Baldoyle Bay

Located close to Portmarnock, Baldoyle Bay is well sheltered by a considerable system of sand dunes. Narrow-leaved Eelgrass and Common Cord-grass occur in the inner, sheltered estuary. During the summer period, the sandflats are covered in a carpet of green algae. Small species such as mud shrimps and tubeworms inhabit the Baldoyle Bay. Along the saltmarsh areas of the estuary, the marine plants Glasswort, Sea-purslane, Sea Plantain and Sea Rush are common.

Baldoyle Bay is protected as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) as it supports four habitats that are listed on the EU Habitats Directive. These are:

  1. Salicornia mud

  2. Mediterranean salt meadows

  3. Atlantic salt meadows

  4. Tidal mudflats

These habitat types attract a high number of waterfowl as they provide plenty of food and shelter. An internationally important population of Brent Geese inhabit the bay. The wide range of habitats at Baldoyle supports a variety of birds, such as Great Crested Grebe, Shelduck, Pintail, Golden Plover, Bartailed Godwit, Redshank, Common Scoter and Mallard.

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