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| Migration | • | Seabirds | • | Shorebirds | • | Protection |
Bird migration is a fascinating global phenomenon. Millions of birds travel thousands of kilometers with one purpose – to improve their chances of survival. Essentially, birds travel to climates which provide a better feeding environment or more importantly, a more suitable environment to rear their young. While seabirds and shorebirds clearly benefit from migration, it is extremely dangerous. Thousands of birds do not complete their migration as they face countless hazards including storms, exhaustion and predators. Seabirds and shorebirds are renowned for the often incredible lengths of their migratory routes and Ireland occupies a key geographical position on the East Atlantic flyway with birds from countries such as Canada travelling to or through it to reach places further south. The distances travelled vary considerably between species but some species such as the Manx Shearwater and the Arctic Tern are known to have incredibly lengthy migratory routes.
Seabirds
Seabird Habitats
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| Razorbill on cliffs of Skellig Michael |
Irish seabird species
One of the most pertinent questions to be asked is how many species of seabirds does Ireland support? Seabird 2000 was a major British/Irish initiative to census all the breeding seabirds in the two countries in a relatively short period of time, 1998-2002. It concluded that Ireland supports 24 breeding species of seabird representing three different Orders - the Procellariiformes, the Pelecaniformes and the Charadriiformes. The following descriptions detail three different species of seabird, one from each of the Orders. The European Storm Petrel is a member of the Order Procellariiformes and Ireland is thought to be home to the world’s largest colony. The Northern Gannet is a member of the Order Pelecaniformes and is one of Ireland’s most numerous seabird species. The Atlantic Puffin is a member of the Order Charadriiformes and, with its wonderfully colourful face, is perhaps the most distinctive Irish seabird.
The European Storm Petrel
The European Storm Petrel (Hydrobates pelagicus) is the smallest European seabird. This bird has plumage with dark upperparts and a conspicuous white rump (hind end). These petrels have a weak fluttery, rather bat-like flight, usually low over the sea and their underparts are completely dark except for a white line across the underwing. The European Storm Petrel mainly feeds on surface plankton and small fish and feeds from the water surface without landing. When feeding, this seabird flutters with its wings held in a shallow V and its feet pattering on the surface of the water.
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| The European Storm Petrel in Flight |
It migrates south to waters off South Africa in September-November, returning in April.
It is Ireland's most numerous seabird and can be found on many remote islands off the west coast. It is thought that the 26,000 petrels occupying sites on Inis Tuaisceart in the Blasket Islands, Co. Kerry may represent the largest colony in the world. A study carried out between 1999 and 2001 recorded only six petrels between the months of October and April which coincides with the migratory schedule described above.
The Northern Gannet
The Northern Gannet (Morus bassanus) has a variety of plumages, from the dark speckled brown juveniles to the immaculate, almost white, adults with various brown and white plumages in between. At all ages though, Gannets can be easily identified by their unique shape with long bodies, pointed at both ends, and impressively long, pointed wings enabling them to fly quickly, but effortlessly, with long glides. These birds catch fish by spectacular plunge-diving. Flying birds close their wings making their whole body streamlined like an arrow and then dive head-first into the water.
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| The Northern Gannet - note the streamlined body shape |
Immature Northern Gannets are migratory, with some wintering as far south as West Africa. The breeding adults are only partial migrants however. Many adults are present in northern waters throughout the winter, but many move south after breeding to winter between the Bay of Biscay and the coast of western Africa.
Approximately 80% of the European population of Northern Gannets is contained within Britain and Ireland. Important Irish colonies exist at Little Skellig, Co. Kerry, Bull Rock, Co. Cork, and Great Saltee, Co. Wexford, though it has a wide at-sea distribution all along the coast. A study carried out between 1999 and 2001 recorded the Northern Gannet in every month with a peak in the month of September.
The Atlantic Puffin
The Atlantic Puffin (Fratercula arctica) is a member of the Order Charadriiformes which also includes such seabirds as the gulls, the Great Skua and the Razorbill. The Puffin has a distinctive colourful bill, white face and red feet. During the winter months, however, the bill sheds its outer, more colourful layer so it appears smaller and duller and the face too becomes a duller smoky grey. The Atlantic Puffin feeds by diving for fish, especially sand eels, and can carry several fish at once due to its serrated (saw-like) bill.
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| The Atlantic Puffin |
The majority of the Atlantic Puffin population breeds in Iceland and Norway. Important Irish colonies include Puffin Island and Skellig Michael, Co. Kerry, the Cliffs of Moher, Co. Clare and Tory Island, Co. Donegal. The Atlantic Puffin is very abundant (numerous) in its breeding stronghold in Scotland during spring and summer. An Irish study carried out between 1999 and 2001 recorded the Atlantic Puffin largely in inshore areas from February to November with a peak in the month of July.
