Donegal Bay (681)
Ireland, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2009
National site name: Donegal Bay
Central coordinates: Latitude: 54.5833, Longitude: -8.2500
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 20
Area of KBA (km2): 69.4476
Protected area coverage (%): 99.34
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A large sea bay, extending from Doorin Point in the north to Kildoney Point in the south, directly west of Donegal town, County Donegal. The innermost part of the bay, a tidal area behind sand-dune systems, is not included as it is surprisingly poor for waterfowl.
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 one of the most important wintering sites in Ireland for Melanitta nigra (1,150 birds, 1996), which occur in nationally important numbers, together with Cygnus olor (109 birds, 1995), Clangula hyemalis (32 birds, 1996) and Mergus serrator (50 birds, 1996). The shores of Donegal Bay support nationally important numbers of Calidris alba (100 birds, 1996).
Habitats
Land use: fisheries/aquaculture (100%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Neritic | 95 | |
| Marine Intertidal | 5 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The sand shores which border this site are under considerable recreational pressure. Use of the bay for water-sports may cause some disturbance to birds. There is intertidal shellfish cultivation within the inner bay.