A comprehensive Check list of the birds of Ireland can help you identify and spot different species. The Check list contains waterfowl, wading birds, and a suite of song birds.
It also includes raptors and other game birds, such as nighthawks and swifts. Whether you’re a nature lover or a birder looking to get closer to the local wildlife, a checklist can be an excellent guide.
What will I learn?
Red list
Ireland’s biodiversity has been evaluated for four times, the latest in 2013. There are 78 species on the green and amber lists and six species have been added to the red list.
Of the six new species, only the lapwing and kestrel have been added to the red list. In the past 20 years, the number of red-listed species has decreased by a third. The kestrel, which has distinctive hovering flight, is one of Ireland’s most endangered birds.
The IUCN Red List is the world’s comprehensive inventory of bird species in various regions. Birdwatch Ireland has developed a priority list of birds in the country.
Some of the species included in the priority list are: Common Scoter, Black-necked Grebe, Hen Harrier, Red Grouse, Grey Partridge, Quail, Corncrake, Barn Owl, Chough, Twit, and Yellowhammer.
Some species have reached the Red list, but not all of them are at risk of extinction. Six species of wading birds have been added, including lapwings, which are also on the list.
Red-listed species are most commonly found in farmland and upland habitats. Swifts, curlews, and corncrakes are also on the list. Five species of gulls have moved from the Red to the Amber status, including the European herring gull, the black-headed gull, the pintail, and the wigeon.
Currently, there are 54 species of birds in Ireland that are considered threatened by extinction. The remaining 79 species are on the green and amber lists.
The RSPB NI, BirdWatch Ireland, and other conservation organisations work together to publish the Red Lists on an irregular basis. However, the publication schedule for the next Red List of birds of Ireland is not yet finalized. You can download a copy of the list at the National Parks and Wildlife Service’s website.
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Amber list
The Red List and Amber List of birds of Ireland both highlight species with declining populations. The Red List is for birds with the greatest conservation concern and the Amber List is for birds of medium concern. Both lists have the same purpose, to protect species from extinction.
The list was established by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds in Northern Ireland, which conducted a review of the red and amber lists. This paper details the reasons behind each list, and what can be done to help protect species on the list.
Red-listed species are under threat from habitat destruction, disease, and unfavourable conservation status in Europe. They may be rare breeders or internationally important populations.
They may also have suffered secondary poisoning. Currently, sixty-four species are on the Red List, while seven are on the Amber List. While many species are on the Amber list, others remain on the Green List, but are at risk of extinction. The kestrel, for example, is listed as threatened due to changes in farming practices.
The Red List of birds of Ireland has recently been updated. The list was published for the first time in 1999, and was updated every seven years. It identifies emerging threats to bird populations, and includes a list of 211 species.
The Red and Amber lists of birds of Ireland are published in the Irish Birds journal, a scientific journal of BirdWatch Ireland. The review looked at the conservation status of 211 species. The Red list contains the most endangered birds.
Brent geese are small, robust birds that breed on the tundra of the Canadian Arctic islands. They migrate to Ireland each year, where they feed on Zostera marine grass.
They can be seen in Ireland during the summer, and during migration. The Divers are protected by law and are considered a national symbol. Its migratory status has led to the decline of many other species in Europe and North America.
Green list
The Green list of birds of Ireland includes 64 species. Of these, half are endemic to Ireland. The list also includes four species that have spread their range to a wider area.
The species with the highest conservation concern are the swifts, kestrels, and guillemots. The red list features fewer species, but those that have declined may still be worth preserving.
The list of birds at risk in Ireland has also been updated several times, and includes species with increasing threats to their existence.
A number of species have moved from the amber list to the green list, including the robin and reed warbler. Of the 78 species listed on the amber list, eighteen have slipped onto the green list.
BirdWatch Ireland has said that the declining populations of these species are unstoppable, and it is not clear whether some species can recover to regain their former status. However, the robin and reed warbler are among those who have increased their range to a greater extent.
Despite this, the list of Irish birds is still not complete. Among the birds listed on the green list are several species of wading birds, waterfowl, and a large suite of song birds.
Moreover, there are raptors, game birds, nighthawks, and swifts. A complete list of Irish birds is available online at BirdWatch Ireland. It will keep you informed of any changes that affect these species.
Some species of raptors are also found in Ireland. The most common are the kestrels, sparrow hawks, and cygnets, and they eat a variety of insects and other small animals.
The list also includes the peregrine falcon, the fastest animal on earth. Other species are difficult to identify, such as the Merlin and Goshawk. Insect-eating birds of the Old World include kinglets, blackcaps, and hummingbirds.
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Song thrush
The song thrush is an attractive and charismatic bird that makes its home in the west of Ireland.
Though its population has declined in recent decades, a new survey by the Breeding Bird Survey suggests that the song thrush population has increased significantly in Northern Ireland, rising by 52 per cent in the last two decades.
Despite these worrying statistics, the thrush is a highly popular bird in the country, making it the perfect present for bird lovers.
This species of bird is a frequent visitor to gardens and can be tricky to lure to feeding stations, as it can eat seeds and sunflower hearts. If you can find some suet pellets, Song Thrushes will readily take these.
But in winter, the ground hardens, and earthworms are unable to live there. In such a situation, mealworms may be necessary to provide sufficient nutrients for Song Thrushes. They breed throughout Ireland and can be found nesting in conifers, hedgerows, and ivy.
In spring and summer, the song thrush lays four to five dark-blue eggs. It is omnivorous, feeding on insects, invertebrates, seeds, and fruits.
The song thrush has a distinct and recognizable song, and is easily recognizable when perched in a garden. The song thrush is also a migratory species that joins in the winter months.
The song thrush is one of the most common garden birds in Ireland, and is often mistaken for a Blackbird. They have a distinctive red patch underneath their wings, and a white stripe over their eyes.
If you’re not familiar with the song thrush, you may want to pay a visit to the bird sanctuary and see it in the wild. While the Song Thrush is an attractive, charismatic bird, it is rare to see it in a flock.
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Dunnock
The Dunnock is a common bird, found all year round in Ireland and is a frequent visitor to parks and gardens.
Usually seen hopping along the ground, they never stray too far from cover, and eat insects, spiders, and other invertebrates. Their diet is primarily insects, berries, and small seeds, but they also eat crumbs from bird tables during the autumn and winter months.
Male and female Dunnocks display pre-copulation displays to ensure parentage of the offspring. Females fluff up their body feathers and raise their tails before copulation.
The males then peck at the female’s cloaca, which often turns pink over time. In addition, Dunnocks may form breeding pairs that combine two or more species. When breeding, Dunnocks often maintain two to three broods a year.
The Dunnock is a common visitor to parks, gardens, and parks. They seldom venture outside suitable cover. In the past, their blue-green eggs were thought to be protective charms, protecting homes from witchcraft and spirits. It has been a cuckoo host for over 600 years.
During the nesting season, Dunnocks will start searching for a suitable area to defend. These beautiful birds are an excellent addition to any bird-watching or nature-loving family.
The population of the Dunnock is estimated at eight hundred thousand breeding pairs in Ireland. Recent surveys have shown that the number of dunnocks has increased or stabilised since the mid seventies.
It is still listed on the amber list of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. However, its numbers are low and may be under-recognized. There is a need for further research to ensure that the dunnock survives and is protected.
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