Swifts
Chimney Swift Gabhlán Simléir Chaetura pelagica
Rare vagrant.
Eight county records involving 12 individuals up to the end of 2020.
2015 Mizen Head, one on the 26th October 2015.
2005 An unprecedented influx. Between Courtmacsherry and Galley Head: three, 31st October to 3rd November; four, 1st November and two at Galley Head on the 2nd November.
2005 Clonakilty, 30th October.
2005 Sherkin Island, two, 29th October.
2005 Cape Clear Island, 29th October; presumed same, 30th October, presumed same, Baltimore, 30th October.
1999 Guileen, 25th October.
1999 Ballydonegan, 23rd October.
1999 Cape Clear Island, 23rd October. First Irish record.
Global Distribution: Breeds in the eastern states of North America and winters in north-western South America. (Cornell Lab of Ornithology)
White-throated Needletail Earrspíonach Scornach Bán Hirundapus caudacutus
Rare vagrant.
One county record up to the end of 2020.
1964 Cape Clear Island, 20th June. This was the first Irish Record.
Global Distribution: Breeds in parts of central and eastern Asia and winters mainly in western Australia. There is a resident population in Himalayas.
(Common) Swift Gabhlán Gaoithe (Coitianta) Apus apus
Common breeding summer visitor.
This species has been declining in recent years.
Global Distribution: Europe, Africa and Asia.
Summer Distribution 1968-72
Summer Distribution 2008-11
Alpine Swift Gabhlán Alpach Tachymarptis melba
Rare vagrant.
Most records in spring.
18 county records involving 22 individuals up to the end of 2020.
2013 Old head of Kinsale, one on the 26th September.
2011 Bull’s Cove, one on the 3rd April.
2006 Ballycotton, one from the 7th to the 18th April.
2006 Lissagriffin, one on the 5th and 6th April.
2003 Cape Clear Island, one on the 21st September.
2002 Cork City Centre, five on the 24th and 25th March.
1986 Glandore, one on the 20th May.
1988 Marathon Gas Platform off Kinsale, an adult on 9th November, moribund, died later.
1988 Marathon Gas Platform, off Kinsale, one on 29th March.
1988 Cape Clear Island, one on the 3rd April.
1987 Cape Clear Island, one on the 23 August.
1980 Dursey Island, one on the 27th July.
1978 Cape Clear Island, one on the 2nd June.
1976 Old Head of Kinsale, one on the 26 September.
1968 Cape Clear Island, one on the 21st April.
1965 Ballycotton, one on 6th and 7th August.
1844 or 1845 Doneraile, one shot June (Thompson I:418)
1829 Off Cape Clear, one midsummer. (Ussher & Warren:104)
Global Distribution: A widespread summer visitor to southern Europe, which accounts for less than half of its global breeding range. (Birdlife International)Also found in Africa and Asia.
Little Swift Gabhlán bheag Apus affinis
Rare Vagrant.
Two county records up to the end of 2020.
2020 Glengarriff, one on the 10th November.
1967 One at Clear Island, 12 June 1967. This is the first Irish record.
Global Distribution: A predominantly Asian and African distribution, which just extends into Europe in south-eastern Turkey and (recently) Spain. (Birdlife International)