Ballyhoura Mountains (27165)
Ireland, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2009
National site name: Ballyhoura Mountains
Central coordinates: Latitude: 52.2833, Longitude: -8.5833
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 200 to 528
Area of KBA (km2): 232.07819
Protected area coverage (%): 3.56
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The Ballyhoura Mountains are located c.15 km south west of the town of Charleville in north county Cork. About 80% of the site supports commercial afforestation, however much of the forestry is in second rotation, and thus the area of (temporarily) open habitats is higher than indicated. Much of the remaining area is open heath and blanket bog. The altitude ranges from 200 to 528 m at the summit of Seefin Mountain.
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 third most important site in Ireland, supporting over 12% 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 is also important for breeding Falco peregrinus, a species also listed on Annex I of the Birds Directive.
Habitats
Land use: forestry (80%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 80 |
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. Furthermore, with the maturation of these young plantations comes canopy closure, which results in the loss of vital nesting and foraging habitats.