River Shannon callows: Portumna-Athlone (622)
Ireland, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2009
National site name: River Shannon callows: Portumna-Athlone
Central coordinates: Latitude: 53.2500, Longitude: -8.0667
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 33 to 38
Area of KBA (km2): 58.05905
Protected area coverage (%): 98.98
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The flood-plain of the River Shannon, the longest waterway in Ireland with a catchment that drains more than 20% of the country. The area lies between Lough Ree in the north (site 128) and Lough Derg in the south (site 130) and is contiguous with the Little Brosna callows (site 132) and the Suck callows (site 129), both of which are tributaries. This complex is one of the few relatively unmodified flood-plains within the European Union. Beside the river are extensive areas of callow (seasonally flooded, semi-natural wet grassland) which is used for permanent hay or silage or for summer grazing, mainly by cattle. The river is used for coarse angling and leisure-boat cruising. The callows were once flanked by raised bog, which is now largely lost due to mechanical peat-cutting.
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 site is of international importance for wintering waterfowl and regularly supports over 20,000 wintering birds. The Shannon callows are one of the last strongholds for the globally threatened Crex crex in Ireland and are also of importance for breeding waders, particularly Tringa totanus. Additional wintering species that occur in numbers of national importance, include Cygnus olor (575 birds, 1995), Anas penelope (3,135 birds, 1996), Anas crecca (576 birds, 1995), Aythya fuligula (200 birds, 1995), Vanellus vanellus (15,400 birds, 1995) and Calidris alpina (1,250 birds, 1996).
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (40%) | fisheries/aquaculture (40%) | nature conservation and research (100%) | water management (10%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Wetlands(Inland) | 60 | |
| Grassland | 40 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The callows are threatened by changes in farming practice, mainly intensification, with serious implications for breeding birds, particularly Crex crex. BirdWatch Ireland, with support from NPW and RSPB, operates a grant scheme to encourage farming practices that favour Crex crex, and breeding numbers have recently stabilized. However, problems remain due to earlier mowing of hay and the replacement of hay with silage (which involves earlier mowing, increased use of fertilizer, and multiple cuts per year). Further, an extension of the grazing season and higher stocking rates have increased the risk of disturbance to breeding waders. The River Shannon is of high recreational value, being used by anglers, water- and jet-skiers, and for boating holidays (motor-cruisers), all of which may cause some disturbance to birds. Pressure to develop the recreation potential of the river has increased, with particular pressure for marina developments away from existing towns. Siltation of the river due to extensive mechanical peat extraction within the surrounding area is a further threat. Athlone town is expanding, with increasing pressure for drainage of callow habitat. BirdWatch Ireland own a reserve at Bullock and Bishops Island on the callows (3 ha).
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Climate change & severe weather | Storms & flooding | Ongoing |