Strangford Lough Part 1

Site of Special Scientific Interest · 54.5486, -5.6448

Climate exposure

This is about exposure to a nationwide pressure this habitat type carries — not a verdict on this site's own management.

Coastal

Coastal habitats are exposed to sea-level rise and storm erosion. Where hard sea defences sit behind them, there's nowhere landward to retreat to — a squeeze that keeps compressing the habitat no matter how well it's managed.

Geology & landscape

Geological Feature: Raised Beach · Geological Period: Quaternary

Landscape processes: Coastal, Glacial

Birds & fish recorded

Birds

SpeciesSeason
Arctic tern Unknown
Brent goose Unknown
Brent goose Wintering
bar-tailed godwit Unknown
common tern Breeding
common tern Unknown
cormorant Unknown
curlew Unknown
dunlin Unknown
gadwall Unknown
golden plover Unknown
goldeneye Unknown
great crested grebe Unknown
grey plover Unknown
greylag goose Unknown
knot Unknown
knot Wintering
lapwing Unknown
mallard Unknown
oystercatcher Unknown
pintail Unknown
red-breasted merganser Unknown
redshank Unknown
redshank Wintering
ringed plover Unknown
shelduck Unknown
shelduck Wintering
shoveler Unknown
teal Unknown
turnstone Unknown
wigeon Unknown
wigeon Wintering

Description

Strangford Lough Part 1 Common seal, Higher plant assemblage, Arctic Tern, bar-tailed godwit, common tern, coot, curlew, dunlin, gadwall, golden plover, goldeneye, great cormorant, great crested grebe, grey plover, greylag goose, knot, lapwing, light-bellied Brent goose little greebe, mallard, oystercatcher, pintail, red-breasted merganser, redshank, ringed plover, sandwich tern, shelduck, shoveler, teal, turnstone, Waterbird assemblage, wigeon, Invertebrate assemblage Coastal saltmarsh, Mudflats, Intertidal rock Coastal processes, Pleistocene Strangford Lough as a whole is one of the largest sea-loughs in Northern Ireland, and possesses a landscape of drowned drumlins and raised beach terraces which have been shaped by the Quaternary glaciation. The drumlins display various stages of wave erosion, with a number of them reduced to rocky islets and reefs, known locally as "pladdies". The intertidal zone covers approximately 50 km2 and the diversity of the marine habitats is internationally renowned. The many different intertidal habitats are identifiable on the basis of substrate type and wave exposure with each one supporting a characteristic range of species; no comparable area in Northern Ireland has so wide a range of either habitats or species. There are a number of species of interest because they are near the northern e.g. Diodora apertura keyhole limpet, Elysia viridis a sea slug, Cereus pedunculatus daisy anemone at the southern extremes of their ranges e.g. Acmaea tessulata tortoise-shell limpet, Leptasterias mulleri a starfish. The richness of the marine flora and fauna can largely be attributed to physiographical features resulting in the immense tidal flow through The Narrows, the range and timing of the tidal variations in the Lough and the wide variety of substrates which occur. The lough as a whole represents a unique and extremely complex, integrated system. The Strangford Lough Part 1 Area of Special Scientific Interest includes extensive mudflats and also sandflats, saltmarsh and rocky intertidal habitat. The mudflats support luxuriant beds of eelgrass; Zostera noltii, Zostera angustifolia, Zostera marina and Ruppia maritima are all present, with the latter widespread but quite local in its distribution. Such extensive 'beds' are rare in the British Isles. The intertidal mudflats particularly the Zostera beds are of great importance as feeding areas for wintering wildfowl and waders. The lough overall supports internationally important numbers of wintering wildfowl maximum >20,000 birds in 1986/87 and waders maximum >37,500 birds in 1986/87. Up to 40% of the world population of the pale bellied Brent goose Branta bernicla hrota occurs on the lough in early winter and most favour the mudflats in the Part 1 area. The numbers of shelduck Tadorna tadorna, redshank Tringa totanus, knot Calidris canutus and wigeon Anas penelope are all of international importance, and several other species occur in large numbers. The sandflats and mudflats are especially productive in terms of invertebrate infauna. The clean sand areas support large populations of the bivalve molluscs tellina tenuis thin tellin and Cerastoderma edule edible cockle, whilst in the more muddy/gravel areas the community is dominated by Scrobicularia plana peppery furrow shell. The relatively extensive areas of estuarine saltmarsh at and around the mouth of the Comber River can be considered of importance because this is a rare habitat in Northern Ireland. A typical assemblage of saltmarsh plants and communities occur here, with a pioneer zone of glasswort Salicornia europea giving way to vegetation dominated by the common saltmarsh grass Puccinellia maritima either in effectively mono-dominant stands or in mixed communities with sea lavender Limonium humile, sea aster Aster tripolium, sea arrow grass Triglochin maritimum and sea pink Armeria maritima. At higher levels, the community is replaced by one which contains red fescue Festuca rubra and saltmarsh rush Juncus gerardii as co-dominants and occasionally fringed by stands of common reed Phragmites australis. The rocky intertidal zone is limited within the Part 1 area; a habitat which is unique within Northern Ireland occurs in stretches of shore at or around extreme low water spring tides E.L.W.S. off South Island. This is an unusually stable intertidal habitat consisting of cobbles interspersed with occasional larger boulders lightly but firmly embedded in coarse sand and gravel. In this habitat there are exceptional growths of many sponge Porifera and sea-squirt Tunicata species, interspersed with various tube-dwelling worms Annelida. The diversity of the associated herbivores and detritivores is considerable. In summer the islands and surrounding lands provide valuable nesting grounds for a variety of birds. Four species of tern occur in important concentrations, most notably common tern Sterna hirundo and sandwich tern Sterna sandvicensis, with over 20% and over 40% respectively of the total Irish breeding populations. Within the area, important colonies are found on Ogilby, Black Rock, Sheelah, Boretrees and Gabbock islands. Strangford Lough is the most important breeding site in Ireland for the common seal Phoca vitulina; North Boretree Rock which is located within the Part 1 area supports one of the largest colonies. Many of the low-lying rocky islands and reefs are regularly used as hauling out sites. Small numbers of grey seal Halichoerus grypus and otter Lutra lutra also occur. https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/publications/strangford-lough-part-1-assi

