Waterford Birds www.waterfordbirds.com

Waterford bird species list

Number of bird species added to Co Waterford list each year 1970-2024

Total 321 species in Categories A-C: A 306 (of which 11^ subject to formal review / acceptance by the Irish Rare Birds Committee of records in 2023 [4], 2022 [6] or earlier [1]), B 11, C 4 (see footnote for Category details)

# English name, (Scientific name), Category, Number of records (birds), 1st date

1. Brent Goose (Branta bernicla) A

2. Canada Goose (Branta canadensis***) C1

3. Barnacle Goose (Branta leucopsis) A/C1

4. Snow Goose (Anser caerulescens**) A 1 (2) 1972 Oct

5. Greylag Goose (Anser anser) A/C1

6. Pink-footed Goose (Anser brachyrhynchus*) A 1981 Oct

7. Tundra Bean Goose (Anser serrirostris***) A 1 (2) 2022 Jan

8. Greater White-fronted Goose (Anser albifrons) A 1848

9. Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) A/C1

10. Bewick's Swan (Cygnus bewickii**) A

11. Whooper Swan (Cygnus cygnus) A

12. Common Shelduck (Tadorna tadorna) A

13. Ruddy Shelduck (Tadorna ferruginea**) B 1 1871 Mar

14. Mandarin Duck (Aix galericulata) C1 2 (6) 2016 Jun

15. Garganey (Spatula querquedula*) A 1964 Jan

16. Blue-winged Teal (Spatula discors**) A 3 (3) 1994 Sep

17. Northern Shoveler (Spatula clypeata) A

18. Gadwall (Mareca strepera) A

19. Eurasian Wigeon (Mareca penelope) A

20. American Wigeon (Mareca americana**) A 1 2016 Jan

21. Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) A/C1

22. Northern Pintail (Anas acuta) A

23. European Teal (Anas crecca) A

24. Green-winged Teal (Anas carolinensis*) A 1981 Jan

25. Red-crested Pochard (Netta rufina**) A 1 1852 Dec

26. Common Pochard (Aythya ferina) A

27. Ring-necked Duck (Aythya collaris*) A 13+ (?? inds) 1985 Mar

28. Tufted Duck (Aythya fuligula) A

29. Greater Scaup (Aythya marila) A

30. Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis***) A 3 1999 Nov

31. Common Eider (Somateria mollissima) A 1970

32. Surf Scoter (Melanitta perspicillata**) A 10 (5+) 1999 Apr

33. Velvet Scoter (Melanitta fusca*) A 1974 Mar

34. Common Scoter (Melanitta nigra) A

35. Long-tailed Duck (Clangula hyemalis) A 1890

36. Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) A

37. Smew (Mergellus albellus**) A 3 pre-1851

38. Goosander (Mergus merganser*) A 1880

39. Red-breasted Merganser (Mergus serrator) A

40. Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis**) C1/C2 4 1982 Jan

41. Red Grouse (Lagopus lagopus) A

42. Grey Partridge (Perdix perdix) A/C1

43. Common Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) C1

44. Common Quail (Coturnix coturnix*) A

45. European Nightjar (Caprimulgus europaeus**) A

46. Chimney Swift (Chaetura pelagica***) A 1 2005 Nov

47. Alpine Swift (Apus melba**) A 8+ (14+) 1933 May

48. Common Swift (Apus apus) A

49. Great Spotted Cuckoo (Clamator glandarius***) A 1 2021 May

50. Yellow-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus***) A 1 1989 Oct

51. Common Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus) A

52. Rock Dove / Feral Pigeon (Columba livia) A

53. Stock Dove (Columba oenas) A

54. Common Wood Pigeon (Columba palumbus) A

55. European Turtle Dove (Streptopelia turtur**) A 1834 Aug

56. Eurasian Collared Dove (Streptopelia decaocto) A 1962

57. Water Rail (Rallus aquaticus) A

58. Corn Crake (Crex crex) A

59. Spotted Crake (Porzana porzana**) B 8 pre-1842

60. Common Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus) A

61. Eurasian Coot (Fulica atra) A

