Current view: Text account
Site description (2000 baseline):
Site location and context
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.
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).
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
The sand shores which border this site are under considerable recreational pressure. Use of the bay for water-sports may cause some disturbance to birds. There is intertidal shellfish cultivation within the inner bay.
National None
International None
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.
