The status of birds in Ireland: An analysis of conservation concern 2008-2013

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149
Irish Birds 8: 149-166 (2007)
Introduction
Conservation p rioritisation lists are recognised a s
important tools in identifying changes in population
status and focusing conservation effort on the highest
priorities (e.g. Whilde 1993; Newton et al. 1999; Gregory
et al. 2002). In 1999, the Birds of Conservation Concern
in Ireland (BoCCI) provided the first comprehensive
analysis of the population status of birds on the island
and identified those species most in need of conservation
action (Newton et al. 1999). This initial review followed the
publication of the Irish Red Data Book in 1993 (Whilde
1993), using new data to support the listing process. Given
that it is now eight years since the publication of the first
BoCCI list and that further sources of data have become
available, it is timely that the lists are reviewed to provide
The status of birds in Ireland: an analysis
of conservation concern 2008-2013
Paul Lynas1, Stephen F.
Newton2& James A. Robinson1
1Royal Society for the Protection of Birds,
Belvoir Park Forest, Belfast BT8 7QT, UK
2BirdWatch Ireland, 1 Springmount,
Newtownmountkennedy, Co.Wicklow,
Ireland
This is the second assessment of the birds
of conservation concern in Ireland and is
based on an updated assessment of the
population status of birds on the island as
a whole. The criteria used are based on
in ter n at ion al co nse rva tio n sta tus ,
hi sto ric al bree din g d ec lin es, rec ent
population declines (numbers and range
in breeding and non-breeding seasons),
European conservation status, breeding
rarity, localised distribution, and the inter-
national importance of populations. Of
th e 1 99 sp eci es ass es sed , 2 5 wer e
placed on the Red list, 85 on the Amber list and 89 on the Green list. The number of Red-listed
species has increased by seven and Amber-listed species by 8 since the first review in 1999.
Although concerted efforts have been focused on the recovery of species of highest conser-
vation concern across the island, the Roseate Tern and Hen Harrier are the only Red-listed
species identified in 1999 to have moved to the Amber list because of changes in their
population status. The extinction of the Corn Bunting as a breeding species in Ireland demon-
strates the need for more focused efforts to avoid the further loss of species. Several of the
remaining Red-listed species are in danger of extinction in Ireland. Some changes of consid-
erable concern in the status of breeding seabirds, wintering waterbirds, breeding waders
and lowland farmland birds are discussed. The need for new data to support future assess-
ments is also highlighted.
Plate 50. Roseate Tern (Oran O’Sullivan).
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150 Irish Birds 8 (2007)
Paul Lynas, Stephen F. Newton & James A. Robinson
the most contemporary assessment of population status
and to refocus conservation efforts on the highest prior-
ities for action.
This review of BoCCI does not consider the Republic
of Ireland or Northern Ireland separately as was adopted
in the original review. Therefore, it is the first assessment
of bird populations across the island of Ireland. This
change in the geographic scope of the assessment has
meant that the population status, and the placing in the
lists, of some species have changed. It is important to
note that this may not affect the need for country-specific
conservation action for these species.
Since the publication of the first BoCCI, there have
been some important additions to the data concerning
the population status of birds in Ireland. At an interna-
tional scale, ‘Birds in Europe’ was published by Birdlife
International to review the Species of European
Conservation Concern (SPECs) and the IUCN has
continued to publish its Red List of Threatened Species
(Birdlife International 2004; IUCN 2007).
For breeding birds, data from the Countryside Bird
Survey, (Republic of Ireland) and Breeding Bird Survey,
(Northern Ireland) have been integrated for the first time
to generate all-Ireland trends. From this analysis, trends
for 63 of the most common breeding bird species in
Ireland have been calculated for the period 1998-2003.
Although only short-term trends are available at this time,
this has been the first o pportunity to measure the
population status of bre eding birds in Ireland
quantifiably.
A comprehensive summary of the results of Seabird
2000 has been published, assessing the population sizes
and breeding ranges between 1998 and 2002 of all 24
seabird species that regularly breed in Ireland. These data
update those collected in the previous national seabird
surveys: Operatio n Seafar er (1969-7 1) and S eabird
Colony Register (1985-88), and have b een used to
produce long-te rm trends for seabirds breedi ng in
Ireland.
For non-breeding waterbirds, the publication of
‘Ireland’s Wetlands and their Waterbirds: Status and
Distribut ion’ ha s contributed a wealth of new data
(Crowe 2005). This publication provides a summary of
the results of the Irish Wetland Bird Survey (I-WeBS)
carried out in the Republic of Ireland and the Wetland
Bird Survey (WeBS) in Northern Ireland from winter
1994/95 to winter 2000/01. It presents population sizes
and identifies important sites for wintering waterbirds in
Ireland.
Other data have also become available, such as the
ongoing regular monitoring of species of conservation
concern, such as the Corncrake, Roseate Tern, Twite and
Hen Harrier. It has, therefore, been possible to approach
this review in an entirely s cientifi c mann er, basi ng
virtually all decisions on published scientific literature.
This has removed any subjectivity from the outcomes and
conclusions.
This review has been designed as closely as possible
to mirror Birds of Conservation Concern in the United
Kingdom, Channel Islands a nd Isle of Man (BoCC:
Gregory et al. 2002). In doing so, the seven standard
criteria used in those documents have been adopted. In
the new BoCCI list, the ‘decline in population during the
non-breeding season’ criterion has been used for the first
time. This category was previously omitted due to insuffi-
cient data but it has now been possible to include it using
the data collected by I-WeBs and WeBS. These surveys
have been running in Ireland since 1994 and the data
series are now of sufficient length to calculate meaningful
trend information.
BoCCI deviates from BoCC in some criteria, where
different threshold levels have been chosen to best
represent the Irish situation (Newton et al. 1999). The
following is a list of those changes. In breeding range
decline (BDr) >70% contraction qualifies a species for
Red-listing in BoCCI in preference to >50% as used in
BoCC. For Amber-listing, >35% contraction qualifies a
species instead of only 25% in BoCC. Within the historical
decline category (HD) used in this review, the time span
is not divided as it was in BoCC due to a lack of available
historical information. Finally, less than 100 breeding
pairs qualifies the species for Amber-listing on account of
the breeding rarity category (BR), whereas 300 pairs were
used in BoCC.
This paper presents the results of the new analysis of
the population status of birds in Ireland (taken to include
Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland). Red,
Amber and Green lists have been created using seven
quantitative criteria in an attempt to identify conservation
priorities on the island. Species that are Red-listed are
globally threatened, are declining rapidly in number or
range, or have declined historically and not shown recent
recovery. Amber-listed species have an unfavourable
status in Europe, a ver y small population size, a
population which has declined moderately in recent
years, has a localised distribution, or occurs in interna-
tionally important numbers. Green-listed species require
little direct conservation action but, along with Red and
Amber-listed species, need to be monitored closely so
that future population trends can be assessed.
We hope that this assessment of the population
status of birds across Ireland will help to inform future
reviews of the conservation priorities of government and
non-governmental organisations that support the
monitoring and conservation of birds.