62. Baillon's Crake (Porzana pusilla***) B 1 1858 Apr

63. Common Crane (Grus grus**) A 2 (4) 2011 Nov

64. Little Grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis) A

65. Red-necked Grebe (Podiceps grisegena**) A 1854 Jan

66. Great Crested Grebe (Podiceps cristatus) A

67. Slavonian Grebe (Podiceps auratus*) A

68. Black-necked Grebe (Podiceps nigricollis**) A 1890 Feb

69. Stone Curlew (Burhinus oedicnemus***) A 2 1840 Mar

70. Eurasian Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus) A

71. Black-winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus**) A 3 (4) 1995 May

72. Pied Avocet (Recurvirostra avosetta**) A 4 (5) 1880

73. Grey Plover (Pluvialis squatarola) A

74. European Golden Plover (Pluvialis apricaria) A

75. American Golden Plover (Pluvialis dominica**) A 5 2008 Nov

76. Common Ringed Plover (Charadrius hiaticula) A

77. Little Ringed Plover (Charadrius dubius**) A 6+ 1999

78. Northern Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus) A

79. Sociable Lapwing (Vanellus gregarius***) B 1 1909 Dec

80. Greater Sand Plover (Charadrius leschenaukltii***) A 1 2022 May

81. Eurasian Dotterel (Charadrius morinellus**) A 11+ (14+) 1840 Aug

82. Eurasian Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus) A

83. Eurasian Curlew (Numenius arquata) A

84. Bar-tailed Godwit (Limosa lapponica) A

85. Black-tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa) A

86. Long-billed Dowitcher (Limnodromus scolopaceus**) A 4 2010 Oct

87. Jack Snipe (Lymnocryptes minimus) A

88. Eurasian Woodcock (Scolopax rusticola) A

89. Common Snipe (Gallinago gallinago) A

90. Grey Phalarope (Phalaropus fulicarius) A 1837

91. Red-necked Phalarope (Phalaropus lobatus**) A 2 1969 Jul

92. Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos) A

93. Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularia***) A 6 1982 Nov

94. Spotted Redshank (Tringa erythropus) A

95. Green Sandpiper (Tringa ochropus) A

96. Wood Sandpiper (Tringa glareola) A 1899

97. Common Redshank (Tringa totanus) A

98. Lesser Yellowlegs (Tringa flavipes**) A 11+ (13+) 1999 Apr

99. Common Greenshank (Tringa nebularia) A

100. Greater Yellowlegs (Tringa melanoleuca***) A 1 2022 Dec

101. Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaria interpres) A

102. Red Knot (Calidris canutus) A

103. Ruff (Philomachus pugnax) A

104. Curlew Sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea) A

105. Buff-breasted Sandpiper (Tryngites subruficollis**) A 9 1972 Sep

106. Sanderling (Calidris alba) A

107. Dunlin (Calidris alpina) A

108. Purple Sandpiper (Calidris maritima) A

109. Baird's Sandpiper (Calidris bairdii**) A 5 1982 Sep

110. Little Stint (Calidris minuta) A

111. White-rumped Sandpiper (Calidris fuscicollis**) A 3 2006 Sep

112. Pectoral Sandpiper (Calidris melanotos*) A 15+ (18+) 1984 Sep

113. Western Sandpiper (Calidris mauri***) A 1 2021 Jul

114. Semipalmated Sandpiper (Calidris pusilla**) A 4 1998 Sep

115. Collared Pratincole (Glareola pratincola***) A 1 2020 May

116. Little Tern (Sternula albifrons) A

117. Gull-billed Tern (Gelochelidon nilotica***) A 1 2012 Jun

118. Whiskered Tern (Chlidonias hybridus**) A 1 1994 Apr

119. Black Tern (Chlidonias niger) A 1831

120. White-winged Tern (Chlidonias leucopterus**) A 3 1875 May

121. Forster's Tern (Sterna forsteri**) A 4 1985 Jan

122. Arctic Tern (Sterna paradisaea) A

123. Common Tern (Sterna hirundo) A

124. Roseate Tern (Sterna dougallii) A

125. Sandwich Tern (Sterna sandvicensis) A

