Blackwater estuary (602)
Ireland, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2009
National site name: Blackwater estuary
Central coordinates: Latitude: 51.9667, Longitude: -7.8333
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 5
Area of KBA (km2): 6.98589
Protected area coverage (%): 85.07
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A small estuary of the Blackwater river with a narrow opening to the sea. This site includes areas of intertidal mudflat and saltmarsh within the main Blackwater estuary and the smaller adjoining Tourig estuary. An intertidal pool at Foxhole, where the embankment has been breached is also within the site. The estuary is used for recreational boating activities.
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: Several other wintering species occur in numbers of national importance, including Anas penelope (1,001 birds, 1995), Pluvialis squatarola (77 birds, 1996) and Calidris alpina (2,537 birds, 1996). A 2002 survey of Falco peregrinus reported a breeding pair in the viciniy of the site.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (25%) | fisheries/aquaculture (75%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Grassland | 25 | |
| Marine Neritic | 38 | |
| Marine Intertidal | 38 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Permission is currently being sought for construction of a bypass around Youghal town, which will cross the Tourig estuary. Subsequent to consultation, the route of least damage to the estuary was taken; however, some loss of intertidal habitat will occur and increased disturbance to the site is likely.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Marine & freshwater aquaculture | Subsistence/artisinal aquaculture | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Small-holder grazing, ranching or farming | Ongoing |
| Pollution | Domestic & urban waste water | Type Unknown/Unrecorded | Ongoing |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | Ongoing | |
| Pollution | Garbage & solid waste | Ongoing | |
| Transportation & service corridors | Roads & railroads | Only in the past and unlikely to return |