Woodpeckers

 

 

Wryneck Cam-Mhuin Jynx torquilla

Occasional, though almost annual passage migrant, with the majority of records in autumn.
Over 200 county records involving at least 239 individuals up to the end of 2020.

The first county records was one found dead on the Fastnet Rock on the 17th September 1898 (Ussher & Warren:107).
An exceptional 31 were recorded in the county during 2010.

Birds have been seen at the following locations: Ballagh Boy (West Beara), Ballycotton, Ballyhooly, Ballymacrown, Ballyvergan (Youghal), Baltimore, Barleycove, Brow Head, Cape Clear Island (majority of the records), Clogheen Marsh, Crookhaven, Dursey Island, Fastnet Rock, Firkeel, Galley Head, Garinish (West Beara), Lehanemore (West Beara), Lissagriffin, Long Strand (near Galley Head), Mizen Head, Old Head of Kinsale, Sands Cove (near Galley Head), Sheep’s Head, Sherkin Island, Three Castles Head, Toe Head, Youghal.
Most records were of single birds and many stayed for a few days and a couple for over a week.

Apart from two in November, three records in April and in May and eight in August the rest were seen in September and October.

Global Distribution: A widespread summer visitor to much of Europe, which accounts for less than half of its global breeding range. Breeds in small numbers in the UK. Also found in Africa and Asia. (Birdlife International)

 

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Súdhiúlaí tarrbhuí Sphyrapicus varius

Rare Vagrant.

One county record up up to the end of 2020.

1988 Cape Clear Island, immature female, trapped, 16th to 19th October.

Global Distribution: Breeds in northern North America and winters in the south-eastern states of North America, Central America and the Caribbean.

 

Great Spotted Woodpecker Mórchnagaire Breac Dendrocopos major major

Rare vagrant. Probably bred in the county many centuries ago.

Three county records up to 1950 and none until 2008 the first one in the county was seen on Cape Clear on the 19 to 20 April.
Since then there has been a small number of confirmed sightings in the county.

Following a rapid expansion of its breeding range in the UK and first breeding record in Ireland was in 2006. This species in now breeding at a number of sites on the east coast of Ireland and there is evidence to suggest it is spreading south and west with sightings from places covering one quarter of the island. It is safe to assume at this stage that it won’t be too long before it is added to the county list of breeding species.

Global Distribution: Europe, Africa and Asia.

 

Northern Flicker Colaptes auratus

One Ship assisted record.
An individual which flew ashore from the RMS Mauretania in Cork Harbour at 0800 hrs on October 13th 1962 was the only survivor of a group of ten or more flickers (!!!) which had landed on the vessel on October 7th and 8th, while it was sailing from New York to Southampton.