River Blackwater callows (603)
Ireland, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2009
National site name: River Blackwater callows
Central coordinates: Latitude: 52.1500, Longitude: -8.0500
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 20
Area of KBA (km2): 10.53347
Protected area coverage (%): 99.38
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A narrow flood-plain of the River Blackwater surrounded by parallel sandstone ridges and extending 29 km along the river from Fermoy east to Cappoquin. The site comprises the river itself and adjacent wet grassland along either side.
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 river flood-plain supports important numbers of wintering waterfowl. Additional species wintering in numbers of national importance are Anas penelope (4,217 birds, 1996), Anas crecca (1,844 birds, 1996), Anas platyrhynchos (844 birds, 1996) and Anas clypeata (50 birds, 1996).
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (50%) | fisheries/aquaculture (50%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 10 | |
| Grassland | 40 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 50 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: A potential threat to the site is loss of wet meadows due to the deepening of drains.