Broadhaven Bay, County Mayo - NHA, SAC, SPA and Ramsar Site

top

NHAs– Natural Heritage Areas

NHA - Part of Courtmacsherry wetlands viewed from Timoleague, County Cork

The basic national designation for wildlife is the Natural Heritage Area (NHA), selected for the protection of flora, fauna and habitats. Many NHAs have overlapping designations of SAC and/or SPA. This designation evolved from the Area of Scientific Interest (ASI) designation, initially surveyed and mapped by An Foras Forbartha in the 1970s. The existing ASIs were reviewed in 1981 and in the period 1992 to 1994 80% of the sites were re-surveyed. In 1995, a list of over 1,100 proposed NHAs (pNHAs) was published. They range in size from, e.g. a roosting place for rare bats to a blanket bog or lake. The Wildlife (Amendment) Act, 2000 makes legal provision for the designation and protection of Natural Heritage Areas (NHAs) and the process of formal designation of NHAs commenced in December 2002. At present, only a small number of NHAs have been formally designated – all of these are raised bogs, located mainly in midland counties. Once formally designated, NHAs will be legally protected from damage. Included in the list of proposed NHAs are approximately 290 coastal sites. Many of the coastal pNHAs are important as feeding and/or breeding sites for birds and are also designated as SPAs and/or SACs. A study commissioned by the Heritage Council examining the impacts on Irish Coastal Habitats gives further information on coastal NHAs and lists the NHAs on a county by county basis. Site synopses and maps for NHAs can be downloaded from the NPWS Heritage Data site. The Geological Survey of Ireland (GSI), through its Irish Geological Heritage (IGH) Programme is compiling a list of important geological and geomorphological sites that are in need of protection through NHA designation. In the coastal zone such sites include karst (i.e. exposed limestone) and early fossil sites. One such example is the tetrapod trackway on Valentia Island, Co. Kerry.

Click here to view NHAs in MIDA

Click here to view Nature Reserves in MIDA

Refuges for Fauna
This designation provides protection for one or more animal species present at a site. It is a little-used designation which came into force under the Wildlife Act, 1976 and is effectively a compulsory management agreement. Seven designations have been made to date on cliffs and islands to protect breeding seabird populations (list). All Refuges for Fauna are SPAs and NHAs.

Wildfowl Sanctuaries
Wildfowl Sanctuaries are areas that have been excluded from the 'Open Season Order' so that game birds can rest and feed undisturbed. Shooting of game birds is not allowed in Wildfowl Sanctuaries. There are 68 sanctuaries in the State, of which 26 are coastal sites (list).

top

SACs - Special Areas of Conservation

Streedagh Strand a coastal SAC in County Sligo

SACs are the prime wildlife conservation areas in the country and are considered to be important on a European as well as national level. SACs are designated under the EU Habitats Directive - transposed into Irish law through the European Communities (Natural Habitats) Regulations, 1997. They are identified as outstanding examples of selected habitat types and/or areas important for the continued well-being or survival of selected species other than birds. SACs, together with Special Protection Areas (SPAs), classified under the EU Birds Directive, collectively form the Natura 2000 network - an ecological network of designated sites.


SACs with coastal habitats were chosen primarily from the NHAs. Selection of marine SACs in Ireland was primarily achieved through the EU LIFE-funded BioMar project. Sites were selected specifically for the nature conservation value of the seabed habitats and species present in them. Marine and ecological data from over 850 sites around Ireland were analysed and areas of marine nature conservation importance identified. Subsequently the list was refined and expanded by NPWS. To date 420 sites have been transmitted by Ireland to the European Commission as candidate SACs. Of these, 150 are in the marine and coastal zone. For a full list of SACs in the marine and coastal zone on a county by county basis click here. Maps of all SACs can be downloaded from the NPWS Heritage Data site.

Click here to view SACs in MIDA

SPAs - Special Protection Areas

Special Protection Areas (SPAs) are areas of importance for birds. They are designated under the EU Birds Directive - transposed into Irish law through the Conservation of Wild Birds Regulations, 1985. Although SPAs primarily deal with the protection of birds in the terrestrial and inter-tidal environment, some sites also cover areas of coastal sea that are important feeding areas for birds. The Birds Directive requires designation of SPAs for:

• Great Northern Diver - an Annex 1 species

  Listed rare and vulnerable species, i.e. those species listed on Annex 1 of the Directive, e.g. Terns, White-fronted Goose, Chough and Storm Petrel;
• Regularly occurring migratory species, such as ducks, geese and waders; and
• Wetlands, especially those of international importance, which attract large numbers of migratory birds each year. (Internationally important means that 1% of the population of a species uses the site - or more than 20,000 birds regularly use the site.)

There are 25 Annex I species regularly occurring in Ireland’s marine and coastal zone (click for list). To date, 128 SPAs have been designated. Of these, 82 sites are on or near the coast. A further five coastal sites are in the process of designation. Many of the designated and proposed sites hold nationally or internationally important numbers of waterfowl or seabirds. The predominant habitats represented at these sites are estuaries, marine islands, lagoons, sea cliffs, coastal lakes and sand-dunes. Click here for a list of marine/coastal SPAs on a county by county basis. Maps of all SPAs can be downloaded from the NPWS Heritage Data site. Further information on SPAs is available in the NPWS publication Special Protection Areas for Birds in Ireland.

Click here to view SPAs in MIDA

top

North Bull Island - Ireland's only Coastal Biosphere Reserve

Click here to view Biosphere Reserves in MIDA

Killala Harbour, County Mayo - a designated Ramsar Site

Click here to view Ramsar sites in MIDA

Biogenetic Reserves
Biogenetic reserves, designated by the Council of Europe following a 1973 European Ministerial Conference on the Environment, are a network of reserves to conserve representative examples of European flora, fauna and natural habitats. The network of Biogenetic Reserves promotes conservation through the maintenance of biological balance and at the same time enabling research to be carried out on the ecosystems. Of the 14 Biogenetic Reserves in Ireland, most of which are heathlands, just two are coastal – Lough Hyne (Co. Cork) and Ballyteigue Burrow (Co. Wexford). Biogenetic Reserves in Ireland have other protective designations (e.g. Nature Reserves).

top

A general description and classification of intertidal habitat types that occur around the Irish coast can be found in the Heritage Council publication ‘A Guide to Habitats in Ireland’ (Fossitt, 2000). General descriptions of various intertidal habitats can also be found on the UK Biodiversity Action Plan website. More detailed descriptions of intertidal biotopes (habitats and their communities) can be accessed through the BioMar CD Viewer or online via the National Marine Habitat Classification for Britain and Ireland website. The BioMar Viewer (Picton and Costello, 1998) can be searched geographically to provide information on specific locations around the coast. Reports for intertidal surveys carried out along the coasts of Dublin, Wicklow and Wexford, as part of the SensMap project, can be downloaded here. Intertidal habitats can be divided into four broad categories:

Saltmarsh at Barna house in County Galway

Saltmarshes
Intertidal Sand and Mudflats
Rocky Shores
Sandy Shores

Saltmarshes
Saltmarshes are intertidal areas of fine sediments stabilised by vegetation. They occur extensively along the seaward side of low-lying coastal areas, most notably in sheltered parts of estuaries. The vegetation of saltmarshes comprises species such as e.g. Salicornia, Spartina and Puccinellia, which tolerate inundation by salt water. Saltmarshes are highly productive and a major source of nutrients to estuaries. Five saltmarsh habitats are listed as Annex I habitats in the EU Habitats Directive:

• Salicornia and other annuals colonizing mud and sand
• Spartina swards (Spartinion maritimae)
• Atlantic salt meadows (Glauco-Puccinellietalia maritimae)
• Mediterranean salt meadows (Juncetalia maritimi)
• Mediterranean and thermo-Atlantic halophilus scrubs (Sarcocornetea fruticosi)

Curtis and Sheehy-Skeffington (1998) provide a comprehensive inventory of the salt marshes of the entire coastline of Ireland (click here). Two-hundred-and-fifty marshes are classified according to physical structure and origin. All are classified into five main types: estuary, bay, sand flats, lagoon and fringe. Extensive saltmarshes are found at e.g. Dundalk Bay (Co. Louth), Bannow Bay (Co. Wexford), Douglas River Estuary (Cork Harbour) and Tawin Island (Co. Galway). For further information on saltmarshes see the Heritage Council’s ‘A Guide to Habitats in Ireland’’ (Fossitt, 2000), online. See also Curtis (2003).