Species mentioned

English name
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Latin name
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IUCN / Red List Type Family
daisy anemone Cereus pedunculatus Not listed in GB list anemone sagartiidae
pintail Anas acuta EN (NonBreeding), CR (Breeding) bird-duck anatidae
teal Anas crecca LC (NonBreeding), LC (Breeding) bird-duck anatidae
mallard Anas platyrhynchos NT (NonBreeding), LC (Breeding) bird-duck anatidae
goldeneye Bucephala clangula VU (NonBreeding), VU (Breeding) bird-duck anatidae
wigeon Mareca penelope LC (NonBreeding), NT (Breeding) bird-duck anatidae
gadwall Mareca strepera LC (NonBreeding), LC (Breeding) bird-duck anatidae
red-breasted merganser Mergus serrator VU (NonBreeding) bird-duck anatidae
shoveler Spatula clypeata LC (NonBreeding), LC (Breeding) bird-duck anatidae
shelduck Tadorna tadorna EN (NonBreeding), EN (Breeding) bird-duck anatidae
cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo NT (Breeding) bird-frigate fregatidae
coot Fulica atra NT (NonBreeding), NT (Breeding) bird-gallinule rallidae
greylag goose Anser anser LC (NonBreeding) bird-goose anatidae
Brent goose Branta bernicla LC (NonBreeding) bird-goose anatidae
great crested grebe Podiceps cristatus LC (NonBreeding), VU (Breeding) bird-grebe podicipedidae
common tern Sterna hirundo VU (Breeding) bird-tern laridae
sandwich tern Thalasseus sandvicensis LC (Breeding) bird-tern laridae
turnstone Arenaria interpres VU (NonBreeding) bird-wader scolopacidae
dunlin Calidris alpina EN (NonBreeding) bird-wader scolopacidae
knot Calidris canutus LC (NonBreeding) bird-wader scolopacidae
ringed plover Charadrius hiaticula VU (NonBreeding) bird-wader charadriidae
oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus LC (Breeding) bird-wader haematopodidae
bar-tailed godwit Limosa lapponica LC (NonBreeding) bird-wader scolopacidae
curlew Numenius arquata EN (Breeding) bird-wader scolopacidae
golden plover Pluvialis apricaria LC (NonBreeding), LC (Breeding) bird-wader charadriidae
grey plover Pluvialis squatarola VU (NonBreeding) bird-wader charadriidae
redshank Tringa totanus EN (NonBreeding) bird-wader scolopacidae
lapwing Vanellus vanellus VU (NonBreeding), EN (Breeding) bird-wader charadriidae
cockle Cerastoderma edule Not listed in GB list bivalve cardiidae
peppery furrow shell Scrobicularia plana Not listed in GB list bivalve semelidae
otter Lutra lutra LC carnivore mustelidae
red fescue Festuca rubra LC grass poaceae
common reed Phragmites australis LC grass poaceae
saltmarsh grass Puccinellia maritima LC grass poaceae
thrift Armeria maritima CR herb plumbaginaceae
sea aster Aster tripolium Not listed in GB list herb asteraceae
lax flowered sea lavender Limonium humile LC herb plumbaginaceae
beaked tassel-weeds Ruppia maritima LC herb ruppiaceae
sea arrrowgrass Triglochin maritimum Not listed in GB list herb juncaginaceae
narrow leaved eelgrass Zostera angustifolia Not listed in GB list herb zosteraceae
eelgrass Zostera marina VU herb zosteraceae
saltmarsh rush Juncus gerardii LC rush juncaceae
grey seal Halichoerus grypus None seal phocidae
harbour seal Phoca vitulina None seal phocidae

