Hoopoe Upupa epops Very scarce but almost annual vagrant, with the majority of records in spring. Distribution: a widespread breeder across much of the southern half of Europe, which accounts for less than a quarter of its global breeding range.
Great Bittern Botaurus stellaris Former resident, now a rare visitor. Ussher & Warren recorded 36 ‘since finished breeding in Ireland. (Ussher & Warren: 168) Four records in modern times. 2014 One, Kilcolman NNR, 31st March. 2012 One, Ballyhonock Lake, 19th March. 2006 Ballyvergan Reedbed (near Youghal), one on the 19th March. 1963 Clonakilty, one found dying…
Ivory Gull Pagophila eburnea Rare vagrant. Six county records upto the end of 2014. 2009 Baltimore Harbour, 1st winter, 3rd to 8th March. Also seen at Gujan-mestras, Gironde, France, 21 Jan – 26 Feb. 1999 Kinsale Harbour, adult, 9th to 10th January. 1980 Ballycotton, first-winter, 1st to 9th January. 1969 Ballycotton, adult, 16th October. 1913 Marina,…
Red Grouse Lagopus lagopus scoticus Rare resident, apparently maintaining a toehold in the north Cork mountains. Summer Distribution Winter Distribution Capercaillie Tetrao urogallus urogallus Extinct. Old texts suggest the bird was present in the county up to the mid-1700s. Grey Partridge Perdix perdix perdix May be extinct as a native species in the county and releases…
Pied-billed Grebe Podilymbus podiceps Rare vagrant. Five county records upto the end of 2013, with four records from 1997 to 2000 possibly involving the same individual. 2010 Little Island, from 10th December until 3rd February 2011. 2000 Lough Aderra, 24th October to 8th November. 1999 Rostellan Lake, Cork Harbour, adult, January to 20th April. Presumed returning…
Bean Goose Anser fabalis fabilis Rare vagrant. Three county records, all of the taiga race, involving 33 birds upto the end of 2013. 1984 One at Ballymacoda on 28th April. 1982 27 at Ballintotis, near Midleton, on from the 5th to the 28th January. 1981 Two at Ballymacoda from the 25th of October, joined by three…
Northern Gannet Sula bassana Common offshore. Breeds on the Bull Rock. Summer Distribution Winter Distribution
Frigatebird sp. Fregata sp. Rare vagrant. One county record up to end of 2013. 1973 Cape Clear Island, 24th August. This is the first Irish record. Distribution: Frigatebirds are tropic and sub-tropic in distribution and the speices most like to be seen in Ireland is the Magnificant Frigatebird. This species is distributed on the Pacific and…
Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata Uncommon summer visitor and passage migrant. Summer Distribution 1968-72 Summer Distribution 2008-2011 Red-breasted Flycatcher Ficedula parva Occasional though almost annual vagrant, virtually all records in autumn. 160 county records involving 175 birds up to 2012. Birds have been seen at the following locations: Ballinacarraige, Ballycotton, Ballymacrown (near Baltimore), Barley Cove, Bull…
Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs Common resident, passage migrant & winter visitor. Summer Distribution Winter Distribution Brambling Fringilla montifringilla Scarce passage migrant & winter visitor. More numerous in some years. Winter Distribution Dustribution: a widespread breeder in Fennoscandia and northern Russia, but also occurs very patchily farther south, with Europe accounting for less than half…