IRBC - Irish Rare Bird Report 2019
Introduction
2019 produced two new species for the Irish list, both in October. The first was a Least Bittern Ixobrychus exilis (Kerry), which sadly was found moribund and died a short time later, while the second was a Two-barred Warbler Phylloscopus plumbietarsus (Cork), which was only seen by a handful of observers.
In addition, Ireland's 3rd Eastern Yellow Wagtail Motacilla tschutschensis (Wexford) was recorded in December, while the second Irish record of this species from November 2017 (Cork) is also documented on this report.
Other 2019 highlights included Ireland's fourth Collared Pranticole Glareola pratincola (Donegal) in July, the 4th Short-billed Dowitcher Limnodromus griseus (Louth) in September and October, the fourth and fifth Baltimore Orioles Icterus galbula (Mayo and Cork respectively), and the fourth Hume's Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus humei (Cork) in November.
The backbone of the IRBC’s system for recording occurrences of rare birds in the Republic of Ireland is the Provisional List, published online, which is updated regularly. Most of the data in this report were taken directly from the 2019 Provisional List. The IRBC expresses its sincere gratitude to all those who provided information during 2019, either directly or indirectly. The committee also extends its grateful thanks to Kieran Fahy for providing a significant number of historical records in this report, and for proofreading and keeping track of the statistics. In addition, the committee would like to thank Joe Hobbs and Pat Smiddy for their input, comments and corrections to previous reports.
C.Barton and C.Flynn (on behalf of the Irish Rare Birds Committee)
BirdWatch Ireland, Unit 20, Block D, Bullford Business Campus, Kilcoole, Co. Wicklow.