Stone Curlews Stone Curlew Crotach Cloch Burhinus oedicnemus Rare passage migrant, mostly in spring. Six records up to the end of 2020, since first recorded in 1913. 2013 Bantry, one on the 3rd June. 2010 Sherkin Island, one on the 20th/21st March. 1999 Dursey Island, one on the 26th April. 1996 Cape Clear Island,…
Avocets & Stilts Black-winged Stilt Scodalach Dubheiteach Himantopus himantopus Rare vagrant. 15 county records involving at least 29 individuals up to the end of 2020. 2014 White’s Marsh, one on the 30th and 31st May. 2008 Little Island, 27th May. 2005 White’s Marsh, Clonakilty, adult male, 1st May; same individual, Kilkerran Lake, 2nd…
Starlings (Common) Starling Druid (Coitianta) Sturnus vulgaris Common resident breeding species. Global Distribution: Europe, Africa and the south-western half of Asia. Introduced to many other countries. Summer Distribution Winter Distribution Rosy/Rose-coloured Starling Druid Rósach Pastor roseus Rare vagrant. 51 county records involving 54 birds up to the end of 2020. First county…
Sparrows House Sparrow Gealbhan Binne Passer domesticus Common resident breeding species, though appears to be declining nationally. Global Distribution: Europe, north Africa, Middle East and Asia. The House Sparrow has been introduced to many countries and now has an extremely large range and occurs in most parts of the world. Summer Distribution Winter…
Skuas Pomarine Skua Meirleach Mara Pomairíneach Stercorarius pomarinus Scarce passage migrant in spring and autumn. Numbers seen vary from year to year. Global Distribution: breeds in arctic Russia, with Europe accounting for less than a quarter of its global breeding range. Also Asia and North America. (Birdlife International) Arctic Skua/Parasitic Jaeger Meirleach Mara Artach Stercorarius…
Shrikes Isabelline Shrike Scréachán Isabilín Lanius isabellinus Rare vagrant. Three county records up to the end of 2020. 2016 Toe Head, one from the 31st October to the 1st November. 2007 Three Castles, Mizen Head, adult, 19th to 21st October, L. i. isabellinus. 2006 Old Head of Kinsale, first-year, 17th to 20th October. First…
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 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 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 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…