Rare Breeding Birds in Ireland in 2013 The Annual Report of the Irish Rare Breeding Birds Panel (IRBBP) Kenneth W. Perry 1 (Honorary Secretary) and Stephen F. Newton 2 (Chairman), on behalf of the Panel 1 43 Portstewart Road, Coleraine, County Derry, BT52 1RW 2 BirdWatch Ireland, Unit 20, Block D, Bullford Business Campus, Kilcoole, Co. Wicklow Corresponding author:
[email protected] Keywords: Breeding birds, rare birds, estimates, numbers, trends Review of the year 2013 species like the Lapwing and Curlew continue to falter, and only a few pairs of Corncrakes nested in the Shannon Callows. This report, covering the 2013 breeding season, shows a Three pairs of White-tailed Eagles and two pairs of Golden picture of mixed fortunes for our rarest breeding birds with Eagles, all from the Golden Eagle Trust re-introduction the consolidation of recent arrivals; Whooper Swan (scientific projects, successfully bred with one pair of White-tailed Eagles names are given in the ‘Species accounts’ section), Little Egret, rearing two chicks, and two pairs of Golden Eagles rearing Great Skua, Mediterranean Gull, Great Spotted Woodpecker one chick each. and Bearded Tit, but offset by the continued decline of such The low density of Ireland’s rarer breeding species, specialised upland species as Red-throated Diver, Hen Harrier coupled with a similarly low density of observers, continues to and Ring Ouzel. Red-necked Phalarope and White Wagtail were exciting recent breeders, whilst the fortunes of once widespread Plate 23. Red Kite (Michael O’Clery). Irish Birds 10: 63 –70 (2014) 63 K.W.Perry & S.F.Newton, on behalf of the IRBBP present a considerable challenge in recording their status and Common Wigeon Anas penelope distribution.