Cummeen Strand (Sligo Harbour) (562)
Ireland, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2009
National site name: Cummeen Strand (Sligo Harbour)
Central coordinates: Latitude: 54.3000, Longitude: -8.5333
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 15
Area of KBA (km2): 17.2426
Protected area coverage (%): 98.42
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Cummeen Strand is the middle of Sligo Bay's three discrete estuarine areas. It lies at the mouth of the River Garavogue and stretches west from Sligo town. Intertidal mud- and sandflats are the dominant habitat, with sand-dunes at Killaspug and Coney Island, and a shingle spit at Standalone Point. The estuary has been modified with the construction of a training wall. There is intertidal shellfish cultivation.
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: An important wintering and passage site for wildfowl and waders.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (20%) | fisheries/aquaculture (10%) | not utilised (60%) | urban/industrial/transport (10%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Intertidal | 27 | |
| Grassland | 20 | |
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 27 | |
| Marine Neritic | 27 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The proximity of Sligo town may negatively affect the site. The feasibility of completing Capital Dredging Works is currently being considered, including the disposal of dredge spoil on mudflat. Habitat quality may be reduced by intertidal shellfish cultivation and increasing recreational use.