Winter Bird Abundance & Distribution in The

WINTER BIRD ABUNDANCE & DISTRIBUTION IN THE SRUWADDACON BAY AREA, CO. MAYO

WINTER 2010/2011

PREPARED FOR EACS - ECOLOGICAL ADVISORY AND CONSULTANCY SERVICES

OCTOBER 2011

WINTER BIRD ABUNDANCE & DISTRIBUTION IN THE SRUWADDACON BAY AREA, CO. MAYO

WINTER 2010/2011

User is Responsible for Checking the Revision Status of This Document

Rev. Description of Prepared By: Checked By: Approved By: Date: Nr. Changes 1 Issue to client GF GF GF 11/11/11

Client: EACS - Ecological Advisory and Consultancy Services, for Shell E & P Ireland Ltd.

Keywords: Winter Bird Study, Sruwaddacon Bay area, 2010-2011

Abstract: This report records and assesses bird abundance and distribution in and around Sruwaddacon Bay, Co. Mayo during the winter period 2010/2011. It comprises data collected from bird surveys conducted between October 2010 and April 2011. Bird counts from high water and low water are presented and the results are discussed in the context of previous year’s survey findings. The numbers and activity of key species such as Light- bellied Brent Goose are assessed and the information from ring records is described. Numbers of Light-bellied Brent Geese once again reached nationally and internationally important numbers during the winter of 2010/11. A number of other wading bird (e.g. Curlew and Ringed Plover) species showed marked increases in their peak counts when compared with recent winters.

Q:/LE09/548/02/Reports/Winter Birds 2010-11-1.doc

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PAGE

1 INTRODUCTION ...... 1

2 METHODOLOGY ...... 2

2.1 FIELD SURVEYS ...... 2 2.2 CONSERVATION EVALUATION ...... 2 3 RESULTS ...... 5

3.1 BIRD USAGE OF THE STUDY AREA AT LOW WATER ...... 5 3.2 BIRD USAGE OF THE STUDY AREA AT HIGH WATER ...... 6 3.3 AVIAN ROOST AREAS IN THE STUDY AREA ...... 6 3.4 LIGHT -BELLIED BRENT GOOSE USAGE OF THE STUDY AREA ...... 6 3.5 LIGHT -BELLIED BRENT GOOSE RINGING RECORDS ...... 7 3.6 COMPARISON WITH PREVIOUS STUDIES ...... 15 3.7 SPECIES OF ELEVATED CONSERVATION CONCERN ...... 17 3.8 RELATIVE IMPORTANCE OF THE SPECIES OF SPECIAL CONSERVATION INTEREST IN THE SPA AND LOCALLY OCCURRING ANNEX I SPECIES ...... 20 3.9 GENERAL CONSERVATION EVALUATION ...... 20 4 SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS ...... 23

5 BIBLIOGRAPHY ...... 25

LIST OF APPENDICES

Appendix 1: NPWS Site Synopses for Designated Sites Appendix 2: Field Schedule for Winter Bird Surveys 2010/2011 Appendix 3: Peak bird counts of the study area at low water and high water, October 2010 to April 2011 Appendix 4: Light-bellied Brent Goose Records from the study area during 2010/11 winter survey

Q:/LE09/548/02/Reports/Winter Birds 2010-11-1.doc i/i

LIST OF TABLES

PAGE

TABLE 3.1: PEAK BIRD COUNTS OCCURRING AT LOW WATER IN THE STUDY AREA ...... 9 TABLE 3.2: PEAK BIRD COUNTS OCCURRING AT HIGH WATER IN THE STUDY AREA ...... 10 TABLE 3.3: SUMMARY OF LIGHT -BELLIED BRENT GOOSE COUNTS IN THE STUDY AREA ...... 11 TABLE 3.4: CONSERVATION OBJECTIVE SPECIES OF THE BLACKSOD BAY /B ROADHAVEN SPA AND ANNEX I BIRDS KNOWN TO OCCUR IN THE GLENAMOY BOG COMPLEX C SAC...... 21

LIST OF FIGURES

PAGE

FIGURE 2.1: AVIAN COUNT SECTIONS AND VANTAGE POINTS IN THE STUDY AREA ...... 4 FIGURE 3.1: LOCATION OF PRINCIPLE BIRD ROOST SITES IN THE STUDY AREA ...... 12 FIGURE 3.2 LIGHT -BELLIED BRENT GOOSE FLOCK AT GLENGAD , MARCH 2011...... 13 FIGURE 3.3 LIGHT -BELLIED BRENT GEESE DRINKING AT SMALL STREAM AY GLENGAD , MARCH 2011 ...... 14

Q:/LE09/548/02/Reports/Winter Birds 2010-11-1.doc i/i Section 1 EACS - Ecological Advisory and Consultancy Services Winter Bird Survey in the Sruwaddacon Bay Area

1 INTRODUCTION

Fehily Timoney & Company (FTC) was commissioned by EACS - Ecological Advisory and Consultancy Services, on behalf of their client Shell E & P Ireland Ltd. (SEPIL), to survey and report on bird usage of the Sruwaddacon Bay area, Co. Mayo during the 2010/11 over-wintering period. This survey forms part of ongoing ecological monitoring in relation to the Corrib Gas Project.

The main study area includes Sruwaddacon Bay, Glengad and the eastern half of Rinroe Strand. Birds occurring in the portions of North Rossport Bay, and the western half of Rinroe Strand, visible from the survey vantage points were also noted. These areas lie within the Glenamoy Bog Complex candidate Special Area of Conservation (cSAC, Site code 00500) with the exception of the extreme westerly sections at Rinroe which lie within the Broadhaven Bay cSAC (Site code 00472).

The study area forms part of the Blacksod Bay/Broadhaven Special Protection Area (SPA, Site code 004037) for birds. This SPA was advertised in June 2011 and has a site area of 8,314 ha (a 13% increase in area over the 7,367 ha for the SPA - previously designated under S.I. No. 31/1995). The SPA, which extends across three cSACs: Glenamoy Bog Complex; Broadhaven Bay; and the Mullet/Blacksod Complex (Site code 00470), encompasses the study area and inshore sections of Broadhaven Bay and Blacksod Bay and is known to support nationally important populations of a number of avian species. The site synopses for these designated sites are provided in Appendix 1. The study area also encompasses part of the Mullet/Blacksod Complex Ramsar site (7IE036).

The aims of this study are:

• To describe bird distribution and abundance across the study area from direct observation

• To examine the influence of the tidal cycle on bird distribution and abundance

• To determine the importance of the study area for over-wintering birds, with particular reference to species with populations of national importance and qualifying species, as well as Annex I species (E.U. Birds Directive 79/409/EEC) in the associated designated sites

• To compare these collected data with information from previous seasons.

Q:/LE09/548/02/Reports/Winter Birds 2010-11-1.doc

Page 1 of 26 Section 2 EACS - Ecological Advisory and Consultancy Services Winter Bird Survey in the Sruwaddacon Bay Area

2 METHODOLOGY

2.1 Field Surveys

Field surveys were carried out between October 6 th , 2010 and April 27 th , 2011 (see Appendix 2 for survey schedule). Surveys were completed on a near weekly basis with low water and high water surveys typically being completed on consecutive days. On three occasions the low water and high water surveys were completed in the same day, due to the timing of the tides or limitations imposed by prevailing weather conditions.

Standard bird census techniques and survey protocol were used for this study (Institute of Environmental Assessment 1995, Sutherland 1996, Bibby et al. , 2000). Field surveys were undertaken using suitable optical equipment ( i.e. telescope and binoculars). A summary of the visit schedule and prevailing weather conditions on each survey occasion is available in Appendix 2 of this report.

The aquatic bird surveys followed a similar methodology to that used for aquatic bird surveys in the area for the Corrib project since 2002/2003. An updated methodology, which included more frequent counts, was agreed in consultation with National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) in March 2009 and has been used for aquatic bird surveys since that time. The Sruwaddacon Bay study area is divided into six discrete Count Sections in order to assess bird usage in different portions of the bay (see Figure 2.1). Section 1 comprises the outermost part of Sruwaddacon Bay ( i.e. the mouth), including Glengad and the eastern half of Rinroe Strand and Section 6 comprises the inner bay, near the Glenamoy River estuary. Supplementary data were also recorded at additional sites which were visible from vantage point 1. These include a portion of North Rossport Bay and the western half of Rinroe Strand (see Figure 2.1 for the location of these additional sites). For the purposes of data presentation, peak count data over the survey period were grouped into Outer Bay (Count Sections 1 & 2), Middle Bay (Count Sections 3 & 4) and Inner Bay (Count Sections 5 & 6) regions. Peak counts for the study area as a whole (including the supplementary count areas) are also presented for both low water and high water counts.

The surveys were conducted at ‘low water’ ( i.e. during the period two hours before or two hours after low tide) and at ‘high water’ ( i.e. two hours before or two hours after high tide), in order to assess the influence of the tidal state on bird distribution and abundance in the study site. For each survey, bird species were counted and recorded according to their occurrence at each Count Section. The surveys focused on recording the species present and their abundance and distribution. Records were also taken of the presence of any concentrations of roosting birds and the location and status of these roosts is discussed in our results (see Section 3.3). At low water, the wading birds present within the study area are primarily engaged in feeding, and other behavioural categories such as loafing, preening and roosting are underrepresented.

During each site visit, counts were obtained from selected vantage points overlooking each Count Section and the bay was counted in a systematic fashion, typically within a two-hour period (in order to avoid double-counting of birds).

2.2 Conservation Evaluation

Qualifying bird species and bird species of special conservation interest are identified and the relative importance of the study area for these species is assessed, where data are available. The peak SPA counts for each species, of qualifying interest and Annex I species listed in the synopses for the cSACs (Glenamoy Bog Complex 00500; Broadhaven Bay 00472; and the Mullet/Blacksod Complex 00470), were considered in relation to peak counts recorded during the winter 2010/11 period. Reference count data were provided by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (DoEHLG) in a submission to An Bord Pleanála with regard to the revised Corrib onshore pipeline EIS in a letter dated 28 th July 2010. The data are based primarily on the mean of peak counts from the 5-year period between winter 1999/96 and 1999/2000. Data from the all-Ireland Tern survey and Seabird 2000 were also used where appropriate.

The species of conservation interest for Blacksod Bay/Broadhaven Bay SPA were published in June 2011. In all, 9 species of wintering waterbirds are listed among the conservation objectives for this site:

• Great Northern Diver ( Gavia immer ) • Light-bellied Brent Goose ( Branta bernicla hrota )

Q:/LE09/548/02/Reports/Winter Birds 2010-11-1.doc

Page 2 of 26 Section 2 EACS - Ecological Advisory and Consultancy Services Winter Bird Survey in the Sruwaddacon Bay Area

• Common Scoter ( Melanitta nigra ) • Red-breasted Merganser ( Mergus serrator ) • Ringed Plover ( Charadrius hiaticula ) • Sanderling ( Calidris alba ) • Dunlin ( Calidris alpina ) • Bar-tailed Godwit ( Limosa lapponica ) • Curlew ( Numenius arquata )

In addition, one breeding species, Sandwich Tern, Sterna sandvicensis is listed as a conservation objective for the SPA.

The conservation status of each species recorded during the field surveys was assessed. Species that are cited on Annex I of the E.U. Birds Directive (209/147/EC) are identified. In addition, birds listed as Birds of Conservation Concern in Ireland (BoCCI) (after Lynas et al . 2007) are reviewed. The BoCCI listing categorises birds as Red-listed (i.e. species of high conservation concern), Amber-listed (i.e. species of medium conservation concern) and Green-listed (i.e. species of no particular conservation concern). The BoCCI list was first published by Newton et al . (1999) and was revised by Lynas et al . (2007). For the purposes of this study the revised BoCCI list (after Lynas et al . 2007) is used.

The scientific names of all species mentioned in this report are available in the relevant data tables in the results section – and a complete species list is available in Appendix 3. It should be noted that where Brent Goose are mentioned in this report, this refers to Light-bellied Brent Goose.

Q:/LE09/548/02/Reports/Winter Birds 2010-11-1.doc

Page 3 of 26 R:\Map Production\2009\LE09\548\02\Workspace\20110905\ LE09-548-02_Figure 2.1_Avian Count Sections and Vantage Points_Rev C Mapping Reproduced Under Licence from the Ordnance Survey Ireland Licence No. EN 0001210 © Government of Ireland

Co.Co. MayoMayo

Rinroe Legend Strand North Rossport Bay survey areas 11 vantage points 11

(( 22 RossRoss PortPort 11 11 11 22

Date 05/09/2011 11 33 Name of Client 33 Ecological Advisory and Consultancy Services (EACS), for Shell E&P Ireland Ltd.

44 Name of Job (( 11 Winter Bird Monitoring 2010/2011 44 66 PollatomishPollatomish 44 55 11 Title of Figure Avian Count Sections and Vantage Points 66

Scales Used 1 : 40,000 @ A4 Figure No. Rev 2.1 11 A 55 CONSULTANTS IN ENGINEERING & ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

Core House, Pouladduff Rd, Cork Ireland. T:+353-21-4964133, F:+353-21-4464 012 Mill House, Ashtown Gate, Navan Rd, Dublin 15, Ireland. kilometres T:+353-1-6583500, F:+353-1-6583501 W:www.fehilytimoney.ie, E: [email protected] Section 3 EACS - Ecological Advisory and Consultancy Services Winter Bird Survey in the Sruwaddacon Bay Area

3 RESULTS

A total of 49 complete bird counts were carried out in the study area between October 2010 and April 2011. The complete survey schedule is provided in Appendix 2. A total of 24 of these surveys were carried out at low water ( i.e. during the period two hours before or two hours after low tide) and 25 were carried out at high water ( i.e. two hours before or two hours after high tide). On one visit in November the low tide count was not possible due to icy road conditions. On another occasion in April 2011 record numbers of Brent Geese were present in Section 1 (in the mid tide area), and survey efforts were focused on recording these numbers, thus only Sections 1–3 were counted.

Where possible, surveys were carried out during good weather conditions ( i.e. light to moderate winds, good visibility, no rain), however on some occasions weather conditions deteriorated and/or visibility was less than ideal. Where heavy showers occurred, counts were temporarily postponed until conditions cleared. Where high winds occurred some birds at rest on the sea surface may have been missed, however it was felt that all birds occurring on the shore were adequately counted. Complete counts were compromised on three occasions, due to adverse weather conditions.