126. Little Gull (Hydrocoloeus minutus) A 1971

127. Kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla) A

128. Ivory Gull (Pagophila eburnea***) A 1 1988 Jan

129. Sabine's Gull (Xema sabini*) A 1980 Sep

130. Bonaparte's Gull (Chroiocephalus philadelphia**) A 6 2004 Apr

131. Black-headed Gull (Chroiocephalus ridibundus) A

132. Mediterranean Gull (Larus melanocephalus*) A 1974 Jul

133. Common Gull (Larus canus) A

134. Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis**) A 1985 Jan

135. Caspian Gull (Larus cachinnans***) A 2 2007 Jan

136. European Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) A

137. Yellow-legged Gull (Larus michahellis*) A 1996 Jan

138. Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus) A

139. Glaucous Gull (Larus hyperboreus) A

140. Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus) A

141. American Herring Gull (Larus smithsonianus**) A 1 1998 Jan

142. Iceland Gull (Larus glaucoides) A 1959 Jul

143. Long-tailed Skua (Stercorarius longicaudus*) A 1846 Mar

144. Arctic Skua (Stercorarius parasiticus) A 1838

145. Pomarine Skua (Stercorarius pomarinus) A

146. Great Skua (Stercorarius skua) A

147. Atlantic Puffin (Fratercula arctica) A

148. Black Guillemot (Cepphus grylle) A

149. Razorbill (Alca torda) A

150. Great Auk (Pinguinus impennis) B 1 1834 May

151. Little Auk (Alle alle*) A 1841

152. Guillemot (Uria aalge) A

153. Red-throated Diver (Gavia stellata) A

154. Black-throated Diver (Gavia arctica*) A 1881

155. Great Northern Diver (Gavia immer) A

156. Wilson's Storm Petrel (Oceanites oceanicus*) A 2 (11+) 2022 Aug

157. European Storm Petrel (Hydrobates pelagicus) A

158. Leach's Storm Petrel (Oceanodroma leucorhoa*) A 1891

159. Northern Fulmar (Fulmarus glacialis) A

160. Fea's/Desertas/Zino's Petrel (Pterodroma feae/deserta/madeira**) A 2 1998 Sep

161. Cory's Shearwater (Calonectris diomedea*) A 1976 Aug

162. Sooty Shearwater (Ardenna grisea) A 1900 Sep

163. Short-tailed Shearwater (Ardenna tenuirostris***) A 1 2020 Jun

164. Great Shearwater (Ardenna gravis) A 1835 Aug

165. Manx Shearwater (Puffinus puffinus) A

166. Balearic Shearwater (Puffinus mauretanicus**) A 1978 Jul

167. White Stork (Ciconia ciconia**) A 1 2002 Apr

168. Northern Gannet (Morus bassanus) A

169. European Shag (Phalacrocorax aristotelis) A

170. Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) A

171. Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus**) A 25+ (? inds) 1834 Nov

172. Eurasian Spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia**) A pre-1850

173. Eurasian Bittern (Botaurus stellaris**) A 1831

174. American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus***) B 1 1904 Dec

175. Little Bittern (Ixobrychus minutus**) A 3 1951 May

176. Black-crowned Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax**) A 3 2000 Jul

177. Little Egret (Egretta garzetta*) A 1970 Apr

178. Squacco Heron (Ardeola ralloides**) A 2 (3) 1895 Sep

179. Great Egret (Ardea alba**) A 20+ (?? inds) 2007 May

180. Western Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis**) A 2007 Dec

181. Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea) A

182. Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea**) A 1 2012 Mar

183. Osprey (Pandion haliaetus*) A 1852

184. European Honey Buzzard (Pernis apivorus***) A 2 pre-1879

185. Booted Eagle (Hieraaetus pennatus***) A 1 1999 Mar

186. Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos***) A^/B/(D4) pre-1901

