Sheeps Head and Mizen Head peninsulas (674)
Ireland, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2009
National site name: Sheeps Head and Mizen Head peninsulas
Central coordinates: Latitude: 51.4500, Longitude: -9.8167
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 164
Area of KBA (km2): 45.06164
Protected area coverage (%): 56.08
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A linear coastal site encompassing two south-westerly peninsulas in County Cork as well as Cape Clear and Sherkin Islands. Information on land-use and threats is incomplete.
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 is an important site for breeding Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (65%) | not utilised (35%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Grassland | 60 | |
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 35 | |
| Shrubland | 5 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: For the survival of Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax at this site, it is vital that low-intensity farming on the cliff-tops is maintained. The site overlaps with a proposed candidate Special Area for Conservation (Barleycove to Ballyrisode Point; area not known).