Fauna of Ireland - Birds

Birds

About 400 bird species have been recorded in Ireland. Many of these species are migratory. There are Arctic birds, which come in the winter, and birds such as the swallow, which come from Africa in the summer to breed. Many birds which are common residents in Britain and continental Europe are rare or unusual in Ireland, examples include the Tawny Owl, Willow Tit, Marsh Tit, Nuthatch, and all woodpecker species except the recently established Great Spotted Woodpecker. These are birds which do not move great distances and their absence may be due to Ireland's early isolation, but also Ireland's mild weather means early breeding and choice of best habitats which gives residents an advantage over visitors.

Although Ireland has fewer breeding species than Britain and Continental Europe (because there are fewer habitat types, fewer deciduous woodlands, Scots pine forests, heaths, and high mountain ranges), there are important populations of species which are in decline elsewhere. Storm Petrels (largest breeding numbers in the world), Roseate Tern, Chough, and Corncrake. Four species of bird have Irish subspecies. These are the Coal Tit (Parus ater hibernicus), Dipper (Cinclus cinclus hibernicus), Jay (Garrulus glandarius hibernicus), and Red Grouse ( Lagopus lagopus hibernicus).

The Wren, Robin, Blackbird, and Common Chaffinch are the most widespread species, occurring in 90% of the land area. These and the Rook, Starling, Great Tit, and Blue Tit are among the most numerous and commonly seen. Over the period 1997-2007, populations of pigeons, warblers, tits, finches, and buntings have remained stable or shown an increase (there were massive declines during the 1970s). Kestrel, Common Swift, Skylark, and Mistle Thrush have continued to decline due to changes in agricultural practices such as increased use of pesticides and fertiliser. Climate change has also played a role. For atlases see Atlases of the flora and fauna of Britain and Ireland

Ireland has a rich marine avifauna, with many large seabird colonies dotted around its coastline such as those on the Saltee Islands, Skellig Michael, and the Copeland Islands. Also of note are golden eagles, recently reintroduced after decades of extinction (Golden Eagle Reintroduction Programme in County Donegal). Another conservation effort is habitat management to encourage the Red-necked Phalarope.

South-eastern Wexford is an important site for birds - the north side of Wexford Harbour, the North Slob, is home to 10,000 Greenland White-Fronted Geese each winter (roughly one third of the entire world's population), while in the summer Lady's Island Lake is an important breeding site for terns, especially the Roseate Tern. Three quarters of the world population of Pale Bellied Brent Geese winter in Strangford Lough in Co. Down.

In 2001, the Golden Eagle was reintroduced into Glenveagh National Park after a 90 year absence from Ireland. A total of 46 Golden Eagles have been released in Ireland since 2001. In 2007, the first Golden Eagle Chick hatched in Ireland since re-introduction. In 2006, 30 Red Kite bird's originally from Wales were released in the Wicklow Mountains. Six weeks later one was shot dead, it was found to have 8 shotgun pellets in it. The first Red Kite Chick hatched in 2010. In 2007, the White-tailed Eagle returned to Ireland with six young birds being released in Killarney National Park after an absence of over 200 years from Ireland. Fifteen of these birds have been released in total. There are plans for the Common Crane to also return to Ireland in the Future. While the Osprey and Marsh Harrier have slowly returned to Ireland naturally.