Inishtrahull (544)
Ireland, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2009
National site name: Inishtrahull
Central coordinates: Latitude: 55.4333, Longitude: -7.2333
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 43
Area of KBA (km2): 3.29884
Protected area coverage (%): 100.00
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A formerly inhabited marine island with an automated lighthouse located 5 km north of Malin Head, in County Donegal. The site also includes Tor rocks, c.1 km to the north, and the intervening sea area. The island is predominantly grassland, which until recently was grazed by red deer Cervus elaphus. Low-intensity fishing takes place between the main island and Tor rocks.
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 cliffs and rocks support important colonies of breeding seabirds. Other breeding species present in nationally important numbers (1991-1992) include Fulmarus glacialis (250 pairs), Larus argentatus (500 pairs), Larus canus (30 pairs) and Larus marinus (50 pairs). Additionally Inishtrahull is a nationally important winter feeding site for Branta leucopsis (153 birds, 1987) and is a breeding site for Somateria mollissima (over 200 pairs, 1992).
Habitats
Land use: agriculture | fisheries/aquaculture (60%) | not utilised (40%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Neritic | 59 | |
| Grassland | 12 | |
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 29 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Until their recent removal, overgrazing by deer was a potential threat to the site. There may be some disturbance to birds due to rock-angling and scuba-diving activities.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases | Introduced genetic material | Ongoing |