Click here to view saltmarshes in MIDA

top

Intertidal Sand and Mudflats

Designated Sand and Mudflats on Bellmullet Peninsula in County Mayo

Rocky and Sandy Shore in Killary Harbour, County Galway

However, they cover much of the intertidal area within the habitat type Large Shallow Inlets and Bays. For further information on rocky shore habitats see the Heritage Council’s ‘A Guide to Habitats in Ireland’ (Fossitt, 2000), online. Information on selected rocky shores around the coast can be accessed through the BioMar Viewer.

Sandy Shores
The species composition of sandy shore communities is determined by the sediment composition (ranging from coarse sand and gravel to muddy sands) and the degree of exposure of the shore to wave action. Exposed areas with coarse sediment are virtually devoid of all conspicuous flora and fauna. Mobile, medium-grained sand on exposed beaches support crustaceans and polychaetes (worms). In less exposed conditions with stable substrata, sand burrowing bivalves (e.g. Tellina spp. and Donax vittatus) and polychaete worms (e.g. ragworms and lugworms) become established. In similar conditions high densities of the sand mason worm (Lanice conchilega) occasionally occur from mid-shore to the subtidal zone. The strandline represents a unique ecological niche between the terrestrial and marine zones. Accumulations of debris (seaweed and litter) provide a dynamic habitat for flies, beetles, nematode worms and the characteristic sand-hoppers. Sandy shores commonly occur in the intertidal area of the the EU Habitats Directive Annex I habitat type Large Shallow Inlets and Bays. For further information on sandy shore habitats see the Heritage Council’s ‘A Guide to Habitats in Ireland’ (Fossitt, 2000), online. Information on selected sandy shores around the coast can be accessed through the BioMar Viewer.

top

Shallow Subtidal Habitat, County Cork

A general description and classification of shallow subtidal habitat types that occur in Irish coastal waters can be found in the Heritage Council publication ‘A Guide to Habitats in Ireland’ (Fossitt, 2000). General descriptions of various subtidal habitats can also be found on the UK Biodiversity Action Plan website. More detailed descriptions of subtidal biotopes (habitats and their communities) can be accessed through the BioMar CD Viewer or online via the National Marine Habitat Classification for Britain and Ireland website. Boelens et al. (1999) provide a description of the inshore seabed habitats, and their associated animal and plant communities, on the east, south, southwest, west and northwest coasts. This review is based on studies of individual estuaries or bays and the circum-coastal BioMar survey, covering inshore areas within 5km of the shore and in depths of less than 50m. The BioMar Viewer (Picton and Costello, 1998) can be searched geographically to provide information on specific locations around the coast. Reports for subtidal surveys carried out along the coasts of Dublin, Wicklow and Wexford, as part of the SensMap project, can be downloaded here. As with intertidal habitats, subtidal habitats and their associated communities can be divided on the basis of the seabed characteristics. The basic division is between sediment and rocky habitats. A third, specific habitat type that occurs in inshore waters is that formed by deposits of calcareous red algae (Maërl).

Subtidal Sediment Habitats
The following brief description of subtidal sediment habitats is adapted from Boelens et al. (1999). Sediment habitats range from shingle (mobile cobbles and pebbles), through gravel and sand to very soft mud and muddy gravels. Sediment type is a key factor in determining community structure and composition. In the upper reaches of estuaries, salinity is also a controlling variable. With increasing depth, the influence of wave/tidal action diminishes.

• Soft muddy sediments are characterised by the conspicuous sea pen (Virgularia mirabilis), polychaete worms and anemones; and muddy sands by burrowing brittlestars (Amphiura), urchins, anemones and bivalves. Burrows of the prawn Nephrops norvegicus may also be widespread in the muddy sediments of deeper waters. Beds of seagrass Zostera marina occur on a range of sediments from coarse to muddy sand and the community varies with sediment type.
• Sandy sediments support mainly bivalve and polychaete communities along with burrowing urchins and hermit crabs. In coarse sands there are relatively few species of epifauna (animals living on, or closely associated with, the seabed). The infauna (animals living within the sediment) of coarse sands is dominated by bivalves.
• Gravel communities typically contain gastropods, bryozoans and amphipods. Tide or wave-swept sediments (sand/gravel/shell/cobble) host few species and are characterised by erect hydroids and, on gravel, the sea cucumber (Neopentadactyla mixta).

For further information on subtidal sediment habitats see the Heritage Council’s ‘A Guide to Habitats in Ireland’ (Fossitt, 2000). The BioMar Viewer can be searched geographically to provide information on subtidal sediment habitats at specific locations around the coast. Subtidal Sandbanks are listed in Annex I of the EU Habitats Directive. Subtidal sediment habitats also make up large areas of the Annex I habitat complexes Estuaries and Large Shallow Inlets and Bays. The OSPAR List of Threatened and/or Declining Habitats includes a number of subtidal sediment habitats:

• Zostera beds
• Ostrea edulis (native oyster) beds
• Sea-pen and burrowing megafauna communities
• Sabellaria spinulosa reefs; and
• Modiolus modiolus beds.
  See the full list and further information here.

top

Subtidal Rocky Habitats

Subtidal rocky habitat with rocks exposed to air at the Old Head of Kinsale, County Cork

The following brief description of subtidal rocky habitats is adapted from Boelens et al. (1999). Rocky habitats vary from bedrock to boulders, often mixed with sediment. The degree of stability of the rock determines the communities, with algae and animals increasingly able to colonise smaller stones in more sheltered areas. Exposure to tidal currents and, to a lesser extent, waves has a strong influence on the animal and plant communities of shallow rocky habitats. The shallow water communities on rock around much of the Irish coast are dominated by kelp (Laminariales) forest to about 10-12m depth (upper infralittoral). These range from Alaria esculenta and Laminaria hyperborea at the most wave-exposed coasts with encrusting fauna (bryozoans, sea-squirts, hydroids and sponges) and foliose red algae, to L. hyperborea in less wave-exposed areas with red seaweeds, cushion fauna and grazers (e.g. echinoderms) and L. saccharina in wave-sheltered sites with a rich understorey, often dominated by foliose red algae, with brown and green seaweeds and a mixed estuarine faunal community. Below the kelp forest (depths greater than 10-15m) is a L. hyperborea ‘kelp park’ dominated by echinoderms (urchins, sea-cucumbers and starfish) whose grazing may reduce the presence of encrusting fauna. Anemones, sponges and sea squirts are also common.

Below the kelp park (depths greater than 15-20m) is a mixed community of red algae, sponges, hydroids, echinoderms and anthozoans. Current-swept rock and stones are generally dominated by hydroids with the soft coral Alcyonium digitatum, anemones, seastars and brittlestars also common. Barnacle, cushion sponge and Tubularia communities also occur. Beds of the bivalve Musculus discors may occur in current-exposed parts and contain a rich epifauna of sponges, bryozoans and hydroids. Wave-exposed areas below about 25m are often sponge dominated. Moderately-sheltered areas below this depth support mixed faunal turfs, Sabellaria reefs, brittlestar beds and mussel beds (on rock/mixed substrata). In the most sheltered rocky areas greater than 25m in depth Modiolus (horse mussel) beds, brachiopod and sea-squirt communities dominate. For further information on rocky subtidal habitats see the Heritage Council’s ‘A Guide to Habitats in Ireland’ (Fossitt, 2000). The Biomar Viewer can be searched geographically to provide information on subtidal rocky habitats at specific locations around the coast. Subtidal rocky areas, or reefs, are listed as an Annex I habitat in the EU Habitats Directive. OSPAR list sabellaria and modiolus.

