Latest news with #BirdWatchIreland
RTÉ News
3 hours ago
- General
- RTÉ News
Crucial areas for conserving Irish seabirds identified by BirdWatch Ireland
A map identifying the 73 most important areas for Ireland's seabirds is being launched by BirdWatch Ireland. The wildlife NGO used the international criteria outlined by BirdLife International to identify the most crucial areas used by seabirds in Ireland. Areas designated using this criteria, for Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs), are recognised by the European Court of Justice and the European Commission as sites that should be designated by Special Protection Areas by EU member states. The map identifies 73 important areas for Ireland's sea birds, 49 of which are colony/breeding areas and 24 of which are marine areas used by birds for feeding and wintering. A total of 41 of the colony areas are already designated as Special Protection Areas (SPAs). While two areas of the marine have been identified by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) as potential SPAs. These are in the northwest Irish Sea and in the sea off Wexford. Jim Wilson has been observing the birds on the Old Head of Kinsale in Cork for more than 50 years. Mr Wilson described the location as a noisy place due to being in the middle of breeding season, with the sounds of Kittiwakes and other birds including guillemots and razorbills. However, he has noticed that the numbers of Kittiwakes are dwindling at the Old Head of Kinsale at "an alarming rate". The numbers of auk, guillemot and razorbill are also decreasing. He said protecting the sea areas for birds where they hunt is "something we need to do fast". IBAs are not a legal protection mechanism but are used to inform the designation of SPAs for birds under the EU Birds Directive. These Irish sites now form part of a global network of IBAs across 243 countries. Ireland is legally obliged to designate areas that protect the lifecycle of birds as SPAs under Article 4 of the Birds Directive, which is an EU legislation. Ireland has had designated areas for the protection of birds since 1998. A total of 24 species of breeding seabirds are hosted by Ireland's marine area, with 23 of them under a red or amber conservation status. Ireland has committed to designate 30% of its seawaters as marine protected areas by 2030. Around 9.8% have this designation. If all IBAs identified by BirdWatch Ireland on this list were designated as SPAs, that would bring the total are covered up to 17.5%. BirdWatch Ireland said it is conservative in its designation and the areas identified are the most crucial ones for Irish seabirds. Ireland's marine waters represent 8% of the total marine area of the European Union's marine area. Issues impacting the birds include a lack of protection at breeding and colony sites, bird flu, overfishing, predation by invasive species, marine pollution and climate change. Ireland began designating marine SPAs three years ago. Less than 2% of Ireland's Exclusive Economic Zone, the offshore area it has jurisdiction over living and non-living resources, is designated for seabirds. The expansion of human activities at sea, including the development of offshore wind projects, pose potential future threats to the birds. BirdWatch Ireland is calling on the Irish Government to designate the areas identified by the NGO as crucial for seabirds as SPAs. They are also calling for management plans to be developed for all SPAs so that conservation efforts can be measured and for funding to measure the potential impact of offshore renewable energy projects on Irish seabirds.
Irish Independent
2 days ago
- General
- Irish Independent
Cork's barn owls on the rise thanks to nest boxes
The barn owl, one of Ireland's native birds of prey, is an elusive nocturnal hunter, scouring verges and hedgerows for the rodents they survive on. And like many of the country's other raptors, they're on the Red List of high conservation concern. Rodenticide and road kills have whittled away their numbers but the greatest threat they face is loss of habitat as farming becomes ever more intensive. However, there are grounds for hope. In Cork, barn owl numbers are slowly recovering, with nest boxes built by volunteers playing an important role. The plywood boxes are installed high up near the roof inside the galvanised farm sheds that have largely replaced traditional barns, in derelict buildings, and also on trees. Built to a design approved by BirdWatch Ireland, the boxes give the owls extra sites in which to raise their annual brood. And in Cork the birds are taking full advantage of their new accommodation. In a recent check of three nest boxes in the farmland around the East Cork villages of Mogeely and Killeagh, Dr Alan McCarthy of Birdwatch Ireland discovered seven thriving barn owl chicks. He told the Irish Independent that the nest box project has been a resounding success in Cork. 'Year on year we're seeing more boxes have become occupied for nesting. So last year the occupancy rate was up to 25% of boxes, which for a Red-Listed species is very good, and this year we're still getting the numbers in but so far it looks like even more boxes will be occupied,' he said. 