A total of 44 species were confirmed during bird surveys of the study area. In addition there were 3 categories of unidentified species (e.g. Waders – mid size; Unidentified Gull). The reason for the inclusion of these generic categories is that it is possible, on a small number of occasions, to count the number of individuals, but impractical to identify each bird to species level, due to distance from the observer or impaired visibility. The complete species list is provided in Appendix 3. Overall species diversity was the same at high water and at low water with a total of 38 species recorded during each period (Appendix 3). A number of species were exclusively recorded during only one part of the tidal cycle; however these were mainly terrestrial species which were variable in distribution and typically occurred in low numbers. In addition, certain species were recorded so infrequently that tidal variation in peak counts is unlikely to be meaningful.

A small number of wader and wildfowl species were exclusively recorded at low water – these were Bar- tailed Godwit and Mute Swan. Two wildfowl species, Teal and Eider, were recorded exclusively at high water. These were infrequent observations involving one sighting of an Eider, and a single record of two Teal. The results of the bird counts in the two tidal states are described in greater detail in Sections 3.1 and 3.2.

There was a repeat in the general pattern of distribution, observed in previous winter seasons, of the concentration of bird numbers in outer parts of the study area (Count Sections 1 & 2) at high water, with a wider distribution of birds across the study area during the low water counts. The principal roost area, the sandbank in Count Section 2 is the only consistently used roost site within the study area. The secondary high-water roost (Figure 3.1) was frequently empty during the winter 2010/11 surveys.

Given the time of year of this study, the species recorded were predominantly wintering populations ( e.g. Light-bellied Brent Goose, Black-headed Gull, Curlew) of the study area, with some summer migrants also present late in the season ( e.g. Sand Martin). A number of terrestrial species were also recorded where they occurred in close proximity to the shore ( e.g. Hooded Crow, Sparrowhawk, Hen Harrier and Chough). Overall, bird diversity and abundance was relatively poor, however it should be noted that 17 of 20 wintering species cited in the Blacksod Bay/Broadhaven SPA site synopsis were recorded during the course of the 2010/11 winter survey (see Appendix 1 for NPWS site synopsis). Only, Grey Plover, Knot and Red throated Diver were not recorded during the winter survey season.

Peak counts for the bay are available in Appendix 3 and in the following sections.

3.1 Bird usage of the study area at Low Water

A total of 38 species were confirmed in the study area at low water (see Table 3.1). Of these species, 31 were recorded in the outer bay, 30 in the middle bay and 21 in the inner bay. Bird abundance was generally highest in the outer or mid bay. Brent Goose, Golden Plover, Herring Gull and Wigeon were all clearly more abundant in the Outer Bay than elsewhere in the study area during the low water period. In contrast, several wading bird species were most abundant in the Mid Bay during periods where the feeding areas became accessible. For instance, Curlew and Oystercatcher were concentrated in the mid-bay at this time. Smaller waders, such as Dunlin and Ringed Plover have a number of preferred feeding areas in Count Sections 4 & 5 as previously identified in the EIS for the onshore pipeline.

Q:/LE09/548/02/Reports/Winter Birds 2010-11-1.doc Page 5 of 26 Section 3 EACS - Ecological Advisory and Consultancy Services Winter Bird Survey in the Sruwaddacon Bay Area

The most abundant species recorded at low water were Light-bellied Brent Geese (peak low-water count for study area, 394), Ringed Plover (144) and Curlew (125) (Table 3.1). Other commonly recorded species included Golden Plover (120), Dunlin (109) and Herring Gull (76). Bird abundance was generally low, with peak counts of less than 30 individuals being recorded for 22 of the 38 species present over the entire study area during the survey period (October 2010 – April 2011). In contrast there were 31 species noted during the previous winter’s low water counts, 19 of which had peak counts of fewer than 30 individuals. 3.2 Bird usage of the study area at High Water

A total of 38 species were confirmed in the study area at high water over the survey period (see Table 3.2). The most abundant species recorded were Light-bellied Brent Goose (estimated peak count of 500 - see further discussion in section 3.4 below), Curlew (148), Mallard (95) and Oystercatcher (84). Redshank (76), Black-headed Gull (55) and Dunlin (52) were also commonly recorded. Bird abundance was generally low with peak numbers of less than 30 individuals recorded for 28 of the 38 species over the survey period.

Species diversity and abundance was higher in the outer bay than in the middle or inner bay (Table 3.2). Peak counts of 21 of the 38 species were recorded in the outer bay and typically the abundance of birds here at high water is over twice the numbers recorded in the middle bay and six times higher than in the inner bay.

This clear preference for the outer bay is not always observed at low water, when birds are generally more evenly distributed across the Count Sections. This is attributable to the lack of available foraging grounds for waders at high water in the inner and middle bay, making these areas unattractive to wading birds at these stage of the tide.

3.3 Avian roost areas in the study area

As already described the major roost areas recorded in Sruwaddacon Bay are shown in Figure 3.1. Within the study area there are very few regular roosting areas for birds. The area of sand and gravel (“sandbank”) that lies opposite Rossport Pier (in Count Section 2) is the most consistently used roosting area (see Figure 3.1). However, numbers and diversity of species using this roosting area are generally low.

During periods with higher than average tides the areas of the sandbank that remain unflooded hold greater numbers of birds than at other times. During low water periods the numbers of birds present on the sandbank are much lower and typically dominated by gulls (Laridae) and Hooded Crow. Similarly, during times with high onshore winds and rough seas the sandbank can hold most of the Brent Goose flock.

Another site that is occasionally used by concentrations of birds during periods of high water is located on the southern shore of the bay in Count Section 4. This site is infrequently used but more often during Spring and near-Spring tides.

3.4 Light-bellied Brent Goose usage of the study area

Table 3.3 shows the Light-bellied Brent Goose numbers recorded in the study area in each of the survey counts. It should be noted that peak counts here include the supplementary countareas of Rinroe Strand and the mouth of North Rossport Bay. The Brent Goose is a species of special conservation interest for the Blacksod Bay/Broadhaven SPA and has been recorded in internationally important numbers at this site on a number of occasions in recent winters.

The return date for Brent Geese to the study area was markedly later than in recent years – almost 3 weeks later than in the previous winter (November 9 th 2011). The numbers of Brent Geese occurring in the bay varied considerably between survey visits and tidal states. However, the well established pattern from previous winters of the number of Brent Geese increasing from early March to early April was again repeated in this survey period. Brent Goose numbers were generally below 150 up until the end of February 2011 and from then onwards numbers of Brent Geese began to build and were in excess of 150 birds for the next 7 consecutive weekly visits.

Numbers of Brent Geese peaked a week earlier than in 2010 (Table 3.3) and the peak recorded in 2011 was significantly higher than the 426 observed in April 2010. Unfortunately, an exact count of the peak number observed was not achieved on the afternoon of April 7 th 2011. During a site walkover, with a visiting team

Q:/LE09/548/02/Reports/Winter Birds 2010-11-1.doc Page 6 of 26 Section 3 EACS - Ecological Advisory and Consultancy Services Winter Bird Survey in the Sruwaddacon Bay Area of wetland conservationists, a large flock of Brent Geese was observed coming into land on the water and on the exposed shingle off Glengad strand. The flock was constantly in flux and appeared to be readying for migration, with considerable movement, circling and vocalisation. A number of professional ornithologists were present and estimated the flock to be in well in excess of 500 individuals. As a more accurate count was not achieved this lower estimate of the number of birds present has been presented as the peak count of Brent Geese observed on this occasion. In support of the observation that the birds may have been set for departure, on their migration to Iceland, there were just over 200 Brent Geese present on the following day’s Low Water survey.

As highlighted above Brent Geese numbers peaked a week earlier than in 2010 and interestingly all Brent Geese had also departed a week earlier in April 2011 than in the previous year. Inter-annual variations in arrival and departure dates are well documented in previous survey reports from this site and in common with other long distance migrants Brent Geese will tend to take advantage of favourable weather conditions, especially winds, when choosing to commence migration.

Low water Brent Goose counts typically ranged between 100 and 200 birds for much of the season, and then climbed throughout March to a peak of 394 at the end of March. One unusually high count of 250 individuals was recorded during a prolonged spell of cold weather on January 9 th 2011. This was a substantially bigger count of Brent Geese in the area in January than recorded in any previous year.

At high water, Brent Goose numbers were much more variable from week to week – a pattern well known from previous winter surveys. Numbers typically ranged from 60 to 140 until March, when numbers climbed gradually, reaching a peak of approximately 500 individuals on April 7 th 2011. On one occasion, February 15 th 2011, there were no Brent Geese present during the high water count. There was no obvious reason for their absence and it is possible that the local birds were out of sight in North Rossport Bay or had flown further afield to roost or feed. Dog walkers are frequently observed on Rinroe Strand throughout the year and dogs have on occasion put large flocks of Brent Geese into the air. However, Brent Geese more often respond to an approaching threat by swimming further offshore (pers. obs.).

At high water Brent Geese typically congregate in a number of areas locally – the sandbank high water roost, exposed shore near the mouth of North Rossport Bay and occasionally on Rinroe Strand. Brent Geese were also regularly recorded at high water within Count Section 1 near Sandy Point. At high water Brent Geese were often recorded on the water and were regularly recorded flying between loafing and roosting sites. As in previous years when higher tides coincided with onshore winds a greater proportion of the local flock were found on the sandbank roost in Count Section 2. During both low water and high water counts an increase of over 100 Brent Geese was recorded in the space of 7 days in late March 2011 (Table 3.3).

During low water counts, Brent Geese were typically recorded in Count Section 1 and at Rinroe strand. A number of favoured foraging areas were identified here; these were located at the central shingle spit which extends seawards from Glengad, an area of shingle at Rinroe strand and the rocky shore below the cliffs on the southern side of the bay. Brent Geese were often seen to move between these foraging areas during the low-water surveys or at the approach of high tide. Brent Geese were rarely recorded further upstream of Count Section 2 although small numbers were observed feeding and drinking freshwater on the southern shore below the graveyard at Pullathomas (Count Section 3) on a few occasions late in the winter survey season. Brent Geese were infrequently recorded in North Rossport Bay at low water.

No Brent Geese were recorded in Count Sections 5 or 6 in the 2010/11 winter season – this mirrors the finding from the 2009/10 winter season.

3.5 Light-bellied Brent Goose Ringing Records

In previous winters small numbers of colour-ringed Brent Geese had been observed and wherever possible the individual ring inscriptions were read and the information submitted to the Irish Brent Goose Research Group (IBGRG).

The IBGRG is made up of a range of government, non-government representatives and academics who share an interest in the conservation of this flyway population of Brent Geese. Since 2001 the research team have captured and marked over 3,500 individuals at sites in Canada, Iceland and Ireland. In Canada birds are caught as flightless (moulting) adults or as unfledged young in late July/early August using

Q:/LE09/548/02/Reports/Winter Birds 2010-11-1.doc Page 7 of 26 Section 3 EACS - Ecological Advisory and Consultancy Services Winter Bird Survey in the Sruwaddacon Bay Area helicopter round-ups - 236 birds were caught at 4 locations in 2005 and 2007 using this technique. Elsewhere the ringing team have used cannon-nets, catching over 3,000 individuals at 23 Irish and 16 Icelandic sites since January 2001. The resighting database now comprises around 83,000 observations contributed by over 630 observers in 13 countries. However, most of the Irish resightings come from areas where members of the IBGRG are active and from near centres of population, especially Dublin.

The purpose of the marking programme is to provide a more detailed understanding of the species migration patterns in time and space, fidelity to sites , social behaviour and population demographics. Ring records from the northwest are especially valuable as the birds wintering in this area are very much underrepresented in the database.

There were seven Darvic ringed Brent Geese recorded during last winter: five birds were recorded on a single occasion, and two birds were recorded on three occasions. The first record was on November 9 th 2010, and the last was on April 22 nd 2011. Most observations were made from Glengad Strand, while one was recorded on Sruwaddacon Bay/Pullathomas. Of particular note was that rings were much more easily read while the birds were drinking at a freshwater stream on Glengad Strand (see Figures 3.2 & 3.3). Sand Martin surveys were underway when these recordings were made, thus the observer was on the strand prior to the arrival of the birds, thus reducing disturbance. Given the importance of the site for Brent Geese, and the value of ring records from the northwest, the possibility of obtaining more records from a vantage point near to the stream will be explored.

In general, Brent Geese follow a standard migration pattern in Ireland, arriving into Strangford Lough, Co. Down in Autumn and then after several weeks they begin to disperse along the Irish coastline, the largest number aggregating in North County Dublin (Mitchell et al ., 2010). Ring records taken in Broadhaven Bay during the latest winter survey have highlighted that there are gaps in our knowledge of the winter movements of Brent Geese in Ireland. Certain re-sightings revealed that some birds had not been observed all winter, or in one case, for several years. This is unusual, as for most individuals there are many resightings submitted during a given year.

The Brent Goose with the Darvic combination VAYY illustrates very well the type of information that can be gathered by a ring recording network (Appendix 4). This adult female was ringed in Iceland in summer 2007 and has shown a great deal of consistency in her migratory movements over the past number of years. The pattern is for her to arrive at Strangford Lough in the autumn and then spend the winter and spring in Dublin Bay. The latest this bird was observed on the east coast was April 14 th (in 2008) and on this occasion this goose had arrived at the Icelandic staging grounds by April 24 th . In 2011 after once again spending most of the winter in Dublin Bay this goose was seen feeding at Glengad on April 15 th . It is quite likely that birds may congregate at sites such as Glengad for a number of days, if feeding conditions are favourable, before commencing the flight northwest to Iceland. What is of even greater interest is that from the small sample of ring records collected in the winter of 2010/11 in Co. Mayo is that several of the birds do not conform to the typical migratory pattern judging by their infrequent (or unusual) pattern of resightings. For individuals with Darvic combinations of HFRY, C3WB and F9WB the first time they were sighted in the winter of 2010/11 was at Glengad. Other birds were recorded elsewhere early in the winter (e.g. HFRY, see Figure 3.3) but there were no records of where they had spent the winter until resighted at Glengad. It is likely that these birds may be wintering along parts of the coastline where there are few observers before gathering in Broadhaven Bay in March and April. One unusual record was that of the Brent Goose with the Darvic combination TIWR. This bird was observed in early March 2011 in Dublin Bay before being resighted in late March at Glengad. Interestingly, this goose then returned to the east coast in April 2011 before migration. This degree of movement late in the overwintering period is unexpected and demonstrates the mobility of this species and the range of behaviour exhibited by this species during in the period prior to migration

The Brent Geese flock observed over-wintering in the study area may be more mobile than would first appear, and little is known about how much throughput exists, or the nature of linkages there may be with other local and national sites. This highlights the importance of ring records in improving our understanding of Brent Geese movement. Ring records taken during this winter season survey period are of particular interest to the Irish Brent Goose Research Group as they may help to fill in gaps in our knowledge of the movements of the species in Ireland. It is increasingly clear that the outer parts of the study area are very important for Brent Geese and the throughput of birds during the staging and migration period is likely to be substantially larger than any individual peak count.

