Light-bellied Brent Geese (Brian Burke) I - WeBS is funded by the the by funded is WeBS Results of Prepared by Irish Bird Survey: National Parks and Wildlife Service of the Department of the Arts, Heritage Arts, of the Department of the Wildlife Service Parks and National Waterbird Monitoring Monitoring Waterbird Gaeltacht Affairs Gaeltacht Lesley Lewis in 20

December 2016 and is and co , - ordinated Brian Burke 14

/ by BirdWatch Ireland BirdWatch by 15

andOlivia Crowe .

in Ireland

, Regional, Rural and and Rural Regional, ,

I-WeBS: Results of Waterbird Monitoring in Ireland in 2014/15

Contents

Introduction...... 4 Methods ...... 4 Field methods ...... 4 Analyses ...... 4 Results ...... 5 Coverage ...... 5 Total waterbird numbers ...... 7 Important sites ...... 8 Waterbird trends ...... 13 Discussion ...... 16 References ...... 19 Appendix ...... 20

2 I-WeBS: Results of Waterbird Monitoring in Ireland in 2014/15 Summary  The Irish Wetland Bird Survey (I-WeBS) was hold significantly important numbers during the initiated in the in the winter most recent period. of 1994/ 95. It is the primary tool for monitoring  The trends of 43 species were measured and the status of non-breeding wintering waterbirds showed that 10 species increased on average and the importance of the wetland upon which over the period between 1994/95 and 2014/15, they rely. while 11 species declined. Greatest increases  This report aims to summarise the results of the were in Little Egret Egretta garzetta, Barnacle survey in 2014/15 and provides an update on Goose Branta leucopsis, Sanderling Calidris alba, the status of wintering waterbirds and their key Great Northern Diver Gavia immer and Light- sites. bellied Brent Goose while greatest declines were  I-WeBS uses the look-see method where in Bewick’s Swan Cygnus columbianus bewickii, counters record the number of individuals of Scaup Anas marila, Pochard Aythya farina and each waterbird species on frequent visits to their Lapwing Vanellus vanellus. An assessment of pre-defined wetland sites. Waterbirds are shorter-term trends for the period 2009/10 to counted at each wetland visited. Counts are 2014/15 showed greatest increases in Red- scheduled to be undertaken once per month throated Diver Gavia stellata, Greenshank Tringa between September and March inclusive, and on nebularia, Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica, or near pre-determined dates. Barnacle Goose and Sanderling. Conversely, the greatest short-term declines have been shown in  In 2014/15, 261 sites comprising 734 subsites Pochard, Scaup, Coot, Shoveler Anas clypeata, were covered, and this included the majority of Knot Calidris canutus and Lapwing. the important sites. Some 54% of sites were  The international Golden Plover census was covered in at least three months, and greatest carried out in October 2014, utilising data from I- coverage during the season was in January when WeBS core counts and additional counts 88% of sites were surveyed. undertaken specifically for the census at  A total of 98 waterbird species was recorded, grassland sites not routinely monitored during I- including 61 which are regularly occurring. The WeBS. The census provides a total flyway maximum number recorded was in January, population estimate and a count of Golden dominated by waders (56%), followed by ducks Plover in Ireland during October, though larger (23%), gulls and terns (9%) and swans & geese numbers are present here later in the winter. (9%). Light-bellied Brent Goose Branta brenicla Results from Ireland show large variations from hrota, Wigeon Anas penelope, Coot Fulica atra, previous censuses, but the full implications Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria and Black- won’t be clear until counts are compiled from headed Gull Croichocephalus ridibundus were throughout the flyway. the most numerous of the swans & geese, ducks, wildfowl allies, waders and gulls respectively.  The international census of Whooper and  Based on counts between 2010/11 and 2014/15, Bewick’s Swans took place in January 2015. 33 internationally important and 93 nationally Flocks of Whoopers were widely dispersed, likely important sites were identified, with Dundalk due to the preceding mild weather conditions. Bay, Wexford Harbour & Slobs, Lough Swilly, The total number of Whooper Swans recorded in Bay and Cork Harbour once again the top the Republic of Ireland was 11,852, an increase five most important sites. Compared to previous of 12.7% since the 2010 census, in line with the seasons a total of 13 sites moved from increase in the Icelandic population as a whole. internationally to nationally important based on Numbers of Bewick’s Swans continue to decline counts to 2014/15, while one site that was of in Ireland and only 21 individuals were recorded international importance during the last in Ireland during the census. publication (River Foyle; Whooper Swan) did not

3 I-WeBS: Results of Waterbird Monitoring in Ireland in 2014/15 Introduction Ireland is situated on some of the major flyways for The Irish Wetland Bird Survey (I-WeBS) was initiated in arctic-nesting species and is of significant importance the Republic of Ireland in 1994/95. This survey is for wintering waterbirds. Extensive areas of wetland ongoing, and aims to continue to monitor wintering and a relatively mild climate attract more than one waterbird populations and importance of the million waterbirds each winter. Most species which upon which they rely. On the basis of the data collated occur in Ireland migrate from the north and northwest through this survey, as well as previous wetland bird (principally Canada, Greenland and Iceland), or from the surveys, including the Winter Wetland Survey (1984/85- northeast (northern Europe, Scandinavia, Russia and 1986/87) and the Wetlands Enquiry (1971/72-1973/74), Siberia), moving south to winter predominantly in west in excess of 90 wetlands in Ireland have been and northwest Europe and west Africa (Wetlands designated as Special Protection Areas (SPAs) under the International 2012, Wernham et al. 2002). EU Birds Directive (2009/147/EC) for wintering waterbirds. As a member of the European Union, and as a signatory to a number of international conservation conventions, This report presents summarised results of data Ireland is required to identify and designate important collated in 2014/15, and on the population status wetlands for waterbirds. As a part of this process, of wintering waterbird and their key wetland sites Ireland is obliged to carry out regular monitoring of in the Republic of Ireland. these sites.

Methods species that move extensively. Participants are Field methods encouraged to try to coordinate counts of adjacent I-WeBS uses the well-established technique of sites between which movements are likely to occur. counting the numbers of waterbirds at wetland sites by the ‘look-see’ method (Bibby et al. 1992). This Analyses involves counters recording the number of individuals Waterbird totals are compiled, and annual peaks of each waterbird species on frequent visits to their evaluated. The mean of peaks over the most recent pre-defined wetland sites. Waterbirds are counted at five-season period available is used to examine site each wetland visited. Counts are ideally undertaken importance. In order to generate species trends, the once per month between September and March counts are modeled using a multiplicative log-linear inclusive, and on or near pre-determined dates. It is index model with site, year and month factors recommended that counts of coastal sites be carried (Underhill and Prys-Jones 1994). Full details on the out at or near high tide, and therefore dates selected methods and analyses used have been described in for survey are on mid-month weekends when the high detail in Crowe and Boland (2004) with the following tides are as close to midday as possible. Given exception. differences in tidal cycle regimes around Ireland, counts for south and west coast sites are scheduled Additional data sources used in this paper included one week later than those of east coast and midland data from the January 2010 International Swan sites. Census (Boland et al. 2010), the NPWS Waterbird Survey Programme 2009 – 2012 (Cummins and Crowe Large sites usually require a team of counters to 2010, 2011, 2012) and data provided by the UK ensure that counts are conducted over a relatively Wetland Bird Survey. short period (within three hours), thus minimising duplicate counting of birds, particularly for those

4 I-WeBS: Results of Waterbird Monitoring in Ireland in 2014/15 Results

Coverage In total, 261 sites comprising 734 subsites were covered in 2014/15 (Fig. 1). Half of the sites are lakes, while almost a quarter are coastal in nature (estuaries, non-estuarine coast and lagoons). The remaining sites are made up of rivers & canals (26 sites), turloughs (15 sites), reservoirs (3 sites), quarry/gravel pits (3 sites), /marsh (5 sites) and grassland (1 site). Greatest coverage (89% of sites) was in January (Table 1), while coverage in other months was lower, and ranged between 42% and 58% of sites covered.

