Data Zone
Country/territory: Ireland
IBA criteria met: B1i, C3, C6 (2009)
For more information about IBA criteria, please click here
Area: 40,000 hectares (400.00 km2)
Site description (2000 baseline)
A large sea bay, extending from Doorin Point in the north to Kildoney Point in the south, directly west of Donegal town, County Donegal. The innermost part of the bay, a tidal area behind sand-dune systems, is not included as it is surprisingly poor for waterfowl.
Key biodiversity
This is one of the most important wintering sites in Ireland for Melanitta nigra (1,150 birds, 1996), which occur in nationally important numbers, together with Cygnus olor (109 birds, 1995), Clangula hyemalis (32 birds, 1996) and Mergus serrator (50 birds, 1996). The shores of Donegal Bay support nationally important numbers of Calidris alba (100 birds, 1996).
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Donegal Bay (Ireland). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/donegal-bay-iba-ireland on 22/12/2024.