Cranes

Common Crane Corr Coitianta Grus grus

Former resident and probable breeding species,  now a rare vagrant.

25 records involving at least 88 birds up to the end of 2020. Largest group seen was nineteen at Midleton between 13th and 25th November 2011. 63 birds seen during an exceptionally high influx in October to December 2011. Locations where birds have been seen include: Ballydehob, Ballymacoda, Castletownrocche, Churchtown South/Ballymaloe, Cork City, Croagh Bay (near Schull), Durrus, Dursey Island, Fota Island, Kilcolman NNR, Kinsale, Pearson’s Bridge (near Ballylickey), Unionhall. All records between August and March.

Global Distribution: A widespread summer visitor to northern Europe (occurring more patchily
farther south), which holds >50% of its global breeding population. Also found in Asia.

Sandhill Crane Corr Ceanadach Grus canadensis

Rare vagrant.

One county record up to the end of 2020.

1905 Galley Head, 12th to 14th September when shot, now at National Museum, Dublin. A. R. Nichols, Irish Naturalist 16:209-211. This is the first Irish Record.

Global Distribution: Sandhill Cranes are the most abundant of the world’s cranes. They are widely (though intermittently) distributed throughout North America, extending into Cuba and far north-eastern Siberia. The three migratory subspecies (Lesser, Greater and Canadian) are distributed across a broad breeding range in the northern U.S. and Canada as well as eastern Siberia, with wintering grounds in the southern United States and northern Mexico. The three non-migratory subspecies (Mississippi, Cuban, and Florida) have restricted ranges in the southern United States and Cuba. (International Crane Foundation)