NewsI-WeBSThe Newsletter of the Irish Wetland Bird Survey Issue 6 August 2001

Contents:

Published by BirdWatchIreland Ruttledge Hse.,8 Longford Place,Monkstown, Co. Dublin, Ireland.Tel: 01-2804322 Fax: 01-2844407on behalf of I-WeBs partners (BWI/NPW/WWT)e-mail: bird@indigo.iePrinted by: Impact PrintingDesigned by: Kilian McDaidCompiled by: Kendrew Colhoun

I-WeBS National Organiser

1

FMD -Fieldwork guidelines ......... 2

I-WeBS 1999-00: summary ofthe sixth I-WeBS season ..... 2

Project reports: all IrelandLight-bellied Brent Goosecensuses Oct 1999 and Jan2000 .............................. 15

Noticeboard.................... 16

I-WeBS Count Dates 2001-02 season

Sep 15th/16th (11:30) 22nd/23rd (10:30)

Oct 6th/7th (14:55) 13th/14th (16:40)

Nov 10th/11h (08:14) 17th/18th (07:00)

Dec 15th/16th (11:55) 22nd/23rd (11:55)

Jan 12th/13th (11:30) 20th/21st (09:50)

Feb 9th/10th (10:30) 16th/17th (08:40)

Mar 2nd/3rd (14:30) 9th/10th (15:50)

Other key dates for 2000-01 season

Light-bellied Brent Goose Survey:13th/14th Oct 13th/14th JanGreylag Goose Survey: 17th/18th Nov

East Coast &Inland (HT

Dublin)

South &West Coast(HT Cork)

Greenshank (A. McGeehan)

It will quickly become apparent to readers that the bulk of this issue largely comprises results from the 1999/00(sixth) season of I-WeBS and the usual mix of articles are not included. We are doing this so that you, thecontributors, will get some feedback on the hard work which was put in as soon as possible while workprogresses on a bumper report incorporating data from all six years. Work is commencing on this at themoment and time and resources do not permit producing a sixth report and a ‘wetland’ book at the same time.We trust that you will not feel ‘short-changed’ and will see the sense in our approach. Out of necessity, theresults presented are in summary form and the usual background and introductory sections have beenabbreviated or omitted. Readers should therefore consult the previous report for full methodologicalinformation.

The I-WeBS project itself continues to undergo significant development. In addition to the production of anupdate to Ireland’s Wetland Wealth , detailed analysis is currently underway on the determination ofpopulation trends in waterbird populations since 1994-95 in addition to the development of revised all-Irelandpopulation estimates.

The results of NEWS and of the latest wintering swan survey have been written-up and will shortly appear inIrish Birds.

So while all this analysis and interpretation is going on at this end, please continue to monitor your local sitesand maintain the high level of efforts which make all of the above possible!

Kendrew Colhoun

I-WeBS National Organiser

Recommended count datesfor the 2000/01 seasonThe accompanying table shows recommended countdates for the coming season. These are chosen with aview to optimising tidal conditions for coastalcounters over the high-tide period on a Sunday ineach month. As far as possible, these areconcentrated towards the middle of each month. Thedates are pre-determined so as to attempt tomaximise synchrony of counts across the country.While this is ideal, these dates will never suiteveryone and counters should attempt to count theirsites as near as possible to this date. With this inmind, please remember that: (i) any count ininfinitely better than none at all; and (ii)synchronised counts (irrespective of date) reduce theprobability of over-estimating numbers whether it beacross adjacent sites or within larger sites (wherethere is a higher likelihood of between- or within-sitemovement, respectively).

Please remember the value of a series of monthlycounts over single counts. While seven consecutivecounts is the optimum, four or five counts of largesites (where counting is much more difficult) is anexcellent target. Bear in mind that the priority monthis always January, so if you can only count once, do it

then! Additional counts should focus on the monthseither side of January, particularly the periodNovember - February. I hope these guidelines willhelp you prioritise your coverage plans in the comingyears!

