Auks

Common Guillemot Foracha Uria aalge

Common and widespread offshore throughout the year, breeds at a number of coastal sites.

Over 3,700 breeding pairs were counted between 1998 and 2002.

Global Distribution: This species has a circumpolar distribution, occurring in the low-arctic and boreal waters of the North Atlantic and North Pacific (del Hoyo et al. 1996). (Source: BirdLife International)

Summer Distribution

 

 Winter Distribution

Razorbill Crosán Alca torda

Common and widespread offshore throughout the year, breeds at a number of coastal sites.

Has declined as a breeding species in the county. almost 3000 breeding pairs in 1969/70 and only 149 in 1998-2002.

Global Distribution: The species breeds on islands, rocky shores and cliffs on northern Atlantic coasts, in eastern North America as far south as Maine (U.S.A.), and in western Europe from north-west Russia to north-west France. North American birds migrate offshore and south, ranging from the Grand Banks of Newfoundland (Canada) to New England and New York (U.S.A.) (Nettleship 1996). Eurasian birds also winter at sea, with some moving south as far as the western Mediterranean and North Africa (Nettleship 1996, Merne and Mitchell 2004). (Source: BirdLife International)

 

 

Summer Distribution

 

Winter Distribution

Great Auk (extinct) Falcóg Mhór Pinguinus impennis

Awaiting Information.

Black Guillemot Falcóg dhubh Cepphus grylle

Local and generally uncommon resident breeding species, especially in the south-west.

Global Distribution: This species can be found throughout Arctic waters on the northern coasts of Russia, Alaska (U.S.A.), Canada and Norway, in the Atlantic Ocean off Greenland (to Denmark), eastern Canada as far south as the United Kingdom including the North and Baltic Sea (del Hoyo et al. 1996). (Source: Birdlife International)

 

 

Summer Distribution

 

Winter Distribution

Little Auk Falcóg Bheag Alle alle

Occasional late autumn and winter visitor, the majority of birds seen in November.

Sometimes seen in larger numbers, usually following severe winter storms.
Over 55 birds were recorded in the county up to 1954. At least 475 birds were recorded between 1959 and the end of 2013.
Birds were seen at the following locations: Ballycotton, Ballydehob, Ballydesdmond, Ballylanders strand. Ballymacoda Bay, Baltimore, Bantry, Broad Strand, Cape Clear Island, Cobh, Cork Harbour, Doneraile, Douglas Estuary, Dursey Island, Galley Head, Garryvoe, Inch Strand, Kilkerran Lake, Knockadoon Head, Old Head of Kinsale, Pilmore Strand, Rathcoursey/Rostellan. Roaringwater Bay, Timoleague.
Usually seen singly or in small numbers, the highest count was 191 at Cape Clear on the 7th November 1991.
Recorded in all months except June and July with most seen between November and January.

Global Distribution: The Little Auk breeds on islands of the high Arctic, being found on islands in the Bering Sea, from east Baffin Island (Canada), through Greenland (to Denmark), Iceland to Spitsbergen, Bear Island and the Jan Mayen Islands (to Norway), Novaya Zemlya, Severnaya Zemlya and Franz Josef Land, Russia. It is migratory, expanding its range in winter to include the North Atlantic Ocean as far south as the United Kingdom and the north-east USA. (Birdlife International)

Atlantic Puffin Puifín Fratercula arctica

Uncommon from spring to autumn offshore, principally in the south-west. Very rare in winter.

Breeding status uncertain, but known to breed at least in small numbers in the south-west.

Global Distribution: The Atlantic Puffin can be found throughout the North Atlantic Ocean, from north-west Greenland (to Denmark) to the coastline of Newfoundland (Canada) and Maine (USA) in the west, and from north-west Russia down to the Canary Islands, Spain (in winter) in the east (del Hoyo et al. 1996). (Source: BirdLife International)