'The project is definitely producing the goods. Without nest boxes in these modern farm buildings, there would be no suitable cavities for barn owls to nest within, so it's providing new homes for new pairs for the population to expand.' In the past 10 years there's been an increase of around 130% in the barn owl breeding distribution in Cork, with the highest number of known nest sites in any county. In 2023, the highest density of barn owls in Ireland were recorded within a 10-kilometre square in East Cork. It's good news for farmers too as the owls feed on rats and mice as well as shrews and voles. A pair of barn owls can predate over 2,000 small mammals during the breeding season, Dr McCarthy said. Science teacher and BirdWatch Ireland volunteer Donncha Ó'Teangana has built and installed around 100 barn owl nesting boxes in County Cork over the past five years, with Cork County Council providing funding for the materials. He has since had the satisfaction of seeing many of them used to raise the next generation. 'When the first box got taken, I was delighted. When you're putting them up and nothing's happening and you're wondering, are you doing it right? Now I'm kind of disappointed when I arrive at a box and there's nothing in it!' he said. So the picture is looking somewhat better for the barn owl, at least in Cork. This year Cork County Council will receive €8,585 from the National Parks and Wildlife Service's Local Biodiversity Action Fund for barn owl and kestrel monitoring and conservation in the county. Even so, the barn owl remains endangered. 'We need more hedgerows that are managed sympathetically with wildlife in mind, a hedgerow that isn't cut every year and where the hedge is allowed to develop flowers, seeds and berries. Just leaving a one or two-metre grass margin along the base of a hedgerow could make the world of difference by providing good hunting for barn owls,' Dr McCarthy said. Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.
Irish Examiner
4 days ago
- General
- Irish Examiner
Birds of Ireland: Great Black-backed Gull
Great Black-backed Gull [Droimneach mór | Larus marinus] This gull is around 69-73 centimetres long with a wingspan of 156-160 centimetres. The great black-backed gull is a common breeding species found here — at the coast and on estuaries — all year round. The great black-backed gull is the largest of the Irish gulls, and is much bigger than the black-headed gull. The adult birds have a black back and wings with white wing tips. They have flesh-pink legs and a heavy yellow beak with a red spot. Great Black-backed Gull The plumage of juvenile and immature great black-backed gulls initially has a complex pattern of black/brown/white showing more contrast than on other young large gulls. As it matures, the back turns black first (giving a 'saddle-back' appearance). In flight, you can see their black back; and their broad black wings with a white trailing/leading edge and their white wing tips are also visible. Great black-backed gulls have a strong agile flight. When flying, the young birds show their pale inner primaries and their indistinct dark tail band is visible in flight. Their voice features deep calls, including a short ouawk. Tip of the Week: Gulls are found everywhere in Ireland, from the inland-nesting black-headed gull to the great black-backed gull found breeding mainly on cliffs and offshore islands. They have adapted to living with humans. Two examples of this are the noisy clouds of scavenging gulls following a trawler into port and the trail of gulls following the plough in search of insects and worms. Terns come here in their thousands each summer from their wintering grounds in Africa and beyond. The roseate tern, which is the rarest breeding tern in Europe, has one of its largest colonies on the BirdWatch Ireland/DOE-managed island of Rockabill off the north Dublin coast. Skuas are mainly non-breeding summer visitors and are often referred to as sea-hawks or pirates. They chase other seabirds, usually gulls and terns, until they surrender the food they are carrying. Birds of Ireland: A field guide By Jim Wilson, with photographs by Mark Carmody Jim Wilson is a wildlife writer, broadcaster, tour leader, and former chairman of BirdWatch Ireland. He has been involved in the study and conservation of birds in Ireland for more than 45 years, contributing to several major surveys and international projects. Mark Carmody is an award-winning wildlife photographer, has a PhD in biochemistry and works as a European patent attorney. Read More Birds of Ireland: Collared dove
Irish Examiner
22-06-2025
- General
- Irish Examiner
Birds of Ireland: Moorhen