Q:/LE09/548/02/Reports/Winter Birds 2010-11-1.doc Page 8 of 26 Section 3 EACS - Ecological Advisory and Consultancy Services Winter Bird Survey in the Sruwaddacon Bay Area

Table 3.1: Peak bird counts occurring at low water in the study area. Peak counts from the three bay areas (Outer, Middle and Inner Bay) are shown, as well as the peak counts for the study area as a whole.

Common Name Scientific Name Peak Count Low Water Outer Middle Inner Total Bay Bay Bay Study Area **Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica 0 5 0 5 Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus 24 34 27 62 Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa 0 4 0 4 **Chough Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax 0 2 0 2 Common Gull Larus canus 29 25 18 71 Common Sandpiper Actitus hypoleucos 0 0 1 1 Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 8 15 3 23 Curlew+ Numenius arquata 16 92 21 125 **Dunlin + Calidris alpine 36 69 62 109 **Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria 68 10 2 120 Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 54 3 2 55 **Great Northern Diver + Gavia immer 5 0 0 6 Greenshank Tringa nebularia 5 8 4 16 Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 3 8 4 14 Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus 1 0 0 1 Herring Gull Larus argentatus 70 6 6 76 Hooded Crow Corvus cornix 41 18 21 46 Jackdaw Corvus monedula 0 2 0 2 Kestrel Falco tinnunculus 1 0 0 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 9 3 3 36 Light-bellied Brent Goose + Branta bernicla hrota 250 6 0 394 Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis 1 1 0 1 Mallard Anas platyrhynchos 3 9 14 20 Mute Swan Cygnus olor 0 9 0 9 Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus 18 33 13 43 Raven Corvus corax 3 2 0 3 Razorbill Alca torda 1 0 0 1 Red-breasted Merganser + Mergus serrator 2 8 6 12 Redshank Tringa tetanus 4 50 50 68 Ringed Plover + Charadrius hiaticula 6 91 144 144 Rock Dove Columba livia 0 1 0 3 Sanderling + Calidris alba 0 14 3 14 **Sandwich Tern + Sterna sandvicensis 1 2 0 2 Shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis 3 2 0 3 Shelduck Tadorna tadorna 3 2 0 4 Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus 1 0 0 1 Turnstone Arenaria interpres 13 0 35 35 Wigeon Anas penelope 33 0 0 33 Unidentified Gull 1 0 0 1 Unidentified Waders 0 0 1 1 No. of Species 31 30 21 38 **Annex I species of the E.U. Birds Directive (2009/147/EC) + Conservation Objective species of the Blacksod Bay/Broadhaven SPA

Birds of Conservation Concern in Ireland (Lynas et al. , 2007) Species highlighted in Red = High Conservation Concern Species highlighted in Amber = Medium Conservation Concern All other species are not of Conservation Concern in Ireland

Q:/LE09/548/02/Reports/Winter Birds 2010-11-1.doc Page 9 of 26 Section 3 EACS - Ecological Advisory and Consultancy Services Winter Bird Survey in the Sruwaddacon Bay Area

Table 3.2: Peak bird counts occurring at high water in the study area. Peak counts from the three bay areas (Outer, Middle and Inner Bay) are shown, as well as the peak counts for the study area as a whole.

Common Name Scientific Name Peak Count High Water Outer Middle Inner Total Bay Bay Bay Bay Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus 33 23 40 55 Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa 9 2 0 9 **Chough Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax 2 0 0 2 Common Gull Larus canus 32 12 9 45 Common Sandpiper Actitus hypoleucos 0 0 1 1 Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 12 7 2 16 Curlew + Numenius arquata 69 62 9 148 **Dunlin + Calidris alpine 3 52 0 52 Eider Somateria mollissima 1 0 0 1 Feral pigeon Columba livia f. domestica 1 0 0 1 **Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria 9 1 0 9 Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 11 6 1 42 **Great Northern Diver + Gavia immer 2 2 0 5 Greenshank Tringa nebularia 10 6 3 10 Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 4 4 3 8 Herring Gull Larus argentatus 5 4 5 11 Hooded Crow Corvus cornix 25 15 5 41 Kestrel Falco tinnunculus 1 0 0 1 Lapwing Vanellus vanellus 0 0 1 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 5 4 0 7 Light-bellied Brent Goose* + Branta bernicla hrota 500 138 0 500 Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis 1 1 0 1 Mallard Anas platyrhynchos 5 87 14 95 Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus 84 35 5 84 **Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus 1 0 1 2 Raven Corvus corax 0 2 1 2 Razorbill Alca torda 0 0 0 3 Red-breasted Merganser + Mergus serrator 2 9 9 10 Redshank Tringa tetanus 76 24 12 76 Ringed Plover + Charadrius hiaticula 46 2 2 46 Sand Martin Riparia riparia 4 0 0 4 Sanderling + Calidris alba 2 15 0 15 **Sandwich Tern + Sterna sandvicensis 17 2 0 17 Shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis 3 2 0 5 Shelduck Tadorna tadorna 2 2 0 4 Teal Anas crecca 0 0 2 2 Turnstone + Arenaria interpres 2 25 0 25 Wigeon Anas penelope 19 0 0 19 Waders ( mid size) 0 0 4 4 Unidentified Waders (small) 50 0 0 50 Unidentified Gull 0 0 0 6 No. of Species 34 27 20 38

* Estimate **Annex I species of the E.U. Birds Directive (2009/147/EC) + Conservation Objective species of the Blacksod Bay/Broadhaven SPA

Q:/LE09/548/02/Reports/Winter Birds 2010-11-1.doc Page 10 of 26 Section 3 EACS - Ecological Advisory and Consultancy Services Winter Bird Survey in the Sruwaddacon Bay Area

Table 3.3: Summary of Light-bellied Brent Goose counts in the study area, October 2010 – April 2011.

Low High Count Date Water Water October 6/7 0 0 October 11/12 0 0 October 19 0 0 October 26/27 0 0 November 3/4 0 0 November 9/11 15 0 November 18/19 13 0 November 23/24 3 5 November 30 0 67 December 8/9 67 79 December 13/15 117 121 January 11/12 250 116 January 18/19 158 60 January 27 142 126 February 2/3 125 142 February 8/9 155 87 February 15/16 148 0 February 22/23 140 n/a** February 28/March 01 195 125 March 9/10 169 178 March 15 230 200 March 21/22 139 198 March 29/30 394 295 April 7/8 202 500* April 13/15 245 164 April 21/22 18 21 April 26/27 0 0

* Minimum estimate based on “block counts” ** Count abandoned due to inclement weather

Q:/LE09/548/02/Reports/Winter Birds 2010-11-1.doc Page 11 of 26 R:\Map Production\2009\LE09\548\02\Workspace\20110905\ LE09-548-02_Figure 3.1_Location of Principal Bird Roosting Sites within Sruwaddacon Bay_Rev A Mapping Reproduced Under Licence from the Ordnance Survey Ireland Licence No. EN 0001210 © Government of Ireland

Co.Co. MayoMayo

Rinroe Legend Strand North Rossport Bay survey areas 11 vantage points 11

(( 22 RossRoss PortPort 11 11 11 22 SANDBANK 22 ROOST AREA

Date 05/09/2011 11 33 Name of Client 33 Ecological Advisory and Consultancy Services (EACS), for Shell E&P Ireland Ltd.

44 Name of Job (( 11 Winter Bird Monitoring 2011/2011 44 66 PollatomishPollatomish 44 55 11 Title of Figure Location of Principal Bird Roosting Sites OCCASIONAL 66 within Sruwaddacon Bay HIGH WATER Scales Used 1 : 40,000 @ A4 ROOST Figure No. Rev 3.1 11 A 55 CONSULTANTS IN ENGINEERING & ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

Figure 3.2 Light-bellied Brent Goose flock at Glengad, March 2011.

Q:/LE09/548/02/Reports/Winter Birds 2010-11-1.doc Page 13 of 26 Section 3 EACS - Ecological Advisory and Consultancy Services Winter Bird Survey in the Sruwaddacon Bay Area

Figure 3.3 Light-bellied Brent Geese drinking at small stream at Glengad, March 2011. Note the presence of ringed bird (HFRY).

Q:/LE09/548/02/Reports/Winter Birds 2010-11-1.doc Page 14 of 26 Section 3 EACS - Ecological Advisory and Consultancy Services Winter Bird Survey in the Sruwaddacon Bay Area

3.6 Comparison with previous studies

The results of the 2010/11 winter bird surveys were broadly similar to those from previous winter surveys carried out in the study area ( i.e. winters of 2002/03, 2005/06, 2007/08 and 2008/09, 2009/10: Arnold 2004abc, Woodrow 2006ab, FTC 2007, 2009 & 2010ab). A total of 34 species were recorded in the winter of 2009/10, 49 species were recorded in the winter of 2008/09, 43 in 2007/08 winter period, 30 in the winter of 2005/06 and 27 in the winter of 2002/03 . A total of 44 species were recorded in the 2010/11 winter season and this falls within the range of the previous studies. The increase in species richness from the previous winter can be attributed in part to the inclusion of a number of records of terrestrial species in this season’s counts, e.g. shore-feeding Jackdaw, Corvus monedula , but more importantly to a number of observations of rarely occurring species in the study area. Both Godwit species were noted, Bar-tailed Godwits had not been observed since the winter of 2008/09. A single immature male Eider duck was recorded just offshore from Glengad and Razorbills were observed in small numbers further offshore on a few occasions. Among the other rare or unexpected species sighted was a female Hen Harrier foraging at Glengad and a small flock of commuting Mute Swan in the mid section of Sruwaddacon Bay. A species infrequently recorded in previous surveys but more consistently seen during the 2010/11 survey was Shelduck with at least one pair present for much of the winter.

In previous years it was consistently found that species diversity and abundance was higher in the outer bay than in the middle and inner bay during periods of high water. This pattern was repeated in 2010/11 (Table 3.2) - an analysis of previous surveys carried out in the Sruwaddacon Bay area from 2002 is available in the Corrib Onshore Pipeline Environmental Impact Statement (RPS, May 2010). At high water the diversity and number of birds congregating to roost on the sandbank in Count Section 2 underlines the relative importance of the outer bay area during the high water period.

The 2010/11 winter low water survey found that the outer and mid count sections (Count Sections 3 & 4) held a comparable diversity of bird species. The mid section had a greater peak abundance of several of the common resident species e.g. Curlew, Oystercatcher and Black-headed Gull. Somewhat larger numbers of feeding Curlew were present during the 2010/11 season than in previous winters and most of these birds tended to forage predominantly in Count Section 4. The low tide surveys in both 2009/10 and 2008/09 showed that wading species were more common in the middle and inner portions of the bay than the outer portion of the Bay. Furthermore, in the low water bird survey of 2005/06 (Woodrow, 2006a) the concentrations of Ringed Plover and Dunlin closely match that which was recorded in both of the most recent winter seasons. The tidal state has a significant influence on the distribution and foraging activities of wading bird species in the study area.

Both Ringed Plover and Dunlin had considerably greater peak counts in the winter of 2010/11 as compared to the 2009/10 winter period. In excess of 100 Ringed Plover were recorded on several occasions with Count Sections 4 & 5 containing the vast majority of individuals. A peak count of 144 Ringed Plover closely approached the 1% threshold of national importance (150).

Table 3.4 illustrates the peak counts of key species (such as those listed as conservation objectives of the SPA) in the context of total SPA and cSAC populations from the Blacksod Bay/Broadhaven SPA and Glenamoy Bog Complex cSAC. A similar exercise was conducted as part of the 2009/10 winter bird report and was included in the Corrib Onshore Pipeline Environmental Impact Statement (RPS, May 2010).

3.6.1 Light-bellied Brent Geese

Light-bellied Brent Geese have been surveyed at this site in several previous winters from, and including 2002/2003, (Arnold 2004a, Woodrow 2006b, FTC 2007, 2009 & 2010). The peak count of Light-bellied Brent Geese in the winter of 2010/11 was estimated as a minimum of 500 individuals, the largest number on record for this site. The previous winter had established a new peak count of 426 Brent Geese considerably higher than previously recorded in the study area. The peak count in the 2008/09 survey was 377 individuals, whereas in previous surveys peak counts of 156 (winter 2007/08), 362 (winter 2005/06) and 224 (winter 2002/03) Brent Geese were recorded. A previous less intensive survey carried out in North Rossport Bay recorded a peak count of 92 birds in North Rossport Bay in the 2006/07 winter period.

The Mullet, Broadhaven Bay and Blacksod Bay complex is known to support internationally important numbers ( i.e. 260+) of Light-bellied Brent Geese (Boland et al ., 2008). The population of this species is on the increase, with a 29% increase recorded between 1994 and 2004 in Ireland (Crowe et al., 2008). It should be noted that Ireland supports 100% of the flyway population of Light-bellied Brent Geese.

Q:/LE09/548/02/Reports/Winter Birds 2010-11-1.doc Page 15 of 26 Section 3 EACS - Ecological Advisory and Consultancy Services Winter Bird Survey in the Sruwaddacon Bay Area

Anecdotal evidence suggests that its current population may be as high as 40,000 (compared to 20,000 previously, K. Colhoun pers. com). This indicates that the threshold for internationally important numbers may continue to increase, possibly reaching 400 birds ( i.e. 1% of the International Population) in the near future. Regardless of this probable revision to the species population estimate, it is apparent that the peak count of Light-bellied Brent Geese in both of the 2010/11 & 2009/10 winter survey periods reached nationally and internationally important numbers within the study area The study area constitutes just part of the Blacksod Bay/Broadhaven pSPA.