All times approximate to high tides in Dublinand Cork and are in GMT

Summary of I-WeBS 6 th season results

Summary

The Irish Wetland Bird Survey is a joint scheme ofBirdWatch Ireland, National Parks & Wildlife ofDúchas The Heritage Service, and The Wildfowl &Wetland’s Trust, with additional funding and supportfrom The Heritage Council and The World WideFund for Nature (UK). I-WeBS aims to monitor thenumbers and distribution of waterbirds in theRepublic of Ireland during the non-breeding season.Monthly counts are carried out at wetland sitesthroughout the winter months across the Republic ofIreland, and concurrently in Northern Ireland as partof the UK-WeBS scheme.

This report presents summary results of the sixthseason over which the scheme has been operatingand also includes summary data from the UK-WeBSscheme in Northern Ireland, provided by the WeBSSecretariat. Details of coverage, total numbers ofeach species, provisional trends and the distributionof individual species are given.

Introduction

Irish wetlands are of outstanding importance forwintering waterbirds, attracted here by the relativelymild climate, and abundance of suitable habitats. Assuch, we have an obligation to monitor theirpopulations to underpin conservation policies for thespecies themselves and the habitats on which theydepend. The Irish Wetland Bird Survey is the primarymonitoring tool to this end and has four mainobjectives:

● To assess the size of non-breeding waterbirdpopulations in the Republic of Ireland;

● To assess trends in their numbers anddistribution

● To assess the importance of individual sites forwaterbirds; and

● To develop a fuller understanding of the ecologyof these species, particularly the effects of habitatchange and anthropogenic impact.

This report summarises the results from the sixthseason of I-WeBS, presenting results from the 1999/00 winter. These results will appear in greater detailin the next full report of I-WeBS and the reader isreferred to the background and methodologicaldetails contained in previous reports in interpretationof the results presented.

I-WeBS counts 1999-00

Coverage

In 1999-00, recommended count dates were 12th

September, 10th October, 7th November, 12th December,9th January, 20th February and 19th March at inlandsites, and on the east and Donegal coasts. Because ofdifferences in tidal regimes, counts on the southernand western coasts were one week later than thoselisted.

Overall some 399 sites (831 subsites) were covered atleast once in 1999-00. Significant improvements incoverage were made over that of previous years andincluded more frequent counts at some sites andinclusion of some new sites.

Around 15% of subsites were covered in all sevenmonths and over 40% in four or more months. 31%were covered only once (mostly January). Though asusual coverage in January was highest (85% of allsites covered during the year), coverage wasconsistently high throughout the winter months,with between 300 and 400 subsites visited in allmonths except September.

Total Numbers

Tables 1 and 2 show the total number of waterbirdscounted in 1999-00 by I-WeBS in the Republic ofIreland and WeBS in Northern Ireland, respectively.The totals for each species refer to ‘core counts’ andthe rationale behind the use of these counts (whichmay not necessarily be the highest count for all sitesin a given month) is described in methodologysections of previous reports.

The peak monthly count of over 608,000 waterfowlwas recorded in January, primarily reflecting theenhanced coverage during that month. The all-Ireland peak count of 788,147 was in the samemonth. As is usual, the a disproportionate number ofall waterfowl counted were of just two species -Golden Plover and Lapwing, accounting for around230,000 birds or almost 38% of the January peak.

Foot & Mouth: fieldworkguidelines

The outbreak of foot and mouth disease inIreland and the UK in February and March rightlysaw the suspension of most bird monitoringprogrammes. As a result, I-WeBS counts werelargely postponed for March following arecommended suspension in line withgovernment guidance at the time.While outbreaks still occur in the UK, albeit on amuch smaller scale than was previously the case,the lack of recent outbreaks in Ireland (North &South) led to the regained status as an FMD-freecountry on 22nd June.As a result of the easing of governmentrestrictions we recommend that, where possible,I-WeBS counts should be resumed fromSeptember 2001.Based on the current situation in late July, wehope that access to many sites will be possible inearly September 2001. We are acutely aware thataccess to many sites, particularly throughfarmland, is dependent upon the continuing goodrelationship between landowner and counter.Thus, even in areas with no restrictions,resumption of counts is at the counter’sdiscretion. If you feel, for example, that evenapproaching a farmer to enquire about accessmay jeopardise your relationship and futurevisits, then, of course, it would be better to waituntil the situation has eased.We therefore advise counters to ‘proceed withcaution’ and to exercise you own judgement forthe sites which you count. We have enclosed somegeneral guidelines for survey work and whichincorporate current Government regulations andcodes of conduct which you may find of help.This is also designed as a ‘letter of introduction’which might prove useful to show landowners ifappropriate; at least, we fell it shows the farmingcommunity and others that we are taking asensitive and responsible approach.

