Lough Derravaragh (628)
Ireland, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2009
National site name: Lough Derravaragh
Central coordinates: Latitude: 53.6500, Longitude: -7.3333
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 64 to 64
Area of KBA (km2): 11.20361
Protected area coverage (%): 99.77
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Lough Derravaragh is located approximately 12 km north of Mullingar town, in County Westmeath. The River Inny flows into and out of the north-west end of the lake, which is wide and shallow with extensive reedbed and swamp, backed by small areas of raised bog. The south-east arm of the lake is long and narrow, with freshwater marsh and fen. The lake is important for fishing and is used for water-sports.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance because it meets one or more previously established criteria and thresholds for identifying sites of biodiversity importance (including Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas, Alliance for Zero Extinction sites, and Key Biodiversity Areas)
Additional biodiversity: The same flock of Anser albifrons flavirostris also uses sites 135, 136, 139 and 140. Other species which occur in numbers of national importance are Tachybaptus ruficollis (34 birds, 1996), Cygnus olor (128 birds, 1996), Aythya fuligula (1,800 birds, 1996) and Fulica atra (643 birds, 1996).
Habitats
Land use: fisheries/aquaculture (100%) | hunting (100%) | tourism/recreation (100%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Wetlands(Inland) | 100 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Nutrient pollution, due to agricultural intensification, threatens habitat quality. There is increasing pressure on the site due to recreation activities and wildfowling may cause some disturbance to birds.