The peak in abundance of Brent Geese in April is consistent with the findings of previous surveys of the area and the usage of North Rossport Bay and Rinroe strand by Brent Geese is also consistent with previous surveys. The rapid increase in Light-bellied Brent Goose numbers in late March into April provides further evidence that the area is used as a staging post for Brent Geese from outside the study area prior to spring migration to their breeding grounds in Arctic Canada.

Q:/LE09/548/02/Reports/Winter Birds 2010-11-1.doc Page 16 of 26 Section 3 EACS - Ecological Advisory and Consultancy Services Winter Bird Survey in the Sruwaddacon Bay Area

3.7 Species of Elevated Conservation Concern

Table 3.4 details the status of the listed conservation objective species for Blacksod Bay/Broadhaven SPA and also those Annex I bird species that are mentioned in the site synopsis for the Glenamoy Bog Complex cSAC.

While the Glenamoy Bog Complex cSAC is primarily designated for its habitats, several Annex I bird species have been known to occur at this site: • Chough • Golden Plover • Peregrine Falcon • Red-throated Diver • Common/Arctic Tern (Comic Tern) • Merlin

As already described the conservation objectives for Blacksod Bay/Broadhaven Bay SPA were advertised in June 2011 and include 9 wintering species and 1 breeding species.

• Great Northern Diver • Light-bellied Brent Goose • Common Scoter • Red-breasted Merganser • Ringed Plover • Sanderling • Dunlin • Bar-tailed Godwit • Curlew • Sandwich Tern (breeding)

3.7.1 Chough

Chough breed along the coastline of northwest Mayo and in the late summer and during winter they form large and mobile flocks that typically feed in short sward grassland (BWPi DVD-ROM) Flocks of over 100 individuals have been noted feeding near Garter Hill. Chough do occasionally occur in the vicinity of the study area – rarely within Sruwaddacon Bay – and small flocks of 1-4 individuals have been noted feeding in sheep grazed fields at Glengad. This winter a peak number of two Choughs was seen in the study area. The area is not frequently used by Chough during the winter months.

3.7.2 Golden Plover

The inclusion of this species on the cSAC Standard Data Form reflects the presence of breeding birds on the blanket bogs of the Glenamoy Bog Complex. In winter Golden Plover is infrequently recorded within the study area. Typically the numbers are low but a peak number of 120 individuals in 2010/11 was almost double the peak count from the winter of 2009/10. The largest numbers were noted roosting at low water on the shingle spit at Glengad and on Rinroe Strand.

3.7.3 Peregine Falcon

Peregrine Falcons have been observed in the study area on several occasions over the past few winter periods. Sightings have been infrequent and widely dispersed across the study area. In November 2010 a Peregrine was observed hunting the roosting birds at the sandbank on Count Section 2. On another occasion (January 2011) a Peregrine was observed plucking a small wader on the sandbank, also during the high-water period. On a number of occasions during the spring of 2011 suspected Peregrine kills were found on the beach at Glengad (Oystercatcher and Rock Dove). The pattern of injuries and feeding signs suggested that a Peregrine had been disturbed while handling a fresh kill. The species is listed on Annex I of the EU Birds Directive due to a sustained and dramatic decline in breeding success attributable to biomagnification of pesticides (especially DDT) and persecution. In recent decades, following the ban of the use of DDT and several other hazardous organochlorines, Peregrines have shown a return to pre-decline population levels across much of its European range (http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/p/peregrine/population.aspx ).

Q:/LE09/548/02/Reports/Winter Birds 2010-11-1.doc Page 17 of 26 Section 3 EACS - Ecological Advisory and Consultancy Services Winter Bird Survey in the Sruwaddacon Bay Area

3.7.4 Red-throated Diver

Red-throated Divers are primarily pelagic during the winter period but can occasionally be observed close to shore – particularly from August to October. However, this species was not seen in the study area during the winter of 2010/11.

3.7.5 Comic Tern

Common/Arctic Terns are known to breed on Inishderry Island and are mentioned in the SPA site synopsis for Blacksod/Broadhaven Bay SPA. These species are absent for much of the winter survey period and have rarely been recorded in the study area. No individuals were noted during the winter of 2010/11.

3.7.6 Merlin

The Merlin is mentioned in the cSAC Glenamoy Bog Complex site synopsis (Appendix 1). Although this species is occasionally seen in the wider area (e.g. on the bog south of North Rossport Bay, April 7 th 2011) it was not recorded during the winter 2010/11 survey of the study area. It is a widespread and elusive raptor of Ireland’s uplands and boglands that breeds at low densities in bog and woodland edge (BWPi DVD ROM). The species is believed to have a coastal bias in winter (Lack, 1986).

3.7.7 Great Northern Diver

The Great Northern Diver is primarily associated with the deeper water habitats that occur within the outer bay (Count Sections 1 & 2) and this species was recorded in low numbers (< 5) within the study area. In contrast with the previous winter Great Northern Divers were only seen in the mid Count Sections (i.e. Count Sections 3 and 4) during the high water period.

3.7.8 Light-bellied Brent Goose

Brent Goose distribution and abundance has already been discussed in detail in Sections 3.4, 3.5 & 3.6.1. This was the most abundant species recorded in the study area and it is present in nationally and internationally important numbers at this site. The numbers using the study area continue to increase year on year.

3.7.9 Common Scoter

The Common Scoter was not recorded during either of the two most recent winter surveys. This species of sea-duck is not typically found close to shore during the winter months.

3.7.10 Red-breasted Merganser

Red-breasted Mergansers were somewhat more common in the study area in the winter of 2010/11 than in the previous winter. Mergansers were regularly recorded throughout the winter with peak counts of 10 & 12 for High and Low Water periods respectively. This falls well short of the threshold for national importance but nevertheless it does show that a considerable proportion of the estimated total number of Mergansers in the pSPA Blacksod Bay/Broadhaven is (on occasion) to be found within the study area.

3.7.11 Ringed Plover

As in previous winters Ringed Plover were fairly regularly recorded at low water especially in Count Sections 4 & 5. Ringed Plover were rarely seen during the high water counts with the peak count of 46 for this period attributable to a flock roosting on the exposed sand at Glengad at high water on February 15 th 2011. Ringed Plover infrequently use either of the high-water roost areas (Figure 3.1). At low water the peak count of 144 individuals in Count Section 5 closely approaches the threshold for national importance (150). In excess of 100 Ringed Plover were recorded feeding in Count Sections 4 & 5 (combined) on a few occasions with the peak occurring on January 27 th 2011. The peak numbers and the regularity of occurrence was higher in the winter of 2010/11 than in the previous winter. The peak count of 144 individuals represents almost 40% of the estimated population of the pSPA Blacksod Bay/Broadhaven.

Q:/LE09/548/02/Reports/Winter Birds 2010-11-1.doc Page 18 of 26 Section 3 EACS - Ecological Advisory and Consultancy Services Winter Bird Survey in the Sruwaddacon Bay Area

3.7.12 Sanderling

Sanderlings are not frequently present within the study area during the winter period. This species is typically recorded in mixed feeding flocks with Ringed Plover and/or Dunlin. The peak count in the winter of 2010/11 was of 14 individuals (50% of the 2009/10 winter peak). A small number of Sanderling were occasionally recorded at Rinroe and Glengad. Sanderlings are very rarely observed at either of the high water roosts within Sruwaddacon Bay.

3.7.13 Dunlin

Dunlins were regularly recorded in the study area at low water. A peak count for the study area of 109 birds was a substantial increase on the peak from the previous winter (68 individuals). Dunlin observations were well distributed at low water but the birds were most frequently observed and greatest numbers in the middle and inner Count Sections (particularly Count Sections 3-5). At high water, Dunlin numbers were lower and the species was absent during high water on the majority of survey visits. The peak count at high water was of a flock of 52 Dunlins roosting close to the high-water roost in Count Section 2.

3.7.14 Bar-tailed Godwit

Having not been recorded in the previous winter Bar-tailed Godwits were again observed during the winter of 2010/11. One sighting of five individuals in the mid Count Sections was recorded on January 27 th 2011. This species was also recorded in low numbers (<6) on two occasions in the middle bay during the 2008/09 winter season (FTC, 2010). The study area is used very infrequently and by small numbers of Bar-tailed Godwits.

3.7.15 Curlew

Curlews are present in the study area throughout the year with considerably higher numbers present during the winter months.

Curlews are declining widely across their global breeding range and, consequently, their IUCN status is near threatened. Curlews are Red-listed due to dramatic declines in the numbers of breeding pairs in Ireland and also in consideration of the species’ unfavourable conservation status in Europe. The Irish breeding population is supplemented by Scottish and Fenno-Scandinavian breeders in winter (BWPi DVD ROM)

Curlews, along with Oystercatchers, dominate both the high-water roost areas. The high water peak for the study area was 148 Curlew and the Low Water peak count was 125 individuals. This represents a marked increase from previous winters with the high water peak accounting for 45% of the estimated population of the entire SPA.

3.7.16 Sandwich Tern

Sandwich Terns are summer migrants and were not recorded during the 2009/10 winter survey. They were however noted on several occasions towards the latter part of the 2010/11 winter survey, predominantly feeding offshore of Glengad during the high water period.

Q:/LE09/548/02/Reports/Winter Birds 2010-11-1.doc Page 19 of 26 Section 3 EACS - Ecological Advisory and Consultancy Services Winter Bird Survey in the Sruwaddacon Bay Area

3.8 Relative importance of the study area for species of special conservation interest in the SPA and locally occurring Annex I species

Table 3.4 shows the 1% threshold for national importance for each of the wintering waterbird species listed in Section 3.7 ( i.e. 1% of the national population for the species). As was the case in winter 2009/10 only one species, the Light-bellied Brent Goose, was recorded in nationally important numbers in the 2009/2010 winter season. As Ireland supports 100% of the flyway population of Light-bellied Brent Geese this site is also of international importance. It should be noted that the population of Light-bellied Brent Geese in Ireland has increased in recent years and the increase in numbers recorded in the study area reflects this trend.

The peak counts for the 2010/11 winter season are shown in Table 3.4, together with the peak counts from the pSPA (and information from cSAC site synopsis). The pSPA data were obtained primarily from the NPWS (submission letter relating to the revised Corrib onshore pipeline EIS, dated 28 th July 2010) and it should be noted that these counts are not contemporary with the 2010/11 data, but were recorded several years beforehand ( i.e. between winter 1995/96 and 1999/2000). The percentage of the entire pSPA population recorded in the study area at high water has been calculated for each species for which data are available. Apart from Light-bellied Brent Goose, only 3 species recorded at high water in 2010/11 exceeded 15% of the total pSPA/cSAC population: Sanderling (16.7%), Red-breasted Merganser (20.8%) and Curlew (44.8%). Indeed, peak high water counts of 6 of the 8 additional species (for which data are available) accounted for less that 5% of their respective SPA/cSAC populations and for 5 of the 8 species accounted for less than 1.5% of their SPA/cSAC populations.

No contemporary low water counts are yet available for the designated sites so comparisons must be treated with caution. In general, the peak low water counts carried out as part of the current study were higher for most species than the high water counts. When compared to the available data on SPA/cSAC populations at high water, peak counts for certain species such as Ringed Plover and Sanderling comprised over 15 % of the total population in the SPA, with Ringed Plover peak counts accounting for over 38% of the SPA population.

Overall, bird diversity and abundance in the study area was relatively poor in keeping with the results of several previous surveys of the same in area in recent winters (Arnold 2004abc, Woodrow 2006ab, FTC 2007, 2009 and 2010).

3.9 General Conservation Evaluation

The conservation status of the birds recorded on the site is displayed on the low water and high water results tables ( i.e. Tables 3.1 & 3.2). Seven Annex I species, listed on the E.U. Birds Directive were recorded on the site. These were:

• Dunlin • Golden Plover • Great Northern Diver • Sandwich Tern • Bar-tailed Godwit • Chough • Peregrine Falcon

The distribution and abundance of these species has been discussed in previous sections.

A total of six Red-listed species were recorded in the bay during the winter 2010/11 survey period. These were; Black-headed Gull, Curlew, Golden Plover, Herring Gull, Redshank and Lapwing. All of these species are Red-listed as they have experienced at least a 50% decline in their populations in the last 25 years (Lynas et al. , 2007). In addition, the Black-headed Gull has suffered a contraction in population range of at least 70% over the past 25 years (Lynas et al. , 2007).

Twenty five Amber-listed species were recorded over the survey period and these are shown in Tables 3.1 & 3.2. These include some of the most abundant species on the site; Light-bellied Brent Goose, Great Black- backed Gull, Oystercatcher, Dunlin and Ringed Plover.

Q:/LE09/548/02/Reports/Winter Birds 2010-11-1.doc Page 20 of 26 Section 3 EACS - Ecological Advisory and Consultancy Services Winter Bird Survey in the Sruwaddacon Bay Area

Table 3.4: Conservation objective species of the Blacksod Bay/Broadhaven SPA and Annex I birds known to occur in the Glenamoy Bog Complex cSAC.