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151
Irish Birds 8 (2007)
Methods
Species list
This assessment covered all species on the current Irish
Birding Checklist available on
http://www.irishbirding.com/IRISHLIST.pdf during 2007.
Species that occur as vagrants or rarities were excluded
(unless they have bred in Ireland in the last 10 years), as
were non-native species introduced by Man, either delib-
erately or acci dentally, which have established
self-sustaining populations. In general, the assessment is
made for full species, rather than subspecies, races or
distinct geographical populations. However, for swan and
goose populations, assessment of international impor-
tance has been made against biogeographically discrete
populations, as conservation action tends to be targeted
at this level in Ireland.
Listing criteria
Seven quantitative criteria have been adopted to
determine population status for birds in Ireland. These
include assessments of global and European conservation
status, recent population decline (both in terms of
numbers and distribution), historical population decline,
breeding rarity, localised distribution and international
importance. The most contemporary sources of data
have been used to support the listing process. For many
species, data have not been collected over a sufficient
period to make it possible to calculate the 25 year trends
used to assess declines in the breeding or non-breeding
seasons. In these instances, the longest period over
which dat a have been collected has been used t o
calculate trends.
Global conservation status (IUCN)
Qualifi cation: IUCN Globally Threatened; Critically
Endangered, Endangered or Vulnerable = Red list;
This criterion puts the all-Ireland status into a global
context. The results of the most recent revision of the
IUCN Red list have been used to identify species of global
conservation concern in Ireland (IUCN 2007).
European conservation status (SPEC)
Qualification: SPEC 1 = Red list; SPEC 2 and 3= Amber
list
This criterion puts the all-Ireland status into a European
context. The conservation status of birds in Europe has
been assessed in ‘Birds in Europe’ (BirdLife International
2004).
Species of European Conservation Concern are
recognised by the SPEC process: SPEC1 species are of
global conservation concern, SP EC2 species ar e of
unfavourable status and concentrated in Europe, and
SPEC3 species are of unfavourable status but not concen-
trated in Europe. SPEC 1 species are Red-listed and both
SPEC 2 and 3 species are Amber-listed except for those
that do not breed in Ireland.
Decline in population
Decline in breeding population (BDp, BDMp)
Qualification: Population decline ≥ 50% over 25 years =
Red list; 25-50% over 25 years = Amber list (range: 7-33
years).
The best available data were used to assess trends in
breeding bird populations. Each species was assessed
over the longest period of time for which d ata are
available, preferably spanning close to 25 years. Those
species that declined in excess of 50% were assigned to
the Red list. Those that declined from 25-50% were
assigned to Amber list. The remainder of species with
declines up to 25% and those whose populations were
stable or those that increased were all placed on the
Green list. Very rare breeding species whose populations
fluctuate naturally, e.g. Red-throated Diver (Whilde 1993,
Cromie 2002), were not assessed under this criterion
given that even small changes in population size can
equate to very large declines proportionately.
Integration of data collected by the Countryside
Breeding Survey (CBS) in Ireland and the Breeding Bird
Survey (BBS) in N orthern Ireland has allowed the
production of trends for 63 species of birds in Ireland for
1998-2003. Whilst this is only a relatively short timeframe,
it provides the best ava ilable information on the
population trends of many bird species on the island
(Newson et al. 2003).
In the case of the BBS, surveys squares are selected
randomly from a list of all 1 km squares that comprise
Northern Ireland, excluding coastal squares with less
than 50% land. The CBS uses a similar approach.
However, the sampling design of the CBS is based on
that used in the Badger & Habitat Survey (Smal 1995)
using pre-selected 1 km squares throughout the country,
each square being that at the extreme southwest corner
of every 10 km square (which is roughly 1% of the total
land area) of the National Grid. Two similar log-linear
regression modelling a pproaches, using the SAS
procedure GENMOD and the computer program TRIM
were used to produce trends in relative abundance in the
Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland respectively.
The Status of Birds in Ireland: an analysis of conservation concern 2008 - 2013
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152 Irish Birds 8 (2007)
Paul Lynas, Stephen F. Newton & James A. Robinson
Seabird 2000 was a major initiative to census all
breeding seabirds in Britain and Ireland (Mitchell et al.
2004). Data were col lected during 19 98-2002. T his
followed similar surveys in 1969-70 (Cramp et al. 1974)
and 1985-88 (Lloyd et al. 1991). Trend information for
seabirds, where possible, was assessed over the longest
period for which comparable data are available, i.e.
between the 1969-70 surveys and Seabird 2000.
The results of a variety of multi- or single-species
surveys were used to identify trends for species not
covered by CBS, BBS and Seabird 2000. These include
surveys for Common Scoter (Heffernan & Hunt 2004),
Hen Harrier (Sim e t al. 2007, Barton et al. 20 06),
breeding waders (Henderson et al. 2002),
Yellowhammers (Donaghy 1998), Twite (Langston et al.
2006), Chough and Corncrake (R SPB/BWI annual
surveys). Hillis (2004) provided population estimates and
trends for a number of bird species.
Decline in breeding range (BDr, BDMr)
Qualification: Range decline ≥ 70% over 25 years = Red
list; 35-70% over 25 years (range: 20-28 years) = Amber
list
The two Breeding Bird Atlases of Britain and Ireland
(Sharrock 1976, Gibbons et al. 1993) were used to assess
changes in geographical range within the 20-24 year
period they covered from 1968-1972 to 1988-1991. The
percentage change in total number of occupied Irish 10-
km squares was calculated using possible, probable, and
confirmed breeding categories for the 1968-1972 ‘Atlas’
and using both breeding or seen categories for the 1988-
1991 ‘New Atlas’. S pecies pre sent in fewe r than 15
squares during both census periods were excluded from
the analysis, as were seabirds. For som e species,
additional information on changes in range was also used
to assess status. Range declines of between 35% and 70%
were categorised as moderate (BDMr) and assigned to
the Amber list. Those exceeding 70% were classed as
substantial (BDr) and assigned to the Red list. Where
more recent range information existed, the time period
was lengthened from the first atlas records to that data.
Decline in population during the non-
breeding season (WDp, WDMp)
Qualification: Population decline ≥ 50% over 25 years
(range: 15-25 years) = Red list; 25-49% over 25 years =
Amber list
Data collected by the IWeBS and WeBS were used to
generate trends for waterbirds during the non-breeding
season. Trends were calculated as the percentage change
in the national population estimates calculated for the
early 1970s (Sheppard 1993), and 2003 (Crowe et al. in
press), the longest period for which reliable count data
are available in Ireland. For some species, e.g. Coot,
national population estimates were first calculated for the
mid 1980s (Sheppard 1993) and, therefore, the trend was
calculated between this and the most recent estimate
published by Crowe et al. (in press). Population trends
were not calculated for a number of species covered by I-
WeBS or WeBS but for which the results of these surveys
are not representative of national numbers (e.g. Great
Northern Diver, Snipe, Jack Snipe, Woodcock).