Table 1. Number of sites and subsites covered each month and overall in 2014/15 Sites Subsites Sep 109 280 Oct 126 331 Nov 151 400 Dec 144 394 Jan 231 625 Feb 139 364 Mar 139 298 Covered overall 261 734

Some 61 sites (23% of total) were covered in all seven months, while 54% of sites were covered in at least three Figure 1. Subsites covered during 2014/ 15, illustrating months. 30% of sites were covered only once. the frequency of coverage: red = covered on at most two occasions during the season, green = 3-6 occasions, blue = 7or more occasions.

Oystercatchers and Sanderling (Kevin Murphy)

5 I-WeBS: Results of Waterbird Monitoring in Ireland in 2014/15

Data were received for most sites of national and international importance. No data were received at the time of writing for Brandon Bay, Dungarvan Harbour, Lough Carra, Lough Derg, Lough Fern, Lough Ree, Poulaphouca, River Slaney, River Suck, Shannon & Fergus Estuary, and Tramore Backstrand. Unfavourable conditions meant that no aerial surveys took place during the 2014/15 season. Full details of coverage at SPA sites is given in Table 2 below.

Table 2. Coverage of SPA sites in 2014/15, indicating the total number of counts achieved compared to the minimum required number of counts per site. SPA Number Counts SPA Number Counts code I-WeBS site counts required code I-WeBS site counts required 4009 Lady's Island Lake 7 2 4063 Poulaphouca Reservoir 0 - 4014 Rockabill 0 - 4065 4 - 4015 Rogerstown Estuary 7 3 4069 Lambay Island 0 - 4016 Baldoyle Bay 6 2 4075 Lough Swilly 6 4 4019 Wexford Bay 3 3 4076 River Slaney 3 - 4020 The Cull & Killag (Ballyteige) 6 3 4076 Wexford Harbour & Slobs 8 4 4022 Ballycotton Shanagarry 7 2 4080 Boyne Estuary 7 3 4023 Ballymacoda 7 4 4081 Clonakilty Bay 7 3 4024 Dublin Bay 7 4 4086 Little Brosna Callows 5 4 4025 Broadmeadow (Malahide) Estuary 5 3 4089 Rahasane Turlough 6 3 4026 Dundalk Bay 6 4 4090 Sheskinmore Lough 6 - 4027 Tramore Back Strand 3 2 4091 Braganstown 4 - 4028 Blackwater Estuary 7 3 4092 Tacumshin Lake 7 4 Termoncarragh & 4029 Castlemaine Harbour & Rossbehy 6 3 4093 Annagh Marsh 5 - 4030 Cork Harbour 7 4 4094 Blackwater Callows 3 2 4031 Inner Galway Bay 3 3 4095 Kilcolman Marsh 7 - 4033 Bannow Bay 3 3 4097 River Suck 4 - Coole Lough - Newtown 4035 Sligo Harbour 4 2 4107 Turlough 5 - 4036 Killala Bay 5 2 4109 Inishcarra Reservoirs 1 3 4037 Blacksod & Tullaghan Bays 7 3 4122 Skerries Islands - 4037 Broadhaven & Sruwadaccon Bays 4 3 4129 Ballysadare Bay 5 2 4038 Lough Leane & Killarney Valley 7 4134 Lough Rea 7 2 Southern Roscommon 4041 Ballyallia Lake 7 - 4140 Lakes 4 - 4042 Lough Corrib 7 4 4151 Donegal Bay 3 3 4043 Lough Derravaragh 5 2 4158 Nanny Estuary & shore 7 3 Mid-Clare Coast (Mal Bay 4044 6 2 4182 - Doonbeg Bay) - 4045 Glen Lough 1 - 4184 Cashen River & Estuary 7 - North Wicklow Coastal 4046 Lough Iron 6 2 4186 Marshes 5 3 Tralee Bay, Lough Gill & 4047 6 - 4188 Akeragh Lough 7 4 4048 Lough Gara 7 - 4194 Dunfanaghy New Lake 7 - 4049 Lough Oughter Complex 4 2 4212 South Mayo Coast 7 Courtmacsherry Bay, Broadstrand Bay & 4050 Lough Arrow 1 - 4219 Dunworley 7 3 4052 Carrowmore Lake 4 - 4220 Corofin Wetlands 1 2 4056 Lough Cutra - Ballynakill L. 5 4228 Lough Conn 1 - 4061 & Derragh Lough 7 - 4228 Lough Cullin 6 - 4062 Lough Mask 5 - 4234 Drumcliff Bay Estuary 3 2

6 I-WeBS: Results of Waterbird Monitoring in Ireland in 2014/15 Total waterbird numbers Overall, 98 waterbird species were recorded in The maximum number of waterbirds was recorded in 2014/15, including 11 swan & goose species, 22 January at 332,143 waterbirds (Table 3). Numbers of duck, 21 wildfowl allies, 26 waders, 11 gulls and six wildfowl and allies peaked in January (117,897), as did tern species. The scientific names of all species are wader numbers (185,101). In contrast the total number given in these tables or are otherwise mentioned of gulls and terns peaked in the month of September in the text. (Table 3). Overall, some 61 regularly occurring species were As a group, waders dominate in terms of numbers in recorded in 2014/15 (Table 3a). Regularly most months, with numbers representing between 44% occurring species are defined as those recorded (March) and 56% (January) throughout the count during the priority I-WeBS period (Sep - Mar), in at period. least seven of the last 10 years and at more than Wildfowl and their allies comprised between 22% and 10 sites on average over that period. A further 32 39% of total waterbirds, while gulls and terns comprised scarce species (i.e. not meeting the criteria of between 7% and 30%. ‘regularly occurring’ species; Table 3b), and another five species that are from introduced or Among the waders, Golden Plover, Lapwing, Dunlin and released origins Black Swan Cygnus atratus, Oystercatcher were the most numerous (Table 3), with Canada Goose Branta canadensis, Mandarin Aix total numbers of Golden Plover exceeding 47,000 in galericulata, feral/ hybrid goose, and feral/ hybrid January 2015. Wigeon and Teal were the most abundant Mallard, were also recorded in 2014/15. wildfowl species recorded and Black-headed Gull the most numerous of the gulls.

