Swan Island, County Antrim
Encyclopedia
Swan Island is an island measuring 0.1ha within the Larne Lough
Area of Special Scientific Interest
(ASSI) near Larne
, Northern Ireland
. The island is formed by stabilising shingle, gravel and stones overlain by a thin layer of soil. It is sited 550m from the west shore of the lough and 3.1km from the mouth. The ASSI is also an SPA (Special Protection Area
) because it regularly supports internationally important numbers of light-bellied Brent geese in winter.
Swan Island, which was classified as an SPA in its own right in 1992, qualifies because, in summer, it supports nationally important breeding populations of rosate
and common tern
.
Nationally rare species bur chervil
can also be found in significant abundance on Swan Island. Small numbers of both sandwich and Arctic terns also breed at this site.
Larne Lough
Larne Lough is a sea lough or inlet in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. The lough lies between Islandmagee and the mainland. At its mouth is the town of Larne...
Area of Special Scientific Interest
Area of Special Scientific Interest
An Area of Special Scientific Interest or ASSI is a conservation designation denoting a protected area in Northern Ireland. ASSIs are the equivalent of Sites of Special Scientific Interest in the rest of the United Kingdom....
(ASSI) near Larne
Larne
Larne is a substantial seaport and industrial market town on the east coast of County Antrim, Northern Ireland with a population of 18,228 people in the 2001 Census. As of 2011, there are about 31,000 residents in the greater Larne area. It has been used as a seaport for over 1,000 years, and is...
, Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
. The island is formed by stabilising shingle, gravel and stones overlain by a thin layer of soil. It is sited 550m from the west shore of the lough and 3.1km from the mouth. The ASSI is also an SPA (Special Protection Area
Special Protection Area
A Special Protection Area or SPA is a designation under the European Union Directive on the Conservation of Wild Birds.Under the Directive, Member States of the European Union have a duty to safeguard the habitats of migratory birds and certain particularly threatened birds.Together with Special...
) because it regularly supports internationally important numbers of light-bellied Brent geese in winter.
Swan Island, which was classified as an SPA in its own right in 1992, qualifies because, in summer, it supports nationally important breeding populations of rosate
Roseate Tern
The Roseate Tern is a seabird of the tern family Sternidae. This bird has a number of geographical races, differing mainly in bill colour and minor plumage details....
and common tern
Common Tern
The Common Tern is a seabird of the tern family Sternidae. This bird has a circumpolar distribution, breeding in temperate and sub-Arctic regions of Europe, Asia and east and central North America. It is strongly migratory, wintering in coastal tropical and subtropical regions. It is sometimes...
.
Nationally rare species bur chervil
Anthriscus caucalis
A plant of the carrot family, Anthriscus caucalis is known by the common name burr chervil or bur-chervil. It is similar in appearance to the common cooking herb from the same genus, chervil. It sends up thin, hollow stems and bears umbels of white flowers. The light green leaves are triangular and...
can also be found in significant abundance on Swan Island. Small numbers of both sandwich and Arctic terns also breed at this site.