Sandpipers, Stints, Curlews, Snipes

Sandpipers, Stints, Curlews, Snipes   (Red) Knot Cnota (Dearg) Calidris canutus Autumn passage migrant and uncommon winter visitor. Very scarce in spring and summer. Global Distribution: Asia, North America and Greenland. The Greenland breeding population winters mainly in coastal areas of western Europe, which accounts for less than half of its global wintering range. (Birdlife…

Sandgrouse

Sandgrouse   Pallas’s Sandgrouse Gaineamhchearc Pallas Syrrhaptes paradoxus Rare vagrant. One county record up to the end of 2020. 1888 Near Mallow, six, seen, June.  (Kennedy, Ruttledge & Scroope, 1954) Global Distribution: This species breeds across middle latitudes of central Asia on dry steppes, arid plains and similar habitats. It is a partial migrant, especially…

Rollers

Rollers   European Roller Rollóir Eorpach Coracias garrulus Rare Vagrant. Four county records up to end of 2020. 2014 Manch, Dunmanway, a 1st year bird on the 16th November. 2011 Aghada, one on 26th September. Pre 1900 Near Dummanway, September 1851. Kennedy, Ruttledge & Scroope, 1954. 1883 Near Skibbereen, immature male, 29th October. Kennedy, Ruttledge…

Rails, Crakes & Coots

Rails, Crakes & Coots     Water Rail Ralóg uisce/Traonach uisce Rallus aquaticus Widespread if uncommon resident breeding species, passage migrant and winter visitor. Global Distribution: Europe, Africa, Asia and Iceland. Summer Distribution   Winter Distribution Spotted Crake Gearr breac Pardirallus maculates Rare passage migrant, most records in autumn. 17 county records up to the…

Pratincoles and Plovers

Pratincoles and Plovers   Collared Pratincole Glareola pratincola 2020 The Gearagh, at least one 2nd year bird from the 18th to the 20th April is the first county record. Global Distribution: Patchy distribution across southern Europe and south west Asia, wintering in Africa, south of the Sahara desert.   Little Ringed Plover Feadógín Chladaigh Charadrius dubius …

Pigeons & Doves

Pigeons & Doves     Rock Dove/Feral Colm Aille Columba livia Common throughout as Feral Pigeon. Almost impossible in the county to confidentially identify any as true wild Rock Doves at this stage. Genuinely wild stock, if it still exists, is confined principally to headlands and islands of the south-west, with small populations at cliff…

Oystercatchers

Oystercatchers   (Eurasian) Oystercatcher Roilleach (Eoráiseach) Haematopus ostralegus Resident breeding species, mostly in the west of the county. Widespread all year, common winter visitor and passage migrant. Global Distribution: Europe, Asia and Iceland.   Summer Distribution   Winter Distribution

Owls

Owls   Barn Owl Scréachóg Reilige Tyto alba Uncommon & localised resident breeding species, was in decline but recent evidence suggests it is increasing again as a breeding species. Global Distribution: Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, North America and South America.   Summer Distribution   Winter Distribution Eurasian Scops Owl Ulchabhán Scopach Eoráiseach Otus scops Rare…

Orioles

Orioles       Golden Oriole Oiréal Órga Oriolus oriolus oriolus Very scarce spring migrant, rare in autumn. At least 82 county records involving at least 110 individuals up to the end of 2020. Birds have been seen at the following locations: Ballycotton, Barnabrow (Cloyne), Between Midleton and Castlemartyr, Cahermore, Cape Clear Island (majority of…

North American Wood Warblers

North American Wood Warblers   Black-and-white Warbler Ceolaire Dubh is Bán Mniotilta varia Rare vagrant. One county record up to the end of 2020. 1978 Cape Clear Island, 18th October. This is the first Irish Record. Global Distribution: Breeds in eastern and northern North America and winters in Central America, northern South America and the…