Site description (2000 baseline)
A small lake with islands and some reed-swamp, situated just south of the town of Loughrea in County Galway. There is improved farmland around the lake, and it is used by anglers.
Key biodiversity
This is one of the most important wintering sites in Ireland for Fulica atra (1,700 birds, 1980s). Aythya fuligula (452 birds, 1986), and Pluvialis apricaria (1,000 birds, 1995) also occur in numbers of national importance.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Lough Rea (Ireland). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/lough-rea-iba-ireland on 23/11/2024.