Peak HW 1% (LW) SPA or Peak HW count % of pSPA Threshold count Species Annex I figures for population at for 2010/11 status SPA/cSAC HW (LW) National Winter Importance Season Qualifying species for SPA/ Annex I Great-northern Diver species 5 (6) 41 2 12.2 (14.63) 20 1 Qualifying Light-bellied Brent species for Goose SPA 500 (394) 354 1 141.2 (111.3) 260 4 Qualifying species for Common Scoter SPA 0 561 2 0 230 3 Qualifying Red-breasted species for Merganser SPA 10 (12) 48 2 20.8 (25) 35 3 Qualifying species for Ringed Plover SPA 22 (144) 379 2 5.8 (38) 150 4 Qualifying species for Sanderling SPA 15 (14) 90 2 16.7 (15.6) 65 3 Qualifying species for SPA/ Annex I Dunlin species 52 (109) 2003 2 2.6 (5.4) 880 3 Qualifying species for SPA/ Annex I Bar-tailed Godwit species 0 (5) 476 2 0 (1.1) 160 3

Qualifying species for Curlew SPA 148 (125) 330 5 44.8 (37.9) 550 3 Qualifying species for SPA/ Annex I 81 pairs 2 Sandwich Tern species 17 (2) (Inishderry) n/a n/a

Annex I Chough species 2 (2) n/a n/a n/a

Annex I Golden Plover species 9 (120) 849 2 1.1 (14.1) 1700 3

Annex I Peregrine Falcon species 2 (0) n/a n/a n/a

Q:/LE09/548/02/Reports/Winter Birds 2010-11-1.doc Page 21 of 26 Section 3 EACS - Ecological Advisory and Consultancy Services Winter Bird Survey in the Sruwaddacon Bay Area

Peak HW 1% (LW) SPA or Peak HW count % of pSPA Threshold count Species Annex I figures for population at for 2010/11 status SPA/cSAC HW (LW) National Winter Importance Season

Annex I Red-throated Diver species 0 (0) 15 5 0 20 3

Annex I Comic Tern species 0 (0) 42 pairs 5 0 n/a

Annex I Merlin species 0 (0) n/a n/a n/a

* Nationally Important numbers ( i.e. >1% of the national population) 1Peak count from pSPA 1994 - 2000 (Crowe, 2005) 2 Data provided by the NPWS in a submission to An Bord Pleanala on 28 th July 2010 with regard to re- designation of the pSPA and the revised Corrib onshore pipeline EIS (RPS 2010). The data are based on the mean of peak counts over a 5 year period between winter 1995/96 and 1999/2000. 3 Crowe et al., (2008) 4 Boland et al. , (2008) 5 NPWS, Site Synopsis for Blacksod Bay/Broadhaven SPA, Site Code: 004037

Q:/LE09/548/02/Reports/Winter Birds 2010-11-1.doc Page 22 of 26 Section 4 Ecological Advisory and Consultancy Services (EACS) Winter Bird Survey in the Sruwaddacon Bay Area

4 SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS

A total of 44 avian species was recorded in the study area over the entire survey period, from October 2010 to April 2011. Species diversity was the same at high water and low water (38 species recorded during each survey period). There was a repeat in the general pattern of distribution, observed in recent winter seasons, of the concentration of bird numbers in outer parts of the study area (Count Sections 1 & 2) at high water, with a wider distribution of birds across the study area during the low water counts. The principal roost area, the sandbank in Count Section 2 is the only consistently used roost site within the study area. The secondary high-water roost in Count Section 4 was frequently deserted during the winter 2010/11 survey.

The most abundant species recorded was Light-bellied Brent Goose. As in recent winters, Light-bellied Brent Goose occurred in nationally and internationally important numbers during the survey period. The peak count of Light-bellied Brent Geese in the study area was approximately 500 individuals, which easily exceeds the threshold of internationally important numbers ( i.e. 1% of the estimated International wintering population). This represents the highest peak count ever recorded from this site.

Brent Goose numbers peaked a week earlier than in 2010 and interestingly all Brent Geese had also departed a week earlier in April 2011 than in the previous year. Low water Brent Goose counts typically ranged between 100 and 200 birds for much of the season, and then climbed throughout March to a peak of 394 at the end of March. One unusually high count of 250 individuals was recorded during a prolonged spell of cold weather on January 9 th 2011. This was a substantially bigger count of Brent Geese in the area in January than recorded in any previous year. At high water, Brent Goose numbers were much more variable from week to week – confirming a pattern well known from previous winter surveys. There was no change in the pattern of usage of the study are by Brent Geese when compared with recent winters. The preferred foraging and roosting areas remained as before, with an absence of records of Brent Geese from the inner bay Count Sections.

Several other species were recorded in considerably larger numbers than in recent winters e.g. Curlew, Ringed Plover and Dunlin. Ringed Plover were more abundant and more frequently observed in winter 2010/11 than in recent winters. The peak low water count closely approached the threshold of national importance.

A species not recorded in the previous winter, Shelduck, was present in the study area for most of the winter period. A pair was observed, mostly in the vicinity of the sandbank in Count Section 2, during this period.

Given the time of year of this study, the species recorded were predominantly wintering populations ( e.g. Light-bellied Brent Goose, Black-headed Gull, Curlew) of the study area, with some summer migrants also present late in the season ( e.g. Sand Martin in March and April). A number of terrestrial species were also recorded where they occurred in close proximity to the shore ( e.g. Hooded Crow, Sparrowhawk, Hen Harrier and Chough). Overall, bird diversity and abundance was relatively poor, however it should be noted that 17 of 20 wintering species cited in the Blacksod Bay/Broadhaven SPA site synopsis were recorded during the course of the 2010/11 winter survey (see Appendix 1 for NPWS site synopsis). Only, Grey Plover, Knot and Red throated Diver were not recorded during the 2010/11 winter survey season.

Specific additional efforts were made to collect records of ringed Brent Geese during the latter part of the winter period when there is an influx of birds that have wintered elsewhere. The most successful means of getting close enough to read the coloured ring combinations (Darvic) proved to be by waiting near a freshwater stream on Glengad strand. This stream is used intensively by the Brent Geese to drink, wash and preen. Small sub-flocks of 30-50 birds continually arrive and depart from the stream and are accepting

Q:/LE09/548/02/Reports/Winter Birds 2010-11-1.doc Page 23 of 26 Section 4 Ecological Advisory and Consultancy Services (EACS) Winter Bird Survey in the Sruwaddacon Bay Area of the presence of observers within 100 m. This affords a considerably easier opportunity of recording any ringed birds present than attempting to discern the lettering on the rings from distant vantage points. In total, seven Darvics were read and the information this yielded provides some insight into the differing strategies adopted by Brent Geese wintering around our coast. It also does raise some questions as to where the birds arriving into the study area are drawn from and the number of individuals that may pass through the study area over the course of the winter. The presence of certain ringed birds in the study area for 2-3 weeks prior to migration reinforces the theory that many Brent Geese are using the area as a staging ground prior to onwards migration.

Q:/LE09/548/02/Reports/Winter Birds 2010-11-1.doc Page 24 of 26 Section 5 Ecological Advisory and Consultancy Services (EACS) Winter Bird Survey in the Sruwaddacon Bay Area

5 BIBLIOGRAPHY

Arnold, L. 2004a. Survey Of Light-Bellied Brent Goose (Branta bernicla hrota) At Sruwaddacon Bay, Co. Mayo Winters 2002/2003 Report for SEPIL

Arnold, L. 2004b. Winter Low Tide Usage Bird Surveys Of Sruwaddacon Bay, Co. Mayo Winters 2002/2003 Report for SEPIL

Arnold, L. 2004c. Winter High Tide Bird Surveys Sruwaddacon Bay, Co. Mayo Winters 2002/2003 Report for SEPIL

Bibby, C.J., Burgess, N.D., Hill, D.A. & Mustoe, S. 2000. Bird Census Techniques, 2 nd edition. Elsevier.

Boland, H., Crowe, O. and Walsh, A., 2008. Irish Wetland Bird Survey: Results of waterbird monitoring in Ireland in 2006/07. Irish Birds , 8: 341-350.

BWPi 2.0 2007. Birds of the Western Palearctic (Interactive DVD-ROM) . BirdGuides, London.

Crowe, O. Austin, G.E., Colhoun, K., Cranswick, P., Kershaw, M. and Musgrove, A.J., 2008. Estimates and trends of waterbird numbers wintering in Ireland, 1994/95 to 2003/04. Bird Study 55: 66-77.

Fehily Tiimoney & Co. 2007. Survey Of Light-Bellied Brent Goose (Branta bernicla hrota) at North Rossport Bay, Co. Mayo, Spring 2007. Report for SEPIL

Fehily Tiimoney & Co. 2009. Survey Of Winter Bird Activity at Sruwaddacon Bay, Co. Mayo Winter 2007/2008. Report for SEPIL

Fehily Tiimoney & Co. 2010a. Winter bird activity in the Sruwaddacon Bay area, Co. Mayo. Winter 2008/2009. Report for SEPIL

Fehily Timoney & Co. 2010b. Winter bird abundance and distribution in the Sruwaddacon Bay Area, Co. Mayo. Winter 2009/10. Report for SEPIL

Institute of Environmental Assessment. 1995. Guidelines for Baseline Ecological Assessment. E & FN Spon, London.

Lack, P. C. 1986. The Atlas of Wintering Birds in Britain and Ireland. T. & T. A. Poyser,Calton.

Lynas P., Newton S.F. & Robinson J.A. 2007. The Status of Birds in Ireland: An Analysis of Conservation Concern 2008-2013. Irish Birds, 8: 149-167.

Mitchell, C., Colhoun, K., Fox, A.D., Griffin, L., Hall, C., Hearn, R., Holt, C. & Walsh, A. 2010. Trends in goose numbers wintering in Britain & Ireland, 1995 to 2008 . Ornis Svecica , 20 , 128-143

Newton S., Donaghy A., Allen D. & Gibbons D. 1999. Birds of Conservation Concern in Ireland. Irish Birds, 6: 333-342.

RPS, 2010. Corrib Onshore Pipeline, Environmental Impact Statement. RPS, May, 2010. http://www.corribgaspipelineabpapplication.ie

Sutherland W.J (Ed.). 2006 (2 nd Edition). Ecological census techniques, a handbook. Cambridge University Press, UK.

Woodrow, W. 2006a. Low tide wader and waterfowl counts Sruwaddacon Bay, Co. Mayo Winter 2005/06 Report for SEPIL

Woodrow, W. 2006b. Survey Of Light-Bellied Brent Goose (Branta Bernicla Hrota) At Sruwaddacon Bay, Co. Mayo Report for SEPIL

Q:/LE09/548/02/Reports/Winter Birds 2010-11-1.doc Page 25 of 26

Appendix 1

NPWS Site Synopses for Designated Sites

SITE NAME: BLACKSOD BAY/BROADHAVEN SPA

SITE CODE: 004037

Situated in the extreme north-west of Co. Mayo, this site comprises all of the inner part of Broadhaven Bay and the various sheltered bays and inlets in Blacksod Bay, including Trawmore Bay, Saleen Harbour, Elly Harbour and Tullaghan Bay. At low tide extensive areas of intertidal sand and mudflats are exposed. These support a well-developed macro-invertebrate fauna. Talitrid amphipods occur in decomposing seaweed on the strand line, whilst polychaete worms ( Arenicola marina ), bivalves ( Cerastoderma edule ) and crustaceans, such as Urothoe brevicornis , Ampelisca brevicornis and Bathyporeia pilosa , are common in the middle shore. Eelgrass ( Zostera marina ) occurs at several localities. Salt marshes, which are often on a peat substrate, fringe parts of the site and provide useful roosts for the wintering waterfowl. Species typically present include Thrift ( Armeria maritima ), Common saltmarsh-grass ( Puccinellia maritima ), Sea Aster ( Aster trifolium ), Sea Milkwort ( Glaux maritima ), Sea Rush ( Juncus maritimus ) and Saltmarsh Rush (Juncus gerardi ). At the lower levels of the marshes, and in places extending onto the open sand flats, are found Glasswort ( Salicornia europaea agg.) and Seablite ( Suaeda maritima ). Sandy and shingle beaches are well represented. A small island, Inishderry, situated in the inner part of the bay, is used by nesting terns and gulls. The underlying bedrock consists mainly of schists and gneiss.

The site supports an excellent diversity of wintering waterfowl species and is one of the most important wetland complexes in the west. It has nationally important populations of Great Northern Diver (31), Red- breasted Merganser (48), Bar-tailed Godwit (441), Ringed Plover (332) and Dunlin (1,709) - figures are average peaks for the 5 seasons 1995/96-1999/00. It also supports Red-throated Diver (15), Brent Goose (149), Oystercatcher (262), Golden Plover (267), Grey Plover (53), Knot (234), Sanderling (53), Curlew (330), Redshank (96), Turnstone (38), Shelduck (26), Mallard (55), Cormorant (29), Black-headed Gull (183) and Common Gull (161). It provides both feeding and roosting areas for the birds though some species may also utilise marginal habitats above the shoreline for feeding and/or roosting, as well as the shallow marine waters elsewhere in Blacksod Bay. Inishderry Island has a nationally important breeding colony of Sandwich Tern, with 160-170 pairs present in 1994 and 81 pairs in 1995. The terns at this site are considered to be the same population that nested at Carrowmore Lake in the past. It also has nesting Common Tern and Arctic Tern (total for the two species of 42 pairs), and a colony of Black-headed Gull (100 individuals in 1995). Little Tern has also bred in small numbers in the past.

There are no serious imminent threats to the various bird populations. Aquaculture occurs and intensification could cause disturbance to the birds and their habitats. Some of the salt marshes have suffered damage due to heavy grazing by sheep, and remain vulnerable.

This site is of high ornithological importance for its excellent diversity of wintering waterfowl and for the nationally important populations of five species that it supports. Of particular note is the usage of the site by over 3% of the national Ringed Plover population. It is also of importance as a breeding site for terns and gulls, especially the localised Sandwich Tern. It is of note that seven of the species that occur regularly are listed on Annex I of the E.U. Birds Directive, i.e. Great Northern Diver, Red-throated Diver, Golden Plover, Bar-tailed Godwit, Sandwich Tern, Common Tern and Arctic Tern.

30/03/2005

SITE NAME: BROADHAVEN BAY SAC

SITE CODE: 000472

Broadhaven Bay is a large, north facing bay situated on the north-west Mayo coast. The site extends from the innermost part of the bay at Belmullet to the outer marine area between Erris Head and Benwee Head. At its outermost part, the site is 10 km wide. Exposure to prevailing winds and wave action diminishes from the mouth toward the head of the bay. Subsidiary inlets along the length of the bay provide further areas of additional shelter.

Broadhaven Bay encompasses a range of marine and coastal habitats from extremely exposed bedrock at Benwee Head to sheltered sediments in the inner bay. There are good examples of wave-surged cave communities in shallow water with the anemone Phellia gausapata typically found in areas very exposed to wave action. A cave in deeper water supports colonies of the rare anemone Parazoanthus anguicomus and the soft coral Alcyonium glomeratum .

The subtidal reef communities in the outer part of the bay are good examples of the zonation from kelp forest in shallow water to kelp park with an understudy of foliose brown algae and to the sponge communities in deeper water. Species richness can be high (up to 72 species) and the widely distributed but uncommon crab Pirimela denticulata , and hydroid Tamarisca tamarisca were both found at one site. In deeper water the reef communities are characterised by the Axinellid sponge community, communities tolerant of sand scour and communities typical of vertical or steeply sloping bedrock. A range of sublittoral sediments occurs within the site with sediment in the outer part of the bay characterised by bivalves or the burrowing urchin Echinocardium cordatum . Seagrass ( Zostera marina ) occurs in more sheltered areas and the oyster Ostrea edulis may be present. The inner part of the bay has extensive areas of intertidal mud characterised by polychaete communities or muddy sand which support communities of polychaetes and bivalves, typical for these substrates.

