Species
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…
Nightjars Nightjar Tuirne Lín Caprimulgus europaeus Rare passage migrant. Once a breeding species in the county but no evidence of such in recent decades. Most recent record was of one at Inchy Bridge, Timoleague when a male was observed hawking for insects over typical breeding habitat on three nights between 1st to 8th June…
New World Blackbirds, Orioles, Bobolink Bobolink Bobóilinc Dolichonyx oryzivorus Rare vagrant. Two county records up to the end of 2020. 2003 Cape Clear Island, 10th October, third Irish record. 1982 Cape Clear Island, trapped, 13th to 24th September. Global Distribution: Breeds across central North America, rarer in the west and winters in mid…
Divers/Loons Red-throated Diver/Loon Lóma Phíbrua Gavia stellata Common passage migrant and winter visitor on the coast. Larger groups often seen in spring before migration. Rare breeding species in northern Ireland. Seen in larger number in the west of the county with over 100 regularly seen in bays and inlets. Global Distribution: Higher latitudes of…
Larks Greater Short-toed Lark Fuiseog Ladharghearr Mór Calandrella brachydactyla Rare vagrant. 38 county records, all of single birds up to September 2022. Birds were seen at the following locations: Ballycotton, Cape Clear Island, Dursey Island, Lissagriffin, Mizen Head, Pilmore Strand. Almost all records from Cape Clear Island and Dursey Island. Seen in April, May,…
Kingfishers (Common) Kingfisher Cruidín (Coitianta) Alcedo atthis Widespread though uncommon resident breeding species. Global Distribution: Europe, Africa and Asia. Summer Distribution Winter Distribution Belted Kingfisher Cruidín Creasa Alcedo atthis Rare vagrant. One record up to the end of 2020. 2020 Castletownbere, one from 9th November into 2021 is the first…
Hoopoes Hoopoe Húpú Upupa epops Very scarce but almost annual vagrant, with the majority of records in spring. Recorded in all months of the year with the vast majority in March and April. Global Distribution: A widespread breeder across much of the southern half of Europe, which accounts for less than a quarter of…
Herons, Storks and Ibises (Great) Bittern Bonnán (Mór) 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 up to the end of 2020. 2014 One, Kilcolman NNR, 31st March. 2012 One, Ballyhonock Lake, 19th March. 2006…
Gulls Ivory Gull Faoileán Eabhartha Pagophila eburnea Rare vagrant. Six county records up to the end of 2020. 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,…
Grouse, Partridges and Pheasants Red Grouse Cearc Fhraoigh Lagopus lagopus scotica Rare resident breeding species, once common in suitable habitat but now a declining species, apparently maintaining a toehold in the north Cork mountains. Global Distribution: Northern areas of Europe, Asia and North America. Summer Distribution Winter Distribution (Western) Capercaillie Capall Coille (Iartharach)…