For Special Protection Areas (SPA), Proposed Sites for Community Importance (pSCI),
Sites of Community Importance (SCI) and for Special Areas of Conservation (SAC)
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)
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
Situated on the extreme north Donegal coast close to Malin Head, Trawbreaga Bay is a very sheltered sea bay with a narrow strait to the open sea at the north-west end. There is a sandy peninsula, Dooagh Isle, to its west. It is fed by a number of small rivers or streams (Ballyboe River, Donagh River, Glennagannon River and others). An estimated 80% of the bay area is exposed at each low tide. Sediments are a mix of mud and sand flats, with some stony/rocky substrates. Mats of green algae occur on the open flats and Fucus spp. on the stones. In places the intertidal flats merge with salt marshes. Surrounding landuse is mostly low intensity agriculture.
4.2 Quality and importance
The site is notable as the most northerly wetland in Ireland. The area is frequented by a wintering flock of Branta leucopsis, which uses the site but also nearby grassland areas for feeding. Numbers regularly exceed the threshold for national importance. It supports an internationally important population of Branta bernicla hrota and a good diversity of other waterfowl species, including Cygnus cygnus and Limosa lapponica, though all in relatively low numbers. It is a regular site for Larus gulls in winter. Good quality intertidal habitat, with both feeding and roosting areas, is present. Trawbreaga Bay is a designated Wildfowl Sanctuary.
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
Rank
Threats and pressures [code]
Pollution (optional) [code]
inside/outside [i|o|b]
M
A04
o
M
F01
i
L
E01.03
o
L
E03
i
L
A08
o
Positive Impacts
Rank
Activities, management [code]
Pollution (optional) [code]
inside/outside [i|o|b]
M
A04
o
M
F01
i
L
E01.03
o
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. 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). Hutchinson, CD. (1979). Ireland's Wetlands and their Birds. Irish Wildbird Conservancy, Dublin. Irish Wetland Birds Survey (I-WeBS) Database, 1994/95-2000/01. BirdWatch Ireland, Dublin. 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. Merne, O.J. and Walsh, A. (1994). Barnacle Geese in Ireland, spring 1993 and 1994. Irish Birds 5: 151-156.Merne, O.J. and Walsh, A. (2002). Barnacle Geese in Ireland, spring 1999. Irish Birds 7: 53-56.Sheppard, R. (1993). Ireland's Wetland Wealth. IWC, Dublin.