Maërl Communities
The following brief description of Maërl communities is adapted from Boelens et al. (1999). Deposits of calcareous red algae (maërl) form a rare habitat with a rich associated fauna. Seven free-living maërl species are known to occur in Irish waters. Some species form deep deposits (maërl beds) that are harvested for agricultural and horticultural use. These beds occur from the extreme lower intertidal down to the subtidal zone. The major bed-forming species are thought to be Phymatolithon calcareum and Lithothamnion corallioides – both of which are listed in Annex V of the EU Habitats Directive; which states that their exploitation may be subject to management measures. The faunal richness of maërl beds has recently been assessed as part of a wider project studying their distribution and extraction potential (de Grave et al., 2000). Maërl beaches, such as that at Coral Strand in Carraroe (Co. Galway), are formed by the cast-up remains of coralline algae. Maërl beds are included in the OSPAR List of Threatened and/or Declining Habitats. See the full list and further information here.

top

Glencolumkille, County Donegal - variety of coastal habitats ranging from sandy beaches to rocky shores and dunes

BIOMAR
The BioMar (Coastal zone management: identification, description and mapping of biotopes) project was carried out by two Irish (National Parks and Wildlife Service and Trinity College Dublin), and three other European partners from 1992 to 1996 and funded by the EU LIFE programme. It included an extensive survey of marine habitats and their communities (biotopes) in the intertidal and shallow subtidal (<50m) areas of the Irish coast. The aims of the project included the development of an inshore marine biotope classification system, mapping the location and assessing the relative conservation value of particular examples of biotopes to assist in the identification of marine conservation areas. This allowed for the development of criteria for the selection of marine SACs under the EU Habitats Directive and provided an indicative list of potential marine SACs for Ireland.

The BioMar Viewer CD consists primarily of a map-linked database of information on sites, habitats, and species recorded during field surveys (1993 - 1996) of the seashore and seabed in Ireland by the BioMar project and the Northern Ireland sublittoral survey (1982-1986) by the Ulster Museum. The information can be searched on a geographical basis by habitat features, species, biotopes or relevant literature. It also includes: descriptions and photographs of the BioMar classification of marine biotopes in Britain and Ireland; descriptions, identification notes and photographs of marine species; and a large literature database.

Marine Biotope Classification for Britain and Ireland
A biotope is defined as the combination of an abiotic habitat and its associated community of species. A marine biotope classification system has been developed by the Marine Nature Conservation Review of the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (UK) – originating as part of the BioMar Project. The full biotope classification lists 370 biotopes and sub-biotopes. The classification website contains a full listing of classification types, a detailed description of each type, distribution maps and, where possible, colour photographs. The full biotope classification can be downloaded or searched.

Clew Bay, County Mayo - a designated NHA and SAC

• To develop an integrated methodology for mapping in the marine intertidal and subtidal, linking both marine and terrestrial maps;
• To develop a protocol for determining the sensitivity of marine biotopes according to the sensitivity of marine species to a range of natural and man-induced changes including, changes to water quality, oil pollution, fishing and recreational activities and climate change;
• To develop a model for a decision making support system based on sensitivity mapping.

The project brought together new data on intertidal and sub-tidal marine seabed habitats, communities and species along the coasts of Dublin, Wicklow and Wexford – as well as on the Welsh coast. The data collected, including biotope maps, is stored electronically and is available to download on the SensMap website as a series of reports and as GIS (Geographic Information System) files. These maps compliment the offshore maps and datasets produced by the SWISS (South western Irish Sea Survey) project.

OVERVIEW OF INSHORE MAPPING
As part of a feasibility study on the establishment of a large-scale inshore resource mapping project, funded under the Marine RTDI fund of the National Development Plan, Parsons et al. (2004) provide an overview of recent habitat mapping activity in water depths of 0-50m around the Irish coast. For more information, click here.
SWISS (South-West Irish Sea Survey)
HabMAP (HABitat MAPping for conservation and management of the Southern Irish Sea)
Irish National Seabed Survey (INSS)
MESH (Development of a framework for Mapping European Seabed Habitats)

top

Common Dolphin-Delphinus delphis

Fin Whale - Balaenoptera physalus

fin and humpback whales. These species migrate along the shelf edge, mainly on the seaward side. The deep water to the west of the continental shelf provides suitable habitats for deep-diving species such as sperm whales and beaked whales.

A series of surveys conducted between 1999 and 2001 by the Coastal and Marine Resources Centre (UCC) recorded twenty cetacean species in offshore waters. These include rare, endangered and migratory species of baleen whale (e.g. Northern Right Whale, Blue Whale), and rarely-seen toothed whale and dolphin species (e.g. Sowerby’s Beaked Whale, Cuvier’s Beaked Whale, False Killer Whale). Pilot whales and white-sided dolphins are common on the continental shelf edge, where the water depth increases rapidly from 200-300m over the continental shelf to 2000-3000m to the west. For further details on the distribution and abundance of cetaceans in Ireland’s offshore waters, click here.

top

Cetacean Strandings
Much of the knowledge on the distribution and relative abundance of cetaceans comes from records of stranded animals. The recording of cetaceans stranded on the Irish coast has been carried out since the beginning of the last century. The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) have operated a stranding records database for the island of Ireland since 1991. It is designed to record and make public biological data on all strandings (live or dead) of whales, dolphins and porpoise which occur along the Irish coast. The Cetacean Strandings Scheme works in conjunction with the Department of Zoology, Ecology and Plant Science in UCC to obtain specimens for detailed post mortem examination. Further information on the Irish Cetacean Stranding Scheme can be obtained here. Stranding records are published annually in the Irish Naturalists’ Journal.

Cetacean Sightings
Information on cetacean distribution is also gathered through sightings records. Systematic recording of cetacean sightings in Irish waters was started in 1973. The IWDG has established two sighting schemes. The casual sightings scheme enables people who spot a cetacean, or cetaceans, to report their sighting to IWDG where it is logged onto a national database. This helps provide information on the number of cetacean species in Irish waters, their distribution and density. Casual sightings are good for recording rare species and identifying areas that would benefit from more intensive coverage. The constant effort sightings involves volunteers spending fixed periods of time at regular intervals (e.g. weekly) watching for cetaceans at headlands around the country. It provides an index of relative abundance, showing seasonal and geographical changes in abundance.

Cetacean Surveys

Minke Whale - Balaenoptera acutorostrata

Click here to view offshore cetacean distribution in MIDA

Pilot Whale - Globicephala melas

Historically whales were hunted in Ireland but they are now protected under a wide range of national and EU legislation. Cetaceans are protected under the Wildlife Act (1976), which not only protects all cetacean species from hunting but protects their habitat and legislates against “wilful interference”. The Whale Fisheries Act, 1937 (and a subsequent 1982 Statutory Instrument) prohibits the hunting of all cetaceans within the fisheries limits of the State, i.e. out to 200 miles from the coast. All indigenous cetaceans are listed in Annex IV (i.e. species of Community interest in need of strict protection) of the EU Habitats Directive - and the harbour porpoise and bottlenose dolphin are listed in Annex II (i.e. species of Community interest whose conservation requires the designation of Special Areas of Conservation). The Shannon Estuary has been designated as a candidate SAC (Special Area of Conservation) under the EU Habitats Directive due to its bottlenose dolphin population. Two further sites have been designated due to the presence of harbour porpoise - Blasket Islands (Co Kerry) and Roaringwater Bay (Co Cork). Blue, Fin, Sei and Humpback Whales are listed in Appendix I (migratory species considered to be in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant proportion of their range) of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (The Bonn Convention). Killer Whales are listed in Appendix II of the convention (migratory species that have an unfavourable conservation status). All five of these species occur in Irish waters. In 1991 the Irish government accepted an IWDG proposal, declaring Ireland (within the exclusive fishery limit) a whale and dolphin sanctuary- the first of its kind in Europe. Finally, Ireland has ratified the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling - the primary international instrument prohibiting commercial whaling. The National Parks and Wildlife Service is the competent authority responsible for the conservation of cetaceans.

top

Harbour Seal (Common Seal) - Phoca vitulina vitulina

Click here to view summer Grey Seal distribution in MIDA

Legal Protection for Seals
The 1976 Wildlife Act affords legal protection to seals. Both the grey and harbour seal are listed in Annex II (i.e. species of Community interest whose conservation requires the designation of Special Areas of Conservation) of the Habitats Directive. A number of marine SACs have been designated due to the presence of grey and common seals, although they are not the primary reason for site selection.

top

• Eighty-two of the 128 Special Protection Areas designated under the EU Birds Directive are in the marine and coastal zone.
• Ninety-two out of the 140 Important Bird Areas in Ireland are in the marine and coastal zone.
• Fourteen waterfowl and 11 seabird species that occur regularly in the coastal zone are listed in Annex I of the EU Birds Directive. A further seven other Annex I species also breed and/or occur regularly.
• The marine and coastal zone hosts 30 of the 32 species in Ireland that are considered to have unfavourable conservation status.

