IE058
Rahasane turlough


IBA Justification

The site was identified as important in 2009 because it was regularly supporting significant populations of the species listed below, meeting ('triggering') IBA criteria.

Populations meeting IBA criteria ('trigger species') at the site:
Species Red List1 Season Year(s) Size IBA criteria
Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa NT winter 2002-2006 75-1,800 individuals B1i, C3

1. The current IUCN Red List category. The category at the time of the IBA criteria assessment (2009) may differ.


IBA Conservation

Ideally the conservation status of the IBA will have been checked regularly since the site was first identified in 2009. The most recent assessment (2009) is shown below.

IBA conservation assessment
Year of assessment State Pressure Response
2009 unfavourable low low
Whole site assessed? State assessed by Accuracy of information
yes population good

State (condition of the trigger species' populations)
Species Reference Actual Units % remaining Result
Whooper Swan Cygnus cygnus 179 70 individuals 40 unfavourable
Tundra Swan Cygnus columbianus 132 0 individuals 0 not assessed
Greater White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons 59 90 individuals 100 not assessed
Northern Shoveler Spatula clypeata 498 61 individuals 13 not assessed
Eurasian Wigeon Mareca penelope 7,760 3,020 individuals 39 not assessed
Northern Pintail Anas acuta 102 44 individuals 44 not assessed
Anas crecca 3,005 358 individuals 12 not assessed
Eurasian Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria 17,680 5,000 individuals 29 not assessed
Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus 3,995 2,270 individuals 57 not assessed
Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata 1,205 150 individuals 13 not assessed
Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa 170 700 individuals 100 favourable
Dunlin Calidris alpina 3,569 240 individuals 7 not assessed
Common Redshank Tringa totanus 155 45 individuals 30 not assessed

Pressure (threats to the trigger species and/or their habitats)
Threat Timing Scope Severity Result
Human intrusions and disturbance happening now majority/most of area/population (50-90%) no or imperceptible deterioration low
Biological resource use happening now majority/most of area/population (50-90%) no or imperceptible deterioration low
Agricultural expansion and intensification happening now whole area/population (>90%) no or imperceptible deterioration low
Natural system modifications happening now whole area/population (>90%) no or imperceptible deterioration low
Residential and commercial development likely in long term (beyond 4 years) whole area/population (>90%) no or imperceptible deterioration low

Response (conservation actions taken for the trigger species and/or their habitats)
Protected areas Management plan Other action Result
Whole area of site (>90%) covered by appropriate conservation designation A management plan exists but it is out of date or not comprehensive Very little or no conservation action taking place low

IBA Protection

Year Protected Area Designation % overlap with IBA
1995 Rahasane Turlough SAC Site of Community Importance (Habitats Directive) 100
1996 Rahasane Turlough SPA Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) 100

Habitats

Habitat1 Habitat detail % of IBA
Grassland Steppes and dry calcareous grassland, Humid grasslands 75
Wetlands (inland) Standing freshwater, Rivers and streams, Water fringe vegetation 20
Shrubland Scrub 5
1. IUCN Habitat classification.

Land use

Land use % of IBA
hunting 100
agriculture 75


Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Rahasane turlough (Ireland). Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/rahasane-turlough-iba-ireland on 29/11/2024.