Historical decline in breeding
population (HD)
Qualification: Severe historical population decline during
1800-1995 = Red list
For some species, the period of 25 years is too short to
capture severe declines that occurred in the more distant
past. Although the population trend for a species may
have been relatively stable over the last 25 years, it is
often evident that large population declines occurred
over the previous two centuries. Because their popula-
tions are not stable, species that had declined by at least
50% over the last 25-30 years were not considered under
the Historical Decline category in this analysis given that
they qualified for Red-listin g under the pop ulation
decline criterion.
The technique first introduced by Newton et al.
(1999) was adop ted wher eby histor ically dec lining
species were identified as those that had undergone a
75% (or more) decline in range (number of occupied
counties) since the end of the nineteenth century, but
which were recorded as breeding in 25% or more of the
Irish counties at that time. The data used to support this
assessment were taken from Holloway (1996), which
presents evidence of the number of counties occupied by
species between 1875 and 1900, and Gibbons et al.
(1993). However, to refine the analysis further, we used
evidence provided in Ussher & Warren (1900), Ruttledge
(1966), Kennedy et al. (1954), Hutchinson (1989), Whilde
(1993) and D’Arcy (1999) to assess whether a species had
undergone a large and widespread decline since 1800.
This approach is similar to that adopted by Gibbons et al.
(1996) and Gregory et al. (2002) and extends the period
over which historical declines can be investigated to
approximately 200 years. Species for which there has
been no record of breeding over the last ten years were
omitted from this analysis as they are considered to be
nationally extinct as breeding species.
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Irish Birds 8 (2007)
Breeding rarity (BR)
Qualification: less than 100 pairs = Amber list
Rare breeding birds were identified as those with less
than 100 breeding pairs in Ireland and for which
breeding was proven, or at least probable, in the period
2000-2004. The data to support this analysis were derived
from the results collated by the Irish Rare Breeding Birds
Panel (Hillis 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006). To allow the most
contemporary data to be used, unpublished yet verified
records, already accepted by the IRRBP, for the breeding
seasons of 2005 and 2006 were also considered.
Localised breeding (BL) and
non-breeding (WL) species
Qualification: at least 5 0% of th e breeding o r non-
breeding population occurs at ten or fewer sites = Amber
list
Where 50% or more of the total Ir ish breeding
population is situ ated at 10 or fewer sites th en the
population is considered localised and, therefore,
vulnerable. Those species for which there are fewer than
100 pairs in Ireland were excluded from the analysis.
Similarly, if more than half of the wintering population is
also limited to 10 or fewer sites then the non-breeding
population was considered local ised. F or colonial
seabirds, the results of Seabird 2000 (Mitchell et al. 2004)
were used to identify localised distribution. For wintering
waterbirds, the results of WeBS and I-WeBS informed the
listing process. Due to the paucity of data, it was not
possible to complete this analysis for other species.
International importance during the
breeding (BI) or non-breeding season
(WI)
Qualification: at least 20% of the European breeding or
non-breeding population occurs in the Ireland = Amber
list
Where the Irish population represents more than 20% of
the Europ ean population in either the breeding or
wintering seasons, then the species is considered of
international importance and qualifies for the Amber list.
European population estimates were taken from BirdLife
International (2004). Population estimates for breeding
seabirds in Ireland were taken from Mitchell et al. (2004)
and for wintering waterbirds from Crowe et al. (in press).
For swans and geese, the Irish population estimates were
assessed against the population estimates published by
Wetlands International (2002) given that the populations
of these species in Ireland are known to be biogeographi-
cally discrete from other populations in Europe and merit
a separate assessment of conservation status.
Results
The status of 199 regularly occurring species in Ireland
was assessed against each of the chosen criteria. After
consideration, 25 species (13%) were assigned to the Red
list (Table 1). A further 85 species (43%) were assigned to
the Amber list (Table 2). The remaining 89 (45%) species
were assigned to the Green list (Table 3). A full list of the
changes in listing from BoCCI (Newton et al. 1999),
complete with reasons behind th ose changes, is
presented in Table 4. Tables 5-9 present data justifying
qualification for species on Red and Amber lists.
Eleven species ( Sooty Shearwater, Balearic
Shearwater, Bewick’s Swan, Pintail, Shoveler, Golden
Eagle, Golden Plover, Knot, Redshank, Black-headed Gull
and Herring Gull) are new to the Red list, whilst four,
Roseate Tern, Hen Harrier, Corn Bunting and Chough,
have been removed (Table 4).
The population of Roseate Terns in Ireland now
exceeds 900 pairs and, it no longer qualifies as a rapidly
declining breeding species (Table 5). Similarly, a recent
increase in the population of Hen Harriers means that
the species no longer qualifies as a rapidly declining
species, even though the numbers of breeding pairs can
vary between years (Table 5). The Corn Bunting is now
considered extinct as a breeding species in Ireland. It has
not bred since the last breeding atlas in 1992 and did not,
The Status of Birds in Ireland: an analysis of conservation concern 2008 - 2013
Plate 51. Spotted Flycatcher (Clive Timmons).
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154 Irish Birds 8 (2007)
Paul Lynas, Stephen F. Newton & James A. Robinson
therefore, qualify for the Red list through the historical
decline category. The Chough has been removed from
the Red list because its population status is now
considered on an all-island basis and it does not,
therefore, qualify as a rapidly declining species (although
its status remains precarious in Northern Ireland and it
remains a priority for conservation action there).
Sooty and Balearic Shearwaters now appear on the
Red list because SPEC 1 species qualify due to their global
conservation status. Bewick’s Swan, Pintail, Shoveler and
Knot all qualify for the Red list because their wintering
populations have now declined by over 50% in the last
25-30 years (Table 5). The Golden Eagle is Red-listed as a
species that has undergone a historical decline, but
which is now breeding followin g reintr oduction in
County Donegal. It qualifies under the historical decline
category because it used to occur as a widespread
breeding species across Ireland (Haine 1996). Redshank
and Golden Plover, now appear on the Red list in
acknowledgement of the rapid decline of their breeding
populations across Ireland (Table 5). Black-headed Gull
and Herring Gull have also been added to the Red list
following the dramatic population declines in excess of
70% since 1970, identified by Seabird 2000 (Table 5).
Black-headed Gull also qualifies because its range has
declined by over 50% (Table 6). The Herring Gull has
moved from the Green to Red list because of a 90%
decline in population size since the 1970s.
Additional data for Corncrake allowed a 27-year
trend t o be cal cula ted, to demo nstr ate a long-te rm
population decline (Table 5; 1978 and 2005 BWI data).
The species now qualifies for Red-listing because of this
Table 1. The Red list (* = qualifies for Red or Amber listing under a particular criterion; IUCN = globally threatened
under IUCN criteria).