Canadian Geese - Branta canadensis

WATERFOWL
Due to its position on the East Atlantic Flyway (a migration route used by birds breeding around the Arctic Circle and wintering in Europe and Africa) Ireland is a major wintering and migration area for waterfowl - which include wildfowl (ducks, geese and swans) and waders (including plovers, sandpipers, curlews, godwits and others). Birds from breeding grounds in NE Canada, Greenland, Iceland and northern Europe arrive during autumn in their hundreds of thousands and depart again in spring. Many species that do not stay for the full winter - paricularly waders - feed and rest for short periods in autumn en route to wintering grounds in southern Europe and Africa and on their return journey in spring. Approximately 60 species of waterfowl are attracted to the great variety and number of wetland habitats on the coast (including estuaries and bays, coastal lagoons, polders / sloblands and open shores and shallow seas). These provide an abundance of food (including fish, invertebrates, sea-grass, algae and grasses) and safe breeding sites and roosting areas.

The Irish Wetland Bird Survey
The Irish Wetland Bird Survey (I-WeBS) is the principle tool for monitoring wintering waterfowl populations and their wetland habitats in Ireland. The survey, a joint scheme run by BirdWatch Ireland, the National Parks & Wildlife Service of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government in the Irish Republic and the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust in Northern Ireland, started in 1994 and comprises monthly co-ordinated site counts by over 320 professionals and amateurs over the September to April season. Approximately 320 wetland sites and 800 subsites are monitored each season, comprising both inland (lake / turlough / river systems) and coastal (estuaries /bays / lagoons / coastal stretches) sites. The project aims to be the primary source of data for the conservation of waterfowl populations and the wetland habitats on which they depend. A large volume of data is collected annually from a variety of wetland sites throughout Ireland. The information is used to describe and assess population trends, assess importance of individual wetland sites and hence take appropriate conservation measures. Annual count data are published by BirdWatch Ireland. Bird count data from a number of coastal sites surveyed as part of I-WeBS are being used in climate impact models as part of the MONARCH project.

top

Birds utilizing the mudflats in Cork Harbour

• Shannon & Fergus Estuary (Co. Clare)
• Dundalk Bay (Co. Louth)
• Wexford Harbour & Slobs
• Cork Harbour
• Dublin Bay
• Tralee Bay, Lough Gill & Akeragh Lough (Co. Kerry)
• Lough Swilly (Co. Donegal)
• Ballymacoda (Co. Cork)
• Tacumshin Lake (Co. Wexford)

A further 12 coastal sites regularly hold more than 10,000 birds (out a national total of 15 sites with 10-20,000 birds) (click here). Many of the important waterfowl sites on the coast are designated as SPAs under the EU Birds Directive.

Important Waterfowl Species
Absolute numbers of waterfowl is not the only indicator of the importance of a wetland site. The occurrence of a particular species, or a number of a particular species, can also be an important factor. For example, the race of White-fronted Goose that winters in Ireland breeds in Greenland and winters almost exclusively in Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Wexford Harbour and Slobs host significant numbers of the world population of this species. The Light-bellied Brent Goose, which breeds in the Canadian Arctic, is internationally recognised as a separate population and winters almost exclusively in Ireland. Strangford Lough holds over 50% of the world population of light-bellied brent goose in the early winter, before the birds disperse to sites mainly on the east and south-east coasts.

Many sites contain a relatively small total waterfowl population but are nevertheless classified as internationally or nationally important because they regularly hold 1% or more of the individuals in the international or national population of one or more species or subspecies. For example, Trawbreaga Bay (Co. Donegal) hosts approximately 2,500 waterfowl but hosts internationally important numbers of Light-bellied Brent Goose and Barnacle Goose. Thirteen species of waterfowl occur at one or more coastal sites in internationally important numbers (see list). Eighteen waterfowl species that regularly occur in coastal wetland sites have an unfavourable conservation status in Europe. Click here for a list of species. Altogether, 32 coastal sites host internationally important numbers of one or more species of waterfowl. A further 38 coastal sites host nationally important numbers of one or more species of waterfowl. For a full list of important coastal wetland sites on a county by county basis, click here. Many additional coastal sites are regionally or locally important. A full list of sites surveyed by I-WeBS and their waterfowl numbers can be obtained from BirdWatch Ireland.

top

Black Headed and Common Gulls in Rinvyle SAC, County Galway

SEABIRDS
Conditions around the Irish coast meet the two main requirements of breeding seabirds, namely a safe, suitable habitat in which to nest and a supply of food within foraging range of breeding colonies. Breeding seabirds use islands, headlands and sand/shingle beaches on which to form their nesting colonies and exploit fish and other marine organisms for food. Approximately 30 species of seabirds occur regularly on Ireland’s coast (See list). Many of these breed on the coast. Read more on each species here. Some species (all terns, storm petrel and manx shearwater) migrate outside the area after completion of breeding, whilst others remain throughout the year. Other species are true winter visitors or passage migrants, wintering in or using the area as a migratory corridor in spring, autumn and winter (e.g. skuas and shearwaters). A number of seabird species are of conservation concern.

Seabird Numbers and Important Sites
BirdWatch Ireland was the Republic of Ireland co-ordinator of Seabird 2000, a major Irish-British survey of seabird colonies that took place between 1999 and 2001. It was a follow-up to two other near complete surveys of Irish seabirds: Operation Seafarer (1969-70) and the Seabird Colony Register (1985-87). During the course of the survey, which was carried out by a dedicated group of BirdWatch Ireland volunteers, professional ornithologists and NPWS staff, counts of all seabird species at the majority of colonies in the country were carried out. These included not only the big cliff sites such as the Cliffs of Moher (Co. Clare) and Horn Head (Co. Donegal) but also the large numbers of gulls nesting on islands in lakes and on rooftops in cities, and nocturnal petrels and shearwaters that live in burrows on the remotest islands off the west coast. The results of Seabird 2000 are published as “Seabird Populations of Britain and Ireland”, (T & AD Poyser Ltd, 2004) and are also available, in limited format, (Tables, Maps and Figures) on a species by species basis on the JNCC (Joint Nature Conservation Committee) website, here. A customised database has been created to host the data collected during Seabird 2000. Detailed information can be obtained electronically here.

Unlike those for wintering waterfowl, the criteria for designation of seabird breeding sites are not as well defined. However, it is possible to identify the most important seabird breeding sites on the Irish coast based on the presence of one or more species in numbers greater than, for example, 1% of the EU or UK and Irish populations. Some of the more important colonies from an individual species point of view are:

• Storm Petrel - Pelagodroma marina

  Inishtooskert (Co. Kerry) – This Storm Petrel colony, with approximately 27,000 nests, is the largest in Ireland and Britain, and possibly the world.
• Little Skellig (Co. Kerry), a BirdWatch Ireland Nature Reserve, holds the largest Gannetry in Ireland (approx. 25,000 pairs).
• The Stags of Broadhaven (Co. Mayo) is Ireland’s only Leach’s Petrel colony.
• Rockabill Island (Co. Dublin) is the largest Roseate Terns colony in Europe, and with approximately 600 pairs holds a significant proportion of the European population. The Roseate Tern is classified as a threatened red-list species (Read More). Other important tern sites include Kilcoole (Co. Wexford) and Lady’s Island Lake (Co. Wexford). Read more about BirdWatch Ireland’s Tern Conservation Projects.