Salt marshes occur in the very sheltered areas at Tallagh and Barnatra. These are fringe marshes on peat and typical of the Atlantic salt meadow type. Species present include Thrift ( Armeria maritima), Sea Arrowgrass (Triglochin maritima), Sea Plantain (Plantago maritima), Common Salt-marsh Grass (Puccinellia maritima), and the rushes Juncus gerardii and Juncus maritimus. Turf fucoids occur.

Inishderry, a small island in the inner bay, supports important numbers of breeding terns, with Sandwich Tern (81 pairs in 1995) and Common and Arctic Terns (42 pairs in 1995). The rare Little Tern has bred in the past. The island also has breeding Black-headed Gulls (100 individuals in 1995).

Broadhaven Bay is an important area for wintering waterfowl, being part of a large complex that includes the Mullet and Blacksod Bay. Based on average peak counts over the five winters 1994/95 to 1998/99 the following species have nationally important populations: Red-breasted Merganser (38), Ringed Plover (484), Grey Plover (52), Sanderling (74), Dunlin (2,108) and Bar-tailed Godwit (484). In some winters Brent Goose numbers exceed the threshold of 200 for national and international importance. Regionally important numbers of a number of other species occur: Oystercatcher, Golden Plover, Lapwing, Knot, Curlew, Redshank and Turnstone.

This site is of high conservation importance owing to the presence of several habitats that are listed on Annex I of the EU Habitats Directive: large shallow bays; intertidal sand flats, reefs, marine caves and salt marshes. In addition it has ornithological importance for breeding and wintering birds.

03/09/2001

SITE NAME: GLENAMOY BOG COMPLEX SAC

SITE CODE: 000500

This large site is situated in the extreme north-west of County Mayo, where the climate is wet oceanic and gales from the Atlantic are frequent. This area is underlain by metamorphic rocks, comprising mainly schists and quartzites of Moinian age. From sea-level, the site reaches 379m O.D. at Maumakeogh. The soils are predominantly peats, with underlying glacial tills usually only visible along water channels and roads. Four main river systems drain the site: the Glenamoy, the Muingnabo, the Belderg and the Glenglassra Rivers. One medium-sized lake, Lougherglass, occurs on the site.

The site is a candidate SAC selected for active blanket bog and machair, both priority habitats on Annex I of the E.U. Habitats Directive. The site is also selected as a candidate SAC for sea cliffs, wet heath, Juniper scrub, transition mires, dystrophic lakes and Rhynchosporion, all habitats listed on Annex I of the E.U. Habitats Directive. The site is also selected for the following species listed on Annex II of the same directive - Atlantic Salmon, the plant Marsh Saxifrage, the liverwort Petalwort and the moss Drepanocladus vernicosus. These 3 plant species are also protected under the Flora Protection Order (1999).

Blanket bog, a priority habitat under Annex I of the E.U. Habitats Directive, dominates the site. Glenamoy Bog is a prime example of the extreme oceanic form of lowland blanket bog and is one of the most extensive tracts of bog in the country. The bog occupies a gently undulating plain, but extends uphill to cover the slopes of Maumakeogh and Benmore in the eastern sector of the site, and northward, out toward the sea cliffs of the north-west Mayo coastline. Peat depth reaches 6 metres in the low-lying areas. A large flush occurs at Rathavisteen, which supports species-rich vegetation, including Cranberry ( Vaccinium oxycoccos ) and a moss ( Homalothecium nitens ) which is nationally rare. Marsh Saxifrage ( Saxifraga hirculus ), listed under Annex II of the Habitats Directive is found in another flush area in Barroosky. Five

other Annexed habitats occur in close association with the blanket bog - dystrophic lakes, wet heath, Juniper heath, Rhynchosporion depressions and transition mires.

Dystrophic lakes, which lie in peaty basins and have peat-stained water, are a common feature of lowland blanket bog. At Glenamoy, the lakes are particularly well-developed. Juniper ( Juniperus communis subsp. nana ) occurs scattered over the blanket bog, often in association with Crowberry ( Empetrum nigrum ) and hummocks formed of mosses ( Racomitrium lanuginosum ). On steep slopes where the peat is shallow, the blanket bog grades into wet heath. Here, Ling Heather ( Calluna vulgaris ), Cross-leaved Heath ( Erica tetralix ), Tormentil ( Potentilla erecta ) and Purple Moor-grass ( Molinia caerulea ) are found. Where the heath is drier, and especially towards the northern coastal zone of the site, scattered Bearberry ( Arctostaphylos uva-ursi ) occurs with Ling and Juniper.

Transition mires or quaking bogs occur where the bog vegetation merges with flush type vegetation influenced by base enrichment, and also at the interface between large pools/small lakes and adjacent blanket bog. The vegetation is characterised by lawns of Sphagnum , with abundant small sedges (especially Carex limosa , C. paniculata , C. rostrata and C. lepidocarpa ), Bogbean ( Menyanthes trifoliata) and White-beaked Sedge ( Rhynchospora alba ). Diagnostic bryophytes (other than Sphagnum ) include Aneura pinguis , Drepanocladus revolvens and Calliergon giganteum . Rhynchosporion vegetation is best represented around pool margins and in wet hollows and is often a component of transition mires. Sphagnum cuspidatum and S. auriculatum are principal moss species associated with this habitat, with a relatively low diversity of vascular plants : White-beaked Sedge, Bogbean, Bog cotton ( Eriophorum angustifolium), Purple Moor-grass (Molinia caerulea ) and sundews ( Drosera spp.). The rare Brown Beak- sedge ( Rhynchospora fusca ) is found in some of the pools and lawns.

A rare moss, Drepanocladus vernicosus , has been recorded from an area of poor fen habitat within the blanket bog complex. This is only one of 11 known sites for the plant in Ireland. This species is listed on Annex II of the EU Habitats Directive.

The coastal habitats at Glenamoy are extensive and varied. Sea cliffs extend for about 20 km along the north coast and achieve a height of 253m, at Benwee Head. They vary in physical character from sheer cliff-face to slopes of varying gradients. Typical cliff-face vegetation includes Thrift ( Armeria maritima ), Sea Campion ( Silene vulgaris subsp. maritima ) and Red Fescue ( Festuca rubra ). Sea stacks and several islands occur, of which Illaunmaistir is the most notable. A feature of the cliffs is the well developed cliff-top vegetation, which ranges from typical Plantain-dominated vegetation ( Plantago sward) to coastal heath. South of Benwee Head, the rocky coastline grades into an estuarine system, Sruwaddacon Bay, which contains sand dunes and a machair system. Machair is a form of sandy, flat, coastal grassland, and this particular machair is unusual in that it extends upslope at Garter Hill - most machairs occupy flat, low-lying plains. It is, however, now very degraded owing mainly to over-grazing by sheep. Petalwort (Petallophyllum ralfsii ), a rare bryophyte, listed on Annex II of the E.U. Habitats Directive, occurs abundantly on the machair habitat. This is thought to be the second largest colony (after Slyne Head in Co. Galway) of this species in Ireland.

The sea cliffs and islands provide excellent habitat for breeding seabirds. An internationally important population of Storm Petrel (7,500 - 10,000 pairs, pre-1987), occurs on Illaunmaistir . A large Puffin colony (c.2,000 pairs, pre 1987) and a small colony of Manx Shearwaters (c.100 pairs) also occurs on Illaunmaistir. The mainland cliffs was the first breeding site in Ireland for Fulmar and now has a very substantial colony (c.2,000 pairs, pre 1987). There is a sizeable Kittiwake colony (c.400 pairs pre 1987) and small colonies of Guillemots and Razorbills (less than 100 individuals of each). Peregrine Falcon and Chough, both Annex I Bird Directive species, breed on the cliffs. Another Annex I species, Merlin, breeds on the blanket bog, as does Golden Plover . In winter, a small flock (less than 50 individuals) of Barnacle Geese visit Illaunmaistir and Kid Island.

Otter, an E.U. Habitats Directive Annex II species, occurs on the site, as well as two other Red Data Book mammal species: Badger and Irish Hare. The Glenamoy River is predominantly a western, acidic, spate river which has a valuable late run of salmon ( Salmo salar ) in July with good spawning habitats and good water quality. Sea Trout are also found.

A number of landuse practices have damaged parts of this site. Grazing by sheep and cattle is widespread and over-grazing, which leads to soil erosion, has caused damage to parts of the blanket bog, heath and machair habitats. Peat cutting, by hand and to a lesser extent by mechanised means, is widespread throughout though mostly confined to near roads and tracks. The region in general has been heavily afforested with conifers and much of the site is bounded by plantations. Within parts of the site afforestation continues and poses a threat to the blanket bog.

This site is of immense ecological importance because of the presence of a number of E.U. Annex I habitats, including two priority habitats - blanket bog and machair. It supports populations of an Annex II species, two Annex II plant species and six Annex I Birds Directive species. It also has nationally important populations of other seabirds. Despite serious damage to parts of the site in recent years, large areas remain in good condition. Considerable archaeological interest is contained within the site, including the renowned Céide Fields. Furthermore, the site is of outstanding scenic value.

06/10/2006

SITE NAME: MULLET/BLACKSOD BAY COMPLEX SAC

SITE CODE: 000470

This large coastal site, located in north-west Mayo, comprises much of the Mullet Peninsula, the sheltered waters of Blacksod Bay and the low-lying sandy coastline from Belmullet to Kinrovar. The character of the site is strongly influenced by the Atlantic Ocean and the exposed location of much of the site results in a terrestrial landscape dominated by blown sand and largely devoid of trees. The underlying bedrock is principally metamorphic schist and gneiss. The site displays an excellent range of coastal and marine habitats.

The site is a candidate SAC selected for fixed dune, machair and decalcified dune heath all priority habitats on Annex I of the E.U. Habitats Directive. The site is also selected as a candidate SAC for other habitats listed on Annex I of the directive – alkaline fen, eutrophic lake, reefs, Marram dunes, large shallow inlet and bay, tidal mudflats and Salicornia mudflats. In addition, the site is also selected as a candidate SAC for the liverwort, Petalwort and the Otter , a plant and animal species listed on Annex II of the E.U. Habitats Directive.

Blacksod Bay is 16 km in length and 8 km wide at the mouth. It is a shallow bay, reaching a maximum depth of 19 m and with weak tidal streams. The bay has a good range of representative littoral and sublittoral sediment communities and also infralittoral reefs.

The littoral sediments of the bay consist of areas that are moderately exposed to, or very sheltered from, wave action. Characteristically, exposed to moderately exposed sediment communities are composed of coarse to fine sand and have a polychaete fauna with crustaceans. Species richness increases as conditions become more sheltered. Talitrid amphipods occur in decomposing seaweed on the strand line. Polychaete worms ( Arenicola marina ), bivalves ( Cerastoderma edule ) and crustaceans, such as Urothoe brevicornis , Ampelisca brevicornis , and Bathyporeia pilosa , are common in the middle shore.

The sublittoral sediment towards the entrance of the bay is comprised of rather barren medium sand with the occasional bivalve molluscs Glycymeris glycymeris and Ensis spp. Much of the sediment in the centre of the bay is composed of firm, muddy sand with the brittle stars Amphiura spp. and the razor shells Ensis spp. Towards the head of the bay the sediment is composed of muddy sand with Turritella communis , Amphiura brachiata and Philine aperta and soft sandy mud with Anthopleura balli and decaying algae. In some areas the sea grass Zostera marina and the reef forming polychaete Serpula vermiculata are frequent. Notable species included Oyster ( Ostrea edulis) , which occurs at head of the bay, and the sea anemone Phellia gausapata , which is present in the middle of the bay.

Infralittoral reefs within Blacksod Bay are sheltered or very sheltered from wave action and subject to weak or moderate tidal streams. In sheltered areas that are composed of bedrock, occasional Saccorhiza polyschides overlie a rich assemblage of red algal species such as Dudresnaya verticillata , Heterosiphonia plumosa and Chondria tenuissima . Very sheltered bedrock reef communities are also characterized by foliose red algae. The sea anemone, Metridium senile , is abundant on the tops of the reefs and Antedon bifida on the steeper surfaces. Much of the infralittoral reef in Blacksod Bay is composed of boulders, cobbles and pebbles. The red algae in these areas are sand-tolerant species such as Chondria dasphylla and Gracilaria gracilis . Characterizing faunal species are the anthozoans Metridium senile and Alcyonium digitatum , the hydroid Nemertesia ramosa and the sponge Dysidea fragilis . The purple sea urchin, Paracentrotus lividus, occurs at two sites at the head of the bay.

Large areas of machair, a priority habitat on Annex I of the EU Habitats Directive, are found within this extensive coastal site. On the Mullet peninsula the habitat is best developed to the west of Termoncarragh lake, Tonamace/Macecrump and to the west of Cross Lough. On the eastern shores of Blacksod Bay,

extensive areas of machair occur at Doolough, Srah and Dooyork. The vegetation of the habitat is dominated by plant species of dry dune grassland which include Red Fescue ( Festuca rubra), Wild Thyme (Thymus praecox), Daisy (Bellis perennis), Ribwort Plantain (Plantago lanceolata), Selfheal (Prunella vulgaris), Sand Sedge (Carex arenaria) and Lady’s Bedstraw ( Galium verum) . The main moss species are Brachythecium albicans, Calliergon cuspidatum and Bryum species. In damper areas of machair the vegetation is transitional to fen and contains, in addition to the typical dry machair species, such species as Fairy Flax ( Linum catharticum), Cuckooflower (Cardamine pratensis) and Grass-of- parnassis (Parnassia palustris).

