UK287
Upper Lough Erne


IBA Justification

The site was identified as important in 2007 because it was regularly supporting significant populations of the species listed below, meeting ('triggering') IBA criteria.

Populations meeting IBA criteria ('trigger species'):
Species Current IUCN Red List Category Season Year(s) Population estimate at site IBA criteria met
Whooper Swan Cygnus cygnus LC winter 2001-2006 840 individuals A4i, B1i, B3, C2, C6

The current IUCN Red List category may differ from that which was valid at the time of IBA criteria assessment (2007).


IBA Conservation

IBA conservation assessment
Year of assessment (most recent) State (condition) Pressure (threat) Response (action)
2007 favourable medium medium
Was the whole site assessed? State assessed by Accuracy of information
yes population good

State (condition of the trigger species' populations)
Scientific name Common name Reference population Actual population Units % of population remaining Result
Cygnus cygnus Whooper Swan 745 840 individuals 100 favourable

Pressure (threats to the trigger species and/or their habitats)
Threat level 1 Threat level 2 Timing Scope Severity Result
Agricultural expansion and intensification livestock farming and ranching (includes forest grazing) - small-holder grazing, ranching or farming happening now small area/few individuals (<10%) slow but significant deterioration low
Human intrusions and disturbance recreational activities happening now some of area/population (10-49%) slow but significant deterioration medium
Residential and commercial development tourism and recreation areas likely in short term (within 4 years) small area/few individuals (<10%) moderate to rapid deterioration low

Response (conservation actions taken for the trigger species and/or their habitats)
Protected-area designation Management planning Other conservation action Result
Whole area of site (>90%) covered by appropriate conservation designation A management plan exists but it is out of date or not comprehensive Some limited conservation initiatives are in place medium
For more information about IBA conservation status, please click here

IBA Protection

Protected area (PA) PA designation PA area (ha) Relationship of PA with IBA Overlap of PA with IBA (ha)
Upper Lough Erne - Trannish Area of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI) 2,064 protected area contained by site 2,064
UPPER LOUGH ERNE - TRANNISH Area of Special Scientific Interest (NI) 2,081 protected area overlaps with site 0
UPPER LOUGH ERNE - GALLOON Area of Special Scientific Interest (NI) 558 protected area overlaps with site 570
UPPER LOUGH ERNE - CROM Area of Special Scientific Interest (NI) 1,440 protected area overlaps with site 1,443
UPPER LOUGH ERNE - BELLEISLE Area of Special Scientific Interest (NI) 1,353 protected area overlaps with site 0
Upper Lough Erne - Belleisle Area of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI) 1,370 protected area contained by site 1,370
Upper Lough Erne Ramsar Site, Wetland of International Importance 5,818 protected area overlaps with site 5,747
Upper Lough Erne Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) 5,762 protected area overlaps with site 5,747
Upper Lough Erne Site of Community Importance (Habitats Directive) 5,751 protected area overlaps with site 0
KNOCKNINNY HILL Area of Special Scientific Interest (NI) 63 protected area is adjacent to site 0
KILLYMACKAN LOUGH Area of Special Scientific Interest (NI) 27 protected area overlaps with site 0
INISHROOSK Area of Special Scientific Interest (NI) 141 protected area overlaps with site 0
FINN FLOODS Area of Special Scientific Interest (NI) 67 protected area overlaps with site 0
DERNISH ISLAND Area of Special Scientific Interest (NI) 64 protected area contained by site 0
Crom Estate Nature Reserve 776 protected area overlaps with site 0
CORRASLOUGH POINT Area of Special Scientific Interest (NI) 53 protected area overlaps with site 0
CLADAGH (SWANLINBAR) RIVER Area of Special Scientific Interest (NI) 28 protected area is adjacent to site 0
Cladagh (Swanlinbar) River Site of Community Importance (Habitats Directive) 28 protected area is adjacent to site 0

Habitats

Habitat (IUCN level 1) Habitat detail Extent (% of site)
Grassland Humid grasslands -
Wetlands (inland) Standing freshwater, Rivers and streams, Water fringe vegetation, Fens, transition mires and springs -
For more information about the IUCN Habitat classification, please click here.

Land use

Land-use Extent (% of site)
agriculture -
nature conservation and research -
tourism/recreation -


Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2023) Important Bird Area factsheet: Upper Lough Erne. Downloaded from http://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/upper-lough-erne-iba-united-kingdom on 01/10/2023.