Other seabird breeding colonies with significant populations of one or more species include:

Sites may not hold internationally important numbers of individual species, but regularly hold large total populations are also important. Many of the important seabird breeding colonies on the coast are designated as SPAs under the EU Birds Directive. For a full list of SPAs with breeding seabird colonies, click here. See also the Irish Important Bird Area (IBA) list. Under the Wildlife Act, 1976 seven Refuges for Fauna have been designated on cliffs and islands to protect breeding seabird populations (Link to List). Nine seabird species that regularly breed and/or occur at coastal sites have an unfavourable conservation status in Europe. Click here for a list of species.

Gannet

Offshore Seabirds
Ireland’s offshore waters are essential feeding grounds for many birds, including non-breeders and passage migrants, throughout the year. Over fifty species of seabirds have been recorded in irish waters, both on and off the shelf (Pollock et al., 1997). Food for seabirds is not evenly distributed over the shelf waters around Ireland. Many invertebrates and fish are concentrated at spawning or feeding grounds and at distinct boundaries where water masses meet and which are typified by increased productivity. The Irish Sea hosts major feeding concentrations, particularly guillemots and razorbills, in the period mid-July to mid-September. Rich feeding grounds occur north-east of county Louth (around the mixing zone of the western Irish Sea front) and along the sandbanks and gravel ridges that run parallel to the coasts of Wicklow and Wexford. The productive waters off the south-west coast also provide an ample food supply for large breeding colonies on the south-west coast. Boelens et al. (1999) provide a concise summary of the distribution of offshore seabirds.

A series of surveys conducted between 1999 and 2001 under the Petroleum Infrastructure Programme of the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, and carried out by the Marine Mammals and Seabirds Group (Coastal and Marine Resources Centre, UCC) gathered information on the abundance of seabirds in the waters of Ireland’s Atlantic Margin and identified areas of importance for seabirds (Mackey et al., 2004). Download here. The surveys recorded 37 seabird species, including important, rarely-sighted species such as Brünnich’s Guillemot and Soft-plumaged Petrel, and key migratory species, such as the Black-legged Kittiwake, Northern Gannet and the Lesser Black-backed Gull.

Areas of relatively high species richness and high density for seabird species were identified in the deeper Atlantic waters off the southwest, west and northwest coasts of Ireland. The Hatton Bank and Hatton-Rockall Basin also appear to be of importance to migratory species, and together with the Rockall Bank may be of importance to those species that winter offshore, such as the Atlantic Puffin, and to non-breeding and juvenile birds during the breeding season (e.g. Manx Shearwater). Records of seabirds at sea in Irish waters are maintained by the JNCC Seabirds at Sea Team in the European Seabirds at Sea database.

top

OTHER BIRDS
In addition to seabirds and waterfowl a large number of other birds regularly occur in coastal areas. Many of these are not exclusive to the coastal zone. However, for some such as the corncrake and chough, both of which are considered to be of conservation concern, the coastal zone provides vital habitats.

Corncrake
The Corncrake is the only Irish breeding bird which is threatened with global extinction. It is an Annex I species under the EU Birds Directive and is listed by BirdLife International as being of global conservation concern. Corncrakes were once common in Ireland. An All-Ireland census carried out in 1988 found that the population had dropped to just over 900 singing males, and to 129 by 1994. Corncrakes are now restricted to three core areas in Ireland - the Shannon Callows, North Donegal and West Connaught Co Mayo. In the latter two areas the corncrake sites are principally coastal sites and include Tory Island, Inishbofin, Falcarragh / Min an Chladaigh, and Malin and Fanad Peninsulas (Co. Donegal); Clare Island and Mullet Peninsula (Co. Mayo); and Inishbofin and Omey Island (Co. Galway). BirdWatch Ireland has operated an intensive Corncrake Conservation Project in Ireland since 1991, with the support of the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB). As a result of concentrated conservation measures, however, numbers rose for the first time in 1995 and over the last six or seven years corncrake numbers in West Donegal and, to a lesser extent, west Connaught have increased. In 2004, 29 out of the 142 calling males recorded nationally were on Tory Island (Co. Donegal), confirming the island’s status as Ireland’s single most important site for Corncrakes. For further information on corncrakes and the BirdWatch Ireland Corncrake Conservation Project, click here.

Chough
The Chough is a scarce member of the crow family, confined mostly to the northern and western coasts of Ireland. Breeding takes place mainly in holes and crevices of coastal cliffs. It is classified as a Red-Listed species in the Birds of Conservation Concern in Ireland (BoCCI) List and recognised as a declining species. They are also listed in Annex I of the EU Birds Directive. A Chough Survey of Ireland was carried out in 2002-2003. The key hotspot for Chough population in Ireland is the Dingle peninsula (Co. Kerry). Other important mainland chough breeding areas include the west Donegal coast, Iveragh peninsula (Co. Kerry), Beara Peninsula (Co. Cork) and Sheeps’ Head and Mizen Head peninsulas (Co. Cork). Offshore islands (e.g. Cape Clear, Great Blasket, Aran and Bear Islands) are also important chough breeding locations. For further information on choughs and the national chough survey, click here.

top

Group of Birds over the Sea

Click here to view important bird areas in MIDA

Little Egret - Egretta garzetta, a species on the Amber list

• Red List - High Conservation Concern
• Amber List - Medium Conservation Concern
• Green List - regularly occurring species in Ireland whose conservation status is presently considered favourable.

Click here for Red List seabird and waterfowl species in the marine and coastal zone.
Click here for Amber List seabird and waterfowl species in the marine and coastal zone.
For further information and a full list of species click here.

Red Data Book Species
The Irish Red Data Book 2: Vertebrates (Whilde, 1993) provides a review of rare and threatened mammals, birds, amphibians and fish in Ireland using criteria laid down by IUCN (The World Conservation Union). Species on the IUCN Red List are categorised as Extinct, Endangered, Vulnerable, Rare, Indeterminate or Internationally Important. The criteria for classification are described in detail here. Included in the Red Book are a number of seabirds and waterfowl that occur in marine and coastal areas. In the period since publication of the Irish Red Data Book, a considerable amount of new information has been gathered on the status, trends and distribution of Irish birds, and new criteria for establishing the conservation status of national populations have been developed. In 2000, BirdWatch Ireland published a report titled Birds of Conservation Concern in Ireland. This is the result of a cross-border initiative between BirdWatch Ireland and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (in Northern Ireland).

Rare Birds
The Irish Rare Birds Committee (IRBC) is responsible for maintaining a list of the birds recorded in the Republic of Ireland. Its primary function is the assessment of records of certain rare and scarce species. Results are published annually in the Irish Bird Report and IRBC Report. The Committee operates under the auspices of BirdWatch Ireland.

top

Angling Sign on the Beara Peninsula, County Cork

The distribution of fish is far from uniform, even in areas of apparently uniform sediment type. Topographical features such as rocky outcrops, coral patches, gulleys and wrecks provide food and shelter from tidal streams and often support high densities of species such as pollack, saithe, ling, conger eels and cod, with large flatfish such as turbot attracted to the surrounding sandy areas. Some species such as sole are highly specialised in terms of morphology and diet and are restricted to areas of soft sediments whereas species such as cod are more generalised with a broad diet and equally broad distribution. A list of 375 fish species recorded in Irish waters, along with species information, can be accessed through FishBase.




Species of Conservation Concern
In addition to the commercial fish species and other commonly occurring fish species around the coast, a number of species are uncommon and/or are considered to be of conservation concern. SACs have been designated in coastal waters for four fish species listed under Annex II of the EU Habitats Directive – Allis Shad, Twaite Shad, Sea Lamprey and River Lamprey. Other species that are of conservation concern, but which are not included in the Habitats Directive, include:

• Smelt
• Couch’s Goby
• Red-mouthed Goby
• Basking Shark
• Short-snouted Seahorse
• Long-snouted Seahorse

The Red List, compiled by the IUCN (The World Conservation Union) categorises species according to their conservation status (e.g. Extinct, Endangered, Vulnerable, Lower Risk). The criteria for classification are described in detail here. Included in the Red List are a number of fish species that occur in Irish waters, including Angel Shark (vulnerable), Basking Shark (vulnerable) and Haddock (vulnerable). A full list of Irish Red List species is available here. The Irish Naturalists’ Journal publishes records of rare/unusual fish taken in both inshore and offshore waters. Finally, the OSPAR List of Threatened and/or Declining Species includes a number of fish species that occur in Irish waters. See list.