Knot (Colum Clarke)

7 I-WeBS: Results of Waterbird Monitoring in Ireland in 2014/15 Important sites Based on counts between 2010/11 and 2014/15 a  Shannon & Fergus Estuary (aerial) (Black- total of 33 internationally important and 93 tailed Godwit), nationally important sites were identified (Table 5  Inishcarra Reservoirs (Mute Swan), & 6). This contrasts to the 47 internationally- and  River Suck (aerial) (Mute Swan), 86 nationally-important sites reported in the  Lough Derg (Shannon) (Mute Swan), previous period (2009/10 – 2013/14) (Crowe et al.  Lady’s Island lake (Mute Swan), 2016).  Nanny Estuary & Shore (Light-bellied Brent Of the internationally important sites, five Goose), supported in excess of 20,000 waterbirds  Lough Rea (Shoveler), (excluding gulls and terns) and these were Dundalk  Lough Ennell (Mute Swan), Bay, Wexford Harbour & Slobs, Lough Swilly,  Lough Derravaragh (Mute Swan), Dublin Bay, and Cork Harbour (Table 5). Lough  Lough Oughter Complex (Mute Swan), Foyle is monitored by UK WeBS and continues to  Lough Kinale & Derragh Lough (Mute support numbers in excess of this threshold; Frost Swan), et al. (2016) reported a mean of 29,100 for the  Dunfanaghy New lake (Mute Swan, period 2010/11 to 2014/15. Barnacle Goose), The list of sites supporting at least 20,000  Lough Aderry (Black-tailed Godwit). waterbirds excludes Lough Corrib that was listed during the last published report (Crowe et al. 2016) and this is due to substantially lower One site that was of international importance numbers of total waterbirds recorded in recent during the period reported in the last publication seasons. but is no longer of importance, is River Foyle (Whooper Swan). Among the remaining internationally important sites, Tralee Bay, Lough Gill & Akeragh Lough, A total of six sites were identified as nationally Little Brosna Callows and Rogerstown Estuary important for this period that were not listed remain in the top four ranked sites in terms of the during the former period and these are five-year mean number of total waterbirds. Ballybackagh, Ballycrenane/Warren, Blarney Lake, One site has moved from nationally important to Dunfanaghy New Lake, Skerries (Baldongan), and internationally important between the current and Swellan Lough (Table 6). previous reporting period – Termoncarragh & In contrast, there were 15 sites identified as Annagh Marsh. This is due to internationally nationally important during the former period that important numbers of Barnacle Goose. were not listed as nationally important here. Two sites have observed an increase in total Of the nationally important sites (Table 6), there numbers greater than 10% when compared with have been increases, in excess of 20% when the respective previously published mean (Crowe compared with the respective means presented in et al. 2016) - Little Brosna Callows and River Crowe et al. (2016) at Poulaphouca Reservoir, Shannon (aerial). Lower and The Cull & Killag In contrast, the greatest estimated/recorded (Ballyteige). In contrast, there have been declines in overall waterbird numbers at substantial declines, in excess of 20% when international sites, as reflected by declines of 15% compared with the respective means presented in or more since the last publication, have been at Crowe et al. (2016), at nine sites, most notably at Lough Corrib, Bannow Bay, Dungarvan Harbour, Trawbreaga Bay, which has received poor count Baldoyle Bay, and North Wicklow Coastal Marshes. coverage in recent years, and Wexford Bay, where much of the decline is the result of lower counts of A total of 13 sites moved from internationally Common Scoter. important to nationally important, and these were:  Tacumshin Lake (previously of international importance for Mute Swan and Black-tailed Godwit),

8 I-WeBS: Results of Waterbird Monitoring in Ireland in 2014/15 Table 3a. Total numbers counted of regularly occurring waterbirds between September 2014 and March 2015.

Species Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Mute Swan Cygnus olor 1903 2405 2712 2407 3783 1935 1404 Whooper Swan Cygnus cygnus 12 2116 3340 2316 3708 2356 1309 Pink-footed Goose Anser brachyrhyncus 5 14 126 117 11 4 100 Greenland White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons flavirostris 116 7629 8780 8949 1036 502 Greylag Goose Anser anser 936 671 2894 4076 2218 1479 838 Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis 1458 1312 551 1923 930 Light-bellied Brent Goose Branta bernicla hrota 92 2797 9835 13984 9573 6272 7423 Shelduck Tadorna tadorna 428 1013 4835 3624 5329 4428 2312 Wigeon Anas penelope 1846 17222 27361 22330 28762 21025 9448 Gadwall Anas strepera 74 69 225 453 388 328 124 Teal Anas crecca 4477 7378 12921 10573 18905 14567 7034 Mallard Anas platyrhynchos 6690 5530 5818 5663 6908 4320 1591 Pintail Anas acuta 16 150 287 528 680 461 204 Shoveler Anas clypeata 95 248 970 1128 1014 1031 341 Pochard Aythya ferina 11 128 1474 642 195 293 215 Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula 936 2368 12466 5787 6247 5024 2507 Scaup Aythya marila 14 132 102 74 40 12 6 Long-tailed Duck Clangula hyemalis 2 24 22 18 21 Common Scoter Melanitta nigra 3175 592 3325 1540 3175 2101 1147 Goldeneye Bucephala clangula 3 21 396 955 587 899 192 Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator 640 297 934 804 749 667 384 Red-throated Diver Gavia stellata 24 34 252 144 45 301 34 Great Northern Diver Gavia immer 18 68 497 853 434 686 240 Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis 762 680 973 873 862 709 303 Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus 317 453 1697 1280 709 1090 355 Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 1302 1699 2985 2305 2444 1429 792 Shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis 121 447 659 486 477 431 132 Little Egret Egretta garzetta 589 499 452 687 268 498 214 Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 575 527 655 542 565 255 200 Water Rail Rallus aquaticus 10 6 29 10 10 12 12 Moorhen Gallinula chloropus 306 290 281 240 327 216 205 Coot Fulica atra 3060 4654 7348 7236 5564 3404 1610 Total Wildfowl and their allies* 28,846 52,794 115,609 102,264 117,897 79,586 42,324

Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus 17253 13888 16447 16616 17658 12047 7595 Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula 1628 2492 3726 1992 2870 2127 563 Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria 969 19470 43056 33500 47545 21970 5892 Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola 395 277 609 880 767 1251 575 Lapwing Vanellus vanellus 2022 7941 29678 29197 38280 18729 563 Knot Calidris canutus 930 2861 2711 11395 10724 5069 4988 Sanderling Calidris alba 1069 1367 2976 1180 1897 1939 1750 Purple Sandpiper Calidris maritima 3 1 22 77 16 34 Dunlin Calidris alpina 3667 3358 13462 22667 21389 22107 6977 Ruff Philomachus pugnax 28 5 11 1 11 1 Snipe Gallinago gallinago 48 171 276 207 207 251 127 Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa 8096 11417 9530 7906 8874 5835 3863 Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica 3058 2683 4721 6527 9647 6014 3121 Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus 12 8 3 1 2 Curlew Numenius arquata 9697 8063 9978 7603 13731 9674 3567 Common Sandpiper Actitus hypoleucos 13 4 3 3 2 1 4 Greenshank Tringa nebularia 525 543 575 566 555 426 260 Redshank Tringa totanus 11433 10601 11605 8858 9367 9103 5790 Turnstone Arenaria interpres 554 1339 1279 1483 1495 1332 1376 Total Waders* 61,408 86,499 150,653 150,612 185,101 117,896 47,050

9 I-WeBS: Results of Waterbird Monitoring in Ireland in 2014/15 Table 3a Continued.

Species Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus 37 191 10 17 52 53 7 Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus 19849 12334 19691 9321 17002 15410 8879 Common Gull Larus canus 3719 4809 5402 3666 5852 5411 3670 Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 8986 4582 2628 1739 1245 4645 1841 Herring Gull Larus argentatus 3653 5902 7300 3841 3940 3551 2934 Iceland Gull Larus glaucoides 2 10 5 Glaucous Gull Larus hyperboreus 4 4 12 1 Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 1,450 2,225 1,580 1,380 1,022 1,134 730 Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis 1,439 10 4 3 3 3 2 Total Gulls and Terns* 39,597 30,453 36,649 19,980 29,136 30,535 18,079

Kingfisher Alcedo atthis 13 11 8 9 9 8 5

TOTAL WATERBIRDS 129,864 169,757 302,919 272,865 332,143 228,025 107,458 * Totals include records of other waterbirds, including vagrant species listed in Table 3b, feral or naturalised geese and ducks, as well as others that were not identified to species level (e.g. those submitted as unidentified waders).

