Shannon and Fergus Estuaries (588)
Ireland, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2009
National site name: Shannon and Fergus Estuaries
Central coordinates: Latitude: 52.6667, Longitude: -9.0667
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 10
Area of KBA (km2): 184.87682
Protected area coverage (%): 98.50
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A large estuarine complex with islands, saltmarshes, mudflats, raised saltmarsh and wet meadows. The site encompasses the Fergus river estuary from Clarecastle (where it becomes tidal) to the junction with the Shannon estuary, and includes the estuary inland as far as Limerick city. The estuary lies within Counties Clare, Limerick and Kerry, and contains the largest port and most extensive areas of industrial development in mid-west Ireland.
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: This is one of the most important sites in Ireland for wintering and migrating waterfowl, supporting 10 species in numbers of international importance. A further 13 species occur in numbers of national importance, including Anser anser (216 birds, 1996), Tadorna tadorna (1,060 birds, 1996), Anas penelope (6,935 birds, 1996), Anas crecca (2,590 birds, 1995), Anas acuta (48 birds, 1995), Anas clypeata (84 birds, 1996), Vanellus vanellus (28,194 birds, 1995), Numenius arquata (2,896 birds, 1995) and Tringa nebularia (36 birds, 1996). A 2002 survey of breeding Falco peregrinus reported a nesting pair in the vicinity of the site.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (20%) | fisheries/aquaculture (50%) | hunting (50%) | tourism/recreation (50%) | urban/industrial/transport (20%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Neritic | 40 | |
| Grassland | 20 | |
| Marine Intertidal | 40 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Threats to the site include industrial and urban development, the spread of non-native cord-grass Spartina over intertidal mudflats, marina developments and increased boating activities, pollution from industry, and increasing intertidal shellfish cultivation. The effects of these pressures on the site include habitat loss and disturbance and lead to a general degradation of habitat quality.