MEDITERRANEAN GULL (Ichthyaetus melanocephalus) immature or 1st winter at Bray Promenade, Bray, Co. Wicklow, Ireland

 

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 The Mediterranean Gull (Ichthyaetus melanocephalus) is of the family Laridae which is in the genus Ichthyaetus. This species has greatly expanded its range in the last 60 years from Eastern Europe. 

The first breeding record for Britain was in 1968 and now in excess of 1200 pairs breed. In 1995 a pair was discovered breeding in Co. Antrim and the following year a pair bred in Co. Wexford. Since then the Irish population has gradually increased to over 60 pairs. In the autumn there is an influx of continental birds from Europe for the winter which has been proven by colour ringing and then a return migration takes place in late spring.

 

Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

 

 Mediterranean Gull (Ichthyaetus melanocephalus) distribution map

Breeding      Breeding resident     Non breeding - winter

 

SanoAK: Alexander Kürthy, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

MEDITERRANEAN GULL (Ichthyaetus melanocephalus) sub adult or 2nd winter at Bray Promenade, Bray, Co. Wicklow, Ireland

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 The Mediterranean Gull (Ichthyaetus melanocephalus) is of the family Laridae which is in the genus Ichthyaetus. This species has greatly expanded its range in the last 60 years from Eastern Europe. 

The first breeding record for Britain was in 1968 and now in excess of 1200 pairs breed. In 1995 a pair was discovered breeding in Co. Antrim and the following year a pair bred in Co. Wexford. Since then the Irish population has gradually increased to over 60 pairs. In the autumn there is an influx of continental birds from Europe for the winter which has been proven by colour ringing and then a return migration takes place in late spring.

 

Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

 

 Mediterranean Gull (Ichthyaetus melanocephalus) distribution map

Breeding      Breeding resident     Non breeding - winter

 

SanoAK: Alexander Kürthy, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

MEDITERRANEAN GULL (Ichthyaetus melanocephalus) two adults at Bray Promenade, Bray, Co. Wicklow, Ireland

1st adult Mediterranean Gull (Ichthyaetus melanocephalus)

 

1st adult Mediterranean Gull (Ichthyaetus melanocephalus)

 

2nd adult Mediterranean Gull (Ichthyaetus melanocephalus) 

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 The Mediterranean Gull (Ichthyaetus melanocephalus) is of the family Laridae which is in the genus Ichthyaetus. This species has greatly expanded its range in the last 60 years from Eastern Europe. 

The first breeding record for Britain was in 1968 and now in excess of 1200 pairs breed. In 1995 a pair was discovered breeding in Co. Antrim and the following year a pair bred in Co. Wexford. Since then the Irish population has gradually increased to over 60 pairs. In the autumn there is an influx of continental birds from Europe for the winter which has been proven by colour ringing and then a return migration takes place in late spring.

 

Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

 

 Mediterranean Gull (Ichthyaetus melanocephalus) distribution map

Breeding      Breeding resident     Non breeding - winter

 

SanoAK: Alexander Kürthy, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

GREAT CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax carbo subspecies P. c. carbo) immature at Broadmeadow Estuary, Malahide, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland

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 The Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) is of the family Phalacrocoracidae which is in the genus Phalacrocorax. It has a scattered distribution in parts of North America, Eurasia, Africa and Australasia. 

There are a number subspecies recognised including the ground nesting Common Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo carbo) which occurs in Britain and Ireland that breeds on coastal rocky outcrops and on off shore islands.  The tree nesting Continental Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis) which breeds in Northern Europe extending eastwards to Japan, but has in recent times colonised parts of southern Britain. This is apparently a rare subspecies in Ireland with less than 70 records but is in all probability under recorded.

 

Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

GREATER SCAUP (Aythya marila) female at Broadmeadow Estuary, Malahide, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland

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The Greater Scaup (Aythya marila) is of the family Anatidae which is in the genus Aythya. This diving duck breeds in the arctic regions of North America and Eurasia. In late autumn it migrates south to spend the winter in the southern parts of its range along coasts as well as on ice free lakes and lagoons. In North America, it can be confused with Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis) and similarly in Eurasia with Tufted Duck (Aythya fuligula), especially in the case of females or immatures. 

 

Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds 

 

Greater Scaup (Aythya marila) distribution map

 

Breeding           Non breeding - winter

UND77, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

RED BREASTED MERGANSER (Mergus serrator) male at Broadmeadow Estuary, Malahide, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland

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The Red Breasted Merganser (Mergus serrator) is of the family Anatidae which is in the genus Mergus. This medium sized diving duck occurs in North America as well as in large parts of Eurasia. In the temperate areas of its range, this northern breeder, nests on the ground in secluded areas along rivers, on fresh water islands and close to lake. Before the onset of colder weather, some populations move to coastal locations and others migrate south to warmer regions for the winter.

Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

 

 Red Breasted Merganser (Mergus serrator) distribution map

 Breeding             Resident             Passage            Non breeding - winter 

 

SanoAK: Alexander Kürthy, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

EURASIAN TEAL (Anas crecca) at Broadmeadow Estuary, Swords, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland

Eurasian Teal (Anas crecca) male

Eurasian Teal (Anas crecca) female

Eurasian Teals (Anas crecca) 

 

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The Eurasian Teal (Anas crecca) is of the family Anatidae which is in the genus Anas. This small dabbling duck breeds in the temperate regions of the Palearctic. In the autumn northern populations migrate to spend the winter in northwest and southern Europe, parts of northern Africa including the Nile Valley, the Middle East as well as southern and southeast Asia.
The small scattered resident population in Ireland and Britain greatly increases from September when northern birds begin to arrive. Having overwintered, they begin to disperse back to their breeding grounds and most have gone by the end of March.

