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

A

1.2 Site code

IE0004076

1.3 Site name

Wexford Harbour and Slobs 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:	1985-08
National legal reference of SPA designation	No information provided

2. SITE LOCATION

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2.1 Site-centre location [decimal degrees]:

Longitude:	-6.432200
Latitude:	52.341800

2.2 Area [ha]

5979.3364

2.3 Marine area [%]

55.6230

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

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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
						Min	Max				Pop.	Con.	Iso.	Glo.
B	A054	Anas acuta			w	67	67	i		G	B	A	C	A
B	A056	Anas clypeata			w	24	24	i		G	C	A	C	C
B	A052	Anas crecca			w	1002	1002	i		G	C	A	C	B
B	A050	Anas penelope			w	2800	2800	i		G	B	A	C	A
B	A053	Anas platyrhynchos			w	3035	3035	i		G	B	A	C	A
B	A051	Anas strepera			w	20	20	i		G	C	A	C	B
B	A395	Anser albifrons flavirostris			w	9353	9353	i		G	A	A	C	A
B	A169	Arenaria interpres			w	41	41	i		G	C	A	C	C
B	A222	Asio flammeus			w	1	5	i		G	B	A	C	B
B	A059	Aythya ferina			w	218	218	i		G	C	B	C	C
B	A061	Aythya fuligula			w	114	114	i		G	C	B	C	C
B	A062	Aythya marila			w	354	354	i		G	B	A	C	A
B	A046	Branta bernicla			w	1380	1380	i		G	B	A	C	A
B	A067	Bucephala clangula			w	126	126	i		G	C	A	C	B
B	A144	Calidris alba			w	105	105	i		G	C	A	C	B
B	A149	Calidris alpina			w	1772	1772	i		G	C	A	C	B
B	A143	Calidris canutus			w	252	252	i		G	C	A	C	B
B	A137	Charadrius hiaticula			w	69	69	i		G	C	A	C	C
B	A037	Cygnus columbianus bewickii			w	213	213	i		G	A	A	C	A
B	A038	Cygnus cygnus			w	120	120	i		G	C	A	C	B
B	A026	Egretta garzetta			p	12	12	p		G	B	A	C	A
B	A125	Fulica atra			w	353	353	i		G	C	A	C	B
B	A130	Haematopus ostralegus			w	1090	1090	i		G	C	A	C	B
B	A182	Larus canus			w	47	47	i		G	C	B	C	C
B	A179	Larus ridibundus			w	1274	1274	i		G	C	B	C	B
B	A157	Limosa lapponica			w	1417	1417	i		G	B	A	C	A
B	A156	Limosa limosa			w	647	647	i		G	B	A	C	A
B	A069	Mergus serrator			w	153	153	i		G	B	A	C	A
B	A160	Numenius arquata			w	1301	1301	i		G	C	A	C	B
B	A017	Phalacrocorax carbo			w	177	177	i		G	C	A	C	B
B	A151	Philomachus pugnax			w	10	20	i		G	C	B	C	B
B	A151	Philomachus pugnax			c	10	20	i		G	C	B	C	B
B	A140	Pluvialis apricaria			w	5590	5590	i		G	B	A	C	A
B	A141	Pluvialis squatarola			w	848	848	i		G	B	A	C	A
B	A005	Podiceps cristatus			w	100	100	i		G	C	A	C	B
B	A048	Tadorna tadorna			w	359	359	i		G	B	A	C	A
B	A161	Tringa erythropus			w	1	3	i		G	C	B	C	B
B	A161	Tringa erythropus			c	5	10	i		G	C	B	C	B
B	A166	Tringa glareola			c	1	5	i		G	B	B	C	C
B	A164	Tringa nebularia			w	12	12	i		G	C	A	C	C
B	A165	Tringa ochropus			w	1	5	i		G	C	B	C	B
B	A165	Tringa ochropus			c	5	10	i		G	C	B	C	B
B	A162	Tringa totanus			w	249	249	i		G	C	A	C	C
B	A142	Vanellus vanellus			w	10387	10387	i		G	B	A	C	A

• 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
B		Cygnus olor			334	334	i						X
M		Lepus timidus hibernicus									X
M		Lepus timidus hibernicus											X
M		Lepus timidus hibernicus										X
B		Passer montanus			10	10	i				X
B		Passer montanus			10	10	i						X
P		Puccinellia fasciculata									X
B		Tachybaptus ruficollis			76	76	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
N02	62.00
N03	1.00
N04	1.00
N06	2.00
N07	1.00
N12	10.00
N14	15.00
N15	5.00
N20	2.00
N23	1.00
Total Habitat Cover	100