Table 3b. Scarce species in 2014/ 15. The peak monthly count is indicated in brackets. Bewick’s Swan Cygnus columbianus (14) Little Stint Calidris minuta (2) Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea (1) Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea (6) American Wigeon Anas Americana (1) Jack Snipe Lymnocryptes minimus (2) Green-winged Teal Anas carolinensis (1) Woodcock Scolopax rusticola (2) Garganey Anas querquedula (16) Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus (3) Ring-necked Duck Aythya collaris (3) Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus (5) Eider Somateria mollissima (42) Lesser Yellowlegs Tringa flavipes (1) Ruddy Duck Oxyura jamaicensis (1) Little Gull Larus minutus (1) Velvet Scoter Melanitta fusca (2) Ring-billed Gull Larus delawarensis (4) Smew Mergellus albellus (1) Yellow-legged Gull Larus arg. Cachinnans michahellis (1) Goosander Mergus merganser (3) Common Tern Sterna hirundo (53) Black-throated Diver Gavia arctica (11) Arctic Tern Sterna paradisaea (7) Red-necked Grebe Podiceps grisegena (1) Forster's Tern Sterna forsteri (1) Slavonian Grebe Podiceps auritus (30) Little Tern Sterna albifrons (3) Great White Egret Ardea alba (1) White-winged Black Tern Childonias leucopterus (1) American Coot Fulica Americana (1)

Table 4. Proportion of the total numbers represented by the three main groupings of waterbirds.

Group Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar % % % % % % % Waders 47 51 50 55 56 52 44 Wildfowl and allies 22 31 38 37 35 35 39 Gulls and terns 30 18 12 7 9 13 17

Redshank (JohnFox)

10 I-WeBS: Results of Waterbird Monitoring in Ireland in 2014/15 Table 5. Internationally important sites based on counts between 2010/11 and 2014/15, indicating the species that occur in internationally important numbers (upper case) and nationally important numbers (lower case). Species codes, together with 1% thresholds for national and international importance, are defined in the Appendix.

Site 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 2014/15 Mean Species occurring in significant numbers Sites supporting more than 20,000 waterbirds Dundalk Bay 50,527 50,642 46,921 49,477 38,517 47,217 gj, PB, su, t., ma, pt, cx, rm, ca, et, h., oc, rp, gp, gv, l., KN, dn, BW, BA, cu, rk, tt Wexford Harbour & Slobs 24,449* 47,245 27,112 37,041 32,736 36,034 ms, bs, WS, NW, PB, su, wn, t., ma, pt, rm, lg, gg, ca, et, oc, gp, gv, l., kn, ss, dn, BW, ba, cu, rk, Lough Swilly 30,351 33,677 28,175 28,507 37,047 31,551 ms, WS, NW, GJ, PB, su, wn, t., ma, sv, tu, gn, rm, rh, lg, gg, ca, h., co, oc, rp, gp, l., kn, ss, dn, BW, ba, cu, gk, rk Dublin Bay 27,924 26,802 27,443 31,427 31,595 29,038 PB, su, wn, t., pt, sv, rm, , gg, et, h., oc, rp, gv, kn, ss, dn, BW, BA, cu, gk, rk, tt Cork Harbour 24,516* 27,088 28,611 20,050 25,474 25,306 su, wn, ga, t., ma, rm, lg, gg, ca, et, h., oc, gp, gv, l., dn, BW, ba, cu, gk, rk, tt Other internationally important sites Little Brosna Callows 20,962 12,011 15,613 25,770 18,589 ms, ws, nw, wn, t., pt, sv, gp, gv, l., BW Lough Corrib 38,147 11,012* 8,101 12,481 14,279 18,252 ms, gj, ga, PO, tu, lg, co, gp, l. Tralee Bay, Lough Gill & 18,547 21,029 23,898 8,866 8,638 16,196 ms, PB, wn, pt, sp, oc, rp, gp, gv, l., kn, ss, dn, BW, ba, Akeragh Lough cu, rk, tt Rogerstown Estuary 8,667 16,784 21,768 11,786 15,976 14,996 PB, su, wn, t., rm, et, oc, rp, gv, l., ss, ps, dn, bw, cu, gk, rk, tt Ballymacoda 3,268* 17,675 8,987 16,088 14,250 t., et,rp, gp, gv, l., ss, dn, BW, ba, cu, tt Inner Galway Bay 12,009 18,710 11,663 14,305 12,491 13,836 ms, PB, wn, t., pt, sv, rm, ND, lg, gg, ca, et, h., rp, gv, l., dn, bw, ba, cu, gk, rk, tt Boyne Estuary 8,928 230,45 15,159 8,179 8,206 12,703 PB, su, t.oc, gp, gv, l., kn, ss, dn, bw, , rk, Dungarvan Harbour 12,503 8,880 12,444 16,783 12,653 PB, su, t., rm, gg, oc, gp, gv, l., kn, dn, BW, ba, cu, rk, tt Shannon Callows (Aerial) 8,355 20,652 7,591 12,199 ms, WS, wn, t., gp, l., Bannow Bay 9,204 12,618 12,445 11,422 PB, su, et, gp, gv, l., dn, bw, ba, cu, Rahasane Turlough 9,169 14,150 5,798 16,254 11,522 11,379 wn, ma, pt, sv, et, gp, l., BW Castlemaine Harbour & 12,084 11,648 10,735 9,347 11,114 10,986 PB, su, wn, ma, pt, cx, et, oc, rp, gv, , ss, dn, ba, cu, gk, Rossbehy rk, Blacksod & Tullaghan Bays 5,439* 9,739 10,46 12,840 8,305 10,383 gj, by, PB, cx, rm, rh, ND, rp, gv, , ss, dn, ba, cu, gk, tt Broadmeadow (Malahide) 10,745 3,466 9,488 5,369 4,100 6,634 PB, su, ga, , pt, gn, rm, , lg, gg, oc, , gv, kn, , bw, , gk, tt Estuary Donegal Bay 7,110 5,607 6,647 5,764 5,778 6,181 ms, WS, PB, cx, rm, rh, ND, lg, h., oc, rp, ss, ps, cu, gk, tt Courtmacsherry Bay, 6,320 6,025 5,520 5,487 4,617 5,594 su, wn, t., nd, et, BW, cu, Broadstrand Bay & Dunworley Clonakilty Bay 6,148 6,220 4,064 5,962 5,199 5,519 wn, kn, dn, BW, cu, gk, rk, Killala Bay 4,855 4,634 8,417 3,791 5,562 5,452 PB, rm, gv, kn, dn, ba, cu Tramore Back Strand 5,025 3,120 6,024 7,444 5,403 PB, ga, gv, bw, ba, cu, Baldoyle Bay 6,459 3,994 5,227 PB, rh, gg, oc, gp, gv, bw, ba Drumcliff Bay Estuary 6,276 6,614 4,260 3,557 4,933 5,128 BY, rm, kn, ss, ba North Wicklow Coastal 6,536 5,275 3,123* 4,846 2,655 4,828 gj, PB, wn, t., sv, rh, lg, et, bw Marshes Sligo Harbour 3,611 2,795 6,673 4,303 4,429 4,362 PB, e., cx, rm, oc, ss, ba, cu, rk, Shannon & Fergus Estuary 5,318 2,372 3,822 2,101 3,218 3,366 ms, gj, ga, sv, lg, BW Hick's Tower & Robswall 3,001 2,977 2,989 PB, oc, gv Termoncarragh & Annagh 2,491 2,191 2,766 2,943 2,177 2,514 gj, BY, rp, ss Marsh (+1) Lough Iron 1,762 3,428 1,690 1,898 2,302 2,216 NW, sv Lough Gara 2,600 1,901* 1,831 1,821 2,561 2,203 ms, bs, WS, tu * indicates poor quality count, and was not included in the calculation of the mean. +1 indicates an improvement in status from national to international when compared with the last period (2009/10 – 2013/14).

