• Summary
• Text account
• Data table and detailed info
• Map
• Reference and further resources

Site description (2000 baseline)
A large estuarine complex with islands, saltmarshes, mudflats, raised saltmarsh and wet meadows. The site encompasses the Fergus river estuary from Clarecastle (where it becomes tidal) to the junction with the Shannon estuary, and includes the estuary inland as far as Limerick city. The estuary lies within Counties Clare, Limerick and Kerry, and contains the largest port and most extensive areas of industrial development in mid-west Ireland.

Key biodiversity
This is one of the most important sites in Ireland for wintering and migrating waterfowl, supporting 10 species in numbers of international importance. A further 13 species occur in numbers of national importance, including Anser anser (216 birds, 1996), Tadorna tadorna (1,060 birds, 1996), Anas penelope (6,935 birds, 1996), Anas crecca (2,590 birds, 1995), Anas acuta (48 birds, 1995), Anas clypeata (84 birds, 1996), Vanellus vanellus (28,194 birds, 1995), Numenius arquata (2,896 birds, 1995) and Tringa nebularia (36 birds, 1996).

A 2002 survey of breeding Falco peregrinus reported a nesting pair in the vicinity of the site.

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Shannon and Fergus Estuaries (Ireland). Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/shannon-and-fergus-estuaries-iba-ireland on 23/12/2024.