Species
Breeding populations
Black-necked Grebe Podiceps nigricollis **
Common Scoter Melanitta nigra **
Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos *3*
Red Grouse Lagopus lagopus **
Grey Partridge Perdix perdix **3 *
Quail Coturnix coturnix *3*
Corncrake Crex crex ***
Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria *
Lapwing Vanellus vanellus *2
Curlew Numenius arquata *2 **
Redshank Tringa totanus *2 *
Red-necked Phalarope Phalaropus lobatus **
Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus ** *
Herring Gull Larus argentatus *
Barn Owl Tyto alba *3*
Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus **2 *
Ring Ouzel Turdus torquatus **
Twite Carduelis flavirostris ***
Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella **
Passage / Wintering populations
Sooty Shearwater Puffinus griseus *
Balearic Shearwater Puffinus mauretanicus */IUCN
Bewick’s Swan Cygnus columbianus *3 *
Pintail Anas acuta *3 *
Shoveler Anas clypeata *3 * *
Knot Calidris canutus *3 *
SPEC 1 / IUCN
HD
BDp
BDr
WDp
SPEC
BDMp
BDMr
BI
BR
BL
WDMp
WL
WI
Additional Amber-listing criteria
under which species qualify
Red-listing criteria
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Irish Birds 8 (2007)
The Status of Birds in Ireland: an analysis of conservation concern 2008 - 2013
Table 2. The Amber list (* = qualifies for Amber listing under a particular criterion).
Amber-listing criteria under which species qualify
Species
Red-throated Diver Gavia stellata 3*
Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis *
Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus *
Cory's Shearwater Calonectris diomedea 2
Manx Shearwater Puffinus puffinus 2*
Storm Petrel Hydrobates pelagicus **
Leach's Petrel Oceanodroma leucorhoa 3*
Gannet Morus bassanus *
Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo *
Shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis *
Mute Swan Cygnus olor -*
Whooper Swan Cygnus cygnus ***
Greenland White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons **
Greylag Goose Anser anser *
Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis *
Brent Goose Branta bernicla 3**
Shelduck Tadorna tadorna *
Wigeon Anas penelope *
Gadwall Anas strepera 3**
Teal Anas crecca *
Garganey Anas querquedula 3*
Pochard Aythya ferina 2**
Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula 3*
Scaup Aythya marila 3**
Eider Somateria mollissima *
Goldeneye Bucephala clangula **
Goosander Mergus merganser *
Hen Harrier Circus cyaneaus 3*
Red Kite Milvus milvus 2*
Goshawk Accipiter gentilis *
Kestrel Falco tinnunculus 3
Merlin Falco columbarius *
Water Rail Rallus aquaticus *
Spotted Crake Porzana porzana *
Coot Fulica atra **
Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus *
Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula *
Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola *
Dunlin Calidris alpina 3*
Snipe Gallinago gallinago 3
Woodcock Scolopax rusticola 3*
Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa 2*
SPEC
BDMp
BDMr
BI
BR
BL
WDMp
WL
WI
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156 Irish Birds 8 (2007)
Paul Lynas, Stephen F. Newton & James A. Robinson
Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica *
Greenshank Tringa nebularia **
Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos 3
Great Skua Catharacta skua *
Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus *
Common Gull Larus canus 2* *
Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus *
Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus *
Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla *
Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis 2*
Roseate Tern Sterna dougallii 3* * *
Common Tern Sterna hirundo *
Arctic Tern Sterna paradisaea *
Little Tern Sterna albifrons 3* *
Guillemot Uria aalge *
Razorbill Alca torda *
Black Guillemot Cepphus grylle 2
Puffin Fratercula arctica 2*
Stock Dove Columba oenas *
Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur 3*
Snowy Owl Nyctea scandiaca 3*
Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus 3*
Swift Apus apus *
Kingfisher Alcedo atthis 3*
Skylark Alauda arvensis 3
Sand Martin Riparia riparia 3
Swallow Hirundo rustica 3
House Martin Delichon urbica 3
Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava *
Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus 2*
Whinchat Saxicola rubetra *
Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe 3*
Grasshopper Warbler Locustella naevia **
Reed Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus *
Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia curruca *
Wood Warbler Phylloscopus sibilatrix 2*
Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata 3
Pied Flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca *
Chough Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax 3*
Starling Sturnus vulgaris 3
House Sparrow Passer domesticus 3
Tree Sparrow Passer montanus 3
Linnet Carduelis cannabina 2
Table 2 (Continued). The Amber list (* = qualifies for Amber listing under a particular criterion).
Amber-listing criteria under which species qualify
Species
SPEC
BDMp
BDMr
BI
BR
BL
WDMp
WL
WI
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Table 3. The Green list.
Species
Black-throated Diver Gavia arctica
Great Northern Diver Gavia immer
Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis
Slavonian Grebe Podiceps auritus
Great Shearwater Puffinus gravis
Little Egret Egretta garzetta
Grey Heron Ardea cinerea
Pink-footed Goose Anser brachyrhynchus
Mallard Anas platyrhynchos
Long-tailed Duck Clangula hyemalis
Velvet Scoter Melanitta fusca
Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator
Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus
Buzzard Buteo buteo
Peregrine Falco peregrinus
Moorhen Gallinula chloropus
Sanderling Calidris alba
Little Stint Calidris melanotos
Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea
Purple Sandpiper Calidris maritima
Ruff Philomachus pugnax
Jack Snipe Lymnocryptes minimus
Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus
Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus
Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus
Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola
Turnstone Arenaria interpres
Grey Phalarope Phalaropus fulicarius
Pomarine Skua Stercorarius pomarinus
Arctic Skua Stercorarius parasiticus
Little Gull Larus minutus
Sabine's Gull Larus sabini
Ring-billed Gull Larus delawarensis
Yellow-legged gull Larus michahellis
Iceland Gull Larus glaucoides
Glaucous Gull Larus hyperboreus
Little Auk Alle alle
Rock Dove Columba livia
Woodpigeon Columba palumbus
Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto
Cuckoo Cuculus canorus
Long-eared Owl Asio otus
Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis
Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis
Rock Pipit Anthus petrosus
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The Status of Birds in Ireland: an analysis of conservation concern 2008 - 2013
Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea
Pied Wagtail Motacilla alba
Waxwing Bombycilla garrulus
Dipper Cinclus cinclus
Wren Troglodytes troglodytes
Dunnock Prunella modularis
Robin Erithacus rubecula
Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros
Stonechat Saxicola torquata
Blackbird Turdus merula
Fieldfare Turdus pilaris
Song Thrush Turdus philomelos
Redwing Turdus iliacus
Mistle Thrush Turdus viscivorus
Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus
Whitethroat Sylvia communis
Garden Warbler Sylvia borin
Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla
Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita
Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus
Goldcrest Regulus regulus
Firecrest Regulus ignicapillus
Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus
Coal Tit Parus ater
Blue Tit Parus caeruleus
Great Tit Parus major
Treecreeper Certhia familiaris
Jay Garrulus glandarius
Magpie Pica pica
Jackdaw Corvus monedula
Rook Corvus frugilegus
Hooded Crow Corvus cornix
Raven Corvus corax
Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs
Brambling Fringilla montifringilla
Greenfinch Carduelis chloris
Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis
Lesser Redpoll Carduelis cabaret
Siskin Carduelis spinus
Crossbill Loxia curvirostra
Bullfinch Pyrrhula pyrrhula
Lapland Bunting Calcarius lapponicus
Snow Bunting Plectrophenax nivalis
Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus
Species
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158 Irish Birds 8 (2007)
Paul Lynas, Stephen F. Newton & James A. Robinson
Table 4. Changes in the criteria under which Red-and Amber-listed species qualify.