187. Eurasian Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus) A

188. Eurasian Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis***) A^ 1 2022 Mar

189. Pallid Harrier (Circus macrourus***) A^ 1 2024 Oct

190. Hen Harrier (Circus cyaneus) A

191. Montagu's Harrier (Circus pygargus***) A 3+ 1948 Jul

192. Western Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus*) A pre-1901

193. Red Kite (Milvus milvus*) A/C2/(D4) 1981 Jan

194. Black Kite (Milvus migrans***) A^ 1 2024 Apr

195. White-tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla**) B/(D4) pre-1901

196. Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) A

197. Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo*) A 1838 Feb

198. Western Barn Owl (Tyto alba) A

199. Eurasian Scops Owl (Otus scops***) A 1 1998 Apr

200. Long-eared Owl (Asio otus) A

201. Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus) A

202. Eurasian Hoopoe (Upupa epops) A pre-1901

203. European Bee-eater (Merops apiaster**) A 2 2011 Jun

204. Eurasian Wryneck (Jynx torquilla**) A 18 1877 Oct

205. Great Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos major*) A 1850 Jan

206. Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) A

207. Red-footed Falcon (Falco vespertinus**) A 2 1994 May

208. Merlin (Falco columbarius) A

209. Eurasian Hobby (Falco subbuteo**) A >35 1958 Sep

210. Gyrfalcon (Falco rusticolus***) B 1 1893/1894

211. Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) A

212. Great Grey Shrike (Lanius excubitor***) B 1 pre-1861

213. Lesser Grey Shrike (Lanius minor***) A 1 1991 Sep

214. Woodchat Shrike (Lanius senator**) A 12 1974 Jun

215. Red-backed Shrike (Lanius collurio**) A 7 1993 Oct

216. Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus**) A 4 1985 Oct

217. Golden Oriole (Oriolus oriolus**) A 1824/1825

218. Eurasian Jay (Garrulus glandarius) A

219. Eurasian Magpie (Pica pica) A

220. Red-billed Chough (Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax) A

221. Western Jackdaw (Corvus monedula) A

222. Rook (Corvus frugilegus) A

223. Carrion Crow (Corvus corone) A 2+ 1980 Nov

224. Hooded Crow (Corvus cornix) A

225. Northern Raven (Corvus corax) A

226. BohemianWaxwing (Bombycilla garrulus) A 13+ (?? inds) pre-1901

227. Coal Tit (Periparus ater) A

228. Eurasian Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus) A

229. Great Tit (Parus major) A

230. Bearded Reedling (Panurus biarmicus**) A 2 (5) 2020 Oct

231. Woodlark (Lullula arborea***) B pre-1871

232. Eurasian Skylark (Alauda arvensis) A

233. Sand Martin (Riparia riparia) A

234. Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) A

235. Western House Martin (Delichon urbicum) A

236. European Red-rumped Swallow (Cecropis daurica**) A 1 2009 Oct

237. Cetti’s Warbler (Cettia cetti***) A^ 2 (3) 2023 Dec

238. Long-tailed Tit (Aegithalos caudatus) A

239. Wood Warbler (Phylloscopus sibilatrix**) A 1 2004 May

240. Western Bonelli's Warbler (Phylloscopus bonelli***) A 2 1981 Sep

241. Yellow-browed Warbler (Phylloscopus inornatus*) A >45 (>50) 1984 Sep

242. Pallas's Leaf Warbler (Phylloscopus proregulus**) A 4 1999 Oct

243. Radde's Warbler (Phylloscopus schwarzi***) A 5 1985 Oct

244. Dusky Warbler (Phylloscopus fuscatus***) A^ 1 2024 Oct

245. Willow Warbler (Phylloscopus trochilus) A

246. Common Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita) A

247. Iberian Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus ibericus***) A 1 2010 Jun

248. Greenish Warbler (Phylloscopus trochiloides**) A 2 1995 Oct

249. Arctic Warbler (Phylloscopus borealis***) A 1 2022 Sep

250. Sedge Warbler (Acrocephalus schoenobaenus) A

251. Paddyfield Warbler (Acrocephalus agricola***) A^ 1 2023 Sep

252. Blyth's Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus dumetorum***) A 3 2012 Oct

253. Eurasian Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus scirpaceus*) A 1981 Sep

254. Booted Warbler (Iduna caligata***) A 1 2006 Aug

255. Melodious Warbler (Hippolais polyglotta**) A 10 1974 Aug

256. Icterine Warbler (Hippolais icterina**) A 6 1983 Aug

257. Common Grasshopper Warbler (Locustella naevia) A

258. Garden Warbler (Sylvia borin) A 1893 May

259. Eurasian Blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla) A

260. Barred Warbler (Sylvia nisoria**) A 8 1981 Oct

261. Lesser Whitethroat (Sylvia curruca*) A 24+ 1980 Sep

262. Common Whitethroat (Sylvia communis) A

263. Western Subalpine Warbler (Sylvia cantillans**) A 2 2008 May

264. Goldcrest (Regulus regulus) A

265. Common Firecrest (Regulus ignicapillus*) A 35+ (40+) 1975 Oct

266. Eurasian Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes) A

267. Eurasian Treecreeper (Certhia familiaris) A

268. Rosy Starling (Pastor roseus**) A 6 2006 Oct

269. Common Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) A

270. Ring Ouzel (Turdus torquatus) A

271. Common Blackbird (Turdus merula) A

272. Fieldfare (Turdus pilaris) A

273. Redwing (Turdus iliacus) A

274. Song Thrush (Turdus philomelos) A

275. Mistle Thrush (Turdus viscivorus) A

276. Spotted Flycatcher (Muscicapa striata) A

277. European Robin (Erithacus rubecula) A

