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

IE0002299

1.3 Site name

River Boyne and River Blackwater SAC

1.4 First Compilation date

2003-06

1.5 Update date

2019-09

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:	2003-06
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:	-6.784926
Latitude:	53.694149

2.2 Area [ha]

2317.8737

2.3 Marine area [%]

0.0000

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
IE01	Border, Midland and Western
IE02	Southern and Eastern

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
7230			23.21	0.00	M	B	C	B	B
91E0			23.21	0.00	M	B	B	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	A038	Cygnus cygnus			w	50	200	i		G	C	B	C	B
F	1099	Lampetra fluviatilis			r				P	DD	C	B	C	B
M	1355	Lutra lutra			p				P	DD	C	A	C	A
F	1106	Salmo salar			r				C	DD	C	B	C	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		Dactylorhiza traunsteineri												X
P		Juncus compressus									X
M		Lepus timidus hibernicus											X
M		Lepus timidus hibernicus									X
M		Lepus timidus hibernicus										X
M		Martes martes									X
M		Martes martes											X
M		Meles meles											X
M		Meles meles									X
M		Mustela erminea hibernica											X
M		Mustela erminea hibernica										X
P		Poa palustris									X
P		Pyrola rotundifolia									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
N02	1.00
N06	30.00
N07	12.00
N08	4.00
N09	1.00
N10	10.00
N12	8.00
N14	22.00
N15	1.00
N16	2.00
N19	7.00
N20	1.00
N23	1.00
Total Habitat Cover	100

Other Site Characteristics

This site comprises most of the freshwater element of the River Boyne from upriver of the Boyne Aqueduct at Drogheda, the Blackwater River as far as Lough Ramor and the principal Boyne tributaries, notably the Deel, Stoneyford and Tremblestown Rivers. This system drains a considerable area of Cos. Meath and Westmeath and smaller areas of Cavan and Louth. The underlying geology is Carboniferous Limestone for the most part with areas of Upper, Lower and Middle well represented. In the vicinity of Kells Silurian Quartzite is present while close to Trim are Carboniferous Shales and Sandstones. The rivers flow through a landscape dominated by intensive agriculture, mostly of improved grassland but also cereals. Much of the river channels were subject to arterial drainage schemes in the past. Natural flood-plains now exist along only limited stretches of river, though often there is a fringe of reed swamp, freshwater marsh, wet grassland or deciduous wet woodland. Along some parts, notably between Drogheda and Slane, are stands of tall, mature mixed woodland. Substantial areas of improved grassland and arable land are included in site for water quality reasons. There are many medium to large sized towns adjacent to but not within the site.

4.2 Quality and importance

The main channel of the Boyne contains a good example of alluvial woodland of the Salicetum albo-fragilis type which has developed on three alluvium islands. Alkaline fen vegetation is well represented at Lough Shesk, where there is a very fine example of habitat succession from open water to raised bog. The Boyne and its tributaries is one of Ireland's premier game fisheries and offers a wide range of angling, from fishing for spring salmon and grilse to sea trout fishing and extensive brown trout fishing. The site is one of the most important in eastern Ireland for Salmo salar and has very extensive spawning grounds. The site also has an important population of Lampetra fluviatilis, though the distribution or abundance of this species is not well known. Lutra lutra is widespread throughout the site. Some of the grassland areas along the Boyne and Blackwater are used by a nationally important winter flock of Cygnus cygnus. Several Red Data Book plants occur within the site, with Pyrola rotundifolia, Poa palustris and Juncus compressus. Also occurring are a number of Red Data Book animals, notably Meles meles, Martes martes and Rana temporaria. The River Boyne is a designated Salmonid Water under the EU Freshwater Fish Directive.