Seahorse

Species, and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). For further information on the biology, distribution, sensitivity, etc. of the short-snouted seahorse, click here. See also the website of the Seahorse Trust and Seahorse Ireland.

Long-snouted Seahorse (Hippocampus guttulatus)
Like the short-snouted seahorse, the long-snouted seahorse is found in shallow waters, especially amongst algae and sea grasses, clinging by the tail or swimming upright. Also like the short-snouted seahorse there is little information available on the distribution of the short-snouted seahorse in Irish coastal waters. However, it is known to occur along the south and west coasts. The long-snouted seahorse is listed as Vulnerable in the IUCN Red List; and is included in the OSPAR list of threatened or declining species; the Bern Convention; and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). For further information on the biology, distribution, sensitivity etc. of the long-snouted seahorse, click here. See also the website of the Seahorse Trust and Seahorse Ireland.

top

NPWS - http://www.npws.ie/en/

Heritage Council Study - http://heritagecouncil.ie/publications/coastalrep/

NPWS Heritage Data - www.heritagedata.ie

IGH Programme - http://www.gsi.ie/workgsi/heritage/heritage-frame.htm

Tetrapod Trackway - http://www.gsi.ie/workgsi/heritage/igh/sites/valentia/track.htm

Details of Nature Reserves - http://82.112.120.223/en/NatureConservation/NatureReserves/

Biosphere Reserves - http://www.unesco.org/mab/wnbr.htm

UNESCO - http://www.unesco.org/

MAB Programme - http://www.unesco.org/mab/

South Dublin BirdWatch - http://www.birdweb.net/bullisland.html

Strategic Framework - http://www.ramsar.org/key_guide_list_e.htm#v

MIDA - the Marine Irish Digital Atlas - http://mida.ucc.ie

Habitats

Northern Ireland Habitat Action Plans (HAPs) http://www.ehsni.gov.uk/natural/biodiversity/hap_ni.shtml#mar05

Northern Ireland Species Action Plans (HAPs) http://www.ehsni.gov.uk/natural/biodiversity/sap_ni.shtml

The European Register of Marine Species - http://www.marbef.org/data/erms.php

Encyclopedia of Marine Life of Britain and Ireland - http://www.habitas.org.uk/marinelife/

Sherkin Island Review (HC Website) http://www.heritagecouncil.ie/marine/review1.html

HC Audit of Marine Datasets - http://www.heritagecouncil.ie/audit/inverts.html

MARLIN - The Marine Life Information Network for Britain and Ireland - www.marlin.ac.uk

NPWS Marine Wildlife Inventory - http://www.npws.ie/en/PublicationsLiterature/Allpublications/file,834,en.pdf

Fossitt - http://www.heritagecouncil.ie/publications/habitats/11.html

UK Biodiversity Action Plans Habitats - http://www.ukbap.org.uk/habitats.aspx

National Marine Habitat Classification for Britain and Ireland - http://www.jncc.gov.uk/Default.aspx?page=1584

SensMap Reports - http://www.ecoserve.ie/projects/sensmap/reports.html

Curtis and Sheehy-Skeffington - http://www.ria.ie/publications/journals/procbi/1998/PB98I2/PDF/98208BI.pdf

HC Saltmarshes - http://www.heritagecouncil.ie/publications/habitats/11.html

HC Intertidal Sand- and Mudflats - http://www.heritagecouncil.ie/publications/habitats/12.html

HC Rocky Shores - http://www.heritagecouncil.ie/publications/habitats/12.html

HC Sandy Shores - http://www.heritagecouncil.ie/publications/habitats/12.html

Fossitt - http://www.heritagecouncil.ie/publications/habitats/11.html

UK Biodiversity Action Plans Habitats - http://www.ukbap.org.uk/habitats.aspx

National Marine Habitat Classification for Britain and Ireland - http://www.jncc.gov.uk/Default.aspx?page=1584

SensMap Reports - http://www.ecoserve.ie/projects/sensmap/reports.html

HC Marine Subtidal Sediment Habitats- http://www.heritagecouncil.ie/publications/habitats/13.html

HC Marine Subtidal Rocky Habitats- http://www.heritagecouncil.ie/publications/habitats/13.html

De Grave et al. (2000) - http://www.marine.ie/information+services/library+services/marine+institute+publications
/marine+resource+series/r10.pdf

Maerl Beaches - http://seaweed.ucg.ie/descriptions/maerl.html

BioMar - http://www.ecoserve.ie/biomar/index.html

BioMar Viewer - http://www.ecoserve.ie/biomar/viewer.html

Ulster Museum - http://www.ulstermuseum.org.uk/

MNCR - http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page-1596

JNCC - www.jncc.gov.uk

Marine Habitat Classification for Britain and Ireland - www.jncc.gov.uk/MarineHabitatClassification

Download Marine Habitat Classification - http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page-1645

Search Biotopes - http://www.jncc.gov.uk/marine/biotopes/BiotopeSearch.aspx

MARBEF - http://www.marbef.org/

SensMap - http://www.ecoserve.ie/projects/sensmap/

EcoServe - http://www.ecoserve.ie/

CCW - http://www.ccw.gov.uk/

Inshore resource mapping project, Parsons et al. - http://www.marine.ie/funding/marine+institute+funding/marine+rtdi+fund
/desk+studies/index.htm

MIDA - the Marine Irish Digital Atlas - http://mida.ucc.ie

Mammals

IWDG - http://www.iwdg.ie

IWDG Species Profiles - http://www.iwdg.ie/species_profiles.asp

Seawatch Foundation - http://www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk

Seawatch Foundation Species Guide - http://www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk/species-main.htm

Ireland's 'friendly' wild dolphins - Irishdolphins.com

Shannon Dolphins - http://www.shannondolphins.ie/

Cetaceans Offshore - http://cmrc.ucc.ie/pages/projects/cetacea.htm

CMRC - http://cmrc.ucc.ie/

Department of Zoology, Ecology and Plant Science UCC - http://www.ucc.ie/academic/zeps/

IWDG Cetacean Strandings Scheme - http://www.iwdg.ie/strandings.asp?cat=3

IWDG Cetacean Sightings Scheme - http://www.iwdg.ie/iscope/?cat=2

Petroleum Infrastructure Programme - http://www.pip.ie/page/1

Marine Mammals and Seabird Group (CMRC) - http://cmrc.ucc.ie/pages/res_marinemands.htm

“Cetaceans and Seabirds of Ireland's Atlantic Margin” http://cmrc.ucc.ie/pages/projects/cetacea.htm

SCANS II - http://biology.st-andrews.ac.uk/scans2/index.html

NPWS Wildlife Manuals - http://www.npws.ie/en/PublicationsLiterature/IrishWildlifeManuals/

UK Seal Conservation Society - http://www.pinnipeds.org/species/species.htm

MIDA - the Marine Irish Digital Atlas - http://mida.ucc.ie

Birds

I-WeBS - http://www.birdwatchireland.ie/bwi/pages092003/consvwork/surveys/iwebs.html

Birdwatch Ireland - http://www.birdwatchireland.ie

Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust - http://www.wwt.org.uk/

Seabird Species Descriptions - http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page-3201

Seabird 2000 Website - http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page-1548

JNCC - www.jncc.gov.uk

Seabird 2000 Data - http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page-2919

BirdWatch Tern Projects - http://www.birdwatchireland.ie/bwi/pages092003/consvwork/projects/terns.html

Petroleum Infrastructure Programme - http://www.pip.ie/page/1

Marine Mammals and Seabird Group CMRC - http://cmrc.ucc.ie/pages/res_marinemands.htm

Atlantic Margin Study - http://cmrc.ucc.ie/pages/projects/cetacea.htm

JNCC Seabirds at Sea Team - http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page-1547

BirdLife International - http://www.birdlife.net/

BirdWatch Corncrake Project - http://www.birdwatchireland.ie/bwi/pages092003/consvwork/projects/corncrakes.html

