Database release:
SDF
NATURA 2000 - STANDARD DATA FORM

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

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1.1 Type

A

1.2 Site code

IE0004035

1.3 Site name

Cummeen Strand SPA

1.4 First Compilation date

2003-11

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 classified as SPA:1995-02
National legal reference of SPA designation No information provided

2. SITE LOCATION

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2.1 Site-centre location [decimal degrees]:

Longitude:-8.545750
Latitude:54.289730

2.2 Area [ha]

1731.6882

2.3 Marine area [%]

96.9920

2.4 Sitelength [km] (optional):


No information provided

2.5 Administrative region code and name

NUTS level 2 code Region Name
IE01Border, 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


No habitat types are reported for the site

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
      MinMax  Pop.Con.Iso.Glo.
BA052Anas crecca    w  70  70  i    G  C  B  C  C 
BA050Anas penelope    w  178  178  i    G  C  B  C  C 
BA053Anas platyrhynchos    w  170  170  i    G  C  B  C  C 
BA169Arenaria interpres    w  80  80  i    G  C  B  C  C 
BA046Branta bernicla    w  232  232  i    G  C  A  C  B 
BA144Calidris alba    w  18  18  i    G  C  B  C  C 
BA149Calidris alpina    w  601  601  i    G  C  B  C  C 
BA143Calidris canutus    w  104  104  i    G  C  B  C  C 
BA137Charadrius hiaticula    w  32  32  i    G  C  B  C  C 
BA130Haematopus ostralegus    w  891  891  i    G  C  A  C  B 
BA182Larus canus    w  43  43  i    G  C  B  C  C 
BA179Larus ridibundus    w  353  353  i    G  C  B  C  C 
BA157Limosa lapponica    w  57  57  i    G  C  B  C  C 
BA069Mergus serrator    w  17  17  i    G  C  B  C  C 
BA160Numenius arquata    w  546  546  i    G  C  A  C  B 
BA140Pluvialis apricaria    w  567  567  i    G  C  B  C  C 
BA048Tadorna tadorna    w  80  80  i    G  C  A  C  C 
BA164Tringa nebularia    w  18  18  i    G  C  A  C  B 
BA162Tringa totanus    w  501  501  i    G  C  A  C  B 
BA142Vanellus vanellus    w  734  734  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
     MinMax C|R|V|PIVVABCD
B  Ardea cinerea    13  13  i              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
N0295.00
N032.00
N052.00
N231.00

Total Habitat Cover

100

Other Site Characteristics

Cummeen Strand SPA comprises the greater part of Sligo Harbour, the middle one of the three 'arms' forming Sligo Bay. The site extends for up to 7 km from east to west and has an average width of c.2.5 km. The site is the estuary of the Garavoge River, a short slow-flowing river which flows from Lough Gill. The harbour is very enclosed, with the mouth of the harbour being sheltered by two islands (Coney Island and Oyster Island). A large proportion of the estuary is intertidal (> 80%). Sediments are predominantly sands or coarser materials, though muddy sands or muds also occur. Zostera beds are present. The intertidal sand and mud flats are fringed by salt marshes in places but mostly stony shoreline. Sligo Harbour is a regional port for the town of Sligo.

4.2 Quality and importance

Cummeen Strand is of importance for the diversity of wintering waterfowl and is an integral part of the larger unit of Sligo Bay. The site has an internationally important population of Branta bernicla hrota and supports nationally important numbers of Haematopus ostralegus and Tringa totanus. Both Pluvialis apricaria and Limosa lapponica utilise the site though in relatively low numbers. The intertidal flats, which have well-developed macro-invertebrate communities and Zostera beds, provide good feeding grounds for the wintering birds. Birds roost on the salt marshes and upper shoreline though on high tides some may leave the site to roost elsewhere.

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
RankThreats and pressures [code]Pollution (optional) [code]inside/outside [i|o|b]
MA08o
MD01.02o
HD03.02i
ME01o
HE02i
HE02o
HF01i
LF02.03i
MHi
HJ02.01.02i
Positive Impacts
RankActivities, management [code]Pollution (optional) [code]inside/outside [i|o|b]
MD01.02o
HD03.02i
LF02.03i

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)

Colhoun, K. (2001). I-WeBS Report 1998-99. BirdWatch Ireland, 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 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.Goodwillie, R. (1972). A Preliminary Report on Areas of Scientific Interest in County Sligo. An Foras Forbartha, Dublin.Hunt, J., Derwin, J., Coveney, J. and Newton, 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. Cambridge, UK: BirdLife International (BirdLife Conservation Series No. 8). Irish Wetland Birds Survey (I-WeBS) Database, 1994/95-2000/01. BirdWatch Ireland, Dublin. Jennings O'Donovan and Partners (1998). Sligo Main Drainage Waste Water Treatment Works. Environmental Impact Statement, Main Report Volumes 1 and 2. Report prepared for Sligo Corporation. McGarrigle M.L., Bowman J.J., Clabby K.J., Lucey J., Cunningham P., MacCarthaigh M., Keegan M., Cantrell B., Lehane M., Clenaghan C. and Toner P.F. (2002). Water Quality in Ireland 1998-2000. Environmental Protection Agency, Wexford. 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. Sheppard, R. (1993). Ireland's Wetland Wealth. IWC, 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 [%]
Cumeen Strand+90.00

Designated at international level:

Type Site name Type Cover [%]
Other Cumeen Strand+90.00

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.SPA.IE0004035
Map delivered as PDF in electronic format (optional)
 Yes
X
 No

SITE DISPLAY