Broadhaven, Blacksod and Tullaghan Bays and parts of the Mullet peninsula (570)
Ireland, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2009
National site name: Broadhaven, Blacksod and Tullaghan Bays and parts of the Mullet peninsula
Central coordinates: Latitude: 54.2500, Longitude: -9.8667
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 30
Area of KBA (km2): 194.31691
Protected area coverage (%): 83.29
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A very large coastal complex, next to Belmullet in County Mayo. This site includes the intertidal mudflats, sandflats and saltmarsh of several bays as well as parts of the Mullet peninsula and mainland, with machair, lake, marsh and non-intensive farmland. This site is an amalgamation of three sites which were listed as separate IBAs in the previous European inventory (Grimmett and Jones 1989): Broadhaven Bay (formerly IE028), Termoncarragh Lake (formerly IE029) and Blacksod Bay (formerly IE033).
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 bays and other coastal, lake and intertidal habitats support a wide diversity of wintering and breeding birds. In winter, there are internationally important numbers of several waterbirds. In addition, there are nationally important numbers of Anser albifrons flavirostris, Mergus serrator (43 birds, 1996), Pluvialis squatarola (61 birds, 1995), Charadrius hiaticula, Calidris alba (65 birds, 1995), Calidris alpina (2,465 birds, 1996) and Limosa limosa (136 birds, 1996). A 2002 survey of breeding Falco peregrinus found one breeding pair in the vicinity of the site.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (30%) | fisheries/aquaculture (20%) | hunting (70%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Neritic | 23 | |
| Marine Intertidal | 23 | |
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 23 | |
| Grassland | 30 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Onshore, the site is threatened by overgrazing, increased fencing and increased use of fertilizer, while pressure to develop intertidal shellfish cultivation is increasing within the bays. The breeding habitat of Crex crex, in particular, is threatened by changes in agricultural practice, with earlier cutting of hay and silage, and the replacement of meadow with sheep-grazing pasture. Farming practices that favour Crex crex are being encouraged within the area through a grant scheme. There are plans to attract Phalaropus lobatus back to Annagh marsh on the Mullet peninsula, through habitat-restoration measures. A 24 ha reserve owned by BirdWatch Ireland lies within the site. The IBA overlaps with a proposed candidate Special Area for Conservation (Blacksod/Mullet; area not known).