278. Bluethroat (Luscinia svevica**) A 3 2006 Oct

279. Common Nightingale (Luscinia megarhynchos**) A 1 2018 Sep

280. European Pied Flycatcher (Ficedula hypoleuca) A 1937 Aug

281. Red-breasted Flycatcher (Ficedula parva*) A 7 1996 Oct

282. Black Redstart (Phoenicurus ochruros) A 1877

283. Common Redstart (Phoenicurus phoenicurus**) A >20 1881

284. Whinchat (Saxicola rubetra) A 1882

285. European Stonechat (Saxicola torquata) A

286. Northern Wheatear (Oenanthe oenanthe) A

287. Desert Wheatear (Oenanthe deserti***) A 1 2011 Nov

288. White-throated Dipper (Cinclus cinclus) A

289. House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) A

290. European Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus) A 1951 Mar

291. Dunnock (Prunella modularis) A

292. Western Yellow Wagtail (Motacilla flava) A >12 1977 Apr

293. Citrine Wagtail (Motacilla citreola***) A 1 2009 Sep

294. Grey Wagtail (Motacilla cinerea) A

295. Pied Wagtail (Motacilla alba) A

296. Richard's Pipit (Anthus richardi**) A 3 1983 Oct

297. Tawny Pipit (Anthus campestris**) A 1 2008 Apr

298. Meadow Pipit (Anthus pratensis) A

299. Tree Pipit (Anthus trivialis*) A 12 (13) 1981 Aug

300. American (Buff-bellied) Pipit (Anthus rubescens***) A 3 2010 Oct

301. Water Pipit (Anthus spinoletta**) A 8+ (12+) 2003 Dec

302. Eurasian Rock Pipit (Anthus petrosus) A

303. Eurasian Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs) A

304. Brambling (Fringilla montifringilla) A

305. Hawfinch (Coccothraustes coccothraustes**) A 9 (7) 1898 Nov

306. Eurasian Bullfinch (Pyrrhula pyrrhula) A

307. Common Rosefinch (Carpodacus erythrinus**) A 3 1992 Oct

308. European Greenfinch (Carduelis chloris) A

309. Twite (Carduelis flavirostris) A

310. Common Linnet (Carduelis cannabina) A

311. Redpoll (Acanthis flammea) A

312. Red Crossbill (Loxia curvirostra) A 1888

313. European Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis) A

314. Eurasian Siskin (Carduelis spinus) A 1852

315. Lapland Bunting (Calcarius lapponicus*) A 6 (11) 1975 Dec

316. Snow Bunting (Plectrophenax nivalis) A 1832 Jan

317. Corn Bunting (Emberiza calandra**) A

318. Yellowhammer (Emberiza citrinella) A

319. Little Bunting (Emberiza pusilla**) A 1 2020 Oct

320. Rustic Bunting (Emberiza rustica** ) A 1 2021 Jan

321. Black-headed Bunting (Emberiza melanocephala***) A^ 1 2023 Sep

322. Common Reed Bunting (Emberiza schoeniclus) A

323. Northern Parula (Parula americana***) A 1 2003 Oct

324. American Yellow Warbler (Dendroica petechia***) A 1 1995 Oct

325. Blackpoll Warbler (Dendroica striata***) A 1 1993 Oct

Categories forming part of the official Irish bird list (http://www.irbc.ie/topbar/categories.php):
Category A - Species that have been recorded in an apparently natural state in Co Waterford at least once since 1st January 1950.
Category B - Species that have been recorded in an apparently natural state in Co Waterford at least once between 1st January 1800 and 31st December 1949, but have not been recorded subsequently.
Category C1 - Species that, although originally introduced by man, have established feral breeding populations in Ireland which apparently maintain themselves without necessary recourse to further introduction.
Category C2 - Species that have occurred, but are considered to have originated from established naturalised populations outside Ireland.

Species not forming part of the official Irish bird list:

Category D1 - Species that would otherwise appear in Categories A or B except that there is a reasonable doubt that they have ever occurred in a natural state.
Category D2 - Species that have arrived through ship or other human assistance.
Category D3 - Species that have only ever been found dead on the tideline.
Category D4 - Species that would otherwise appear in Category C1 except that their feral populations may or may not be self-supporting.
Category E - Species that have been recorded as introductions, transportees or (presumed) escapees from captivity.

*** Rarities that currently require assessment of substantiating documentation by the Irish Rare Birds Committee before publication in the annual Irish Rare Bird Report. The list of such species is based on a combination of factors, including number / recent frequency of occurrences and difficulty of identification. http://www.irbc.ie/records/desclist.php [Note: for Canada Goose, Golden Eagle & White-tailed Eagle, this relates only to claims of wild individuals as opposed to individuals from feral / introduced populations.]
** Rarities currently on the IRBC list of 'Supplementary accreditation species' that may be published in the Irish Rare Birds Report without assessment of substantiating documentation (excluding reports from anonymous observers). Generally these would of be rarities of more frequent occurrence, often with lower frequency of misidentification. http://www.irbc.ie/records/desclist1.php
* Species formerly on the list of species considered by the IRBC but subsequently removed to reflect an increase in their frequency of occurrence (excluding some species since reinstated, included under **).