Data Zone
The site was identified as internationally important for bird conservation in 2007 because it was regularly supporting significant populations of the species listed below, meeting IBA criteria.
Populations meeting IBA criteria ('key species') at the site:| Species | Red List | Season (year/s of estimate) | Size | IBA criteria |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whooper Swan Cygnus cygnus | LC | passage (2001–2006) | 846 individuals | A4i, B1i, C2 |
| Whooper Swan Cygnus cygnus | LC | winter (2001–2006) | 774 individuals | A4i, B1i, C2 |
| Brent Goose Branta bernicla | LC | passage (2001–2006) | 2,210 individuals | B1i, C3 |
| Brent Goose Branta bernicla | LC | winter (2001–2006) | 1,018 individuals | A4i, B1i, C3 |
| Eurasian Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria | LC | passage (2001–2006) | 3,565 individuals | C6 |
| Eurasian Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria | LC | winter (2001–2006) | 5,630 individuals | C6 |
| Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata | NT | winter (2001–2006) | 2,119 individuals | B2 |
| Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica | NT | passage (2001–2006) | 254 individuals | C6 |
| Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica | NT | winter (2001–2006) | 1,644 individuals | A4i, B1i, B2, C2, C6 |
| A4iii Species group - waterbirds | n/a | passage (2001–2006) | 27,411 individuals | A4iii, C4 |
| A4iii Species group - waterbirds | n/a | winter (2001–2006) | 32,347 individuals | A4iii, C4 |
Ideally the conservation status of the IBA will have been checked regularly since the site was first identified in 2007. The most recent assessment (2007) is shown below.
| IBA conservation status | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year of assessment | State | Pressure | Response |
| 2007 | very unfavourable | medium | low |
| Whole site assessed? | State assessed by | Accuracy of information | |
| yes | population | good | |
| State (condition of the key species' populations) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Species | Actual vs Reference (units) | % remaining | Result | ||
| Whooper Swan Cygnus cygnus | 774 / 785 (individuals) | 99 | favourable | ||
| Tundra Swan Cygnus columbianus | 15 / 97 (individuals) | 16 | very unfavourable | ||
| Brent Goose Branta bernicla | 1,018 / 3,820 (individuals) | 27 | very unfavourable | ||
| Eurasian Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria | 3,565 / 2,100 (individuals) | 100 | favourable | ||
| Eurasian Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria | 5,630 / 5,050 (individuals) | 100 | favourable | ||
| Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata | 2,119 / 1,980 (individuals) | 100 | favourable | ||
| Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica | 1,644 / 2,150 (individuals) | 77 | near favourable | ||
| Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica | 254 / 495 (individuals) | 52 | unfavourable | ||
| A4iii Species group - waterbirds | 32,347 / 35,938 (individuals) | 91 | favourable | ||
| Pressure (threats to the key species and/or their habitats) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Threat | Timing | Scope | Severity | Result |
| Agricultural expansion and intensification | happening now | some of population/area (10–49%) | slow deterioration (1–10% over 3 generations) | medium |
| Natural system modifications | happening now | some of population/area (10–49%) | slow deterioration (1–10% over 3 generations) | medium |
| Biological resource use | happening now | some of population/area (10–49%) | slow deterioration (1–10% over 3 generations) | medium |
| Pollution | happening now | some of population/area (10–49%) | slow deterioration (1–10% over 3 generations) | medium |
| Response (conservation actions taken for the key species and/or their habitats) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Designation | Planning | Action | Result |
| Most of site (50–90%) covered (including the most critical parts for important bird species) | A management plan exists, but it is out of date or not comprehensive | Some limited conservation initiatives are in place | low |
| Year | Protected Area | Designation (management category) | % coverage of IBA |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | Lough Foyle | RSPB Reserve (-) | 17 |
| 1966 | North Derry | Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (V) | - |
| 1976 | Roe Estuary | National Nature Reserve (IV) | 7 |
| 1994 | MAGILLIGAN | Area of Special Scientific Interest (NI) (IV) | 21 |
| 1995 | Lough Foyle | Nature Reserve (IV) | 13 |
| 1998 | LOUGH FOYLE | Area of Special Scientific Interest (NI) (IV) | 39 |
| 2003 | RIVER FOYLE AND TRIBUTARIES | Area of Special Scientific Interest (NI) (IV) | 6 |
| 2003 | River Foyle and Tributaries | Area of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI) (UA) | - |
| 2006 | BINEVENAGH | Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (NI) (V) | 39 |
| 2011 | Lough Foyle | Marine Protected Area (OSPAR) (UA) | 37 |
| Habitat | % of IBA | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Artificial/Terrestrial | major (>10) | Highly improved re-seeded landscapes; Arable land |
| Marine Intertidal | major (>10) | |
| Marine Neritic | major (>10) | |
| Wetlands (inland) | minor (<10) | Rivers and streams; Water fringe vegetation |
| Land use | % of IBA |
|---|---|
| agriculture | - |
| fisheries/aquaculture | - |
| military | - |
| nature conservation and research | - |
| tourism/recreation | - |
| urban/industrial/transport | - |
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2025) Important Bird Area factsheet: Lough Foyle and River Foyle (United Kingdom). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/lough-foyle-and-river-foyle-iba-united-kingdom on 18/01/2025.