Moor hen [Cearc uisce | Gallinula chloropus] A moorhen is about 32-35 cm long with a wing span of 50-55cm. They are a common breeding species found here, typically on wetland, all year round. Birds of Ireland: Moorhen Both sexes look similar and a moor hen is smaller than a mallard. The adults have a bright red forehead shield; a red/yellow beak; dark plumage, apart from some white streaks on flanks and two white patches on undertail; stout legs; and large, lobed feet. Juvenile and immature moorhens are browner and paler; with a dull olive-yellow beak. And downy young are all black with a red/yellow beak. A moorhen has a wingspan of about 50-55 centimetres Moorhens are rarely seen in flight — when frightened or in danger, they run along water surface with neck outstretched and wings flapping furiously, making for the nearest cover of reeds or other waterside vegetation. A moorhen makes many sounds, usually a loud, harsh krrrek or a fast double-noted ka-kik. Tip of the week: Always remember that having the most up-to-date equipment will not automatically make you a better birdwatcher. In camera shops that sell second-hand equipment, good cheap binoculars can sometimes be found, but if at all possible only buy a pair of binoculars after looking through them first. People have individual tastes and requirements, and different makes and designs will suit different people. After all, if the binoculars are not comfortable for you and your eyes, they will probably not be used very often or, worse, may end up damaging your eyesight over time. If you are not in a position to go to a shop to buy a pair, all the binoculars in the BirdWatch Ireland shop are selected to suit most budgets and have been tested by birdwatchers. There are two basic types of binoculars on the market: the old-style porro prism binoculars and the newer roof prism binoculars. The porro prism binoculars can be very good but need to be handled with care as they can be easily damaged by even a light bang and are rarely totally waterproof. Roof prism binoculars, which look like two tubes stuck together, are very streamlined and are usually very comfortable to hold. Compact binoculars, while being small enough to fit into your hand, have small objective lenses and so do not let in much light and have a small field of view. They can be handy if you are travelling abroad and want to keep your baggage weight down, or if you just don't want to carry a bigger/heavier pair of binoculars around with you. Birds of Ireland: A field guide By Jim Wilson, with photographs by Mark Carmody Read More Larks — nearly invisible in a sunny sky but worth listening for
Irish Examiner
25-05-2025
- General
- Irish Examiner
Birds of Ireland: Woodpigeon
Woodpigeon | Colm coille | Columba palumbus A woodpigeon is typically 40-42cm long with a wingspan of 75-80cm. They are a common breeding species here and are found all year round in woodlands, farmland, and in gardens. Woodpigeons are rook-sized — fat-looking with a small head; short, red legs; a pale yellow/pink beak; a pale cream iris; and an overall grey body. Adult woodpigeons have white neck patches/crescents on their wings; and a pink-grey breast — their rump/lower back is a pale blue-grey; and their tail is grey with a black band, more clearly marked below. Birds of Ireland: Woodpigeon Juvenile and immature woodpigeon look like the adults but lack the white on their neck. In flight a woodpigeon appears grey, with the white crescents on their wings visible. They have rapid wingbeats and can be mistaken for bird of prey. In display they show a steep flight upwards, ending in loud wing claps and downward glide. A woodpigeons voice is a loud cooing, sounding like Take two, John, take two; often repeated several times/may start in middle of phrase. Juvenile and immature woodpigeon look like the adults but lack the white on their necks Tip of the Week Like many other things, bird conservation can begin at home. There are many things, at a personal or local level, that you can do to help birds in their daily lives: 1. Make your garden bird-friendly by planting suitable trees and plants such as berry bushes and by providing water, perhaps by making a permanent pond. 2. The plastic rings holding packs of beer or soft drink cans together can get caught around birds' necks and result in their suffering a long, slow, agonising death. Always cut up these plastic rings before throwing them in the bin and if you come across them bring them home or tear them up on the spot. 3. Discarded fishing line is another lethal trap for birds, so always cut the line up into small pieces before disposing of it in a waste bin. Also try to avoid using lead weights. Safe substitutes are available. Lost lead can find its way into Mute Swans and other wildfowl and poison them. 4. Under the Wildlife Acts, hedge-cutting in the Republic of Ireland is illegal between March 1 and August 31 each year, though some exceptions are allowed for, amongst others, reasons of road safety and agricultural operations. Please report any illegal hedge-cutting to the National Parks & Wildlife Service or your local authority. F eatured in Birds of Ireland: A field guide By Jim Wilson, with photographs by Mark Carmody Birds of Ireland: A field guide By Jim Wilson, with photographs by Mark Carmody Jim Wilson is a wildlife writer, broadcaster, tour leader, and former chairman of BirdWatch Ireland. He has been involved in the study and conservation of birds in Ireland for more than 45 years, contributing to several major surveys and international projects. Mark Carmody is an award-winning wildlife photographer, has a PhD in biochemistry and works as a European patent attorney. Read More Birds of Ireland: Chaffinch
