SITE SYNOPSIS

SITE NAME: KEERAGH ISLANDS SPA

SITE CODE: 004118

The Keeragh Islands are two low-lying islets located just over 1 km offshore from the
south Wexford coastline. The site includes the islets and associated rocky shorelines
and reefs, as well as the surrounding marine area to a distance of 200 metres.

The islets, which rise to a maximum height of about 10 m above sea level, have a
small area of land permanently above the tide line. The vegetation is predominantly
maritime in character, with species such as Red Fescue (Festuca rubra), Thrift
(Armeria maritima), Common Scurvygrass (Cochlearia officinalis) and Sea Campion
(Silene vulgaris subsp. maritima). The surrounding reefs support a range of seaweeds.
The islands have a Nationally Important breeding colony of Cormorant (206 pairs
recorded in 1989), which is considered to be one of the largest in the country. The
colony has been well-monitored since it was first recorded in 1968 and there has been
a long-term ringing programme. Terns, mainly Arctic Tern, have bred in the past but
not since the 1970s. Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull and Lesser Black-backed
Gull have also bred but no population estimates for recent years are available. A
small number of Shag (c.10 pairs) were present in 1970.

In winter the islands are a refuge and night roost for flocks of Brent Goose and for
ducks, notably Mallard and Wigeon with smaller numbers of Teal and Shoveler.
The Keeragh Islands SPA is of ornithological importance as it has a Nationally
Important population of breeding Cormorant. It retains potential for attracting
breeding terns, species that are listed on Annex I of the E.U. Birds Directive, though
none have been recorded since the 1970s.

11.8.2004