11 I-WeBS: Results of Waterbird Monitoring in Ireland in 2014/15 Table 6. Nationally important sites based on counts between 2010/11 and 2014/15, indicating the species that occur in nationally important numbers. Species codes are defined in the Appendix. An asterisk indicates poor quality count, and was not included in the calculation of the mean.

Site 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 2014/15 Mean Species occurring in significant numbers Tacumshin Lake 10,282 19,499 11,827 10,170 10,282 12,412 ms, gj, su, wn, ga, t., pt, sv, lg, co, gp, l., bw Shannon & Fergus Estuary Aerial 10,560 12,172 12,759 11,830 ws, su, wn, t., gp, l., dn, bw, cu, Southern Roscommon Lakes 2,315 14,157 8,244 9,446 9,658 8,764 wn, t., pt, sv, gp, l. Inishcarra Reservoirs 2,519 3,275 13,942 9,636 1,411* 7,343 gj, wn, t., ma, gp, gv, l., River Suck (Aerial) 6,439 6,026 7,118 6,528 ms, wn, t., l., bw The Cull & Killag (Ballyteige) 2,732 3,939 4,391 6,569 11,895 5,905 pb, t., gp, gv, l., bw, ba, rk, Little Brosna Callows (aerial) 3,379 6,516 6,924 5,606 nw, wn, ms Ballycotton Shanagarry 1,912* 3,654 5,263 6,158 6,218 5,323 t, gp, gv, ss, cu Cashen River & Estuary 6,542 2,837* 3,400 4,971 rp, gp, l., ss, Lough Derg (Shannon) Aerial 6,614 3,724 4,429 4,922 ms, gj, t., tu, gn, co Blackwater Estuary 3,802* 5,248 4,973 5,632 3,529 4,846 su, t., et, h., bw, cu, gk, rk, Lady's Island Lake 4,667 4,324 8,443 3,604 2,909 4,789 ms, gj, wn, ga, et, co, bw Kiltullagh Lough 9,072 3,964 1,056 4,697 gp, l. Ballysadare Bay 4,171 4,694 3,575 4,715 5,039 4,439 pb, rm, ss, ba, cu, gk, rk, Lough Owel 5,711 3,572 4,469 4,284 4,157 4,439 sv, po, tu, co Rosscarbery 4,851 4,712 3,196 5,405 3,881 4,409 gp Shannon Callows 3,723 4,588 2,716 5,305 4,083 ms, wn, l., bw Clew Bay 4,636 4,295 5,027 3,174 3,181 4,063 by, rm, nd, lg, ca, h., rp, ss, cu, gk, rk, tt Lough Derg (Shannon) 6,020 4,444 3,497 2,244 4,051 ms, tu, lg, gg, co, Dunany Point - Clogher Head 4,901 4,053 2,994 1,128* 3,983 rm, kn, ss Glenamaddy Turlough 4,014 195 7,716 3,975 sv, gp Lough Rea 3,256 3,125 3,456 3,679 3,905 3,484 sv, lg, co Lough Ennell 2,553 3,891 1,964 4,838 2,351 3,119 ms, po, tu, lg, gg, co, gv River Deel 3,092 3,092 l. Nanny Estuary & shore 4,031 3,881* 3,407* 3,167 1,823 3,007 rp, kn, ss, bw Lough Derravaragh 3,653 1,916 3,284 2,983 2,558 2,879 ms, po, tu, lg, co Brandon Bay - Inner Brandon Bay 4,129 2,542 1,833 2,835 cx, ss Lough Ree 4,663 4,663 tu, co Skerries Islands 2,295 2,295 rh, ca, cu, tt River Slaney 2,216 825* 2,216 t. Ballyallia Lake 1,835 1,978 2,013 2,402 2,639 2,173 wn, ga, t., pt, sv, lgbally North Central Galway Lakes 1,795 2,332 2,977 1,567 2,168 ws, wn, sv Lough Cullin 1,342 2,666 1,846 1,640 2,667 2,032 tu South Mayo Coast 2,990 2,035 1,593 1,331 2,136 2,017 rp, ss Trawbreaga Bay 2,007 1,421* 1,316* 2,007 by River Suck 1,924 1,924 l. Lough Kinale & Derragh Lough 1,611 2,153 1,882 ms, tu, lg, co Lough Sheelin 2,368 1,551 1,326 982 2,782 1,802 po, tu, lg, gg, co Poulaphouca Reservoir 2,126 1,333 1,730 gj, t., ma L. Coy - Blackrock - Bullaunagh - 1,414 1,795 2,123 1,392 1,681 ws Ballylee Ballybackagh (+1) 1,670 1,670 gi Delvin River - Hampton Cove 2,084 1,943 902 1,643 cx, ss, tt Dundalk Bay Outer (North: Ballagan 550* 1,475 2,671 1,402 859 1,602 ca Point - Giles Quay) Skerries Coast 1075 1,777 1,931 1,350 1,721 1,571 rp, ss, tt Lough Oughter Complex 1,156* 1,870 2,081* 2,075 666 1,537 ms, ws, tu Bandon Estuary 1,419 1,419 et, bw, gk, River Shannon (Lower) Aerial 1,451 854 1,851 1,385 po, tu, co Rostaff Lake 1,987 1,667 706 871 1,683 1,383 ga, sv Cabragh Wetlands 1,277 2,296 1,325 695 1,095 1,338 t. Kilglassan Turlough/ Greaghans 2,095 1,465 814 948 1,331 ws

+1 indicates an improvement in status to national when compared with the last period (2009/10 – 2013/14). Other nationally important sites (mean and species):- Lough Gowna (1,277) lg, Castlemaine Outer: Inch offshore (1,238) cx, rh, ss, Mid-Clare Coast (Mal Bay - Doonbeg Bay) (1,215) rp, ss, ps, tt, Wexford Bay (1,212) cx, rh, ss, Lough Mask (1,182) tu, Waterford Harbour (1,165) gg, Blackwater Callows (1,153) bw, Dunfanaghy New Lake (1,142) ms, by, (+1), River Shannon (Lower) (1,134) tu, lg, Lough Carra (1,132) ga, gn, lg, Stick Estuary (Oysterhaven) (1,125) bw, Broadhaven & Sruwadaccon Bays (1,113) rm, nd, rp, ss, South East Clare Lakes (1,073) ms, gj, ga, lg, Kilcolman Marsh (1,066) t., sv, North East Galway Lakes (1,052) ws, Lough Conn (1,004) gv, Doolough Headford (Turloughcor) (966) ga, sv, River Suir Lower (939) gi, Inishmore, Aran Islands (817) ss, Castleplunket 12 I-WeBS: Results of Waterbird Monitoring in Ireland in 2014/15 Turloughs (790) sv, Mullet West (739) by, ss, Charleville Lagoons (678) sv, Omey Strand (623) rp, ss, Termon Turloughs (597) sv, lg, co, Ventry Harbour (595) rp, Ballyconneely Bay (581) rp, ss, Ballycrenane/Warren (560) ss, tt, (+1) Pat Reddan's Lake (546) ga, sv, Lough Fern (544) tu, Mannin Bay (477) nd, rp, ss, Lough Eorna (460) lg, Marlfield Lake (456) ga, lg, Lough Arrow (402) lg, Lough Aderry (391) ga, Skerries, Baldongan (324) gi, (+1), Buckroney (324) ga, Swellan Lough (309) ms, (+1), Whiting Bay (303) ss, Blarney Lake (278) ga, (+1), Carrowmore Beach (260) ss, Lough Glore (201) lg, Kilkeran Lake (138) lg, Knockaderry Reservoir (125) lg.