Please consult the enclosed documents and keepabreast of the national situation in the press andon the Dept. of Agriculture website(www.gov.ie/daff/). Please do not hesitate tocontact the I-WeBS Office if in any doubt.

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Species name Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb MarNumber of sites visited 142 177 216 191 332 196 200Number of count units visited 254 319 400 360 706 374 400Red-throated Diver 32 29 84 71 167 40 55Black-throated Diver 0 1 95 1 38 0 23Great Northern Diver 0 5 192 133 347 76 178Little Grebe 577 538 698 483 583 270 360Great Crested Grebe 1,124 397 492 724 1,520 457 613Red-necked Grebe 1 1 1 1 1 0 0Slavonian Grebe 0 1 1 14 28 3 0Black-necked Grebe 0 2 2 3 3 3 0Cormorant 1,391 2,505 2,627 1,877 3,094 1,583 1,647Little Egret 56 66 52 50 39 49 49Grey Heron 389 483 709 423 726 311 385Spoonbill 0 0 0 1 0 1 0Mute Swan 2,072 2,287 3,745 2,804 4,964 1,780 2,079Bewick’s Swan 4 18 163 236 272 73 2Whooper Swan 68 436 2,920 3,171 5,743 1,735 1,681Pink-footed Goose 0 7 7 28 32 24 39Greenland White-fronted Goose 7 2,007 7,485 8,673 10,197 9,657 8,193Greylag Goose 94 570 2,497 3,430 5,761 2,807 2,354Canada Goose 159 177 63 49 91 55 160Barnacle Goose 0 0 1,200 1,060 2,210 847 3,246Dark-bellied Brent Goose 0 0 0 1 1 1 0Light-bellied Brent Goose 218 1,528 4,135 9,607 11,218 7,164 8,838feral/hybrid Goose 27 8 163 95 128 45 76Shelduck 418 702 2,868 5,774 8,362 5,177 3,841Wigeon 3,943 15,911 26,734 29,919 59,667 17,569 8,805American Wigeon 0 0 2 1 3 2 2Gadwall 107 95 257 266 165 128 102Teal 3,960 8,519 14,423 14,942 32,800 10,436 6,357American Green-winged Teal 0 0 0 2 1 1 0Mallard 11,026 10,142 11,067 10,936 14,759 4,792 3,431Pintail 26 54 421 548 612 250 25Shoveler 120 363 790 908 1,996 787 655Red-crested Pochard 0 0 0 1 1 0 0Pochard 38 114 12,594 4,691 13,815 1,911 267Ring-necked Duck 0 0 1 1 1 0 0Tufted Duck 566 1,155 4,820 2,439 9,749 2,128 2,428Scaup 0 16 105 43 302 164 64Lesser Scaup 0 0 1 0 0 0 0Eider 3 4 0 0 24 2 1Long-tailed Duck 0 0 31 3 68 17 18Common Scoter 7,589 6,997 4,920 495 3,847 739 472Goldeneye 4 21 587 566 2,459 697 495Smew 0 1 1 2 1 0 1Red-breasted Merganser 76 363 736 526 1,104 487 545Goosander 0 2 0 1 1 0 0Ruddy Duck 0 1 2 0 0 0 5feral/hybrid Mallard type 0 9 9 10 20 0 13unidentified duck 0 0 0 0 55 0 0Water Rail 16 20 24 22 36 15 17Moorhen 310 471 662 465 635 389 583Coot 3,249 2,783 16,184 6,880 8,988 1,782 907Waterfowl & allies 37,225 58,260 123,809 111,902 205,869 74,093 58,578

