Owenduff River catchment and Nephin Beg (662)
Ireland, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2009
National site name: Owenduff River catchment and Nephin Beg
Central coordinates: Latitude: 54.0333, Longitude: -9.6333
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 721
Area of KBA (km2): 266.27825
Protected area coverage (%): 95.85
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A large area of relatively intact blanket bog in north-west County Mayo, bounded by Bangor to the north, Mullranny in the south-west and Lough Feeagh to the east. The site is one of the best examples of an Atlantic blanket-bog system in Europe and supports a diversity of other habitats, including upland grassland, mountainous terrain, lakes and rivers. Sheep graze the area.
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 was designated as a Special Protection Area based on its high number of wintering Anser albifrons flavirostris (146 birds, 1994), together with breeding Pluvialis apricaria, both of which are Annex I species under the EC Birds Directive. A 2002 survey of breeding Falco peregrinus found 2 pairs within the site, and another pair in the vicinity of the site.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (80%) | fisheries/aquaculture (10%) | hunting (20%) | nature conservation and research (5%) | tourism/recreation (50%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Grassland | 20 | |
| Rocky Areas(e.g., inland cliffs, mountain peaks) | 10 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 70 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The severity of overgrazing by sheep within this site is the subject of a legal action against Ireland by the European Commission. It is believed to have contributed to a decline in wintering Anser albifrons flavirostris and breeding Pluvialis apricaria. Other pressures on this site are wildfowling (causing disturbance to geese) and peat extraction. The IBA lies within a proposed candidate Special Area for Conservation (Owenduff/Nephin Complex; area not known).