Species Change Reason for change in listing
New to Red
Sooty Shearwater - SPEC 1 species
Balearic Shearwater - IUCN globally important / SPEC 1 species
Bewick’s Swan A - R >50% decline in non-breeding population
Pintail A - R >50% decline in non-breeding population
Shoveler G - R >50% decline in non-breeding population
Golden Eagle - Re-established as a breeding bird following historical decline
Golden Plover A - R >50% decline in breeding population
Knot A - R >50% decline in non-breeding population
Redshank A - R >50% decline in breeding population
Black-headed Gull A - R >50% decline in breeding population, >70% decline in breeding range
Herring Gull G - R >50% decline in breeding population
New to Amber
Little Grebe G-A Breeding range contraction
Shag G-A Localised during the breeding season
Mute Swan G-A Importance in the non-breeding season (population estimate re-evaluated)
Red Kite - SPEC 2 species and recent possible breeding attempts of re-established birds
from Britain
Kestrel G-A New SPEC 3 species
Oystercatcher G-A Localised during the non-breeding season
Ringed Plover G-A Internationally important during the non-breeding season, localised during the
non-breeding season
Greenshank G-A Internationally important during the non-breeding season, rare breeding bird
Common Sandpiper G-A New SPEC 3 species
Great Skua G-A Rare breeding bird
Lesser Black-backed Gull G-A Localised during the breeding season
Great Black-backed Gull G-A >25% Population decline during the breeding season
Kittiwake G-A Localised during the breeding season
Turtle Dove G-A SPEC 3 species, breeding range contraction
Snowy Owl - Established as a rare breeder, SPEC 3 species
Swift G-A >25% decline in the breeding population
House Martin G-A New SPEC 3 species
Wheatear G-A New SPEC 3 species, >25% decline in population
Starling G-A New SPEC 3 species
House Sparrow G-A New SPEC 3 species, >25% decline in population
Tree Sparrow G-A New SPEC 3 species
Linnet G-A New SPEC 2 species
From Amber to Green
Black-throated Diver A-G Downgrading of non-breeding SPEC status
Great Shearwater A-G No information on passage status
Red-breasted Merganser A-G No longer localised in the non-breeding season
Peregrine Falcon A-G No longer a SPEC 3 species
Cuckoo A-G Breeding decline <25%
Jack Snipe A-G Downgrading of non-breeding SPEC status
Little Gull A-G Downgrading of non-breeding SPEC status
Stonechat A-G No longer a SPEC 3 species
Lesser Redpoll A-G Breeding range contraction <35%
From Red to Amber
Hen Harrier R-A Population increasing following past declines
Roseate Tern R-A Population increasing following past declines
Chough R-A All-island population stable or increasing
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The Status of Birds in Ireland: an analysis of conservation concern 2008 - 2013
Table 5. Population declines of bird species on the Red and Amber Lists.
No. of Pop Pop %
Species Season Survey Period years t1 t2 Change Listing
Herring Gull B Seabird 200021969/70 - 1998/02 28-33 59,712 6,235 -90 Red
Twite B D.McLoughlin 1988/91 - 2007 11-14 866 83 -90 Red
Yellowhammer B IRBBP11988/91 - 2002 11-14 200,000 20,000 -90 Red
Curlew B IRRBP11988/91 - 2002 11-14 12,000 1,700 -86 Red
Ring Ouzel B UBS/BWI 1988/91-2004 11-14 250 35 -86 Red
Lapwing B IRBBP11988/91 - 2002 11-14 21,500 3,200 -85 Red
Corncrake B Survey31978- 2005 27 920 155 -83 Red
Barn Owl B IRBBP11982-2002 20 730 170 -77 Red
Black-headed Gull B Seabird 200021985/88 - 1998/02 10-17 47,215 13,983 -70 Red
Red Grouse B IRBBP11988/91 - 2002 11-14 2,200 1,000 -55 Red
Redshank B IRBBP11988/9—2002 11-14 4,700 2,200 -53 Red
Common Scoter B J. Hunt, D. Tierney 1980/82-1999/2007 20-25 105-106 49-51 -53 Red
Golden Plover B UBS/BWI, RSPB51993 - 2002/07 10-15 300 144 -52 Red
Grasshopper Warbler B CBS / BBS41998-2003 7---47 Amber
Stock Dove B CBS / BBS41998-2003 7---41 Amber
Roseate Tern B Seabird 20002BWI51969/70 - 1998/02 28-33 1,693 >846 -25-50 Amber
Little Tern B Seabird 200021969/70 - 1998/02 28-33 315 206 -35 Amber
Great Black-backed Gull B Seabird 200021969/70 - 1998/02 28-33 3,406 2,319 -32 Amber
Wheatear B CBS / BBS41998-2003 7---32 Amber
Swift B CBS / BBS41998-2003 7---29 Amber
Chough B IRBBP11988/91 - 2002 11-14 830 849 2 Amber
Bewick's Swan NB WeBs / iWeBs61971/73 - 1999/03 26-32 2,000 380 -81 Red
Pintail NB WeBs / iWeBs61971/73 - 1999/03 26-32 5,000 1,235 -75 Red
Shoveler NB WeBs / iWeBs61971/73 - 1999/03 26-32 7,500 2,545 -66 Red
Knot NB WeBs / iWeBs61971/73 - 1999/03 26-32 42,500 18,970 -55 Red
Curlew NB WeBs / iWeBs61971/73 - 1999/03 26-32 100,000 54,650 -45 Red
B – Breeding season NB – Non breeding season, Pop t1 & t2- Population at time 1 and 2. 1 Irish Rare Breeding Bird Panel Report (Hillis 2004). 2Seabird
2000 (Mitchell et al. 2004). 3 Corncrake survey (O’Meara 1979; BWI unpubl. data). 4 Countryside Bird Survey (ROI) Breeding Bird Survey (NI) (Newson et
al. 2004). 5 Upland Bird Survey/BWI/RSPB unpublished data. 6 National Wetland Bird Survey population estimates Crowe et al.(in press).
Table 6. Changes in the geographical breeding range of species on the Red and Amber lists. (Atlases refer to the
Breeding Atlas (Sharrock 1972) and the New Breeding Birds Atlas (Gibbons et al. 1993)S 2000 = Seabird 2000
(Mitchell et al. 2004), IRBBP = Irish Rare Breeding Birds Panel).