Oystercatcher 18,811 27,508 15,168 18,496 26,041 15,924 14,223Ringed Plover 1,761 2,333 2,490 1,972 3,240 1,629 884Golden Plover 1,794 33,337 67,422 67,388 104,182 55,691 21,723Grey Plover 243 476 786 1,845 2,350 1,682 643Lapwing 3,403 7,965 41,322 50,440 125,798 30,541 2,128Knot 4,063 3,116 4,181 10,368 15,534 9,993 7,474Sanderling 715 805 1,066 991 1,271 927 1,327Little Stint 0 12 0 1 0 0 0Curlew Sandpiper 102 119 0 0 0 0 0Purple Sandpiper 0 45 222 232 92 469 85Dunlin 6,162 7,675 26,985 48,410 62,252 37,378 8,774Ruff 15 6 8 9 8 5 4Jack Snipe 0 3 3 6 5 4 12Snipe 59 350 765 647 1,358 432 249Woodcock 0 1 0 2 0 1 0Black-tailed Godwit 5,404 5,108 5,898 6,001 8,558 8,411 3,003Bar-tailed Godwit 1,902 3,823 4,068 6,174 8,681 6,017 3,062Whimbrel 134 6 4 1 0 5 5Curlew 10,737 11,982 13,031 16,500 27,232 15,192 6,081Spotted Redshank 2 6 43 11 13 12 4Redshank 7,024 10,372 11,325 7,871 12,497 8,004 7,892Greenshank 214 288 396 265 418 177 225Green Sandpiper 11 10 7 4 4 7 5Wood Sandpiper 0 1 0 0 0 0 0Common Sandpiper 27 2 4 3 9 2 12Turnstone 944 1,539 1,942 1,377 2,342 1,711 1,697Waders 63,527 116,888 197,136 239,014 401,885 194,214 79,512Total waterfowl 101,197 175,697 321,706 351,390 608,519 268,668 138,524

Table 1. Total numbers of waterbirds counted by I-WeBS in the Republic of Ireland, 1999-00.

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Mediterranean Gull 7 3 2 8 9 8 4Little Gull 0 0 0 0 1 11 1Black-headed Gull 14,467 20,467 24,479 25,465 33,094 20,504 9,562Ring-billed Gull 0 0 2 4 6 6 3Common Gull 1,681 2,391 4,899 8,645 8,451 3,031 2,140Lesser Black-backed Gull 1,537 3,031 5,381 2,673 2,200 790 367Herring Gull 2,038 2,018 1,493 3,065 2,254 1,391 3,715Yellow-legged Gull 0 0 0 0 1 0 0Iceland Gull 0 0 1 12 6 2 56Glaucous Gull 1 0 0 7 8 3 6Great Black-backed Gull 890 1,119 1,433 1,863 1,176 692 852Ross’s Gull 0 0 0 0 0 1 0Kittiwake 95 93 78 8,018 417 2 6unidentified gull 0 0 0 0 0 12,875 0Gulls 20,716 29,122 37,768 49,760 47,623 39,316 16,712

Sandwich Tern 312 10 0 0 0 0 11Common Tern 62 1 1 0 0 0 0Arctic Tern 1 0 0 0 0 0 0Black Tern 2 0 0 0 0 0 0unidentified tern 8 0 0 0 0 0 0Terns 385 11 1 0 0 0 11

Kingfisher 11 11 12 5 19 4 4

Table 1.(continued)

