cliffs) interspersed with smaller amounts of schist and metadolerite bedrock elsewhere. Extensive areas of sand dominate the south-western and eastern portions of the site, while peaty podsols, with occasional rock outcrops, dominate in the north. New Lake is a slightly brackish waterbody which was formed in the 1920s when blown sand (from the dunes to the west) blocked the outlet which connected Rinclevan Strand to the sea. The site comprises a complex of coastal habitats of which open marine areas, sea-cliff, sand dunes (various types), blanket bog and heath occupy the largest areas. Other habitats which occur include intertidal sand and mud flats, wet grassland and improved grassland. The main land uses within the site are agriculture (mostly grazing) and recreational activities.

4.2 Quality and importance

The fixed dune habitat is extensive in area and of good quality, and is considered one of the best examples in County Donegal. Humid dune slacks and dunes with Salix repens are well represented and of good quality. There are also moderate to good examples of shifting marram dunes and embryonic dunes. The area of machair is small in extent and only of moderate quality. Lurgabrack dunes support a well-developed bryophyte flora which includes rare species such as Bryum marratii and Thuidium abietinum. The site supports an important population of Najas flexilis and recently discovered populations of Petalophyllum ralfsii and Vertigo geyeri. Two further Red Data Book plant species, Ligusticum scoticum and Agrostemma githago, have been recorded from the site, though it is unlikely that the latter now occurs as it is considered extinct in Ireland. The cliffs at Horn Head are of high importance for seabirds, supporting an internationally important population of Alca torda, and nationally important populations of Fulmarus glacilis, Rissa tridactyla and Uria aalge. The Annex I Bird Directive species Falco peregrinus and Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax breed within the site. Regular wintering populations of Cygnus cygnus, Anser albifrons flavirostris and Branta leucopsis occur (latter two of national importance), along with a variety of other waterfowl species. Breeding waders are also found, notably Calidris alpina, a Red Data Book species. A small to medium sized population of Halichoerus grypus occurs.

4.3 Threats, pressures and activities with impacts on the site

The most important impacts and activities with high effect on the site

4.4 Ownership (optional)

No information provided

4.5 Documentation (optional)

Anonymous (1988). Refuge for Fauna (Horn Head) Designation Order. Statutory Instrument No. 99 of 1988. Stationery Office, Dublin. Bassett, J.A. and Curtis T.G.F. (1985). The nature and occurrence of sand-dune machair in Ireland. Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy 85B: 1-20.Berrow, S.D., Mackie, K.L., O. Sullivan, O., Shepperd, K.B., Mellon, C. and Coveney, J.A. (1993). The second International Chough Survey in Ireland, 1992. Irish Birds 5: 1-10. Bleasdale, A. and Conaghan, J. (1996). A Botanical Assessment of Lurgabrack Dunes, Dunfanaghy, Co. Donegal. Unpublished report to the National Parks and Wildlife Service, Dublin. 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. Hart, H.C. (1898). Flora of County Donegal. Dublin. Holyoak, D.T. (1999). Report on surveys of Petalophyllum ralfsii in Co. Sligo and Co. Donegal, Western Ireland, 31 July-7 August 1999. Unpublished report to National Parks & Wildlife Service, Dublin.Holyoak, D.T. (2002). Rare plant report: Petalophyllum ralfsii in Horn Head and Rinclevan cSAC. Unpublished report to National Parks & Wildlife Service, Dublin.Holyoak, G. (2002). Records of land and freshwater Mollusca in East Donegal (H34) and West Donegal (H35). Unpublished report.Holyoak, G. (2005). Widespread occurrence of Vertigo geyeri (Gastropoda: Vertiginidae) in north and west Ireland. Irish Naturalists' Journal 28: 141-150.Hunt, J., Derwin, J., Coveney, J. and Newtown, S. (2000). Republic of Ireland. Pp. 365-416 in Heath, M.F. and Evans, M.I. (eds). Important Bird Areas in Europe: Priority Sites for Conservation 1: Northern Europe. BirdLife International (BirdLife Conservation Series No. 8), Cambridge. Lloyd, C. (1982). Inventory of Seabird Breeding Colonies in Republic of Ireland. Unpublished report to Forest and Wildlife Service, Dublin.Lockley, R.M. (1966). The distribution of grey and common seals on the coasts of Ireland. The Irish Naturalists' Journal 15: 136-143.Madden, B., Cooney, T., ODonoghue, A., Norriss, D.W. and Merne, O.J. (1998). Breeding waders of machair systems in Ireland in 1996. Irish Birds 6: 177-190.McConnell, B.J. and Long, C.B. (1997). Geology of North Donegal. A Geological Description to Accompany the Bedrock Geology 1: 10,000 Scale Map Series, Sheet 1 and Part of Sheet 2, North Donegal. Geological Survey of Ireland, Dublin. Merne, O.J. (1989). Important bird areas in the Republic of Ireland. In: Grimmett, R.F.A. and Jones, T.A. (eds). Important Bird Areas in Europe. ICBP Technical Publication No. 9., Cambridge. Merne, O.J. and Walsh, A. (1994). Barnacle Geese in Ireland, spring 1993 and 1994. Irish Birds 5: 151-156. Praeger, R.L (1934). The Botanist in Ireland. Hodges & Figgis, Dublin. Roden, C. (2002). The Distribution of Najas flexilis in County Donegal in 2002. Report prepared for National Parks and Wildlife, Dublin. Sheppard, R. (1993). Irelands Wetland Wealth. IWC, Dublin. Stewart, N. (1993). Rare Bryophytes in Ireland: Unpublished report to the National Parks and Wildlife Service, Dublin. Summers, C.F. (1983). The Grey Seal Halichoerus grypus, in Ireland. Unpublished report to the Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Wildlife, Dublin.Whelan, K.F., Zintl, A. and Poole, W.R. (1996). A Survey of Brown Trout and Eel Populations of the New Lake, Port Lough and Sessiagh Lough, Dunfanaghy, Co. Donegal. Unpublished report, Salmon Research Agency.Young, R. (1973). Report on Areas of Ecological and Geological Interest in County Donegal. An Foras Forbartha, Dublin.

5. SITE PROTECTION STATUS

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No information provided

5.2 Relation of the described site with other sites (optional):

Designated at national or regional level:

Type code	Site name	Type	Cover [%]
IE04	Horn Head Refuge for Fauna	+	8.00

5.3 Site designation (optional)

No information provided

6. SITE MANAGEMENT

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6.1 Body(ies) responsible for the site management:

No information provided

6.2 Management Plan(s):

An actual management plan does exist:

	Yes
	No, but in preparation
X	No

6.3 Conservation measures (optional)

No information provided

 

7. MAP OF THE SITE

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INSPIRE ID:	IE.NPWS.PS.NATURA2000.SAC.IE0000147
Map delivered as PDF in electronic format (optional)
Yes X No

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SITE DISPLAY