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

IE0004151

1.3 Site name

Donegal Bay SPA

1.4 First Compilation date

2010-04

1.5 Update date

2018-09

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 classified as SPA:2004-02
National legal reference of SPA designation No information provided

2. SITE LOCATION

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2.1 Site-centre location [decimal degrees]:

Longitude:-8.243093
Latitude:54.568448

2.2 Area [ha]

10455.8660

2.3 Marine area [%]

99.0170

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.
BA050Anas penelope    w  224  224  i    G  C  B  C  C 
BA053Anas platyrhynchos    w  100  100  i    G  C  B  C  C 
BA028Ardea cinerea    w  20  20  i    G  C  B  C  C 
BA169Arenaria interpres    w  53  53  i    G  C  B  C  C 
BA046Branta bernicla    w  207  207  i    G  C  B  C  B 
BA144Calidris alba    w  68  68  i    G  C  B  C  B 
BA149Calidris alpina    w  269  269  i    G  C  B  C  C 
BA148Calidris maritima    w  7  7  i    G  C  B  C  C 
BA137Charadrius hiaticula    w  99  99  i    G  C  B  C  C 
BA064Clangula hyemalis    w  14  14  i    G  B  A  C  A 
BA002Gavia arctica    w  11  11  i    G  C  A  B  B 
BA003Gavia immer    w  138  138  i    G  B  A  C  A 
BA001Gavia stellata    w  21  21  i    G  C  A  C  C 
BA130Haematopus ostralegus    w  581  581  i    G  C  B  C  C 
BA182Larus canus    w  297  297  i    G  C  B  C  C 
BA179Larus ridibundus    w  239  239  i    G  C  B  C  C 
BA157Limosa lapponica    w  49  49  i    G  C  B  C  C 
BA065Melanitta nigra    w  860  860  i    G  B  A  C  A 
BA069Mergus serrator    w  38  38  i    G  C  B  C  B 
BA160Numenius arquata    w  359  359  i    G  C  B  C  C 
BA017Phalacrocorax carbo    w  29  29  i    G  C  B  C  C 
BA048Tadorna tadorna    w  24  24  i    G  C  B  C  C 
BA164Tringa nebularia    w  12  12  i    G  C  B  C  B 
BA162Tringa totanus    w  93  93  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)


No information provided

4. SITE DESCRIPTION

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4.1 General site character

Habitat class % Cover
N0191.00
N025.00
N031.00
N041.00
N051.00
N091.00

Total Habitat Cover

100

Other Site Characteristics

The Donegal Bay SPA is a very large, marine dominated, site. It extends from Doorin Point, to the west of Donegal town, to Tullaghan Point in Co. Leitrim, a distance of approximately 15 km along its north-east/south-west axis. It varies in width from about 3 km to over 8 km. The site includes the estuary of the River Eske, which flows through Donegal town, and the estuary of the River Erne which flows through Ballyshannon. Much of the shoreline is rocky or stony, with well-developed littoral reefs in places. There are also extensive stretches of sandy beach, especially from the Murvagh peninsula southwards to Rossowlagh and at the outer part of the Erne estuary. Shingle or cobble beaches are also represented. There are extensive areas of intertidal flats associated with the Eske Estuary, reflecting the very sheltered conditions in this part of the bay. These have been shown to be biotope rich. Elsewhere a narrow fringe of intertidal flats are exposed at low tides. Salt marshes are found in the sheltered conditions of the innermost part of the bay. A number of small, grassy, islands occur in the innermost part of the bay. The shallow bay waters overlie mostly sandy substrates though reefs occur in places.

4.2 Quality and importance

This site supports an excellent diversity of waterfowl species associated with shallow bays. It has an internationally important wintering population of Gavia immer, and is one of the top sites in the country for this species. Also has one of the few regular populations of Gavia arctica in the country and a regionally important population of Gavia stellata. The site has nationally important populations of Melanitta nigra (up to 4.6% of all-Ireland total) and Branta bernicla hrota. A range of other species associated with estuarine and shoreline habitats occur. The site provides both feeding and roost sites for most of the species. Habitat quality is mostly good. The site has a population of Phoca vitulina.

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]
LA04i
MA04o
MD01.02o
ME01.01o
MF01i
MG01.01i
HG01.02i
Positive Impacts
RankActivities, management [code]Pollution (optional) [code]inside/outside [i|o|b]
MA04o
LA04i
MA08o
MD01.02o
ME01.01o
MF01i
MG01.01i
HG01.02i

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 the Environment, Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy, 99B: 87-104.Crowe, O. (2005). Ireland's Wetlands and their Waterbirds: Status and Distribution. BirdWatch Ireland, Newcastle, Co. Wicklow.Crowe, O., Austin, G.E., Colhoun, K., Cranswick, P.A., Kershaw, M. and Musgrove, A.J. (2008). Estimates and trends of waterbird numbers wintering in Ireland 1994/95 to 2003/04. Bird Study 55: 66-77.Falvay, 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. 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). 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.Moore, D and Wilson, F. (1999). National Shingle Beach Survey of Ireland 1999. Unpublished Report National Parks and Wildlife Service, Dublin. Picton, B.E. amd Costelo, M.J. (1998). The BioMar biotope viewer: a guide to marine habitats, fauna and flora in Britain and Ireland. Environmental Sciences Unit, Trinty College Dublin. Sheppard, R. (1993). Ireland's Wetland Wealth. IWC, 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.SPA.IE0004151
Map delivered as PDF in electronic format (optional)
 Yes
X
 No

SITE DISPLAY