No. of No. of No. of %
Species Data Source Period years 10-km sq t1 10-km sq t2 Change Listing
Black-headed Gull Atlas, S 2000 1968-72 - 1998-2002 28 281 34 -95 Red
Nightjar Atlas, IRBBP 1968-72 - 2002 28 93 <5 -94.6 Red
Grey Partridge Atlases 1968-72 - 1988-91 20 255 35 -86.3 Red
Corncrake Atlases 1968-72 - 1988-91 20 828 246 -70.3 Red
Red Grouse Atlases 1968-72 - 1988-91 20 421 141 -66.5 Red
Woodcock Atlases 1968-72 - 1988-91 20 500 179 -64.2 Amber
Barn Owl Atlases 1968-72 - 1988-91 20 498 185 -62.9 Red
Common Gull Atlas, S 2000 1968-72 - 1998-2002 28 143 68 -55 Amber
Twite Atlases 1968-72 - 1988-91 20 127 60 -52.8 Red
Teal Atlases 1968-72 - 1988-91 20 389 188 -51.7 Amber
Grasshopper Warbler Atlases 1968-72 - 1988-91 20 693 409 -41.0 Amber
Kingfisher Atlases 1968-72 - 1988-91 20 513 306 -40.4 Amber
Yellowhammer Atlases 1968-72 - 1988-91 20 939 587 -37.5 Red
Coot Atlases 1968-72 - 1988-91 20 565 354 -37.3 Amber
Water Rail Atlases 1968-72 - 1988-91 20 277 176 -36.5 Red
Hen Harrier Atlases 1968-72 - 1988-91 20 192 123 -35.9 Amber
Merlin Atlases 1968-72 - 1988-91 20 245 158 -35.5 Amber
Turtle Dove Atlases 1968-72 - 1988-91 20 31 20 -35.5 Amber
Whinchat Atlases 1968-72 - 1988-91 20 192 124 -35.4 Amber
Little Grebe Atlases 1968-72 - 1988-91 20 513 336 -34.5 Amber
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160 Irish Birds 8 (2007)
Paul Lynas, Stephen F. Newton & James A. Robinson
Table 7. Population estimates for rare breeding species. (BP = breeding pairs. * - >50 Grey Partridge have been
reintroduced to parts of the Republic of Ireland in addition to the 4-6 naturally occurring pairs).
Species Data Source Year Status Unit Population estimate Lisiting
Black-necked Grebe BWI 2006 Probable breeding BP 1? Red
Red-throated Diver Hillis 2006 2004 Proved breeding BP 6 Amber
Whooper Swan Hillis 2006 2002 Proved breeding BP 2 Amber
Gadwall Hillis 2006 2004 Proved breeding BP 50 Amber
Garganey Hillis 2006 2004 Possible breeding BP <10 Amber
Shoveler Hillis 2006 2004 Proved breeding BP <20 Red
Pochard Hillis 2006 2004 Proved breeding BP <30 Amber
Scaup Hillis 2005 1999 Present only BP 1 Amber
Common Scoter Hunt 2007 2007 Proved breeding BP 50 Red
Goldeneye Hillis 2005 2000 Present only BP 1 Amber
Goosander Hillis 2006 2004 Proved breeding BP 4-10 Amber
Red Kite Hillis 2004 2002 Nest material BP 1 Amber
Goshawk Hillis 2006 2004 Proved breeding BP <5 Amber
Golden Eagle IRSG 2006 2006 Proved breeding BP 3 Red
Grey Partridge Hillis 2003 2001 Proved breeding BP 5-50 * Red
Quail Hillis 2006 2004 Possible breeding BP 10 Red
Spotted Crake Hillis 2004 2002 Probable breeding BP <6 Amber
Red-necked Phalarope Hillis 2004 2002 Probable breeding BP 1-2 Red
Greenshank BWI 2006 Probable breeding BP 1-3? Amber
Great Skua Hillis 2006 2004 Proved breeding BP 2 Amber
Mediterranean Gull Hillis 2006 2004 Proved breeding BP 6-10 Amber
Snowy Owl Hillis 2004 2001 Proved breeding BP 0-1 Amber
Short-eared Owl Hillis 2005 2003 Proved breeding BP 1-5 Amber
Nightjar Hillis 2006 2004 Possible breeding BP <5 Red
Yellow Wagtail Hillis 2006 2003 Proved breeding BP 3 Amber
Redstart Hillis 2006 2003 Proved breeding BP 1-3 Amber
Ring Ouzel UBS/BWI 2004 Proved breeding BP 35 Red
Reed Warbler Hillis 2006 2004 Proved breeding BP 50-100 Amber
Lesser Whitethroat Hillis 2006 2004 Probable breeding BP 1 Amber
Wood Warbler Hillis 2006 2002 Probable breeding BP 0-6 Amber
Pied Flycatcher Hillis 2005 2003 Probable breeding BP 0-3 Amber
Twite D.McLoughlin 2007 Proved breeding BP 75-100 Red
Plate 52. Red-throated Diver (Ken Kinsella).
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Irish Birds 8 (2007)
decline in breeding population in addition to its SPEC 1
status and reduced breeding range. Black-necked Grebe,
Quail, Red-necked Phalarope and Nightjar remain on the
Red list as historical decliners because of a small number
of recent possible breeding attempts. Barn Owl, Ring
Ouzel and Twite all qualify as rapidly declining species.
