Slieve Aughty Mountains (27156)
Ireland, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2009
National site name: Slieve Aughty Mountains
Central coordinates: Latitude: 53.0833, Longitude: -8.6667
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 200 to 400
Area of KBA (km2): 594.69945
Protected area coverage (%): 96.55
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: This is a large site that extends northwards from Scariff in County Clare almost to Lough Rea, County Galway. The hills, principally of Old Red Sandstone, are not particularly high with none rising above 400 m. The site is the source of several rivers notably the Owendalulleegh and Graney; and many small lakes including Lough Atorick and Lough Graney. Approximately half of the site is afforested, with Sitka Spruce (Picea sitchensis) and Lodgepole Pine (Pinus contorta) being the principal species. The forests include first and second rotation plantations, with pre-thicket and post-thicket stands and also extensive areas of clear-fell. About one-third of the site consists of unplanted blanket bog and heath, with both wet and dry heath present. Most of the remaining area is rough grass and is used for Hill farming.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that was identified using previously established criteria and thresholds for the identification of Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) and for which available data indicate that it does not meet global KBA criteria and thresholds set out in the Global Standard.
Additional biodiversity: The site is a stronghold for Circus cyaneus and is the second most important site in Ireland, supporting 18% of the country’s population (Barton et al. 2006). The combination of forestry and open areas provides optimum conditions for these birds. The early stages of new and second-rotation conifer plantations are the preferred nesting sites, and the young conifer plantations, heath and bog provide excellent foraging grounds for these rare birds, which are listed on Annex I of the E.U. Birds Directive. In Ireland, small birds and small mammals appear to be the most frequently taken prey. The site also supports a breeding population of Annex I listed Falco columbianus and Red-listed Lagopus lagopus.
Habitats
Land use: forestry (50%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 50 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The reduction and fragmentation of the foraging habitat caused by further afforestation is the main threat to the survival of Circus cyaneus. The Slieve Aughty Mountains have a number of large wind farm developments, however it is not known if this will negatively affect the Circus cyaneus population.