Species name Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb MarRed-throated Diver 3 3 43 10 25 23 25Black-throated Diver 0 0 5 1 1 1 1Great Northern Diver 0 0 1 8 5 2 6Little Grebe 395 497 613 472 479 289 163Great Crested Grebe 2,406 2,018 1,700 1,972 2,169 1,425 1,477Slavonian Grebe 0 1 0 3 1 1 0Cormorant 2,607 2,080 2,311 1,802 1,418 1,730 1,139Grey Heron 463 446 219 201 185 171 128Mute Swan 2,373 2,195 2,104 1,595 2,244 1,471 1,286Bewick’s Swan 0 0 5 2 21 7 2Whooper Swan 16 938 547 1,169 3,663 1,247 813Pink-footed Goose 2 3 0 1 1 0 0Greenland White-fronted Goose 19 0 0 8 117 18 22Greylag Goose 97 220 255 540 386 454 1,663Canada Goose 7 153 147 111 610 43 100Barnacle Goose 94 136 117 101 136 131 129Dark-bellied Brent Goose 0 9 0 0 0 0 0Black Brant 0 1 0 0 0 0 0Light-bellied Brent Goose 4,878 13,860 15,356 9,260 3,733 3,060 2,179Shelduck 176 1,275 3,248 4,262 4,404 2,969 2,742Mandarin 5 0 0 0 0 0 0Wigeon 6,784 13,686 10,263 6,464 10,868 4,639 2,783Gadwall 112 136 127 130 132 251 171Teal 1,798 2,526 3,603 3,381 5,871 3,006 2,571American Green-winged Teal 0 0 0 0 1 0 0Mallard 8,249 7,447 6,250 5,213 6,501 3,210 1,916Pintail 13 95 242 306 236 298 31Shoveler 119 209 164 184 124 120 120Ringed Teal 0 0 0 1 0 0 3Pochard 1,932 1,116 20,744 22,894 17,303 10,026 2,298Tufted Duck 3,943 10,457 17,094 20,340 17,989 13,428 8,454Scaup 14 20 1,644 3,015 4,742 4,407 2,449Eider 1,317 1,052 1,146 844 761 1,292 278Long-tailed Duck 0 0 7 8 20 18 29Common Scoter 0 0 0 53 10 2 0Velvet Scoter 0 0 0 0 0 1 0Goldeneye 112 92 6,551 2,959 8,002 7,812 6,137Smew 0 0 0 1 1 0 0Red-breasted Merganser 537 345 434 530 274 376 365Goosander 1 0 2 1 1 1 1Ruddy Duck 15 17 0 0 0 0 0Water Rail 0 0 0 1 4 0 1Moorhen 175 244 225 190 258 173 141Coot 5,996 7,860 8,436 6,267 6,260 4,260 2,545Waterfowl & allies 44,195 68,691 103,384 94,099 98,771 66,191 42,040

Oystercatcher 13,617 12,511 14,947 12,372 15,062 13,344 9,149Ringed Plover 625 740 581 540 361 397 165Golden Plover 727 6,853 15,669 8,802 10,568 14,310 6,326Grey Plover 20 118 131 115 87 413 278Lapwing 2,047 4,921 20,597 14,342 21,920 15,188 239Knot 57 846 4,566 2,185 4,861 3,184 1,308

Table 2. Total numbers of waterbirds counted by WeBS in the Northern Ireland, 1999-00.

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Sanderling 4 60 1 49 155 45 0Little Stint 1 3 0 0 0 0 0Curlew Sandpiper 6 13 0 0 0 0 0Purple Sandpiper 4 6 106 28 1 61 2Dunlin 593 2,566 7,798 6,256 12,959 8,674 3,690Ruff 15 1 0 0 0 0 0Jack Snipe 1 0 0 1 5 2 0Snipe 38 101 157 227 262 240 147Long-billed Dowitcher 1 0 0 0 0 1 0Black-tailed Godwit 132 173 379 273 307 192 412Bar-tailed Godwit 274 266 963 593 1,554 862 638Whimbrel 3 1 0 0 0 0 0Curlew 5,316 4,062 4,391 4,741 5,050 7,369 3,816Spotted Redshank 0 1 0 0 1 1 1Redshank 7,800 8,389 6,539 6,602 6,868 8,060 4,746Greenshank 86 127 97 66 70 59 35Green Sandpiper 2 0 0 0 0 0 0Common Sandpiper 0 1 0 0 0 0 0Turnstone 730 872 1,789 668 581 1,534 648Waders 32,099 42,631 78,711 57,860 80,672 73,936 31,600

Total waterfowl 76,757 111,768 182,314 152,160 179,628 140,298 73,768

Black-headed Gull 6,085 5,984 16,747 3,449 8,139 12,161 6,055Ring-billed Gull 0 0 0 0 0 0 1Common Gull 2,811 4,543 4,609 888 1,466 3,992 1,362Lesser Black-backed Gull 85 35 34 11 7 37 94Herring Gull 2,296 2,074 4,342 2,078 4,238 3,191 1,982Iceland Gull 0 0 0 0 1 1 0Glaucous Gull 0 0 0 0 0 1 4Great Black-backed Gull 380 195 588 302 260 376 287Kittiwake 38 1 0 0 20 1 4Gulls 11,695 12,832 26,320 6,728 14,131 19,760 9,789