Fixed dunes with herbaceous vegetation, another Annex I priority habitat, have an extensive distribution throughout the site and are particularly well developed in the middle and south of the Mullet peninsula, e.g. Emlybeg, Newtown, Agleam. Areas of fixed dunes are typically at their highest c. 500 metres back from the sea and at Emlybeg and Newtown they attain a height of approximately 33 metres. The fixed dunes areas present within the site often form a complex mosaic with other dune habitats such as shifting dunes and machair. Frequent plant species recorded in the habitat include Marram Grass ( Ammophila arenaria), Smooth Meadow-grass (Poa pratensis ), Wild Carrot (Daucus carota), Common Bird’s-foot-trefoil (Lotus corniculatus), Harebell (Campanula rotundifolia) and Kidney Vetch ( Anthyllis vulneraria). The moss cover is well developed and includes Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Hypnum cupressiforme, Tortula ruralis and Homalothecium lutescens. The conspicuous lichen Peltigera canina is also occasionally encountered in the vegetation. At Nakil, on the southern tip of the peninsula, there is a fine example of decalcified fixed dunes. In this habitat, there is a range of heath species such as Ling Heather ( Calluna vulgaris ), Bell Heath ( Erica cinerea ), Sheep’s Fescue ( Festuca ovina ), Tormentil ( Potentilla erecta ) and Devil’s-bit Scabious ( Succissa pratensis ), along with dune species such as Sand Sedge ( Carex arenaria ), Lady’s Bedstraw ( Galium verum ) and Wild Thyme ( Thymus praecox ).

Smaller areas of shifting dunes with Marram ( Ammophila arenaria ) are found in most of the dune areas within the site and typically occur along the most exposed ridges of sand dune systems. The vegetation is species-poor and generally sparse. Along with Marram, typical plant species include Mayweed (M atricaria maritima), Sea Holly (Eryngium maritimum), Colt’s-foot (Tussilago farfara) and the locally rare Sea Bindweed ( Calystegia soldanella) .

Salt marshes occur in a number of places, notably at Elly Bay, Salleen Harbour, Bunnahowen, Doolough and Gweesalia. Typical species include Thrift ( Armeria maritima ), Salt-marsh Grass ( Puccinellia maritima ), Sea Aster ( Aster trifolium ), Sea Milkwort (Glaux maritima ), Sea Rush ( Juncus maritimus ) and Saltmarsh Rush (Juncus gerardi ). At the lower levels of the marshes, and in places extending onto the open sand flats, there occurs Glasswort ( Salicornia europaea agg.) and Seablite ( Suaeda maritima ).

The site also includes shallow freshwater lakes, Termoncarragh Lough, Cross Lough and Leam Lough. Cross Lough is a good example of a naturally eutrophic lake. The water of the lake appears to have a permanent turbid, yellow-brown colour and is unusual in that the phytoplankton is dominated by Spirulina spp. and other unusual cyanobacteria. The waters of the lake have a high chloride content (118 mg/l) and a relatively high calcium content (16 mg/l). The western shore of the lake is sandy and tends to be dominated by the stonewort Chara aspera with some Shoreweed ( Littorella uniflora ). Other aquatic plant species which have been recorded from the lake include Spiked Water-milfoil ( Myriophyllum spicatum ), Long-stalked Pondweed ( Potamogeton praelongus ), Slender-leaved Pondweed ( Potamogeton filiformis ) and Fennel Pondweed ( Potamogeton pectinatus ).

Marsh and swamp vegetation is well developed around Termoncarragh Lough, and of particular note is a fine example of alkaline fen. This is species-rich, with such fen plants as Jointed Rush ( Juncus articulatus ), Glaucous Sedge ( Carex flacca ), Grass of Parnassus ( Parnassia palustris ), Knotted Pearlwort ( Sagina nodosa ), Marsh Arrowgrass ( Triglochin palustris ), Common Butterwort ( Pinguicula vulgaris ) and Lesser Clubmoss ( Selaginella selaginoides ). The scarce Marsh helleborine ( Epipactis palustris ) also occurs. A feature of the fen is a strong maritime influence, with the presence of a number of salt marsh species such as Sea Milkwort ( Glaux maritima ), Buck’s-horn Plantain ( Plantago coronopus ), and Sea Arrowgrass (Triglochin maritima ).

The Annex II liverwort species Petalophyllum ralfsii has been recently recorded from damp areas of machair at Doolough and Dooyork. The Red Data Book plant species Narrow-leaved Marsh Orchid ( Dactylorhiza traunsteineri ) also occurs. Otter is well distributed throughout the site.

This site has high ornithological importance, with seven Annex I Bird Directive species occurring regularly in winter and a further two as rare breeders. Blacksod Bay provides ideal habitat for divers (all given counts are average maxima over the three winters 1994/95 to 1996/97), with Great Northern Diver (64) occurring

in numbers of international importance and Red-throated Divers (45) in significant numbers. The site is an important wintering area for an internationally important population of Barnacle Geese (400-500), and also populations of Greenland White-fronted Geese (56) and Whooper Swans (95). Golden Plover are regular in small numbers (c.700), while a nationally important population of Bar-tailed Godwits (552) occur. Little Tern has bred in small numbers in the past, while the site is well known for one of Ireland’s rarest breeding birds, the Red-necked Phalarope. Unfortunately this species may now be extinct as a breeding species.

A wide range of other wintering birds occur. Of particular note are Brent Geese (212) and Ringed Plover (524), both of which have internationally important populations. A further six species have populations of national importance: Common Scoter (642), Red-breasted Merganser (50), Grey Plover (60), Knot (342), Sanderling (58) and Dunlin (2,601). The site is also notable for its breeding waders, with very important concentrations of Dunlin (26 pairs in 1996) and Lapwing (43 pairs in 1996), and significant numbers of Snipe (12 pairs) and Ringed Plover (5 pairs).

High levels of grazing and associated agricultural practices, e.g. feeding of stock and fertilisation, has already resulted in locally severe damage to areas of dune and machair. The damage has been intensified by the recent division of dune and machair commonage, which is particularly evident on the Mullet. These agricultural activities remain serious threats. Benthic communities are very vulnerable to bottom-fishing gear such as that used for fishing oysters, and this is thought to be the most damaging activity in the marine area. Bait digging is potentially damaging to littoral sediment communities if the areas are over- fished.

This site is of high importance for the range of marine and coastal habitats, many of which are listed on Annex I of the E.U. Habitats Directive, three having priority status. The Annex II species Petalophyllum ralfsii also occurs. The site is also of particular ornithological importance, having four wintering species with internationally important populations and also important concentrations of breeding waders.

16/06/2003

Appendix 2

Field Survey Schedule for Winter Bird Surveys in 2010/11

Date Time Tide Wind Cloud Precipitation Visibility Coverage (Okta) 06.10.10 15:54-17:26 HW F3 3/8 Nil Good Sites 1-6 07.10.10 10:44-12:38 LW F3 1/8 Nil Good Sites 1-6 11.10.10 14.35-16:00 LW F2 0/8 Nil Excellent Sites 1-6 12.10.10 08.30-10.50 HW F1 2/8 Nil Moderate-Good Sites 1-6 19.10.10 09:20-10.35 LW F4 5/8 Showery Moderate-Good Sites 1-6 19.10.10 15:35-16:55 HW F3 8/8 Showery spells Moderate Sites 1-6 26.10.10 13:38-15-24 LW F5-6 8/8 Persistent drizzle OK-Poor Sites 1-6 27.10.10 08:30-09:47 HW F4-5 3/8 Nil OK Sites 1-6 03.11.10 15:00-16.28 HW F1-2 8/8 Very misty Poor Sites 1-6 04.11.10 09:30-11.10 LW F4 8/8 Light rain Poor-Moderate Sites 1-6 09.11.10 14:40-16:12 LW F2 3/8 Nil Moderate-Good Sites 1-6 11.11.10 09:05-10.15 HW F6-7 5/8 Nil Good Sites 1-6 18.11.10 14:26-15.38 HW F3 5/8 Showery Poor-Moderate Sites 1-6 19.11.10 08.15-09.48 LW F1-2 5/8 Nil Moderate-Good Sites 1-6 23.11.10 15.07-16.45 LW F0 4/8 Nil Moderate Sites 1-6 24.11.10 08:30-09.48 HW F1-2 8/8 Nil Moderate-Good Sites 1-6 30.11.10 13:00-14.14 HW F3 1/8 Nil Excellent Sites 1-6 08.12.10 15.24-16.56 LW F0-1 4/8 Nil Good-Excellent Sites 1-6 09.12.10 08:25-09.34 HW F2 8/8 Nil Moderate Sites 1-6 13.12.10 14:45-16:30 LW F1-2 0/8 Dry and clear Moderate-Good Sites 1-6 15.12.10 08:40-10:00 HW F1 8/8 Dull and dry Moderate Sites 1-6 11.01.11 14:35-16:10 LW F1-2 8/8 Dry then heavy rain Moderate-Poor Sites 1-6 12.01.11 09:20-10:45 HW F4 (fell to F1-2) 7/8 Dry and showers Moderate-Poor Sites 1-6 18.01.11 14:30-16:04 HW F1-2 0/8 Nil Good Sites 1-6 19.01.11 10:53-12:15 LW F1-2 0/8 Nil Very Good Sites 1-6 27.01.11 12:26-13.45 HW F2 0/8 Nil Very Good Sites 1-6 27.01.11 16:00-17:15 LW F2 8/8 Nil OK-Good Sites 1-6 02.02.11 16:00-17.10 HW F3 Nil Moderate Sites 1-6 03.02.11 10:15-11.35 LW F5-6 Showery Moderate-Poor Sites 1-6 08.02.11 14:36-15.55 LW F4 (gust F5-6) 6/8 Dry & sunny spells Good Sites 1-6

Date Time Tide Wind Cloud Precipitation Visibility Coverage (Okta) 09.02.11 08:50-10:05 HW F4 8/8 Dry but threatening Moderate-Good Sites 1-6 15.02.11 15:30-16.55 HW F1-2 8/8 Raining Moderate Sites 1-6 16.02.11 09.30-11.15 LW F2-3 1/8 Nil Very Good Sites 1-6 Count abandoned due to bad 22.02.11 11:25-12.53 LW F3-4 Misty & Overcast Moderate-Poor weather 23.02.11 08.00-09.10 HW n/a** Heavy Rain Poor Site 2 28.02.11 14.00-15.15 LW F3 8/8 Mist Moderate Sites 1-6 01.03.11 08.45-10.10 HW F1-1 8/8 Nil Good Sites 1-6 09.03.11 15:00-15:30 LW F4-6 Dry then misty Poor Sites 1-2 10.03.11 09:30-11.10 HW F8 Nil Moderate-Good Sites 1-6 15.03.11 10:50-11:05 LW F0-1 2/8 Dry and sunny Excellent Sites 1-6 15.03.11 14:30-15:20 HW F0-1 8/8 Dry and bright Good Sites 1-6 21.03.11 15.00-16.00 LW F4 Nil Good Sites 1-6 22.03.11 08.30-10.00 HW not recorded Nil Good Sites 1-6 29.03.11 13:50-14:47 HW F2 8/8 Nil Moderate Sites 1-6 30.03.11 09:20-10:00 LW F3-4 3-4/8 Nil Good-Excellent Sites 1-6 07.04.11 17:05-17:28 HW* F2 1/8 None Good Sites 2-3 08.04.11 09:12-10:04 LW F0 0/8 None Good Sites 1-6 13.04.11 15:05-15:50 HW F2-3 8/8 Misty & Overcast Moderate Sites 1-6 15.04.11 09:30-10:25 LW F4 6/8 Breezy & Dry Excellent Sites 1-6 21.04.11 14:00-15.45 LW F1-2 Dry & Overcast Moderate-Poor Sites 1-6 22.04.11 09.00-10.25 HW F3-4 Nil Poor Sites 1-6 26.04.11 14.23-15.36 HW F3 4/8 Nil Good Sites 1-6 27.04.11 08:00-09.27 LW F3 8/8 Nil Good Sites 1-6

* A bit after high tide. Record numbers of Light-bellied Brent Geese in Section 1. ** Heavy rain that day so survey impractical

Appendix 3

Peak bird counts of the study area at low water and high water, October 2010 to April 2011

Peak Counts, Total Bay Common Name Scientific Name Low Water High Water **Bar-tailed Godwit + Limosa lapponica 5 0 Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus 62 55 Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa 4 9 **Chough Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax 2 2 Common Gull Larus canus 71 45 Common Sandpiper Actitus hypoleucos 1 1 Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 23 16 Curlew + Numenius arquata 125 148 **Dunlin + Calidris alpine 109 52 Eider Somateria mollissima 0 1 Feral pigeon Columba livia f. domestica 0 1 **Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria 120 9 Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 55 42 **Great Northern Diver + Gavia immer 6 5 Greenshank Tringa nebularia 16 10 Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 14 8 Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus 1 0 Herring Gull Larus argentatus 76 11 Hooded Crow Corvus cornix 46 41 Jackdaw Corvus monedula 2 0 Kestrel Falco tinnunculus 1 1 Lapwing Vanellus vanellus 0 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 36 7 Light-bellied Brent Goose + Branta bernicla hrota 394 500 Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis 1 1 Mallard Anas platyrhynchos 20 95 Mute Swan Cygnus olor 9 0 Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus 43 84 **Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus 0 2 Raven Corvus corax 3 2 Razorbill Alca torda 1 3 Red-breasted Merganser + Mergus serrator 12 10 Redshank Tringa tetanus 68 76 Ringed Plover + Charadrius hiaticula 144 46 Rock Dove Columba livia 3 0 Sand Martin Riparia riparia 0 4 Sanderling + Calidris alba 14 15 **Sandwich Tern + Sterna sandvicensis 2 17 Shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis 3 5 Shelduck Tadorna tadorna 4 4 Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus 1 0 Teal Anas crecca 0 2 Turnstone + Arenaria interpres 35 25 Wigeon Anas penelope 33 19 Unidentified Gull 1 6 Unidentified Waders (small) 1 50 Waders ( mid size) 0 4 No. of Species 44 38 38

+ Conservation Objective species for Blacksod Bay/Broadhaven SPA ** Annex 1 species of the E.U. Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC)

Appendix 4

Light-bellied Brent Goose Records from the study area during 2010/11 winter survey