Whooper Swans (Brian Burke)

Waterbird trends The trends of 43 species were measured for the despite showing increasing trends across the period 1994/95 to 2014/15 (Table 7). Overall mean medium-term. In contrast, Shelduck showed a annual increases of 2% or more per year were recent increase despite a longer-term decreasing recorded for 10 species, with greatest increases trend. seen in Little Egret, Barnacle Goose, Sanderling, The trends in a selection of wildfowl and wader Great Northern Diver and Light-bellied Brent species that are red-listed in Ireland are shown in Goose. Declines of 2% or more per year were Figure 2. Many of these species have shown a recorded for eleven species, and were greatest for continuous decline in wintering numbers since I- Bewick's Swan, Scaup, Pochard, Lapwing, Dunlin, WeBS began in 1994/95. Some species have Golden Plover and Grey Plover. moved from the amber to the red list in the most The assessment of medium- and short-term trends recent assessment, due to long-term declines in for the periods 2003/04 and 2008/09 to 2013/14 wintering numbers (e.g. Wigeon) or due to respectively, showed that greatest recent significant short-term declines (e.g. Tufted Duck, increases have been in numbers of Red-throated Goldeneye, Dunlin). Occasional sharp increases or Diver, Greenshank, Bar-tailed Godwit, Barnacle declines in some species are likely due to Goose and Sanderling. The greatest medium- and particularly cold winter conditions in Ireland short-term declines over the same period have influencing both local distribution and migration been shown in Pochard, Scaup, Coot, Shoveler, (e.g. Lapwing and Golden Plover in 2009/10 and Lapwing, Pintail, Goldeneye, Moorhen, Turnstone, 2010/11; Crowe et al. 2012), or cold weather in Purple Sandpiper and Golden Plover. Europe forcing increased numbers to continue as far as Ireland (Crowe et al. 2011). Short-term declines were seen in Black-tailed Godwit, Light-bellied Brent Geese and Little Grebe,

13 I-WeBS: Results of Waterbird Monitoring in Ireland in 2014/15

Table 7. Waterbird trends, indicating the mean annual change for the entire period (1994/95 – 2014/15), as well as for recent short-term (2009/10 - 2014/15) and medium-term (2004/05 - 2014/15) periods. Short and medium-term changes are based on GAM analyses – refer to Boland and Crowe (2012) for full analytical details. Species Long-term: Trend result overall Short-term change Medium-term change mean annual change (2009/10 – (2004/05 – 2014/15) 1994/95 - 2014/15 (%) 2014/15) Mute Swan 0.28 Stable -15.07 -8.44 Bewick's Swan -16.17 Decline * * Whooper Swan 2.47 Increase -5.39 6.45 Greenland White-fronted Goose -0.38 Stable 1.59 2.45 Greylag Goose -2.01 Decline 8.86 -16.07 Barnacle Goose 10.53 Increase 10.70 35.97 Light-bellied Brent Goose 4.68 Increase -12.38 38.07 Shelduck -1.21 Stable 2.49 -5.41 Wigeon -2.16 Decline -15.99 -22.81 Gadwall 1.99 Stable 3.33 37.38 Teal 0.23 Stable -2.74 1.29 Mallard -1.45 Stable -14.29 -17.55 Pintail -0.23 Stable -28.94 -3.40 Shoveler -0.34 Stable -38.46 -17.01 Pochard -8.48 Decline -68.25 -76.67 Tufted Duck 0.71 Stable -29.22 1.76 Scaup -11.74 Decline -65.09 -71.58 Common Scoter 2.56 Increase -7.77 -13.97 Goldeneye -2.73 Decline -27.78 -27.85 Red-breasted Merganser -0.6 Stable 5.81 6.29 Red-throated Diver 0.28 Stable 33.68 19.48 Great Northern Diver 4.92 Increase 0.45 40.82 Little Grebe 3.39 Increase -9.75 22.53 Great Crested Grebe 0.12 Stable -2.06 18.77 Little Egret 18.04 Increase 9.23 110.93 Grey Heron 0.6 Stable -3.67 -9.03 Moorhen 1.29 Stable -27.25 -1.78 Coot -0.63 Stable -39.69 -31.56 Oystercatcher 1.13 Stable -16.51 -14.58 Ringed Plover 0.81 Stable -14.57 -16.63 Golden Plover -3.38 Decline -23.95 -52.30 Grey Plover -3.12 Decline 2.66 0.94 Lapwing -5.19 Decline -31.82 -52.55 Knot 0.78 Stable -33.07 0.72 Sanderling 5.63 Increase 10.38 28.36 Purple Sandpiper -0.99 Stable -25.30 -35.63 Dunlin -4.74 Decline -16.29 -31.37 Black-tailed Godwit 3.24 Increase -12.72 25.02 Bar-tailed Godwit 1.13 Stable 15.11 19.19 Curlew -2.9 Decline -9.93 -23.27 Greenshank 3.5 Increase 16.01 28.46 Redshank 0.97 Stable -11.71 -11.81 Turnstone 1.56 Stable -26.40 -9.91 * Generating short and medium-term trends for Bewick’s Swan based on these analyses was not possible because of the small sample size of sites that the species is currently present at.

14 I-WeBS: Results of Waterbird Monitoring in Ireland in 2014/15

Figure 2. Long-term trends (1994/95 – 2014/15) in a selection of wildfowl and wader species that are red-listed in 15 Ireland due to declines in their wintering populations (BoCCI3; Colhoun & Cummins 2013).

