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

IE0004177

1.3 Site name

Bills Rocks SPA

1.4 First Compilation date

2010-04

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:2006-09
National legal reference of SPA designation No information provided

2. SITE LOCATION

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2.1 Site-centre location [decimal degrees]:

Longitude:-10.207205
Latitude:53.873088

2.2 Area [ha]

149.6557

2.3 Marine area [%]

95.0000

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.
BA204Fratercula arctica    r  1500  1500  p    G  B  A  C  A 
BA009Fulmarus glacialis    r  108  108  p    G  C  B  C  C 
BA014Hydrobates pelagicus    r  500  500  p    G  C  B  C  C 
BA018Phalacrocorax aristotelis    r  5  5  p    G  C  C  C  C 
BA188Rissa tridactyla    r  105  105  p    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  Larus marinus    18  18  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
N0195.00
N054.00
N091.00

Total Habitat Cover

100

Other Site Characteristics

Bills Rocks are a group of three rocks lying close together approximately 10 south of Moyteoge Head (Achill Island). The islands are composed of metamorphic rock and are drift covered. They rise precipitously to a height of approximately 35 m. The two larger islands have flattish tops which are covered by swards of Armeria maritima. Rocky reefs surround the islands. The sea area to a distance of 500 m from the island is included for the benefit of the breeding auks.

4.2 Quality and importance

The site supports nationally important population of Fratercula arctica (ca. 7.1% of the all-Ireland total). It also has a colony of Hydrobates pelagicus which is at least of regional importance. Other breeding seabird species are Fulmarus glacialis, Phalacrocorax aristotelis, Larus marinus, Rissa tridactyla and Alca torda. The site is an excellent example of an isolated and highly exposed seabird colony.

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]
LXi
Positive Impacts
RankActivities, management [code]Pollution (optional) [code]inside/outside [i|o|b]
LXi

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)

Cobot, D. (1967). The Birds of the Bills Rocks, Co. Mayo. Irish Naturalists' Journal 15: 359-361. Coulson, J.C. (1963). The status of the Kittiwake in the British Isles. Bird Study 10: 147-179. 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. Fitter, R.S.R. (1982). Inventory of Seabird Breeding Colonies in Republic of Ireland. Unpublished report, Forest and Wildlife Service, Dublin. Lloyd, C. (1982). Inventory of Seabird Breeding Colonies in Republic of Ireland. Unpublished report, Forest and Wildlife Service, Dublin. Lloyd, C., Tasker, M.L. and Partridge, K. (1991). The Status of Seabirds in Britain and Ireland. Poyser, London. Mitchell, P.I., Newton, S., Ratcliffe, N. and Dunn, T.E. (2004). The Status of Breeding Seabirds in Britain and Ireland. Poyser, London. Ruttledge, R.F. (1994). Birds in Counties Galway and Mayo. Irish Wildbird Conservancy, Dublin. Thompson, W. (1851). The Natural History of Ireland. Reeve and Benham, London.

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

SITE DISPLAY