Darvic Date Ringed Right Leg Left Leg Age/Sex Location Ringed Metal

TIWR 11-Feb-2010 T White I Red 6 / M Red Arches Road, Balldoyle, Co. Dublin

Sheet Date Observer Grid Site Subsite Floc Associates

427 27-Feb-10 CME/RP O235385 Dublin Bay N.Bull/Saltmarsh – Sutton

427 27-Feb-10 CME/RP O228373 Dublin Bay N.Bull/Causeway Floc

648 01-Mar-10 JSM O240370 Dublin Bay North Bull Island 483 20-Mar-10 CME/RP O235385 Dublin Bay N.Bull/Saltmarsh – Sutton 450 488 22-Mar-10 NFA O209384 Dublin Bay Edenmore/Springdale Road 510 23-Mar-10 SH O235385 Dublin Bay N.Bull/Saltmarsh – Sutton 80 17-Oct-10 GM J506721 Strangford Lough Ballyreagh (Maltings) 66 19-Oct-10 CME/RP J506721 Strangford Lough Ballyreagh (Maltings) 500 83 19-Oct-10 GM/PW J506721 Strangford Lough Ballyreagh (Maltings) 184 20-Oct-10 RI/SB/X J506721 Strangford Lough Ballyreagh (Maltings) Unringed Mate + 4 Juv 114 23-Oct-10 KC J512717 Strangford Lough Finlays Road 115 24-Oct-10 KC J512717 Strangford Lough Finlays Road 96 30-Oct-10 GM J512717 Strangford Lough Finlays Road 102 04-Nov-10 GM J512717 Strangford Lough Finlays Road Unringed Mate + 3 Juv 105 05-Nov-10 CME O235385 Dublin Bay N.Bull/Saltmarsh – Sutton 217 02-Dec-10 CPE O225375 Dublin Bay N.Bull/C'way – Saltmarsh 265 03-Jan-11 CME/RP O242400 Dublin Bay N.Bull/Seagrange Park 360 12-Feb-11 CPE O192409 Dublin Bay Darndale/Belcamp Park 600 Unringed Mate + 3 Juv 378 13-Feb-11 ME O235385 Dublin Bay N.Bull/Saltmarsh – Sutton 550 390 18-Feb-11 CPE O192409 Dublin Bay Darndale/Belcamp Park 49 465 07-Mar-11 CPE O225375 Dublin Bay N.Bull/C'way – Saltmarsh 70 Unringed Associate 509 26-Mar-11 GFE F814386 Broadhaven Bay Glengad Strand 750 Unringed Associate 556 07-Apr-11 PW O235385 Dublin Bay N.Bull/Saltmarsh - Sutton 400 601 15-Apr-11 PW O243406 Baldoyle Bay Baldoyle/Red Arches Road 350

Darvic Date Ringed Right Leg Left Leg Age/Sex Location Ringed Metal

C3WB 15-May-2008 C White 3 Blue 5 / F Suður-Bár, Snæfellsnes, Iceland 120026

Sheet Date Observer Grid Site Subsite Floc Associates

96 17-Oct-09 GM J555691 Strangford Lough Gasworks 531 29-Mar-11 GFE F826371 Broadhaven Bay Sruwaddacon 42 Bay/Pullathomas 531 30-Mar-11 GFE F814386 Broadhaven Bay Glengad Strand 45 601 15-Apr-11 GFE F814386 Broadhaven Bay Glengad Strand 35

Darvic Date Ringed Right Leg Left Leg Age/Sex Location Ringed Metal

HFRY 12-May-2008 H Red F Yellow 6 / F K.kot, Álftanes, SW Iceland 12000

Sheet Date Obs Grid Site Subsite Floc Associates

57 13-Oct-08 MHE J492676 Strangford Lough Castle Espie South 503 17-Mar-09 CMO J412999 Larne Lough Glynn Station 45 15 22-Sep-09 DG NJ240700 Moray Coast Lossiemouth Estuary 72 335 28-Jan-10 CPE/BOM O200475 Malahide Estuary Broadmeadow Est./ Swords 1000 531 30-Mar-11 GFE F814386 Broadhaven Bay Glengad Strand 45 601 08-Apr-11 GFE F814386 Broadhaven Bay Glengad Strand 17 601 15-Apr-11 GFE F814386 Broadhaven Bay Glengad Strand 25

Darvic Date Ringed Right Left Leg Age/Sex Location Ringed

Leg Metal

VAYY 12-May-2007 V Yellow 4 Yellow 6 / F Jörfi, Álftanes, SW Iceland

119819

Sheet Date Obs Grid Site Subsite Floc Associates Comments

907 14-May-07 SAU/TT Skerjafjörður Álftanes/Bessastaðir/kirkja U6YY 907 15-May-07 SAU Skerjafjörður Álftanes/Eyvindarstaðir Unringed Associate 907 16-May-07 GG Skerjafjörður Álftanes/Bessastaðir/kirkja 100 ?6YY 907 17-May-07 GG/KM Skerjafjörður Álftanes/Eyvindarstaðir 90 U6YY 907 17-May-07 SAU Skerjafjörður Álftanes/Eyvindarstaðir 907 24-May-07 GG Skerjafjörður Álftanes/Eyvindarstaðir Unringed Associate 907 24-May-07 SAU Skerjafjörður Álftanes/Eyvindarstaðir U6YY Associate read as V6YY 907 27-May-07 GG Skerjafjörður Álftanes/Eyvindarstaðir 165 U6YY Associate read as N6YY 45 05-Oct-07 GM J496696 Strangford Lough Island Hill North U6YY 157 27-Oct-07 DN J496696 Strangford Lough Island Hill North V6YY 343 03-Nov-07 PPY J496696 Strangford Lough Island Hill North U6YY 175 29-Nov-07 CPE O240370 Dublin Bay North Bull Island U6YY Read as 4VYY / 6UYY 193 09-Dec-07 ME O228373 Dublin Bay N.Bull/Causeway U6YY + 2 Juveniles 244 03-Jan-08 PW/AW O229389 Dublin Bay Kilbarrack/Greendale Park 420 258 11-Jan-08 CPE O235385 Dublin Bay N.Bull/Saltmarsh – Sutton 600 U6YY 266 15-Jan-08 PW O229389 Dublin Bay Kilbarrack/Greendale Park U6YY

Darvic Date Ringed Right Left Leg Age/Sex Location Ringed

Leg Metal

VAYY 12-May-2007 V Yellow 4 Yellow 6 / F Jörfi, Álftanes, SW Iceland

119819

Sheet Date Obs Grid Site Subsite Floc Associates Comments 294 28-Jan-08 PW O229389 Dublin Bay Kilbarrack/Greendale Park 200 U6YY 358 18-Feb-08 PW O243406 Baldoyle Bay Baldoyle/Red Arches Road 600 U6YY 521 14-Apr-08 JSM O225375 Dublin Bay N.Bull/C'way – Saltmarsh 908 24-Apr-08 SA Skerjafjörður Álftanes/Eyvindarstaðir 908 25-Apr-08 OT Skerjafjörður Álftanes/Bessastaðir/kirkja 908 27-Apr-08 SA Skerjafjörður Álftanes/Eyvindarstaðir 908 28-Apr-08 SAU Skerjafjörður Álftanes/Bessastaðir/kirkja U6YY Read as U4YY 908 07-May-08 XH/BK Skerjafjörður Álftanes/Sviðholt 908 10-May-08 KC/AW Skerjafjörður Álftanes/Bessastaðir U6YY 908 10-May-08 GM/GM Skerjafjörður Álftanes/Bessastaðir U6YY 908 12-May-08 GG Skerjafjörður Álftanes/Eyvindarstaðir U6YY 908 18-May-08 XH/SB Skerjafjörður Álftanes/Stekkur U6YY Read as Z4YY 908 22-May-08 SAU Skerjafjörður Álftanes/Eyvindarstaðir 136 U6YY 908 27-May-08 GG Skerjafjörður Álftanes/Eyvindarstaðir 515 U6YY 114 06-Nov-08 PW O235385 Dublin Bay N.Bull/Saltmarsh – Sutton 2500 U6YY 112 06-Nov-08 CPE O235385 Dublin Bay N.Bull/Saltmarsh – Sutton U6YY 138 11-Nov-08 CPE O235385 Dublin Bay N.Bull/Saltmarsh – Sutton U6YY 151 15-Nov-08 CME O235385 Dublin Bay N.Bull/Saltmarsh – Sutton U6YY 152 16-Nov-08 IK O228373 Dublin Bay N.Bull/Causeway 6 Read as ?4YY 239 12-Dec-08 PW O229389 Dublin Bay Kilbarrack/Greendale Park 120 U6YY 351 27-Jan-09 PW O229389 Dublin Bay Kilbarrack/Greendale Park 500 U6YY 377 04-Feb-09 MHA O227385 Dublin Bay Kilbarrack/Foxfield Park 300 382 07-Feb-09 MHA O229389 Dublin Bay Kilbarrack/Greendale Park Read as

Darvic Date Ringed Right Left Leg Age/Sex Location Ringed

Leg Metal

VAYY 12-May-2007 V Yellow 4 Yellow 6 / F Jörfi, Álftanes, SW Iceland

119819

Sheet Date Obs Grid Site Subsite Floc Associates Comments VEYY 421 24-Feb-09 PW O243406 Baldoyle Bay Baldoyle/Red Arches Road U6YY 431 27-Feb-09 PW O229389 Dublin Bay Kilbarrack/Greendale Park 350 U6YY 458 05-Mar-09 CPE O228373 Dublin Bay N.Bull/Causeway 1000 528 19-Mar-09 LB/GF/J O226387 Dublin Bay Kilbarrack/Foxfield Green 820 524 30-Mar-09 SH O240380 Dublin Bay N.Bull/St. Anne's Golf Course 1400 U6YY 2 13-Sep-09 GM/PW J496696 Strangford Lough Island Hill North U6YY 5 15-Sep-09 GM J488686 Strangford Lough Castle Espie North U6YY 67 10-Oct-09 GM/ME J496696 Strangford Lough Island Hill North U6YY Read as V?YY 131 08-Nov-09 PW O228373 Dublin Bay N.Bull/Causeway U6YY 197 03-Dec-09 PW O229389 Dublin Bay Kilbarrack/Greendale Park 350 U6YY 202 05-Dec-09 CME/RP O243406 Baldoyle Bay Baldoyle/Red Arches Road 50 U6YY 216 09-Dec-09 CPE O228373 Dublin Bay N.Bull/Causeway 300 U6YY 320 25-Jan-10 CME O210370 Dublin Bay N.Bull/St. Anne's Park 2000 U6YY 372 11-Feb-10 CME O243406 Baldoyle Bay Baldoyle/Red Arches Road 550 U6YY 375 13-Feb-10 CME/RP O244410 Baldoyle Bay Baldoyle/Mayne Bridge 200 U6YY 382 14-Feb-10 CME/RP O235385 Dublin Bay N.Bull/Saltmarsh – Sutton U6YY 648 26-Feb-10 JSM O240370 Dublin Bay North Bull Island 474 17-Mar-10 CME/RP O233418 Baldoyle Bay Maynetown 1000 U6YY Read as U4YY 20 30-Sep-10 GM J496696 Strangford Lough Island Hill North U6YY Read U4YY/V6YY! ! 202 06-Dec-10 CME/RP O235385 Dublin Bay N.Bull/Saltmarsh – Sutton 1750 U6YY 237 22-Dec-10 CPE O225375 Dublin Bay N.Bull/C'way – Saltmarsh 650 Metal

Darvic Date Ringed Right Left Leg Age/Sex Location Ringed

Leg Metal

VAYY 12-May-2007 V Yellow 4 Yellow 6 / F Jörfi, Álftanes, SW Iceland

119819

Sheet Date Obs Grid Site Subsite Floc Associates Comments eating into V 302 21-Jan-11 CPE O215396 Dublin Bay Donaghmede/Donahies 800 Comm. 335 01-Feb-11 CPE O215396 Dublin Bay Donaghmede/Donahies 450 U6YY Comm. 390 18-Feb-11 CPE O192409 Dublin Bay Darndale/Belcamp Park 750 U6YY 391 18-Feb-11 CPE O226387 Dublin Bay Kilbarrack/Foxfield Green 665 486 17-Mar-11 CME/RP O244455 Malahide Estuary Robswalls Estate 162 U6YY 506 26-Mar-11 CPE O226387 Dublin Bay Kilbarrack/Foxfield Green 350 U6YY 535 02-Apr-11 CME/RP O228373 Dublin Bay N.Bull/Causeway 500 U6YY 601 15-Apr-11 GFE F814386 Broadhaven Bay Glengad Strand 35

Darvic Date Right Leg Left Leg Age/Sex Location Ringed Ringed Metal

INRB 05-Aug-07 I Red N Blue 4 / F S.Schei Pen., Axel Heiberg Island, Canada

Sheet Date Obs Grid Site Subsite Floc Associates

77 01-Oct-07 KM J492676 Strangford Lough Castle Espie South 350 3URB,3FRB, IBRB, 2ZRB 80 18-Oct-07 KM J505666 Strangford Lough Horse Island 1500 IBRB, 3FRB, 2ZRB 171 07-Nov-07 APH B920340 Ballyness Bay IBRB 3FRB 2ZRB 239 12-Dec-08 PW O237426 Baldoyle Bay Portmarnock Public Park 175 74 11-Oct-09 ME G638314 Ballysadare Bay Cartronabree 193 37 10-Oct-10 PRO NR36145 Islay Port Ellen Bay 601 15-Apr-11 GFE F814386 Broadhaven Bay Glengad Strand 50

Darvic Date Right Leg Left Leg Age/Sex Location Ringed

Ringed Metal

F9WB 15-May-08 F White 9 Blue 6 / M Suður-Bár, Snæfellsnes, Iceland 120006

Sheet DatE Obs Grid Site Subsite Floc Associates

6 16-Sep-09 GM J488686 Strangford Lough Castle Espie North Unassociated 12 18-Sep-09 GM J555691 Strangford Lough Gasworks Unringed Associate 11 18-Sep-09 DN J512717 Strangford Lough Finlays Road 500 49 27-Sep-09 KC J545701 Strangford Lough Pig Island 85 17-Oct-09 CPE J501728 Strangford Lough Floodgates 144 11-Nov-10 HT J545701 Strangford Lough Pig Island

30-03-11 GFE F814386 Broadhaven Bay Glengad Strand 50 C3WB, HFRY,HPRY

Darvic Date Ringed Right Leg Left Leg Age/Sex Location

Ringed Metal HPRY 120107 13-May-2008 H Red P Yellow 6 / F K.kot, Álftanes, SW Iceland

Sheet Date Obs Grid Site Subsite Floc Associates

908 18-May-08 GG Hafnarfjörður Álftanes/Skó 250 Unringed gtjarnartún Associate 908 23-May-08 GG Hafnarfjörður Álftanes/Hlið 100 snes 908 28-May-08 XH Hafnarfjörður Álftanes/Skó gtjarnartún 83 18-Oct-10 CME/RP J501728 Strangford Lough Floodgates 30-03-11 GFE F814386 Broadhaven Bay Glengad 50 HFRY, F9WB Strand