Plant communities

A9 — Fast flowing river and stream, Marginal and inundation, Pond ditch and canal, Sluggish river and stream

Potamogeton natans community

Schoenoplectus lacustris, Juncus bulbosus, Sparganium angustifolium, Sparganium erectum, Sparganium minimum, Alisma plantago-aquatica, Lobelia dortmanna, Equisetum fluviatile, Myriophyllum alterniflorum, Elodea canadensis, Lemna minor, Lemna trisulca, Nymphaea alba, Callitriche platycarpa, Callitriche stagnalis, Littorella uniflora, Potamogeton natans, Ranunculus trichophyllus, Glyceria fluitans, Chara subspinosa

A14 — Fast flowing river and stream

Myriophyllum alterniflorum community

Isolepis fluitans, Juncus bulbosus, Fontinalis antipyretica, Lobelia dortmanna, Equisetum fluviatile, Myriophyllum alterniflorum, Lemna minor, Callitriche stagnalis, Littorella uniflora, Potamogeton filiformis, Potamogeton gramineus, Potamogeton natans, Ranunculus peltatus, Chara spp., Nitella hyalina

A17 — Chalk river and stream, Fast flowing river and stream

Ranunculus penicillatus ssp. pseudofluitans community

Berula erecta, Nasturtium officinale, Elodea canadensis, Lemna minor, Callitriche stagnalis, Veronica beccabunga, Polygonum amphibium, Polygonum hydropiper, Potamogeton crispus, Potamogeton pectinatus, Ranunculus penicillatus ssp. pseudofluitans

A18 — Fast flowing river and stream

Ranunculus fluitans community

Fontinalis antipyretica, Fontinalis squamosa var. curnowii, Myriophyllum alterniflorum, Myriophyllum spicatum, Elodea canadensis, Mentha aquatica, Lemna gibba, Lemna minor, Potamogeton perfoliatus, Ranunculus fluitans, Glyceria fluitans, Phalaris arundinacea

SM1 — Salt marsh

Zostera communities

Zostera angustifolia, Zostera marina, Zostera noltei, Spartina anglica, Porphyra umbilicalis, Chondria dasyphylla, Polysiphonia nigra, Chara aspera, Chaetomorpha linum, Chaetomorpha tortuosa, Cladophora battersii, Cladophora retroflexa, Ulva intestinalis, Ulva lactuca, Fucus spiralis