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)

Bracken, J. J. and O'Grady, M. E. (1992). A review of freshwater fisheries research in Ireland. In Feehan, J. (ed.) Environment and Development in Ireland, pp 499-510. The Environmental Institute, UCD, Dublin.Central Fisheries Board 2001. Irish Salmon Catches 2000. http://www.cfb.ie/: February 2001.Central Fisheries Board 2002. Irish Salmon Catches. http://www.cfb.ie/: January 2003.Doris, Y., McGarrigle, M.L., Clabby, K.J., Lucey, J., Neill, M., Flanagan, M., Quinn, M.B., Sugrue, M. and Lehane, M. (1999). Water quality in Ireland 1995-1997. Statistical Compendium of River Quality Data. Electronic Publication on Disk. Environmental Protection Agency, Wexford.Doris, Y., Clabby, K.J., Lucey and Lehane, M. (2002). Water Quality in Ireland 1998-2000. Statistical Compendium of River Quality Data. Electronic Publication on Disk. Environmental Protection Agency, Wexford. Fahy, E. (1971). A Preliminary Report on Areas of Scientific Interest in County Louth. An Foras Forbartha, Dublin.Farrell, L. (1972). A Preliminary Report on Areas of Scientific Interest in County Cavan. An Foras Forbartha, Dublin.Goodwillie, R. (1971). A Preliminary Report on Areas of Scientific Interest in County Westmeath. An Foras Forbartha, Dublin.Goodwillie, R. (1975). The Ecological Importance of Lough Shesk, Co. Meath. Unpublished Report. An Foras Forbartha, Dublin. Kelly, D.L. and Iremonger, S.F. (1997). Irish wetland woods: the plant communities and their ecology. Biology and the Environment, Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy 97B: 1-32. King, Dr Jimmy, personal Communication to EcoServe, 2003.Kurz, I. and Costello, M.J. (1999). An outline of the biology, distribution and conservation of lampreys in Ireland. Irish Wildlife Manuals, No. 5. 27pp. Dublin. Dúchas - The Heritage Service.Lenehan, L.J. (1996). Wintering waterfowl at Newgrange, Co. Meath. Irish East Coast Bird Report 1995. 75-78. Limnological Unit, U.C.D., (1997). Limnological Investigations in the River Boyne at Bective / Ballinter. Unpublished Report for P.H. McCarthy & Partners, Dublin. Maitland, P.S. (1980). Review of the ecology of lampreys in northern Europe. Canadian Journal of Aquatic Sciences 37: 1944 - 1952.McGarrigle M.L., Bowman J.J., Clabby K.J., Lucey J., Cunningham P., MacCarthaigh M., Keegan M., Cantrell B., Lehane M., Clenaghan C. & Toner P.F. (2002). Water Quality in Ireland 1998-2000. Environmental Protection Agency, Wexford. O'Grady, M. (1985). A Post Drainage Fishery Rehabilitation Programme for the Stonyford River and a Long Term Management Plan for this Resource. Central Fisheries Board, Dublin.O'Grady, M. (1991). Rehabilitation of Salmonid Habitats in a Drained Irish River System. In: Steer, M.W. (ed.) Irish Rivers: Biology and Management. Royal Irish Academy, Dublin. O'Reilly, P. (1998). Trout and Salmon Rivers of Ireland: an Anglers Guide. Merlin Unwin Books, London.Praeger, R.L. (1934) . The Botanist in Ireland. Hodges, Figgis & Co, Dublin. Reynolds, J.D. (1998). Ireland's Freshwaters. The Marine Institute, Dublin 1998. Ryan, J. (1986). Report on Lough Shesk, Boyne Drainage Scheme. Internal Report. Forest and Wildlife Service, Dublin. Sheppard, R. (1993). Ireland's Wetland Wealth. IWC, Dublin. Synnott, D.M. (1987). Juncus compressus Jacq. in Ireland. Irish Naturalists' Journal 16: 92-93. The Three Rivers Project, 2003. River Boyne Statistics. http://www.threeriversproject.ieYoung, R. (1971). A Preliminary Report on Areas of Scientific Interest in County Meath. An Foras Forbartha, Dublin.

5. SITE PROTECTION STATUS

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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.IE0002299
Map delivered as PDF in electronic format (optional)
Yes X No

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SITE DISPLAY