RSPB - http://www.rspb.org.uk/

Species Conservation Plan - http://www.npws.ie/en/PublicationsLiterature/PublicConsultationforAll-IrelandSpeciesAction/

Environment and Heritage Service - http://www.ehsni.gov.uk/

Chough Survey - http://www.birdwatchireland.ie/bwi/pages092003/consvwork/surveys/chough.html

European IBAs - http://www.birdlife.net/action/science/sites/european_ibas/index.html

Irish IBA Site Search - http://www.birdlife.net/datazone/sites/index.html

Species Conservation Information - http://www.birdlife.net/action/science/species/birds_in_europe/species_search.html

BoCCI - http://www.birdwatchireland.ie/bwi/pages092003/consvwork/policies/bocci.html

IUCN - http://www.iucn.org

Red List - http://www.redlist.org/

Red List Criteria - http://www.redlist.org/info/categories_criteria.html

Irish Rare Birds Committee - http://www.birdwatchireland.ie/bwi/irbc/irbc.html

Fish

2004 Stock Book - http://www.marine.ie/industry+services/fisheries/the+stock+book/

ICES ADVICE - http://www.ices.dk/

FishBase - http://www.fishbase.org/home.htm

Red List - http://www.redlist.org/

IUCN - http://www.iucn.org

Red List Criteria - http://www.redlist.org/info/categories_criteria.html

Search Irish Red List Species - http://www.redlist.org/search/search-basic.html

Irish Naturalists' Journal - http://www.habitas.org.uk/inj/

Smelt - http://www.ria.ie/publications/journals/procbi/2004/Pb104i3/PB104I3.html

Couch's Goby - http://www.marlin.ac.uk

Basking Shark - http://www.marlin.ac.uk/species/Cetorhinusmaximus.htm

Also - http://www.cefas.co.uk/sharks/background.htm

Short-snouted Seahorse - http://www.marlin.ac.uk/species/Hippocampushippocampus.htm

Seahorse Trust - http://www.theseahorsetrust.co.uk/

Seahorse Ireland - http://www.seahorseireland.com/index.htm

Long-snouted Seahorse - http://www.marlin.ac.uk/species/Hippocampusguttulatus.htm

Habitats

Benthos Research Group, 1992.Dublin Bay Water Quality Management Plan, Technical Report No. 6: Studies on the Benthos. Environmental Research Unit, Dublin. 115 pp.

Boelens, R.G.V., Walsh, A.R., Parsons, A.P. and Maloney, D.M. (1999). Ireland's Marine and Coastal Areas and Adjacent Seas: an Environmental Review. Marine Institute, Dublin, 381pp + appendices.

Dineen, P., Keegan, B.F., Crowe, W.A., O'Connor, B., McGrath, D., Costelloe, M. and Könnecker, G., (1986).Littoral and benthic investigations on the south coast of Ireland - I. Macrofaunal distribution patterns and their relationship to the sedimentary environment in Kinsale Harbour. Proc. R. Ir. Acad., 86B (3): 81-106.

Healy, B. and McGrath, D. (1998).Marine fauna of County Wexford, Ireland: the fauna of rocky shores and sandy beaches.Irish Fisheries Investigations (New Series): 2.

Keegan, B., O'Connor, B., McGrath, D., Könnecker, G., and O'Foighil, D., (1987). Littoral and benthic investigations on the south coast of Ireland - II. The macrobenthic fauna off Carnsore Point. Proc. R. Ir. Acad., 87B: 1-14.

Kelly, K.S., Costello, M.J., Baxter, P.W. and Picton, B.E. (1997). An indexed bibliography of Irish marine literature from 1893-1997.  Environmental Sciences Unit, Trinity College, Dublin.

O'Connor, B., McGrath. D., Könnecker, G. and Keegan, B.F., (1993). Benthic macrofaunal assemblages of greater Galway Bay. Biol. Environ., Proc. R. Ir. Acad., 93B (3): 127-136.

Roche, C., Clarke, S. & O'Connor, B. (2005).Inventory of Irish marine wildlife publications.  Irish Wildlife Manuals, No. 16. National Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Dublin, Ireland.http://www.npws.ie/en/PublicationsLiterature/Allpublications/file,834,en.pdf

Shin, P.K.S., Conneely, M.E. and Keegan, B.F., (1982).  Littoral and benthic investigations on the west coast of Ireland. XV. The macrobenthic communities of North Bay (Galway Bay). Proc. R. Ir. Acad., 82B: 133-152.

Habitats

Boelens, R.G.V., Walsh, A.R., Parsons, A.P. and Maloney, D.M. (1999).Ireland's Marine and Coastal Areas and Adjacent Seas: an Environmental Review.Marine Institute, Dublin, 381pp + appendices.

Challinor, H., Murphy Wickens, S., Clark, J. and Murphy, A. (1999).A Beginner's Guide to Ireland's Seashore. Sherkin Island Marine Station.

Connor, D.W., Allen, J.H., Golding, N., Howell, K.L., Lieberknecht, L.M., Northen, K.O. and Reker, J.B. (2004).The Marine Habitat Classification for Britain and Ireland Version 04.05 JNCC, Peterborough. www.jncc.gov.uk/MarineHabitatClassification

Curtis, T.G.F. (2003). Saltmarshes.In: Otte, M.L. (ed.)Wetlands of Ireland - Distribution, Ecology, Uses and Economic Value.  UCD Press. pp. 31-43

Curtis, T.G.F. and Sheehy Skeffington, M. (1998).  The Salt Marshes of Ireland: An inventory and account of their geographical variation.Biology and Environment: Proc. R. Ir. Acad., 98B (2): 87-104.http://www.ria.ie/publications/journals/procbi/1998/PB98I2/PDF/98208BI.pdf

De Grave, S., Fazakerley, H., Kelly, L., Guiry, M.D., Ryan, M. and Walshe, J., (2000). A Study of Selected Maërl Beds in Irish Waters and their Potential for Sustainable Extraction.Marine Resource Series, No. 10.Marine Institute, Dublin. http://www.marine.ie/information+services/library+services/
marine+institute+publications/marine+resource+series/r10.pdf

Marine Conservation Society (1988).  Sea Life of Britain & Ireland.  IMMEL Publishing, London.

Otte, M.L. (2003). Wetlands of Ireland - Distribution, Ecology, Uses and Economic Value. UCD Press.

Parsons, A., Barton, K., Berry, A., Brown, C., Curtis, J., Emblow, C., Hartnett, M., Nash, S. and Rooney, S., (2004).Feasibility Study on the Establishment of a Large Scale Inshore Resource Mapping Project.  Marine RTDI Desk Study Series:DK/01/007.

Picton, B.E. and Costello, M. J. (1998).  BioMar biotope viewer: a guide to marine habitats, fauna and flora of Britain and Ireland. Environmental Sciences Unit, Trinity College, Dublin.

Mammals

Berrow, S.D. and Rogan, E. (1997). Cetaceans stranded on the Irish coast, 1901-1995. Mammal Review,  27(1): 51-76.

Carwardine, M. (1995).  Whales, Dolphins, and Porpoises  - The Eyewitness Handbook Series.  Dorling Kindersley.

Cronin, M., Duck, C., O Cadhla, O., Nairn, R., Strong, D. & O'Keeffe, C. (2003) Harbour seal population assessment in the Republic of Ireland.Irish Wildlife Manual, No. 11. http://www.npws.ie/en/PublicationsLiterature/Allpublications/d6687.en.v3.0.t4.PDF

Fairley, J.S. (1981).  Irish Whales and Whaling. Blackstaff Press. Belfast.

Hammond, P.S., Berggren, P., Benke, H., Borchers, D.L., Collet, A., Heide-Jřrgensen, M.P., Heimlich, S., Hiby, A.R., Leopold, M.F. and Řien, N. (2002).  Abundance of harbour porpoises and other cetaceans in the North Sea and adjacent waters. J. App. Ecol., 39: 361-376.

Hayden, T. and Harrington, R. (2000). Exploring Irish Mammals. Town House.