Other Site Characteristics

Wexford Harbour is the lowermost part of the estuary of the River Slaney, a major river that drains much of the south-east region. The site is divided between the natural estuarine habitats of Wexford Harbour and the reclaimed polders known as the north and south 'slobs'. The seaward boundary extends from the Rosslare peninsula in the south to the area just west of The Raven Point in the north, while the inner boundaries of the site extend to Ferrycarrig bridge and towards Castlebridge. Shallow marine water is a principal habitat, but at low tide extensive areas of intertidal flats are exposed. These vary from rippled sands in exposed areas to sandy-muds in the more sheltered areas, especially at Hopeland and the inner estuary to the west of Wexford bridge. Salt marshes fringe the intertidal flats, especially in the sheltered areas. The slobs are two flat areas of farmland, mainly arable and pasture grassland, empoldered behind 19th century sea-walls. The lands are drained by a network of channels which flow into two central channels, in parts several hundred metres in width. Water from the channels is pumped into the sea with electric pumps. The channels often support swamp vegetation. Several conifer plantations are included, especially on the south slob.

4.2 Quality and importance

This site is of international importance for several species of waterfowl but also because it regularly supports well in excess of 20,000 waterfowl. It is one of the top three sites in the country for numbers and diversity of wintering birds. Of particular importance is that it is one of the two most important sites in the world for Anser albifrons flavirostris. It also has internationally important populations of Branta bernicla hrota, Cygnus columbarius bewickii and Limosa lapponica, and is now one of the few sites in the country which supports a regular flock of Cygnus columbarius bewickii. There is at least a further 22 species of wintering waterfowl which occur in numbers of national importance. Several of these represent substantial proportions of the national totals, especially Anas penelope (3.1%), Anas platyrhynchos (3.6%), Anas acuta (3.3%), Aythya marila (4.9%), Mergus serrator (4.1%), Pluvialis apricaria (3.7%), Pluvialis squatarola (11.3%), Vanellus vanellus (5.1%) and Limosa limosa (3.6%). Numbers of wintering birds are often swelled by hard-weather movements from Europe, notably Pluvialis apricaria and Vanellus vanellus. The site is a regular location for Philomachus pugnax during passage and in winter, and is regularly visited by a range of other passage waders, most notably Tringa glareola, Tringa erythropus and Tringa ochropus. Asio flammeus is a regular visitor in small numbers to the slobs during winter. A nesting colony of Egretta garzetta has recently become established within the site and birds are present in the area throughout the year. Passer montanus, a Red Data Book species, breeds. Part of the North Slob is a Nature Reserve and much of the slob is managed for the benefit of the wintering geese. Monitoring of the wintering birds of the slobs extends back to the 1960s and nowadays there is an ongoing monitoring and research programme. The North Slob has a wildfowl collection and an interpretative centre. The site supports Puccinellia fasciculata, a Red Data Book species, and has a good population of Lepus timidus hibernicus.

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)

Colhoun, K. (2001). I-WeBS Report 1998-99. BirdWatch Ireland, Dublin. Cummins, S., O'Halloran, J., Wilson, C. and Norriss, D. (2000). An assessment of the diet of nestling Tree Sparrows Passer montanus in southeast Ireland. Irish Birds 6: 507-512. 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.Fox, A.D., Norriss, D.W., Stroud, D.A. and 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 and Wildlife Service, 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. 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. Rowe, D. and Wilson, C.J. (eds) (1996). High Skies - Low Lands. An Anthology of the Wexford Slobs and Harbour. Duffry Press, Wexford. Ruttledge, R.F. and Ogilvie, M.A. (1979). The past and current status of the Greenland White-fronted Goose in Ireland and Britain. Irish Birds 1: 293-363. Sheppard, R. (1993). Ireland's Wetland Wealth. IWC, Dublin.

5. SITE PROTECTION STATUS

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

Code	Cover [%]
IE01	6.00
IE05	1.00

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

Designated at national or regional level:

Type code	Site name	Type	Cover [%]
	Wexford Wildfowl Reserve Nature Reserve	+	1.00
	The Raven Nature Reserve	/	0.00
IE05	Tern Island Wildfowl Sanctuary	+	1.00
IE05	Rosslare Point Wildfowl Sanctuary	/	0.00
IE01	The Raven Nature Reserve	/	0.00
IE01	Wexford Wildfowl Reserve Nature Reserve	+	6.00

Designated at international level:

Type	Site name	Type	Cover [%]
Other	Wexford Wildfowl Reserve Nature Reserve	+	1.00
	The Raven Nature Reserve	/	0.00

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.IE0004076
Map delivered as PDF in electronic format (optional)
Yes X No

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SITE DISPLAY