Current view: Text account
Site description (2009 baseline):
Site location and context
This is a large site that extends northwards from Scariff in County Clare almost to Lough Rea, County Galway. The hills, principally of Old Red Sandstone, are not particularly high with none rising above 400 m. The site is the source of several rivers notably the Owendalulleegh and Graney; and many small lakes including Lough Atorick and Lough Graney. Approximately half of the site is afforested, with Sitka Spruce
(Picea sitchensis) and Lodgepole Pine
(Pinus contorta) being the principal species. The forests include first and second rotation plantations, with pre-thicket and post-thicket stands and also extensive areas of clear-fell. About one-third of the site consists of unplanted blanket bog and heath, with both wet and dry heath present. Most of the remaining area is rough grass and is used for Hill farming.
The site is a stronghold for
Circus cyaneus and is the second most important site in Ireland, supporting 18% of the country’s population (Barton et al. 2006). The combination of forestry and open areas provides optimum conditions for these birds. The early stages of new and second-rotation conifer plantations are the preferred nesting sites, and the young conifer plantations, heath and bog provide excellent foraging grounds for these rare birds, which are listed on Annex I of the E.U. Birds Directive. In Ireland, small birds and small mammals appear to be the most frequently taken prey. The site also supports a breeding population of Annex I listed
Falco columbianus and Red-listed
Lagopus lagopus.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
The reduction and fragmentation of the foraging habitat caused by further afforestation is the main threat to the survival of
Circus cyaneus. The Slieve Aughty Mountains have a number of large wind farm developments, however it is not known if this will negatively affect the
Circus cyaneus population.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Slieve Aughty Mountains (Ireland). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/slieve-aughty-mountains-iba-ireland on 28/12/2024.
