SPA description
(information as published 2001)
Carlingford Lough
Carlingford Lough lies on the east coast of Northern Ireland and
straddles the international border with the Irish Republic. It is a
narrow sea lough surrounded by mountains. The northern shore lies
in Northern Ireland and includes the most significant mud-flats in
the lough and an area of saltmarsh. These provide important feeding
areas for wintering Light-bellied Brent Goose Branta bernicla
hrota of the Canada/Ireland population. At the mouth of the
lough are several small rock and shingle islands which are of
importance to breeding terns, which feed in the shallow waters of
the lough.
Qualifying species
For individual species accounts visit the Species
Accounts section
This site qualifies under Article 4.1 of the
Directive (79/409/EEC) by supporting populations of European
importance of the following species listed on Annex I of the
Directive:
During the breeding season;
Common Tern Sterna hirundo, 339 pairs representing
10.9% of the breeding population in Ireland (5 year mean,
1993-1997)
Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis, 575 pairs
representing 13.1% of the breeding population in Ireland (5 year
mean, 1993-1997)
This site also qualifies under Article 4.2 of
the Directive (79/409/EEC) by supporting populations of European
importance of the following migratory species:
Over winter;
Light-bellied Brent Goose Branta bernicla hrota, 319
individuals representing 1.6% of the wintering Canada/Ireland
population (WeBS 5yr peak mean 90/91-94/5)
Note that sites selected for waterbird species on the basis of
their occurrence in the breeding, passage or winter periods also
provide legal protection for these species when they occur at other
times of the year.
Note:
Many designated sites are on private land: the listing of
a site in these pages does not imply any right of public
access.
Note that sites selected for waterbird species on the basis of
their occurrence in the breeding, passage or winter periods also
provide legal protection for these species when they occur at other
times of the year.