In the new Red list, breeding populations have been
separated to distinguish them from wintering or passage
migrants. This separation is important when considering
species such as the Redshank and Golden Plover. Their
rapidly declining breeding population means that they
are Red-listed, yet the wintering population (augmented
The Status of Birds in Ireland: an analysis of conservation concern 2008 - 2013
Table 8. Localised species during the breeding and non-breeding season (B = breeding season, NB = non-
breeding season). (Crowe 2005, Mitchell et al. 2004)
Irish Population in % population in top BoCCI
Species Season Population top 10 IBAs or SPAs 10 sites (96-03) Category
Great Crested Grebe NB 5,385 4,911 92 WL
Manx Shearwater B 37,178 36,480 98 BL
Storm Petrel B 99,065 86,322 87 BL
Leach's Petrel B 310 310 100 BL
Gannet B 32,758 32,758 100 BL
Cormorant B 5,211 3,018 58 BL
Shag B 3,727 2,027 54 BL
Bewick's Swan NB 380 680 100 WL
Whooper Swan NB 12,730 7,181 56 WL
Greenland White-fronted Goose NB 11,340 13,064 100 WL
Greylag Goose NB 5,030 7,958 100 WL
Barnacle Goose NB 9,035 9,548 100 WL
Brent Goose NB 21,750 26,371 100 WL
Shelduck NB 14,610 11,554 79 WL
Wigeon NB 882,370 48,351 59 WL
Gadwall NB 630 733 100 WL
Pintail NB 1,235 1,439 100 WL
Shoveler NB 2,545 1,942 76 WL
Pochard NB 37,780 42,810 100 WL
Tufted Duck NB 36,610 34,133 93 WL
Scaup NB 4,430 6,352 100 WL
Eider NB 2,890 1,909 >66 WL
Goldeneye NB 9,665 9,190 95 WL
Coot NB 33,160 27,665 83 WL
Oystercatcher NB 67,620 37,925 56 WL
Grey Plover NB 6,315 4,618 73 WL
Knot NB 18,970 30,335 100 WL
Dunlin NB 88,480 70,256 79 WL
Black-tailed Godwit NB 13,880 13,289 96 WL
Bar-tailed Godwit NB 16,280 12,620 78 WL
Curlew NB 54,650 36,283 66 WL
Redshank NB 31,090 19,384 62 WL
Black-headed Gull B 13,983 10,772 77 BL
Common Gull B 1,617 648 + >50 BL
Lesser Black-backed Gull B 4,849 2,939 61 BL
Kittiwake B 49,160 >23,363 >50 BL
Sandwich Tern B 3,716 3,279 >88 BL
Roseate Tern B 738 738 100 BL
Common Tern B 4,189 2,216 >53 BL
Arctic Tern B 3,502 2,154 >62 BL
Little Tern B 206 206 100 BL
Guillemot B 236,654 220,355 93 BL
Razorbill B 51,530 46,660 91 BL
Puffin B 21,251 - >50 BL
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162 Irish Birds 8 (2007)
Paul Lynas, Stephen F. Newton & James A. Robinson
Table 9. Species occurring in internationally important numbers during the breeding or non-breeding season (B =
breeding season, NB = non-breeding season. For geese and swans, the relevant biogeographic populations
identified by Wetlands International have been used). (Crowe 2005, Mitchell et al. 2004)
Species Season Irish population European % European BoCCI
estimate population population Category
(1999-2003) estimate in Ireland (99-03)
Storm Petrel B 99,065 468,295 22 BI
Roseate Tern B 738 1,849 40 BI
Ringed Plover NB 14,580 69,094 22 WI
Greenshank NB 1,180 3,816 31 WI
Mute Swan NB 11,440 11,440 100 WI
Whooper Swan NB 12,730 20,900 61 WI
Greenland White-fronted Goose NB 11,340 33,000 34 WI
Brent Goose NB 21,750 21,750 <100 WI
Plate 53. Redshank (Eddie Dunne).
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163
Irish Birds 8 (2007)
by immigrants) is healthy and does not require urgent
conservation action (Table 5).
The Amber list has also expanded to 85 species; an
additional 22 species have been upgraded (Table 4) and
nine downgraded to the Green list. Following the
revision of SPEC status by Birdlife International in 2004,
ten species newly qualify because they are SPEC 2 or 3:
Red Kite, Kestrel, Common Sandpiper, Turtle Dove,
Snowy Owl, Wheatear, Starling, House Sparrow, Tree
Sparrow and Lin net. Six s pecies: Ke strel, C ommon
Sandpiper, House Martin, Starling, Tree Sparrow and
Linnet qualified through SPEC listing alone. Peregrine
and Stonechat are no longer SPECs and do not now
qualify for Amber listing under this criteria.
Two species newly qualify for the Amber list as rare
breeders only: Great Skua and Snowy Owl (Table 7).
Other new additio ns to the Amber li st include f ive
waterbird species (Little Grebe, Mute Swan,
Oystercatcher, Ringed Plover, Greenshank), qualifying
because they have a localised distribution during the
non-breeding season (Table 8). A further eight species
have experienced a m oderate decline in breeding
population (Table 5).
The publication of the results of Seabird 2000
(Mitchell et al. 2004) and ’Ireland’s Wetlands and their
Waterbirds’ (Crowe 2005) has made it possible to make
accurate assessments for many additional species under
each of these categories. The Amber list now contains
many waterbirds that qualify bec ause they have a
localised distribution during the non-breeding season,
and many seabirds have qualified because they have a
localised distribution during the breeding season (Table
8). Eight species, occurring in internationally important
numbers during the breeding or non-breeding season are
given in Table 9.
The Green list includes the remainder of the species
that either do not qualify under any of the criteria or for
which there are insufficient data to make assessments
under the criteria.
Discussion
The population status of birds in Ireland has changed
considerably since the last review in 1999. The all-Ireland
approach has had relatively little effect on the position of
individual species on the list. However, it will continue to
be necessary for the administrations in Northern Ireland
and the Republic of Ireland to assess the need for more
local action. For example, in Northern Ireland t he
Chough requires conservation action because it remains
in danger of extinction in that jurisdiction.
The new Red and Amber lists have expanded since
the original assessment. Well over half of the regularly
occurring species in Ireland are now of conservation
concern (Red or Amber-listed: 55%), an increase of 9% on
the original BoCCI. However, these figures follow the
trend identified by Gregory et al. (2002) who found that
nearly two-thirds of all species in the UK were Red or
Amber listed. Although good news, it is also a concern
that only two species, the Roseate Tern and Hen Harrier,
previously on the Red list have recovered sufficiently to
move to the Amber list while populations of others
remain in a precarious situation.
There have been no records of breeding Corn
Buntings in Ireland since the fieldwork fo r the last
breeding atlas was undertaken in 1992. While a few single
birds continue to appear each year (Hillis 2003, 2004), no
further nesting attempts have been recorded and it is
now deemed locally extinct as a breeding species. It is of
concern that although this species was Red-listed in 1999,
no further action was taken to secure its future in Ireland.
The Roseate Tern continues to increase in number
with surveys from summer 2007 indicating that 820 pairs
nested on Rockabill (BWI, unpubl. data). Another colony,
Our Lady’ s Island in Count y Wexford, contin ues to
support in excess of 80 breeding pairs. As the population
continues to increase , other satellite colonie s may
develop and the range will, hopefully, expand.
Understanding the problems faced by these birds and
then implementing correct conservation action has been
essential in turning around the fortune of the Roseate
Tern in Ireland (Casey et al. 1995, Newton & Crowe
2000).
The breeding populati ons of Hen Harrier were
surveyed in Northern Ireland in 2004 (Sim et al. 2007)
and in the Republic of Ireland in 2005 (Barton et al.
2006). The population for the island is now estimated at
190-221 pairs, compared to 250-300 pairs in the early
1970s (O’Flynn 1983). It appears that the Irish population
may be increasing or at least is stable (Barton et al. 2006),
Although survey effort may have increased in recent
surveys, an increase in habitat availability (through clear-
felling and replanting) is likely to be at l east par tly
responsible for an apparent increase in population size.
Although this is a conservation success, the Hen Harrier
remains a species susceptible to persecution and
vulnerable to habitat destruction, we believe it deserves
continued high levels of protection to secure future
recovery.