I-WeBS: Results of Waterbird Monitoring in Ireland in 2014/15 Discussion Count coverage during the 2014/15 season was good, with a slightly increased number of sites compared to recent seasons. The majority of key sites were also covered in three or more months. The weather during this season was relatively mild (Met Éireann 2015), but the season will be remembered for being particularly wet at times; for example, Co. Donegal having the wettest winter on record since 2000. But with no lengthy cold snaps, there were no exceptional patterns of waterbird movement evident in 2014/15 with highest numbers of the groups ‘wildfowl and allies’ and ‘waders’ during the mid-winter period (between November and January). In contrast the group ‘gulls and terns’ peaked in numbers during September, largely due to numbers of Lesser Black-backed Gull that were nearly double than those recorded in any other month. This was due to large counts recorded at Ballymacoda (4,960) and Ballybranagan (2,434), both in County Cork. The list of internationally-important sites was again lower than in recent winters, with seven sites reporting declines in overall waterbird numbers of greater than 10%, and nearly two-thirds of sites exhibiting a decline in numbers overall. However, numbers of Barnacle Goose at Termoncarragh & Annagh Marsh reached international importance again in 2014/15 improving the status of this site when compared with recent winters. The geese utilise the coastal pastures at Termoncarragh and commute between Termoncarragh and the Inishkea Islands, off Mayo, during winter. The continued decline in numbers of several waterbird species is worrisome, especially those showing marked short- term declines (i.e. during the five winters leading up to 2014/15 inclusive) of over 30% i.e. Pochard, Scaup, Coot, Shoveler and Lapwing – all of which showed large declines in the medium- and long-term also. Numbers of Knot show a large short-term decline (33%), a stable trend in the medium-term but a small decline in the long-term. A further seven species showed short-term declines of 20-30%, including Goldeneye who showed a similarly large decline in the medium-term (27%). There are currently 12 wintering waterbird species red-listed in Ireland (Colhoun and Cummins 2013), all of which are declining at flyway level (Wetlands International 2012) and declining at national level in the short-term. All but one (Tufted Duck) also show declines in the medium-term in Ireland and most have been declining over the entire period of I-WeBS (three stable in long-term). In contrast, numbers of Greenshank, Barnacle Goose, Sanderling and Little Egret show increasing trends in all periods, and both Bar-tailed Godwit and Red-throated Diver increased in the short- and medium-terms. The seventh international census of Whooper and Bewick’s Swans took place in January 2015 under the auspices of I-WeBS. Swan flocks recorded in Ireland were much more dispersed than anticipated, likely due to the relatively mild winter until that point, though a cold snap did fall on the census weekend (17th-18th January). The number of Whooper Swans in the Republic of Ireland was 11,852, an increase of 12.7% from the previous census in 2010 and representing 34.9% of the flyway population (Hall et al. 2010). Overall, the Icelandic Whooper Swan population increased by 16% between the 2010 and 2015 censuses, to 34,004 individuals. In Ireland, Whooper Swans are amber-listed due to the localised nature of the wintering population here, and the international importance of our wintering numbers (Colhoun and Cummins 2013). Based on I-WeBS data, numbers here have declined in the short- term but increased in the medium- and long-terms (Table 7). The long-term decline of Bewick’s Swans in Ireland continues, due to more favourable winter feeding further east (Robinson et al. 2004), and only 21 individuals were recorded in Ireland during the census: 19 in Wexford and 2 in Roscommon. The International Golden Plover Survey took place in October 2014 and the results from Ireland were partly gleaned from I-WeBS core counts, as well as from other counts undertaken specifically for the census. In Ireland, 36,000 birds were estimated across 84 locations, representing a decline of 37% since the 2008 estimate, but a 50% increase on the numbers from the first international census in 2003. These large-scale variations may reflect annual variations in timing of arrival and passage in Ireland. Census results from Iceland at the time indicate the population from there departed for southerly migration as expected however. Results from the UK and The Netherlands were also reportedly lower than expected. The wider status of Golden Plover across Europe will become clear when full results across all countries are compiled. The census provides a total flyway population estimate and a count of Golden Plover in Ireland during October. Golden Plover numbers here in 2014/15 peaked in January at 47,545. Based on I- WeBS data Golden Plover have showed large declines in the short- (24%) and medium-terms (52%) and both breeding and wintering populations are red-listed in Ireland (Colhoun and Cummins 2013). The value of I-WeBS continues to be shown in demonstrating the importance of several of our wetland sites, and the short-, medium- and long-term trends for the majority of our waterbird species, particularly those of conservation concern. Good counter coverage, particularly in January, informs the status of species at flyway level and the high level of site coverage and counter involvement in two additional censuses in 2014/15 attests to the reliability of the 16 I-WeBS: Results of Waterbird Monitoring in Ireland in 2014/15 counter network and the success of I-WeBS as a whole. The continued enhancement of that counter network, in terms of counter numbers and participation, site-coverage and co-ordination at national and local scales, will continue to be of vital importance going forward in addressing Ireland’s obligations to monitor our wintering waterbirds and wetlands under the EU Birds Directive.

Golden Plover (John Fox)

17 I-WeBS: Results of Waterbird Monitoring in Ireland in 2014/15 Acknowledgements I-WeBS is a joint project of BirdWatch Ireland and the National Parks and Wildlife Service. It is coordinated by Helen Boland (BirdWatch Ireland), and recently by Brian Burke (Maternity cover), and the Steering Group includes David Tierney and Alyn Walsh (NPWS), and Olivia Crowe and Helen Boland (BirdWatch Ireland). We offer sincere and special thanks to all of the dedicated observers (largely BirdWatch Ireland volunteers and conservation staff of the National Parks and Wildlife Service) who have participated in this survey in 2014/15, with sincere apologies for any inadvertent omissions. They were P. Anderson, F. Le Moenner, J. Baer, E. Bannon, P. Bartlett, M. Beardsworth, M. Bell, D. Berridge, S. Berrow, T, Berry, S. Biggane, B. Black, H. Boland, R. Bono, H. Bothwell, S. Bourke, J. Bowman, A. Boyd, D. Breen, D. Brennan, M. Brennan, Pat Brennan, Phil Brennan, P. Brittain, J. Brophy, A. Brown, B. Browne, N. Bugler, B. Burke, T. Burkitt, A. Burns, R. Busby, A. Butler, E. Byrne, P. J. Byrne, M. Byrnes, D. Cabot, B. Caffrey, T. Campbell, V. Campbell, P. Capsey, J. Carey, D. Carty, H. Carty, A. Casey, C. Casey, M. Casey, M. Cashman, C. Cassidy, M. Cassidy, C. Forkan, D. Clabby, P. Clancy, G. Clerkin, C. Clotworthy, M. Cobley, K. Colhoun, J. Collins, K. Collins, N. Collins, D. Comerford, F. Connolly, C. Conroy, D. Coombes, A. Copland, J. Copner, W. Cormacan, M. Cotter, D. Cotton, D. Coveney, J. Coveney, K. Craig, N. Cribbon, J. Cromie, J. Cronin, J. Crosher, F. Cross, O. Crowe, C. Crowley, M. Crowley, P. Crushell, T. Cuffe, C. Cullen, D. Cullen, S. Cummins, C. Cunningham, J. Curtin, E. Dale, D. Daly, G. Daly, C. Darling, M. Davis, J. Deasy, E. De Milo, A. Delaney, B. Denny, P. Denny, L. Desierdo, D. Dillon, D. Dodrill, C. Doherty, A. Donaghy, P. Dower, F. Doyle, K. Doyle, L. Doyle, T. Doyle, N. Duff, B. Duffy, M.A. Duggan, J. Dunleavy, J. English, M. Enright, D. Fabby, L. Fasola, D. Farrar, L. Feeney, S. Feeney, R. Fennelly, M. Finnegan, P. Finnegan, T. Finnen, K. Finney, A. Fitzpatrick, D. Fitzpatrick, A. Fleming, U. Fleming, L. Floyd, C. Flynn, O. Foley, B. Forristal, D. Foulkes, J. Fox, E. Foyle, G. Franck, K. Freeman, J. Freestone, P. Fuentes, C. Gallagher, H. Galvin, J. Gatins, P. Gaughran, T. Gittings, E. Glanville, J. Gordon, T. Gordon, B. Gormley, M. Gunn, M. & S. Guthrie, M. Hackett, S. Haloran, P. Hamill, J. Hamilton, L. Hankey, T. Hannigan, G. Hannon, G. Hardwicke, P. Harford, J. Hayes, C. Heardman, C. Heaslip, S. Heery, M-L. Heffernan, B. Hegarty, J. Higgins, I. Hill, M. Hogan, S. Hogan, C. Holt, J. Hopkins, J. Hughes, G. Hunt, J. Hunt, T. Hunter, J. Hurley, C. & L. Huxley, S. Ingham, C. Ingram, A. Jacques, P. Jago, B. Johnston, E. Johnston, S. Jones, L. Kane, T. Kealy, M. Keane, E. Keegan, P. Keirns, J. Keleman, K. Kelleher, C. Kelly, D. Kelly, Jayne Kelly, Joe Kelly, K. Kelly, S. Kelly, T. Kelly, T. Kenneally, D. Kennedy, M. Kenny, N. 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18 I-WeBS: Results of Waterbird Monitoring in Ireland in 2014/15 References