 

Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds  

 

 Eurasian Teal (Anas crecca) distribution map 

  Breeding                Non breeding - winter           Resident

The Engineer, CC BY-SA 3.0 <http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/>, via Wikimedia Commons

COMMON GULL or MEW GULL (Larus canus) at Broadmeadow Estuary, Malahide, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland

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The Common Gull (Larus canus) also known as Mew Gull in North America is a member of the family Laridae which is in the genus Larus.

COMMON GREENSHANK (Tringa nebularia) at Broadmeadow Estuary, Malahide, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland

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The Common Greenshank (Tringa nebularia) is a medium sized sandpiper of the family Scolopacidae which is in the genus Tringa. The breeding range of this wader or shorebird extends from northern Scotland eastwards across northern Europe and Asia. This migratory species winters in sub Saharan Africa, the Indian subcontinent and Australasia. In addition, small numbers overwinter along the coasts of northwest Africa and northwest Europe including Britain and Ireland.

 

Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

 

 Common Greenshank (Tringa nebularia) distribution map

 

 

 Breeding           Passage           Non-breeding-winter           Vagrant  

 

SanoAK: Alexander Kürthy, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons 

BLACK REDSTART (Phoenicurus ochruros) immature at Balscadden Beach, Howth, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland

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The Black Redstart (Phoenicurus ochruros) is a small perching bird of the Old World flycatcher family Muscicapidae which is the genus Phoenicurus. It is a locally common resident in central and southern Europe as well as northern Africa. It also occurs in western and central Asia. In the warmer parts of its range it is sedentary. The northern populations migrate in the autumn to spend the winter in southern and western Europe, northern Africa and the Indian sub continent. 

 In Ireland, it is a very uncommon spring and autumn passage migrant, in addition very small numbers overwinter at traditional coastal locations.

Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

YELLOW LEGGED GULL (Larus michahellis) adult and a group of Black Headed Gulls (Chroicocephalus ridibundus) from 07-01-2022 to at least 03-02-2022 at Broadmeadow Estuary, Swords, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland

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The Yellow Legged Gull (Larus michahellis) is of the family Laridae which is in the genus Larus. Up until recently it was considered as a race of Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) but has now been given full species status. Post breeding populations disperse north and east. From July onward it occurs in good numbers in southern Britain but is an uncommon and scarce species in Ireland. The above record may be the same individual that was present at this location during August 2021.

 

There are two subspecies recognised:

• Larus michahellis michahellis - breeds in parts of western and southern Europe, as well as the Mediterranean Basin.  

• Larus michahellis atlantis - known as Atlantic Gull, breeds on the Atlantic coasts of France, Iberia, Morocco, Canary Islands, Madeira as well as a dark headed form that occurs on the Azores.

 Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

 

Yellow Legged Gull (Larus michahellis) distribution map

 

  Resident           Breeding          Non breeding-winter

 

Cephas, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons 

COMMON REDSHANK (Tringa totanus) at Broadmeadow Estuary, Swords, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland

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 The Common Redshank (Tringa totanus) or more simply known as a Redshank is of the sandpiper family Scolopacidae which is in the genus Tringa.

 

 Common Redshank (Tringa totanus) distribution map

 

 

 

 Resident - year round  Breeding  Passage  Non-breeding - winter

 

SanoAK: Alexander Kürthy, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

CONTINENTAL CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax carbo subspecies P. c. sinensis) immature on 1st January 2022 at Swords Sailing Club, Broadmeadow Estuary, Malahide, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland

  

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The Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) is of the family Phalacrocoracidae which is in the genus Phalacrocorax. It has a scattered distribution in parts of North America, Eurasia, Africa and Australasia. 

There are a number subspecies recognised including the ground nesting Common Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo carbo) which occurs in Britain and Ireland that breeds on coastal rocky outcrops and on off shore islands.  The tree nesting Continental Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis) which breeds in Northern Europe extending eastwards to Japan, but has in recent times colonised parts of southern Britain. This is apparently a rare subspecies in Ireland with less than 70 records but is in all probability under recorded.

 

There are three previous Continental Cormorant (P. c. sinensis) records from Co. Dublin: 

1. Broadmeadow Estuary, Swords, 1st winter from 4th to 30th January 2013. 
2. Broadmeadow Estuary, Swords, 1st winter from 28th January to 16th May 2013, different from above. 
3. Scotsman Bay, Dunlaoire, adult on 1st February 2014.

 

 Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

 

Reference:

A List of Some Rarer Birds in Dublin version 5.2  by Joe Hobbs (download pdf here)

 

Great Cormorant distribution map

 

 

 

 breeding  resident passage non-breeding

SanoAK: Alexander Kürthy, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

EURASIAN TREE SPARROW (Passer montanus) Turvey Nature Reserve, Donabate, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland

 

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The Eurasian Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus) is of the family Passeridae which is in the genus Passer.

 

GREY WAGTAIL (Motacilla cinerea) female at Clogher, Mullet Peninsula, Co. Mayo, Ireland

 

 

 

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 The Grey Wagtail (Motacilla cinerea) is of the family Motacillidae which is in the genus Passer.

 

 Grey Wagtail (Motacilla cinerea) distribution map

 SanoAK: Alexander Kürthy, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

 

Breeding summer                Breeding resident                Non-breeding winter