Sandwich Tern 290 46 0 0 0 0 0Common Tern 2 0 0 0 0 0 0Terns 292 46 0 0 0 0 0

Kingfisher 2 6 2 3 0 0 0

Footnotes:

# Total wildfowl and allies represents numbers of all divers, grebes, Cormorant, swans, geese, ducks and rails* Total waterfowl represents numbers of all species except gulls, terns and Kingfisher$ Counting gulls and terns was optional thus counts are not comparable with that for other species^ National surveys of these species are periodically undertaken and data are not presented in this table (as they are not I-WeBS Core Counts) but may appear in individual species accounts§ Includes naturalised population in whole (feral/hybrid goose) or in part (Greylag Goose)

Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb MarWildfowl & Allies *Republic of Ireland 37,225 58,260 123,809 111,902 205,869 74,093 58,528Northern Ireland 44,195 68,691 103,384 94,099 98,771 66,191 42,040Total 81,420 126,951 227,193 206,001 304,640 140,284 100,568

Waders

Republic of Ireland 63,527 116,888 197,136 239,014 401,885 194,214 79,512Northern Ireland 32,099 42,631 78,711 57,860 80,672 73,936 31,600Total 95,626 159,519 275,847 296,874 482,557 268,150 111,112

Waterfowl **Republic of Ireland 101,197 175,697 321,706 351,390 608,519 268,668 138,524

Northern Ireland 76,757 111,768 182,314 152,160 179,628 140,298 73,768Total 177,954 287,385 504,020 503,550 788,147 167,166 212,292

Gulls & TernsRepublic of Ireland 21,101 29,133 37,769 49,760 47,623 39,316 16,723Northern Ireland 11,987 12,878 26,320 6,728 14,131 19,760 9,789Total 32,796 42,011 64,089 56,488 61,754 59,076 26,512

Footnotes:* Total wildfowl and allies represents numbers of all divers, grebes, Cormorant, swans, geese, ducks and rails** Total waterfowl represents numbers of all species except gulls, terns and Kingfisher

Table 3. All-Ireland waterbird totals, 1999-00.

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Species Accounts Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo

ROI max: 3,094 (Jan)NI max: 2,607 (Sep)International threshold: 1,200National threshold: 105

Fourteen sites attain nationally important levels withCork Harbour further securing its position at the topwith the highest count of any site in 1999-00 (556Nov; 5-year mean: 523). Though counts at three ofthe other top sites (Wexford Harbour & Slobs,Skerries Islands and Shannon & Fergus Estuary)were well down on the high numbers recorded in1998-99, they retain their position towards the top ofthe table.

A successive count of over 200 birds at Delvin River -Hampton Cove (224 Mar) has elevated this sitesposition to national importance. The peak of 106birds at An Trá Beg (Jan) further accounts for theaddition of the two sites to the table publishedpreviously.

Little Egret Egretta garzetta

ROI max: 66 (Oct)NI max: -International threshold: 1,250National threshold: ?Ö

The 1999-00 peak was the same as the previous yearwith south coast sites holding the largest numbers ofbirds. The table of top sites remains unchanged butaverage peaks have increased, reflecting theincreasingly higher counts of this species in the lastfew years.

Grey Heron Ardea cinerea

ROI max: 726 (Jan)NI max: 463 (Sep)International threshold: 4,500National threshold: 105Ö

Sustained relatively high counts at a number of sitesin 1999-00 have resulted in the addition of three sites(River Foyle: 36 Dec; Dublin Bay: 34 Oct; RahasaneTurlough 22 Mar) to those attaining mean peaks inexcess of 30 birds. Inner Galway Bay has overtakenCork Harbour as the top site as a result of anespecially high count of 127 birds at the former inNovember.