SM2 — Salt marsh

Ruppia maritima salt-marsh community

Ruppia maritima

SM3 — Salt marsh

Eleocharis parvula salt-marsh community

Eleocharis parvula

SM4 — Salt marsh

Spartina maritima salt-marsh community

Suaeda maritima, Salicornia europaea, Salicornia perennis, Puccinellia maritima, Spartina anglica, Spartina maritima

SM5 — Salt marsh

Spartina alterniflora salt-marsh community

Puccinellia maritima, Spartina alterniflora, Spartina anglica

SM6 — Salt marsh

Spartina anglica salt-marsh community

Atriplex portulacoides, Suaeda maritima, Aster tripolium, Cochlearia anglica, Spergularia media, Atriplex hastata, Salicornia europaea, Plantago maritima, Limonium vulgare, Puccinellia maritima, Spartina anglica, Catenella caespitosa, Fucus vesiculosus, Fucus vesiculosus ecad volubilis

SM7 — Salt marsh

Arthrocnemum perenne stands

Atriplex portulacoides, Suaeda maritima, Aster tripolium, Spergularia media, Salicornia europaea, Salicornia perennis, Limonium vulgare, Puccinellia maritima, Bostrychia scorpioides

SM8 — Salt marsh

Annual Salicornia salt-marsh community

Atriplex portulacoides, Suaeda maritima, Aster tripolium, Salicornia europaea, Puccinellia maritima, Spartina anglica

SM9 — Salt marsh

Suaeda maritima salt-marsh community

Atriplex portulacoides, Suaeda maritima, Aster tripolium, Salicornia europaea, Puccinellia maritima, Spartina anglica

SM10 — Salt marsh

Transitional low-marsh vegetation with Puccinellia maritima annual Salicornia species and Suaeda maritima

Atriplex portulacoides, Suaeda maritima, Aster tripolium, Spergularia media, Salicornia europaea, Triglochin maritimum, Armeria maritima, Limonium vulgare, Puccinellia maritima, Spartina anglica

SM11 — Salt marsh

Aster tripolium var. discoideus salt-marsh community

Atriplex portulacoides, Suaeda maritima, Aster tripolium, Spergularia media, Salicornia europaea, Salicornia perennis, Plantago maritima, Puccinellia maritima, Spartina anglica, Bostrychia scorpioides, Fucus vesiculosus, Pelvetia canaliculata

SM12 — Salt marsh

Rayed Aster Tripolium on slat marshes

Schoenoplectus lacustris, Juncus bufonius, Suaeda maritima, Aster tripolium, Spergularia marina, Spergularia media, Atriplex hastata, Salicornia europaea, Triglochin maritimum, Plantago maritima, Puccinellia distans, Puccinellia maritima, Spartina anglica

SM13 — Salt marsh

Puccinellia maritima salt-marsh community

Atriplex portulacoides, Juncus gerardii, Suaeda maritima, Aster tripolium, Cochlearia anglica, Cochlearia officinalis, Spergularia media, Atriplex hastata, Salicornia europaea, Salicornia perennis, Triglochin maritimum, Plantago maritima, Armeria maritima, Limonium humile, Limonium vulgare, Glaux maritima, Agrostis stolonifera, Festuca rubra, Puccinellia maritima, Spartina anglica, Spartina maritima, Bostrychia scorpioides, Fucus cottonii

SM14 — Salt marsh

Halimione portulacoides salt-marsh community

Atriplex portulacoides, Juncus maritimus, Suaeda maritima, Artemisia maritima, Aster tripolium, Inula crithmoides, Spergularia media, Salicornia europaea, Salicornia perennis, Triglochin maritimum, Plantago maritima, Armeria maritima, Limonium vulgare, Elytrigia atherica, Puccinellia maritima, Spartina anglica

