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

Back to top

1.1 Type

B

1.2 Site code

IE0000710

1.3 Site name

Raven Point Nature Reserve SAC

1.4 First Compilation date

1999-09

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:	1999-09
Date site confirmed as SCI:	No information provided
Date site designated as SAC:	2018-10
National legal reference of SAC designation:	423/2018

2. SITE LOCATION

Back to top

2.1 Site-centre location [decimal degrees]:

Longitude:	-6.365526
Latitude:	52.356397

2.2 Area [ha]

556.3608

2.3 Marine area [%]

48.2670

2.4 Sitelength [km] (optional):

No information provided

2.5 Administrative region code and name

NUTS level 2 code	Region Name
IE02	Southern and Eastern

2.6 Biogeographical Region(s)

Atlantic

(0.00 %)

3. ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION

Back to top

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
1140			72.9047	0.00	M	C	C	A	B
1210			0.3694	0.00	M	C	C	B	B
1330			0.2211	0.00	M	C	C	B	C
2110			1.1272	0.00	M	B	C	B	B
2120			9.3699	0.00	M	B	C	B	B
2130			22.654	0.00	M	C	C	B	B
2170			0.1362	0.00	M	B	C	C	B
2190			0.753	0.00	M	C	C	C	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	A395	Anser albifrons flavirostris			w	10022	10022	i		G	A	A	C	A
B	A169	Arenaria interpres			w	14	14	i		G	C	B	C	C
B	A144	Calidris alba			w	149	149	i		G	B	A	C	A
B	A149	Calidris alpina			w	1510	1510	i		G	C	B	C	B
B	A143	Calidris canutus			w	288	288	i		G	C	B	C	B
B	A137	Charadrius hiaticula			w	19	19	i		G	C	B	C	C
B	A130	Haematopus ostralegus			w	103	103	i		G	C	B	C	C
B	A157	Limosa lapponica			w	113	113	i		G	C	B	C	B
B	A156	Limosa limosa			w	167	167	i		G	C	B	C	B
B	A070	Mergus merganser			w	38	38	i		G	C	B	C	B
B	A160	Numenius arquata			w	134	134	i		G	C	B	C	C
B	A017	Phalacrocorax carbo			w	216	216	i		G	B	A	C	B
B	A140	Pluvialis apricaria			w	570	570	i		G	C	B	C	C
B	A141	Pluvialis squatarola			w	732	732	i		G	A	A	C	A
B	A195	Sterna albifrons			r	10	10	p		G	B	C	C	C
B	A048	Tadorna tadorna			w	14	14	i		G	C	B	C	C
B	A164	Tringa nebularia			w	3	3	i		G	C	B	C	C
B	A162	Tringa totanus			w	20	20	i		G	C	B	C	C

• 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		Asparagus officinalis ssp. prostratus									X
A		Bufo calamita									X
P		Centaurium pulchellum									X
I		Ceuthorrhynchus hirtulus												X
I		Epitryptus cowini												X
P		Monotropa hypopitys									X
I		Nebria complanata												X
I		Pherbellia knutsoni												X
I		Pristonychus terricola												X
I		Pseudorchestoidea brito												X
P		Pyrola rotundifolia ssp. maritima									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

Back to top

4.1 General site character

Habitat class	% Cover
N20	35.00
N03	2.00
N06	1.00
N04	22.00
N01	24.00
N02	16.00
Total Habitat Cover	100

Other Site Characteristics

Situated on the north side of Wexford Harbour, the site incorporates the dynamic sand system of the Raven Point and the coastal stretch running north to Curracloe House. The main part of the dune system was planted with coniferous species in the 1930s and 1950s, mainly as a coastal defence measure. Other than the sand dune habitats, the site also contains sand flats, salt marsh and lagoons. There has been heavy erosion along the eastern site of the site in recent years, but the dunes are building westwards along the southern boundary of the adjacent Wexford Slobs. The sediment source is siliceous in nature. The main landuses of the site are nature conservation and commercial forestry. Future plans include replacement of the conifers with hardwood species.

4.2 Quality and importance

The site is an important example of an extremely dynamic coastal sand system. It contains one of the few afforested sand dune systems in Ireland though the commercial plantings have compromised the structure of the natural dune vegetation. Outside the planted areas, there are good examples of a range of sand dune types, including embryo dunes, mobile marram dunes, fixed dunes, dunes with Salix repens and humid dune slacks. A small though significant area of Atlantic salt meadow occurs below the fixed dunes. The site also has a good example of intertidal flats, which are predominantly sandy owing to exposure. Three Red Data Book plant species are known from the site, as well as a number of locally important species. Natterjack toad a Red Data Book species, has been successfully introduced into the site. Site provides principal roost site for the Internationally Important Wexford Slobs and Harbour population of Anser albifrons flavirostris. Seven further bird species occur at the Raven in nationally important concentrations, notably Pluvialis squatarola and Calidris alba, and there are populations of Pluvialis apricaria and Limosa lapponica. Sterna albifrons breeds in some years though recently conditions have been less suitable. Most of site is a statutory nature reserve.

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)

An Foras Forbatha (1977). A Study of the Raven, Co. Wexford. An Foras Forbartha/Forest & Wildlife Service, Dublin. Brady, Shipman & Martin (1992). Wexford Coastline. Coastal Zone Management Plan. Unpublished report to Wexford County Council. Cotton, J. (1974). Pyrola rotundifolia L in County Wexford. Irish Naturalists Journal 18: 44-46. 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.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. Deasy, J. (1946). Some notes on coastal afforestation in Co. Wexford. Journal of the Society of Irish Foresters. Vol. III. 29-39. Fox, A.D., Norriss, D.W., Stroud, D.A. & Wilson, H.J. (1994). Greenland White-fronted Geese in Ireland and Britain 1982/83 - 1993/94. Greenland White-fronted Goose Study research report no. 8. Greenland White-fronted Goose Study, Wales and National Parks & Wildlife Service, 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. Rowe, D. and Wilson, C.J. (eds) (1996). High Skies - Low Lands. An Anthology of the Wexford Slobs and Harbour. Duffry Press, Wexford. Sheppard, R. (1993). Irelands Wetland Wealth. IWC, Dublin. Whilde, A. (1985). The All Ireland Tern Survey 1984. Unpublished report for the Irish Wildbird Conservancy, Dublin.

5. SITE PROTECTION STATUS

Back to top

5.1 Designation types at national and regional level (optional):

Code	Cover [%]
IE01	90.00

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

Designated at national or regional level:

Type code	Site name	Type	Cover [%]
	The Raven Nature Reserve	*	90.00
IE01	The Raven Nature Reserve	*	90.00

Designated at international level:

Type	Site name	Type	Cover [%]
Other	The Raven Nature Reserve	*	90.00

5.3 Site designation (optional)

No information provided

6. SITE MANAGEMENT

Back to top

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

Back to top

Map delivered as PDF in electronic format (optional)

Yes X No

---

SITE DISPLAY