Mute Swan Cygnus olor

ROI max: 4,964 (Jan)NI max: 2,373 (Sep)International threshold: 2,400*National threshold: 100

The table of top sites remains virtually unchangedfrom that published previously. The exclusion of theexceptionally high 1994-95 peak (316) at the LittleBrosna Callows in the calculation of the most recent5-year peak mean and sustained relatively low peakshas resulted in this site falling from the table.Absence of counts from The Lough (Cork) in the lastfive years has similarly resulted in this sites removal.21 sites thus attain national importance levels.

Bewick’s Swan Cygnus columbianus bewickii

ROI max: 272 (Jan)NI max: 21 (Jan)International threshold: 170National threshold: 20

Two sites attain international importance levels -Tacumshin Lake and Wexford Harbour & Slobs.Further low counts at The Cull & Killag (1999-00peak of 32 Feb) have resulted in the demotion in thissites’ status. The increasing usage of WexfordHarbour & Slobs is evident in the peak of 234 birdsthere in January.

The table of top sites remains otherwise unchangedexcept for the removal of Coole Lough - NewtonTurlough following an absence of birds in 1999-00.Six sites thus attain nationally important levels.

Whooper Swan Cygnus cygnus

ROI max: 5,743 (Jan)International threshold: 160*NI max: 3,663 (Jan)National threshold: 100*

Fifteen sites currently are internationally importantfor this species based on 5-year peak means. The listof sites is similar to that previous but two sites havedropped to nationally important status: L. Coy -Blackrock - Bullaunagh - Ballylee and Lough Iron asa result of low counts of 15 and 63 respectively. Highcounts at three sites - Blackwater Callows (193 Jan),Shannon & Fergus Estuary (129 Jan) and Cashen

Red-throated Diver Gavia stellata

ROI max: 167 (Jan)NI Max: 25 (Jan/Mar)International threshold: 750National threshold: ?Ö

Overall, eleven sites hold on average more than 20birds. The peak count in 1999-00 of 30 Donegal Bay(Jan) elevates this site to join Lough Foyle and VentryHarbour with those presented in the previous report.

Great Northern Diver Gavia immer

ROI max: 347 (Jan)NI max: 8 (Dec)International threshold: 50National threshold: ?Ö

Donegal Bay and Inner Galway Bay retain theirpositions of international importance followingpeaks of 109 (Jan) and 65 (Nov) in 1999-00 andraising the recent 5-year peak mean to 153 and 83respectively. A further nine sites attain tablequalifying levels based on 5-year means or 1999-00peaks. Changes from the table presented previouslyarising from addition of 1999-00 data include theremoval of Wexford Harbour & Slobs (5-year mean:15) and elevation of Sligo Bay Complex (22), LoughSwilly (19) and Killala Bay (13). Respectively, thesesites held 1999-00 peaks of 33, 23 and 31 birds.

Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis

ROI max: 698 (Nov)NI max: 613 (Nov)International threshold: ?National threshold: 30*

15 sites attain 5-year average of 30 or more birds; afurther 4 sites exceeded this level in 1999-00. Peakcounts were of 102 at Tacumshin (Nov), LoughEnnel (87: Sep) and Lough Eorna (67: Sep). Thetable remains virtually unchanged from the 5th reportbut for the addition of Shannon & Fergus Estuary,Brittas Pools and Lough Ennel which all attain 5-year averages in excess of 30 birds.

Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus

ROI max: 1,520 (Jan)NI max: 2,406 (Sep)International threshold: 1,500National threshold: 35*

The table of top sites holding 35 or more birds onaverage resembles that presented previously, the onlymajor changes being the loss of Lough Derravaraghand elevated status of Lough Ramor. The mostnotable count in 1999-00 was of 839 birds atDundalk Bay (sep) which is by far the highestnumber recorded by I-WeBS. This site has thusovertaken Lough Swilly as the top site in the Republicof Ireland for the species. Grey Heron (I. Herbert)

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River (222 Mar) has resulted in the elevated positionof these sites to international importance.

The position of Lough Swilly was further establishedfollowing a high count of 3,165 birds in November(typical but previously unrecorded by I-WeBScounts); a similarly high count (of 1,730) accountedfor the elevated status of River Foyle to secondposition.