SM15 — Salt marsh

Juncus maritimus-Triglochin maritima salt-marsh community

Atriplex portulacoides, Carex extensa, Juncus gerardii, Juncus maritimus, Suaeda maritima, Oenanthe lachenalii, Artemisia maritima, Cochlearia anglica, Cochlearia officinalis, Spergularia media, Atriplex hastata, Salicornia europaea, Triglochin maritimum, Plantago maritima, Armeria maritima, Limonium humile, Limonium vulgare, Glaux maritima, Agrostis stolonifera, Festuca rubra, Phragmites australis, Puccinellia maritima, Spartina anglica, Fucus cottonii

SM16 — Salt marsh

Festuca rubra salt-marsh community

Atriplex portulacoides, Carex distans, Carex flacca, Juncus gerardii, Hypnum cupressiforme, Kindbergia praelonga, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Scorzoneroides autumnalis, Cochlearia anglica, Cerastium fontanum, Sagina procumbens, Spergularia media, Atriplex hastata, Salicornia europaea, Lotus corniculatus, Trifolium repens, Triglochin maritimum, Plantago lanceolata, Plantago maritima, Armeria maritima, Limonium vulgare, Glaux maritima, Ranunculus acris, Potentilla anserina, Agrostis stolonifera, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Cynosurus cristatus, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Puccinellia maritima

SM17 — Salt marsh

Artemisia maritima salt-marsh community

Atriplex portulacoides, Juncus gerardii, Juncus maritimus, Suaeda maritima, Suaeda vera, Artemisia maritima, Cochlearia anglica, Cochlearia officinalis, Spergularia media, Atriplex hastata, Salicornia europaea, Triglochin maritimum, Plantago coronopus, Plantago maritima, Armeria maritima, Limonium vulgare, Glaux maritima, Agrostis stolonifera, Elytrigia atherica, Elytrigia repens, Festuca rubra, Hordeum marinum, Parapholis strigosa, Puccinellia maritima

SM18 — Salt marsh

Juncus maritimus salt-marsh community

Carex distans, Carex extensa, Carex otrubae, Juncus gerardii, Juncus maritimus, Amblystegium serpens, Kindbergia praelonga, Oenanthe lachenalii, Cirsium arvense, Scorzoneroides autumnalis, Sonchus arvensis, Cochlearia officinalis, Silene flos-cuculi, Atriplex hastata, Lotus corniculatus, Trifolium repens, Vicia cracca, Triglochin maritimum, Plantago maritima, Armeria maritima, Rumex crispus, Glaux maritima, Samolus valerandi, Ranunculus acris, Potentilla anserina, Galium palustre, Agrostis stolonifera, Elytrigia repens, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Poa pratensis, Schedonorus arundinaceus

SM19 — Saline lagoon, Salt marsh

Blysmus rufus salt-marsh community

Blysmus rufus, Carex extensa, Carex lepidocarpa, Carex nigra, Eleocharis quinqueflora, Eleocharis uniglumis, Juncus articulatus, Juncus gerardii, Amblystegium serpens, Calliergonell cuspidatum, Drepanocladus polygamus, Leptodictyum riparium, Oenanthe lachenalii, Scorzoneroides autumnalis, Cochlearia anglica, Trifolium repens, Triglochin maritimum, Triglochin palustre, Plantago maritima, Armeria maritima, Glaux maritima, Potentilla anserina, Agrostis stolonifera, Alopecurus geniculatus, Festuca rubra, Puccinellia maritima

SM20 — Saline lagoon, Salt marsh

Eleocharis uniglumis salt-marsh community

Bolboschoenus maritimus, Carex distans, Carex extensa, Carex nigra, Eleocharis quinqueflora, Eleocharis uniglumis, Juncus articulatus, Juncus gerardii, Leptodictyum riparium, Oenanthe lachenalii, Hydrocotyle vulgaris, Scorzoneroides autumnalis, Atriplex hastata, Trifolium repens, Triglochin maritimum, Triglochin palustre, Plantago maritima, Armeria maritima, Glaux maritima, Samolus valerandi, Potentilla anserina, Galium palustre, Agrostis stolonifera, Alopecurus geniculatus, Festuca rubra

