Data Zone
Country/territory: Ireland
IBA criteria met: B3 (2009)
For more information about IBA criteria, please click here
Area: 315 hectares (3.15 km2)
| IBA conservation status | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year of assessment (most recent) | State (condition) | Pressure (threat) | Response (action) |
| 2009 | not assessed | very high | not assessed |
| For more information about IBA monitoring, please click here | |||
Site description (2000 baseline)
A formerly inhabited marine island with an automated lighthouse located 5 km north of Malin Head, in County Donegal. The site also includes Tor rocks, c.1 km to the north, and the intervening sea area. The island is predominantly grassland, which until recently was grazed by red deer Cervus elaphus. Low-intensity fishing takes place between the main island and Tor rocks.
Key biodiversity
The cliffs and rocks support important colonies of breeding seabirds. Other breeding species present in nationally important numbers (1991-1992) include Fulmarus glacialis (250 pairs), Larus argentatus (500 pairs), Larus canus (30 pairs) and Larus marinus (50 pairs). Additionally Inishtrahull is a nationally important winter feeding site for Branta leucopsis (153 birds, 1987) and is a breeding site for Somateria mollissima (over 200 pairs, 1992).
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Inishtrahull (Ireland). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/inishtrahull-iba-ireland on 21/12/2024.