Seabird Conservation
The Roseate Tern - a conservation success story
 Roseate Tern The Roseate Tern (Sterna dougallii) breeds on Rockabill Island - a small granite island in the Irish Sea, about 25km north of Dublin city and 6km off the coast. Conservation measures employed included the designation of the island as a refuge for fauna in 1988 and as an SPA (Special Protection Area). In addition to this, nest boxes were provided and two full-time tern wardens were employed during the breeding season. The success of this project is highlighted by the fact that Rockabill Island is now thought to be one of the largest (if not the largest) colonies of breeding Roseate Terns in Europe. |
Unfortunately, many of the threats to important seabird colonies are anthropogenic (caused by man). It should be noted, however, that these threats are generally indirect, accidental effects by humans, and direct exploitation of seabirds for food, oil, fish bait, fertilizer and clothing is now considered small. The indirect anthropogenic threats include oil pollution, human disturbance, drowning in fishing nets and over-fishing which impacts food supply. Climate change may also affect food supplies and change bird distribution patterns. Invasion of land predators (e.g. European mink) on offshore islands are a threat to nesting birds. Many seabirds' behaviours make them more vulnerable to pollution. The Northern Gannet, for example, is known to spend considerable periods of time on the water preening, washing and sleeping making this species particularly vulnerable to oil pollution
Shorebirds
Habitats
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| Birds over Courtmacsherry Estuary, Co. Cork |
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Irish Shorebird species
Along with a number
of seabird species, shorebirds are part of the Order Charadriiformes.
The following descriptions detail three different species of shorebird
– the Redshank (Tringa totanus), the Lapwing (Vanellus
vanellus) and the Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus).
The Redshank is a medium-sized grey-brown wader, the lapwing is a medium
sized bird with a distinctive head crest and the Oystercatcher is a
large, noisy bird.
Redshank
The Redshank (Tringa totanus) is a wader in the large family
Scolopacidiae. These birds have characteristic red legs and bill, although
juveniles may have greenish-yellow legs, and show white along the back
and on the wings in flight. They are brown in colour but become somewhat
lighter in winter. Like most waders, they feed on small invertebrates,
including earthworms, molluscs and crustaceans.
The Redshank is a migratory species, which winters on coasts around the Mediterranean, in south Asia and on the Atlantic coast of Europe. This species engages in long migrations and has been known to cover a distance up to 6,500 km.
The redshank has a relatively broad distribution in Ireland with resident populations all along the coast and winter populations in the south and southwest. The Shannon Callows (the flooplain of the River Shannon) is internationally recognised as an important area for breeding Redshank. This species can also be found all around Cork Harbour. Ireland is thought to hold a population of well over 20,000 redshank.
Lapwing
The Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus) is a medium sized wading bird belonging to the family Charadriidae. The lapwing's plumage has a black and white colouration, but perhaps the most distinctive feature is a splendid crest on the head. This wader feeds on invertebrates, mainly worms and insects.
Lapwings display quite complex migratory patterns. In May/June, birds begin leaving the Baltic region and Central Europe. Although the lapwings head towards Spain, Portugal and Northern Africa, they often end up in Britain, but when the marshes and fields are frozen, move westward towards Ireland.
One of the critical regions for this and many other species, is the
Shannon estuary. This estuary is thought to hold 10 species in numbers
of international importance. This species, along with a number of other
shorebird species, showed a decline in the 1990's in Ireland, a fact
which was attributed to the loss of wetland habitat. It now features
on the BoCCI (Birds of Conservation Concern) Red List as a declining
breeder.
Oystercatcher
The Oystercatchers form the single-genus family Haematopodidae. The
Eurasian Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus) has black and
white plumage, a long bright red bill and pink legs. Oystercatchers
feed on mussels, crustaceans, worms and insects
Oystercatchers which breed along the west coast of Scandinavia move south and west in Autumn, wintering around the North Sea and the Irish Sea.
The oystercatcher has a general distribution in Ireland with a resident population along the coast and a winter population in the south. One of the most crucial regions for this species in Ireland is Dublin Bay. This site includes a number of islands and part of the Dublin docks. It consists of a variety of habitats including sand and mudflats, saltmarshes, sand dunes and beaches. Although the oystercatcher has undergone a general decline over its European range, it is not considered a threatened species in Ireland.
Shorebird Conservation
The main challenge faced by shorebird conservationists is the fact that
traditionally, wetlands have been viewed as wastelands and therefore
seen as opportunities for land reclamation rather than important bird
habitats. This has resulted in a dramatic decline in both the availability
and quality of habitat available to shorebirds.