SM21 — Salt marsh

Suaeda vera-Limonium binervosum salt-marsh community

Atriplex portulacoides, Frankenia laevis, Suaeda maritima, Suaeda vera, Artemisia maritima, Cochlearia anglica, Cochlearia danica, Cochlearia officinalis, Sagina maritima, Spergularia marina, Spergularia media, Salicornia europaea, Plantago maritima, Armeria maritima, Limonium bellidifolium, Limonium binervosum, Limonium vulgare, Glaux maritima, Elytrigia atherica, Festuca rubra, Puccinellia maritima

SM22 — Salt marsh

Halimione portulacoides-Frankenia laevis salt-marsh community

Atriplex portulacoides, Frankenia laevis, Suaeda maritima, Spergularia media, Salicornia europaea, Salicornia perennis, Plantago coronopus, Plantago maritima, Armeria maritima, Limonium vulgare, Elytrigia juncea, Festuca rubra, Parapholis strigosa, Puccinellia maritima

SM23 — Salt marsh

Spergularia marina-Puccinellia distans salt-marsh community

Atriplex portulacoides, Juncus bufonius, Suaeda maritima, Spergularia marina, Spergularia media, Atriplex hastata, Salicornia europaea, Triglochin maritimum, Plantago maritima, Polygonum aviculare, Glaux maritima, Agrostis stolonifera, Alopecurus geniculatus, Elytrigia atherica, Festuca rubra, Parapholis strigosa, Puccinellia distans, Puccinellia maritima

SM24 — Salt marsh

Elymus pycnanthus salt-marsh community

Atriplex portulacoides, Juncus gerardii, Juncus maritimus, Hypnum cupressiforme, Suaeda vera, Artemisia maritima, Aster tripolium, Sonchus arvensis, Atriplex hastata, Atriplex littoralis, Beta vulgaris sp maritima, Plantago maritima, Armeria maritima, Limonium vulgare, Glaux maritima, Potentilla anserina, Galium aparine, Agrostis stolonifera, Ammophila arenaria, Elytrigia atherica, Festuca rubra, Parapholis strigosa, Phragmites australis, Puccinellia maritima

SM25 — Salt marsh

Suaeda vera drift-line community

Atriplex portulacoides, Suaeda maritima, Suaeda vera, Artemisia maritima, Cochlearia anglica, Cochlearia danica, Cochlearia officinalis, Spergularia media, Atriplex littoralis, Salicornia europaea, Salicornia perennis, Triglochin maritimum, Plantago maritima, Limonium vulgare, Glaux maritima, Elytrigia atherica, Festuca rubra, Puccinellia maritima, Bostrychia scorpioides, Pelvetia canaliculata

SM26 — Salt marsh

Inula crithmoides stands

Atriplex portulacoides, Suaeda maritima, Inula crithmoides, Spergularia media, Salicornia europaea, Salicornia perennis, Plantago maritima, Armeria maritima, Limonium vulgare, Elytrigia atherica, Festuca rubra, Puccinellia maritima, Spartina anglica, Bostrychia scorpioides

SM28 — Salt marsh

Elymus repens salt-marsh community

Bolboschoenus maritimus, Carex otrubae, Eleocharis uniglumis, Juncus gerardii, Kindbergia praelonga, Odontites verna, Anthriscus sylvestris, Apium graveolens, Heracleum sphondylium, Oenanthe crocata, Oenanthe lachenalii, Torilis japonica, Centaurea nigra, Cirsium arvense, Cirsium vulgare, Scorzoneroides autumnalis, Sonchus arvensis, Tripleurospermum maritimum, Cochlearia anglica, Cochlearia officinalis, Silene uniflora, Stellaria media agg., Atriplex hastata, Atriplex littoralis, Calystegia sepium, Lotus corniculatus, Medicago lupulina, Melilotus altissima, Trifolium repens, Vicia cracca, Triglochin maritimum, Plantago lanceolata, Plantago maritima, Rumex conglomeratus, Rumex crispus, Glaux maritima, Potentilla anserina, Galium aparine, Urtica dioica, Agrostis stolonifera, Alopecurus geniculatus, Arrhenatherum elatius, Dactylis glomerata, Deschampsia cespitosa, Elytrigia repens, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Lolium perenne, Poa pratensis, Puccinellia maritima, Schedonorus arundinaceus