The introduction of ’population declines in the non-
breeding season’ as a criterion has led to the
identification of some large declines in wintering popula-
tions. The numbers of Bewick’s Swans (-83%), Pintails
(-75%), Shovelers (-66%), and Knots (-55%) visiting
Ireland during the winter have fallen rapidly. Previously,
these declines would not have led to listing on the Red
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164 Irish Birds 8 (2007)
Paul Lynas, Stephen F. Newton & James A. Robinson
list. However, in line with Gregory et al. (2002), we
believe that wintering decline is an important criterion
and has been adopted in this analysis. During periods of
low temperatures on the continent, Bewick’s Swans
undertake cold-we ather mo vements to Britain a nd
Ireland (Robinson et al. 2004). These influxes mean
higher numbers have been recorded in Ireland in those
years (Crowe 2005). Recent mild winters in northwest
Europe, together with supplemental feeding at some
sites in Britain, have meant many fewer Bewick’s Swans
have visited Ireland in r ecent winters. Numbers of
Shoveler and Pintail have declined steadily in recent
decades, both in Ireland and across their European
ranges (Crowe 2005). Knot have also declined by over
50% since the 1970s. Although the reasons for these
declines deserve further attention, redistribution across
Europe because of changes in weather may be the most
important factor and, therefore, increased conservation
action in Ireland may be unnecessary (e.g. Austin et al.
2000). H owever, both duck species have an ‘open
season’ in Ireland, permitting hunting between
September and January inclusive.
The population status of some breeding seabirds in
Ireland, as identified by the Seabird 2000 surveys, is cause
for concern. The number of Herring Gulls breeding in
Ireland has declined by 90% over the last 30 years. Avian
botulism is thought to be the major cause of the collapse
but other factors such as a reductions in the amount of
raw sewage discharged at sea and food available at refuge
tips, both through improved management and stricter
legislation, are also likely to have contributed (Mitchell et
al. 2004). The Black-headed Gull has declined by over
70% since Operation Seafarer in 1976, accompanied by a
huge range contraction of 95% from that previously
recorded in the first breeding atlas. Increased mink
predation, coupled with increased intensification of
farming, seem the most plausible causes of this decline.
Farming intensification has resulted in the reduction of
invertebrate food, the main component of the gulls’ diet,
and a loss of tillage has reduced foraging opportunities
(Mitchell et al. 2004). The analysis has also identified
some worrying changes in the status of the populations
of Common Gull, Greater Black-backed Gull and Little
Tern.
The Common Scoter continues to decline and,
following i ts ext inctio n from Northern Irela nd as a
breeding bird in 1992, is now fast declining in Loughs
Conn and Cullin (BWI unpublished data, Hefferman and
Hunt 2004). Problems similar to those identified at Lough
Erne, such as mink predation on incubating females and
the consequential increase of the male: female sex ratio,
may be affecting the remaining population (Tierney et al.
2000). It now joins a list of Red-listed spec ies that
approach the brink of extinction as breeding birds in
Ireland, including the Black-necked Grebe, Quail, Red-
necked Phalarope and Nightjar.
Breeding waders are prominent on the Red list, with
the Redshank and Golden Plover added during this
analysis. Drainage of wet grassland and agricultural
improvement have played a large role in the decline of
the former. Increased stocking has largely removed the
tussocky swards and rushy pastures important for these
species (Partridge 1992, Donaghy & Murphy 1999,
Henderson et al. 2000).
The Yellowhammer has declined by an estimated
90% across Ireland over the last two decades (Donaghy
1998, Newton et al. 1999, Hillis 2004). This species repre-
sents a larger group of lowland farmland birds for which
we understand much about the causes of decline and
range contraction (Fuller et al.1995, Aebischer et al.
2000, Boatman et al. 2002, Vickery et al. 2004). The Stock
Dove, Skylark, House Sparrow, Tree Sparrow and Linnet
are lowland farmland birds that appear on the Amber list
because of declines in Ireland and across Europe. The
Yellowhammer, with an estimated population of 20,000
breeding pairs (Hillis 200 4), and some of the other
species mentioned above still occur in sizeable popula-
tions in Ireland. Therefore, the targeting of habitat
management for these species, for example through agri-
environment schemes, should give them the best chance
of recovering from declines in Ireland and across Europe.
The Corncrake has benefited from intense conser-
vation effort over the last 15 years and although its
population has declined to a very low level, numbers
have recently stabilised (Copland 2002, BWI unpublished
data). By 2007, numbers in County Donegal are the
highest since 1996 (BWI, unpublished data). The
targeting of agri-environment schemes has been
extremely important in ensuring this species is recov-
ering, if only slowly. Conservation effort must continue,
however, to ensure the Corncrake population in the
three core areas is secured, otherwise restoring the range
in Ireland is impossible. Other rapidly declining species,
such as the Golden Plover, Barn Owl, Ring Ouzel and
Twite could also benefit from this type of concerted
conservation action once the reasons for their declines in
Ireland are fully understood.
The Golden Eagle has been added to the Red list
and it is hoped that it will increase in number following
reintroduction. Following initial breeding attempts by the
species, it is predicted t hat mo re will follow in the
foreseeable future. Its appearance on the Red list will
highlight its importance and focus conservation effort
while the birds spend the next number of years re-estab-
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Irish Birds 8 (2007)
lishing themselves within their previous range. It is likely
that future assessments will deal with other reintroduced
raptors, such as the Red Kite and White-tailed Eagle.
Of course, the quality of this assessment of the
population status of birds in Ireland is entirely dependent
on the data that underpins it. For many species, the data
required to make assessments against the criteria we
have produced do not exist. For some of these, anecdotal
accounts from experts in Ireland and corresponding
trends for the UK sug gest large declines may be
occurring (e.g. Eaton et al. 20 06). Such species of
particular concern are Kestrel, Swift, Skylark, Wheatear
and Tree Sparrows, all of which have already displayed
worrying declines in the CBS. Others, such as Dunlin,
Woodcock, Whinchat, Spotted Flycatcher lack satisfactory
data to substantiate declining trends. For others, the time
period over which data has been collected is shorter than
that demanded by the criteria, e.g. for population trends.
To address these shortfalls, an analysis of data quality and
quantity for bi rd species across Ir eland is urgently
required. The results o f this a nalysis would focus
attention on gaps in our dataset and identify require-
ments for new surveys. In the meantime, we urge caution
in the interpretation of our analysis and suggest that the
results of new research and survey should be kept under
constant review to inf orm conservation priorities
between this and the next review of population status.
Notwithstanding the data deficiency issues, it is
hoped that this assessment of population status will
inform the priorities accorded to bird conservation by
government and non-governmental organisations across
Ireland, focusing attention on those species most in need
of conservation action. It is e nvisaged t hat this
assessment of population status and conservation
concern will cover the period between 2008-2013 and will
be reviewed at the end of that time frame to ensure the
lists remain up-to-date.
Acknowledgements
We want to thank the following people for their assistance during the
prepa ration o f this review. Colin Barton, Martin Bradley, Kendrew
Colhoun, Olivia Crowe, Mark Eaton, Ian Enlander, Claire Ferry, David
Gibbon s, Richard Greg ory, Derek McLoughlin, David Norriss, Br ad
Robson, Matthew Tickner, David Tierney, Larry Toal, Gregor Watson,
Ric hard Wey l, John Wilso n, the staff at RSPB Northern Ir eland,
BirdWatch Ireland, Environment and Heritage Service, National Parks
and Wildlife Service and all the volunteer surveyors and field staff who
took part in the various surveys used to create the present datasets.
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