The main threats to Irish wetlands are pollution, drainage and infrastructure developments. Pollution is a huge problem and can take different forms including sewage effluent, industrial waste and pesticides. However, efforts are being made to highlight the value of wetlands as habitats for birds. The Ramsar Convention is an international treaty, adopted in Iran in 1971, to which Ireland is a signatory, which aims to encourage international support and cooperation to protect and conserve wetland habitats. World Wetlands Day is celebrated on 2nd of February each year. Other threats to nesting shorebirds include predation by mammalian predators, particularly mink, cats, and dogs.
Legislation for the protection of birds
The major national legislation relating to the protection of bird species is the Wildlife Acts. The major European legislation driving species conservation comprises the Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC), Birds Directive (79/409/EEC) Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC) and the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (2008/56/EC). Birds of Conservation Concern Ireland (BoCCI) are bird species suffering decline in the Irish/European and global context. Birdwatch Ireland (BWI) and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) have identified and classified these species by the rate of decline into a red list and an amber list. The Red List species are those which are severely threatened, and it currently features 25 species, one of which is the Roseate Tern. The number of threatened species has increased by 7 since the publication of the previous list in 1999. This kind of information is crucial, as it allows conservationists to prioritise their efforts and concentrate on those species which are most endangered.
Redshank
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| Redshank |
The Redshank is a migratory species, which winters on coasts around the Mediterranean, in south Asia and on the Atlantic coast of Europe. This species engages in long migrations and has been known to cover a distance up to 6,500 km.
The redshank has a relatively broad distribution in Ireland with resident populations all along the coast and winter populations in the south and southwest. The Shannon Callows (the flooplain of the River Shannon) is internationally recognised as an important area for breeding Redshank. This species can also be found all around Cork Harbour. Ireland is thought to hold a population of well over 20,000 redshank.
Lapwing
The Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus) is a medium sized wading bird belonging to the family Charadriidae. The lapwing's plumage has a black and white colouration, but perhaps the most distinctive feature is a splendid crest on the head. This wader feeds on invertebrates, mainly worms and insects.
Lapwings display quite complex migratory patterns. In May/June, birds begin leaving the Baltic region and Central Europe. Although the lapwings head towards Spain, Portugal and Northern Africa, they often end up in Britain, but when the marshes and fields are frozen, move westward towards Ireland.
 Lapwing |
Oystercatcher
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| Oystercatcher |
Oystercatchers which breed along the west coast of Scandinavia move south and west in Autumn, wintering around the North Sea and the Irish Sea.
The oystercatcher has a general distribution in Ireland with a resident population along the coast and a winter population in the south. One of the most crucial regions for this species in Ireland is Dublin Bay. This site includes a number of islands and part of the Dublin docks. It consists of a variety of habitats including sand and mudflats, saltmarshes, sand dunes and beaches. Although the oystercatcher has undergone a general decline over its European range, it is not considered a threatened species in Ireland.
Shorebird Conservation
The East Coast EU-LIFE Project (Blackditch)
 Blackditch Wood. Blackditch Wood lies within a wetlands complex near Newcastle, Co. Wicklow. Birdwatch Ireland (with EU funding) has been restoring this site over recent years with great success. One of the significant methods adopted was a seasonal increase of the amount of water the reserve holds. It was decided that the project would concentrate on four bird species - the Greenland White-fronted Goose, the Whooper Swan, the Kingfisher and the Little Egret. Over recent years good numbers of all four species along with numerous birds of prey have been seen. This is a sign of a healthy environment as birds of prey will only congregate in an area with enough insects, mammals and birds on which to feed. The Sparrowhawk, Short-eared Owl and Peregrine Falcon have all been spotted in the area- their presence serving as a testament to the success of the project |
The main threats to Irish wetlands are pollution, drainage and infrastructure developments. Pollution is a huge problem and can take different forms including sewage effluent, industrial waste and pesticides. However, efforts are being made to highlight the value of wetlands as habitats for birds. The Ramsar Convention is an international treaty, adopted in Iran in 1971, to which Ireland is a signatory, which aims to encourage international support and cooperation to protect and conserve wetland habitats. World Wetlands Day is celebrated on 2nd of February each year. Other threats to nesting shorebirds include predation by mammalian predators, particularly mink, cats, and dogs.
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Legislation for the protection of birds
The major national legislation relating to the protection of bird species is the Wildlife Acts. The major European legislation driving species conservation comprises the Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC), Birds Directive (79/409/EEC) Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC) and the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (2008/56/EC). Birds of Conservation Concern Ireland (BoCCI) are bird species suffering decline in the Irish/European and global context. Birdwatch Ireland (BWI) and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) have identified and classified these species by the rate of decline into a red list and an amber list. The Red List species are those which are severely threatened, and it currently features 25 species, one of which is the Roseate Tern. The number of threatened species has increased by 7 since the publication of the previous list in 1999. This kind of information is crucial, as it allows conservationists to prioritise their efforts and concentrate on those species which are most endangered.