Bibby, C.J., Burgess, N.D. & Hill, D.A. 1992. Bird Census Techniques. Academic Press, London. Boland, H. & Crowe, O. 2012. Irish wetland bird survey: waterbird status and distribution 2001/02 – 2008/09. BirdWatch Ireland, Kilcoole, Co. Wicklow. Boland, H., McElwaine, J.G., Henderson, G., Hall, C., Walsh, A. & Crowe O. 2010. Whooper Cygnus cygnus and Bewick’s C. columbianus bewickii Swans in Ireland: results of the international census, January 2010. Irish Birds 9: 1-10. Colhoun, K. & Cummins, S. 2013. Birds of Conservation Concern in Ireland 2014-2019. Irish Birds 9: 523-544. Crowe, O., & Boland H. 2004. Irish Wetland Bird Survey: Results of waterbird monitoring in Ireland in 2001/02. Irish Birds 7: 313-326. Crowe O., Boland, H. & Walsh, A. 2011. Irish Wetland Bird Survey: results of waterbird monitoring in Ireland in 2009/10. Irish Birds 9: 229-240. Crowe O., Boland, H. & Walsh, A. 2012. Irish Wetland Bird Survey: results of waterbird monitoring in Ireland in 2010/11. Irish Birds 9: 397-410. Crowe, O., & Holt, C. 2013. Estimates of waterbird numbers wintering in Ireland, 2006/07 – 2010/11. Irish Birds 9, 545-552. Crowe, O., Boland, H. & Tierney, N. 2016. Irish Wetland Bird Survey: Results of Waterbird Monitoring in Ireland in 2013/14. BirdWatch Ireland, Kilcoole, Co. Wicklow. Cummins, S. & Crowe, O. 2010. Collection of baseline waterbird data for Irish coastal Special Protection Areas 2: Trawbreaga Bay, Lough Swilly, Donegal Bay, Blacksod & Broadhaven, Inner Galway Bay and Wexford Harbour & Slobs. BirdWatch Ireland Report for NPWS, April 2010. Cummins, S. & Crowe, O. 2011. Collection of baseline waterbird data for Irish coastal Special Protection Areas 2010/11. BirdWatch Ireland Report for NPWS, June 2011. Cummins, S. & Crowe, O. 2012. Collection of baseline waterbird data for Irish coastal Special Protection Areas 2011/12. BirdWatch Ireland Report for NPWS, June 2012. Frost, T.M., Austin, G.E., Calbrade, N.A., Holt, C.A., Mellan, H.J., Hearn, R.D., Stroud, D.A., Wotton, S.R. and Balmer, D.E. 2016. Waterbirds in the UK 2014/15: The Wetland Bird Survey. BTO/RSPB/JNCC. Thetford. http://www.bto.org/volunteer-surveys/webs/publications/webs-annual-report Hall, C., Crowe, O., McElwaine, G., Einarsson, Ó., Calbrade, N. & Rees, E. (2016) Population size and breeding success of the Icelandic Whooper Swan Cygnus Cygnus: results of the 2015 international census. Wildfowl 66: 75-97. Met Éireann 2015. Winter Review 2014/15. Available for download at http://www.met.ie/climate/MonthlyWeather/clim-2015-win.pdf Robinson, J.A., Colhoun, K., McElwaine, J.G. & Rees, E.C. 2004. Bewick’s Swan Cygnus columbianus bewickii (Northwest Europe population) in Britain and Ireland 1960/61–1999/2000. Waterbird Review Series. WWT/JNCC, Slimbridge. Underhill, L.G. & Prys-Jones, R.P. 1994. Index numbers for waterbird populations I. Review and methodology. Journal of Applied Ecology 31: 463-480. Wernham, C.V., Toms, M.P., Marchant, J.H., Clark, J.A., Siriwardena, G.M., Baillie, S.R. (eds.). 2002. The Migration Atlas: movements of the birds of Britain and Ireland. T. & A.D. Poyser, London. Wetlands International. 2012. Waterbird Population Estimates, Fifth Edition. Summary Report Wetlands International, Wageningen The Netherlands (with estimates available at http://wpe.wetlands.org/).

19 I-WeBS: Results of Waterbird Monitoring in Ireland in 2014/15 Appendix Scientific names of all species mentioned in the text, together with national (all-Ireland) and international thresholds. Species 1% National1 1% International2 Mute Swan Cygnus olor 90 Bewick's Swan Cygnus columbianus 20 220 Whooper Swan Cygnus cygnus 150 270 Pink-footed Goose Anser brachyrhyncus 3500 Greenland White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons flavirostris 110 240 Greylag Goose Anser anser 50 980 Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis 150 710 Light-bellied Brent Goose Branta bernicla hrota 400 Shelduck Tadorna tadorna 120 3000 Wigeon Anas penelope 630 15000 Gadwall Anas strepera 20 600 Teal Anas crecca 340 5000 Mallard Anas platyrhynchos 290 20000 Pintail Anas acuta 20 600 Shoveler Anas clypeata 30 400 Pochard Aythya ferina 160 3000 Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula 310 12000 Scaup Aythya marila 65 3100 Long-tailed Duck Clangula hyemalis 17250 Eider Somateria mollissima 35 14840 Common Scoter Melanitta nigra 140 5500 Goldeneye Bucephala clangula 60 11500 Smew Mergellus albellus 400 Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator 20 1700 Red-throated Diver Gavia stellata 20 3000 Black-throated Diver Gavia arctica 3750 Great Northern Diver Gavia immer 20 50 Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis 20 4000 Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus 40 3500 Slavonian Grebe Podiceps auritus 55 Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 120 1200 Shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis 2000 Little Egret Egretta garzetta 20 1300 Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 25 2700 Moorhen Gallinula chloropus 20000 Coot Fulica atra 220 17500 Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus 690 8200 Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula 100 730 Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria 1200 9300 Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola 30 2500 Lapwing Vanellus vanellus 1100 20000 Knot Calidris canutus 280 4500 Sanderling Calidris alba 60 1200 Little Stint Calidris minuta 3000 Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea 10000 Purple Sandpiper Calidris maritima 20 710 Dunlin Calidris alpina 570 13300 Ruff Philomachus pugnax 12200 Jack Snipe Lymnocryptes minimus 20000 Snipe Gallinago gallinago 20000 Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa 190 610 Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica 150 1200 Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus 6700 Curlew Numenius arquata 350 8400 Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus 15500 Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus 900 Greenshank Tringa nebularia 20 2300 Redshank Tringa totanus 300 3900 Turnstone Arenaria interpres 95 1400 Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus 770 Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus 20000 Common Gull Larus canus 16400 Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 5500 Herring Gull Larus argentatus 10200 Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 4200 1 Crowe and Holt. 2013 2 Wetlands International 2012

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