Skerries Islands NHA; Skerries Islands SPA

The site has a nationally important breeding colony of cormorant which became established in the early 1990s. When taken together with the breeding populations on nearby Lambay and Ireland's Eye, (also SPAs) this concentration is of international importance.

Species of Concern: Eurasian wigeon (Anas penelope); Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos); Ruddy turnstone (Arenaria interpres); Short-eared owl (Asio flammeus); Dark-bellied brent goose (Branta bernicla); Purple sandpiper (Calidris maritima); Common ringed plover (Charadrius hiaticula); Northern fulmar (Fulmarus glacialis); Common snipe (Gallinago gallinago); Eurasian oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus); Eurasian curlew (Numenius arquata); Great cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo); European golden plover (Pluvialis apricaria); Grey plover (Pluvialis squatarola); Northern lapwing (Vanellus vanellus)

Restrictions

The following activities require consent:
1. Any activity that involves the deliberate killing or capture of any species of naturally occurring bird in the wild state, save where a specific derogation is in place.
2. The destruction, damage or removal of nests or eggs or any disturbance particularly during periods of breeding or rearing, save where a specific derogation is in place.
3. The rearing or keeping of birds, the hunting and capture of which is prohibited, save where a specific derogation is in place.
4. Altering watercourses or wetlands, including changing the height of the water table, blocking or altering the flow of the water or deepening any channel.
5. Burning areas of vegetation.
6. Developing, operating or allowing leisure or sporting activities liable to cause significant disturbance to those bird species of concern or damage to their habitats.
7. Any activity intended to disturb protected species including by mechanical, air or wind powered or audible means.
8.Harvesting of marine species, unless for personal use not exceeding certain limits as may be set by the Minister from time to time.
9. Construction or alteration of tracks, paths, roads, embankments, car parks or access routes, or using or permitting the use of land for car parking.
10. Planting of trees.
11. Reclamation or infilling.
12. Removal of soil, mud, sand, gravel, rock or minerals.
13. Fishing by any type of nets.
14.Dredging whether for fishing or other purposes.
15. Introduction (or re-introduction) into the wild of plants or animals not currently found in the area.
16. Grazing of livestock above a recommended density and period as defined in approved farm plans.
17. Any activity which destroys habitat, except normal maintenance activities as defined in approved farm plans.
18. Reclaiming land for agricultural purposes, including spraying or burning vegetation, clearing scrub and rough vegetation, draining or moving soil, ploughing, harrowing or reseeding.
19. Any other activity of which notice may be given by the Minister from time to time.

Allowed

Certain exceptions apply.