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Special Areas of Conservation

Bann Estuary

Designated Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
Country Northern Ireland
Unitary Authority Northern Ireland
Centroid* C797363
Latitude 55.1675
Longitude -6.7492
SAC EU Code UK0030084
Status Designated Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
Area (ha) 348.37
* This is the approximate central point of the SAC. In the case of large, linear or composite sites, this may not represent the location where a feature occurs within the SAC.
Location of Bann Estuary SAC

General site character

  • Tidal rivers, Estuaries, Mud flats, Sand flats, Lagoons (including saltwork basins) (30%)
  • Salt marshes, Salt pastures, Salt steppes (7%)
  • Coastal sand dunes, Sand beaches, Machair (40%)
  • Bogs, Marshes, Water fringed vegetation, Fens (14%)
  • Humid grassland, Mesophile grassland (7%)
  • Broad-leaved deciduous woodland (2%)

Download the Standard Data Form for this site (PDF <100kb)

Note When undertaking an appropriate assessment of impacts at a site, all features of European importance (both primary and non-primary) need to be considered.

Annex I habitats that are a primary reason for selection of this site

  • 2130 "Fixed coastal dunes with herbaceous vegetation (""grey dunes"")"  * Priority feature

    Bann Estuary in Northern Ireland contains a series of three sand dune systems, which are part of the same physiographic unit. The most morphologically diverse are at Portstewart, where transverse dune ridges are up to 30 m high. ‘Grey dune’ is the most extensive vegetation community and is dominated by marram Ammophila arenaria and red fescue Festuca rubra. Short sward communities within this are characterised by a floristically diverse range of herbs and in places lower plants. Lady’s bedstraw Galium verum, wild thyme Thymus polytrichus and wild pansy Viola tricolor are widespread.

Annex I habitats present as a qualifying feature, but not a primary reason for selection of this site

Annex II species that are a primary reason for selection of this site

  • Not Applicable

Annex II species present as a qualifying feature, but not a primary reason for site selection

  • Not Applicable

Many designated sites are on private land: the listing of a site in these pages does not imply any right of public access.