Kiely, O., Lidgard, D., McKibben, M., Connolly, N. and Baines, M. (2000) Grey Seals: Status and Monitoring in the Irish and Celtic Seas.Maritime Ireland/Wales INTERREG Report No. 3.  Marine Institute. http://www.marine.ie/rnd+projects/marine+resource+assessment/interreg3.pdf

Lyons, D.O. (2004).  Summary of National Parks and Wildlife Service surveys for common (harbour) seals (Phoca vitulina) and grey seals (Halichoerus grypus), 1978 to 2003. Irish Wildlife Manual, No. 13. http://www.npws.ie/en/PublicationsLiterature/Allpublications/d6782.en.v1.0.t4.PDF

Ó Cadhla, O., Mackey, M., Aguilar de Soto, N., Rogan, E. & Connolly, N. (2004).Cetaceans and Seabirds of Ireland's Atlantic Margin. Volume II - Cetacean distribution & abundance. Report on research carried out under the Irish Infrastructure Programme (PIP): Rockall Studies Group (RSG) projects 98/6 and 00/13, Porcupine Studies Group project P00/15 and Offshore Support Group (OSG) project 99/38. 82pp. http://cmrc.ucc.ie/pages/projects/cetacea.html

Pollock, C., Reid, J., Webb, A. and Tasker, M. (1997). The Distribution of Seabirds and Cetaceans in the Waters around Ireland. JNCC Report, No. 267.167 pp.

For a comprehensive list of cetacean publications see - http://www.iwdg.ie/categories.asp?cat=51

Birds

BirdLife International (2004).Birds in Europe: population estimates, trends and conservation status. Wageningen, The Netherlands: BirdLife International. (BirdLife Conservation Series No. 12).

BirdLife International (2004) Birds in the European Union: a status assessment. Wageningen, The Netherlands: BirdLife International. http://www.birdlife.net/action/science/species/birds_in_europe/birds_in%20_the_eu.pdf

Boelens, R.G.V., Walsh, A.R., Parsons, A.P. and Maloney, D.M. (1999).Ireland's Marine and Coastal Areas and Adjacent Seas: an Environmental Review.Marine Institute, Dublin, 381pp + appendices.

Crowe, O. and Boland, B. (2004). Results of Waterbird Monitoring in Ireland in 2001/02:Irish Birds 7: 313-326.

Pollock, C., Reid, J., Webb, A. and Tasker, M. (1997).  The Distribution of Seabirds and Cetaceans in the Waters around Ireland.  JNCC Report, No. 267. 167 pp.

Mackey, M., Ó Cadhla, O., Kelly, T.C., Aguilar de Soto, N. & Connolly, N. (2004). Cetaceans and Seabirds of Ireland's Atlantic Margin. Volume I - Seabird distribution, density & abundance. Report on research carried out under the Irish Infrastructure Programme (PIP): Rockall Studies Group (RSG) projects 98/6 and 00/13, Porcupine Studies Group project P00/15 and Oupport Group (OSG) project 99/3 London.

Sheppard, R. (1993). Ireland's Wetland Wealth.  Irish Wildbird Conservancy, Dublin.

Whilde, A. (1993).  Threatened mammals, Birds, Amphibians and Fish in Ireland.Irish Rea Data Book 2: Vertebrates.HMSO, Belfast.

Selected Ongoing Research:

 BirdWatch Ireland East Coast EU-LIFE Project - Restoring Blackditch Wood, a priority woodland and wetland site on the Wicklow coast. http://www.birdwatchireland.ie/bwi/pages092003/consvwork/projects/eastcoastreserve.html

Termocarragh EU-Life Project - Restoration Management for Annex I Birds at Termoncarragh Lake SPA (Mullet Peninsula, Co. Mayo).

http://www.birdwatchireland.ie/bwi/pages092003/consvwork/projects/termoncarragh.html

BWI Tern Projects - tern conservation projects at four key locations on the East coast (Rockabill Island Co Dublin, Dalkey Island Co Dublin, Kilcoole Co Wicklow and Lady's Island Co Wexford).

http://www.birdwatchireland.ie/bwi/pages092003/consvwork/projects/terns.html

UCC Department of Zoology, Ecology and Plant Science - http://www.ucc.ie/acad/departments/zeps/

Fish

Berrow, S.D. and Heardman, C. (1994).The Basking Shark Cetorhinus maximus (Gunnerus) in Irish Waters - Patterns of Distribution and Abundance. Biology and Environment: Proc. R. Ir. Acad., 94B (2): 101-107.

Boelens, R.G.V., Walsh, A.R., Parsons, A.P. and Maloney, D.M. (1999).  Ireland's Marine and Coastal Areas and Adjacent Seas: an Environmental Review. Marine Institute, Dublin, 381pp + appendices.

Doherty, D. and McCarthy, T.K. (2004). The Ecology and Conservation of European Smelt (Osmerus eperlanus L.) from Waterford Estuary, in Southeastern Ireland.  Biology and Environment: Proc. R. Ir. Acad., 104B (2): 125-130. http://www.ria.ie/publications/journals/procbi/2004/PB104I2/PB104I2.html

Doherty, D. O'Maoileidigh, N. and McCarthy, T.K. (2004).  The Biology, Ecology and Future Conservation of Twaite Shad (Alosa fallax Lacépčde), Allis Shad (Alosa alosa L.) and Killarney Shad (Alosa fallax killarnensis Tate Regan) In Ireland.  Biology and Environment: Proc. R. Ir. Acad.,104B (3): 93-102. http://www.ria.ie/publications/journals/procbi/2004/Pb104i3/PB104I3.html

Igoe, F., Quigley, D.T.G., Marnell, F., Meskell, E., O'Connor, W. and Byrne, C. (2004).  The Sea Lamprey Petromyzon marinus (L.), River Lamprey Lampetra fluviatilis (L.) and Brook Lamprey Lampetra planeri (Bloch) In Ireland: General Biology, Ecology, Distribution and Status with Recommendations for Conservation.  Biology and Environment: Proc. R. Ir. Acad., 104B (3): 43-56. http://www.ria.ie/publications/journals/procbi/2004/Pb104i3/PB104I3.html

King J. J. and Linnane S. M. (2004).The status and distribution of lamprey and shad in the Slaney and Munster Blackwater SACs. Irish Wildlife Manuals, No. 14. National Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Dublin, Ireland.  http://www.npws.ie/en/PublicationsLiterature/Allpublications/d6792.en.v1.0.t4.PDF

King, J.J. (2002).Investigations of Conservation Fish species in 2001 - Summary Report and Recommendations. Central Fisheries Board, Dublin. http://www.cfb.ie/fisheries_research/cfs/index.htm

Kurz, I. and Costello, M. J. (1999).An outline of the biology, distribution and conservation of lampreys in Ireland.  Irish Wildlife Manuals, No. 5. National Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Dublin, Ireland.

O'Keeffe, C. and Dromey, M. (2004).Designation of Sites for Fish under the EU Habitats Directive. Biology and Environment: Proc. R. Ir. Acad., 104B (3): 103-105. http://www.ria.ie/publications/journals/procbi/2004/Pb104i3/PB104I3.html

O'Connor, W. (2004) A Survey of juvenile lamprey populations in the Moy catchment.  Irish Wildlife Manuals, No. 15. National Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Dublin, Ireland. http://www.npws.ie/en/PublicationsLiterature/Allpublications/file,826,en.pdf

Quigley, D.T.G. (1996). Conservation status of uncommon Irish inshore fishes. In: Irish Marine Science 1995. Galway University Press Ltd. Galway. 289-302.

Quigley, D.T.G., Igoe, F. and O'Connor, W. (2004). The European Smelt Osmerus eperlanus L. in Ireland: General Biology, Ecology, Distribution and Status with Conservation Recommendations.  Biology and Environment: Proc. R. Ir. Acad., 104B (3): 57-66. http://www.ria.ie/publications/journals/procbi/2004/Pb104i3/PB104I3.html

Went, A.E.J and Kennedy, M. (1976).List of Irish Fish. Stationary Office. Dublin. 47 pp.

Whilde, A. (1993). Threatened mammals, Birds, Amphibians and Fish in Ireland.Irish Rea Data Book 2: Vertebrates.HMSO, Belfast.