Greenland White-fronted GooseAnser albifrons flavirostris

ROI max: 10,197 (Jan)International threshold: 300NI max: 117 (Jan)National threshold: 140

The lowest annual peak yet recorded, primarilyinfluenced by a relatively low peak count at WexfordHarbour & Slobs (8,468). The table of top sitesremains almost identical to that publishedpreviously. The mean peak at Lough Swilly - thesecond most important site in the country - waselevated to 953 birds following a high count of 1,128there in 1999-00.

Greylag Goose Anser anser

ROI max: 5,761 (Jan)NI max: 1,663 (Mar)International threshold: 1,000National threshold: 50

The 5,761 annual maximum was the highest yetrecorded by I-WeBS and this was reflected in above-average counts at the main sites. Maxima at LoughSwilly (2,867 Dec), Stabannan/Braganstown (1,847Jan), River Suir Lower (1,081 Jan), North WicklowCoastal Marshes (501 Feb) and River Foyle (720Nov) were higher than at any previous time. The listof internationally and nationally important sites thusremains virtually unchanged, with Lough Swilly andStabannan/Braganstown retaining theirinternational status.

Canada Goose Branta canadensis

ROI max: 177 (Oct)NI max: 610 (Jan)Naturalised IntroductionÖ

The 1999-00 annual maximum returned to thelower levels of the years prior to 1998-99. Typicallyonly one count in excess of 100 birds was recordedfrom the north midlands stronghold for thisnaturalised population (Lough Oughter Complex;134 Oct). The list of top sites resembles thatpreviously published, the main exception being theaddition of Cork Harbour to the table of sites holdingon average ten or more birds.

Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis

ROI max: 3,246 (Mar)NI max: 136 (Oct/Jan)International threshold: 320National threshold: 80*

Counts of this poorly-covered species were aroundtypical. The six sites which attain internationalimportance comprise the top five as shown previouslyin addition to Birmore Island where 350 birds wererecorded in March. Eight sites are of nationalimportance but Clew Bay and Gweedore Bay Islandshave dropped from the list and Tralee Bay, Lough Gilland Akeragh has been added.

Light-bellied Brent GooseBranta bernicla hrota

ROI max: 11,218 (Jan)International threshold: 200NI max: 15,356 (Nov)National threshold: 200

The 1999-00 peak of 11,169 birds was the secondhighest yet recorded by I-WeBS and the all-Irelandcensus results were the highest recorded since 1994-95.

Counts in excess of the 200-threshold level in 1999-00 have elevated three further sites to the table of top23 sites currently attaining international importance- The Mullet, Broadhaven & Blacksod (5-year mean:211), Donegal Bay (224) and Hick’s Tower (214).Three further sites - Killala Bay, Nanny Estuary andshore, and Clogher Head - Dunany Pt. - all heldpeaks of 284, 217 and 403 birds respectively.

Shelduck Tadorna tadorna

ROI max: 8,362 (Jan)NI max: 4,404 (Jan)International threshold: 3,000*National threshold: 125

The table of top 17 sites of national importancepublished previously remains the same but for theaddition of Inner Galway Bay, The Cull & Killag andBallymacoda following counts of 177,293 and 142 at these sites.

Wigeon Anas penelope

ROI max: 59,667 (Jan)NI max: 13,686 (Oct)International threshold: 12,500*National threshold: 1,000

The 1999-00 maximum was around average.Though the table of top sites attaining nationalimportance has changed little, a high count of 4,800(Oct) birds at Tralee Bay, Lough Gill & AkeraghLough has elevated this site to join the other 23 siteswhich currently do so. Five further sites - Lady’sIsland Lake (1,056), Sligo Bay Complex (1,060),Castleplunket Turloughs (1,142), River Suck (1,203)and Lough Corrib (2,124) - all held numbers inexcess of the 1,000 threshold level.

Gadwall Anas strepera

ROI max: 266 (Dec)NI max: 251 (Feb)International threshold: 300*National threshold: 20*

Following an exceptional annual maxima in 1998-99, numbers returned to lower levels again in 1999-00. This was reflected in relatively low counts at mostof the top sites. The peak count, again in the south-east, was at Tacumshin (120: Dec). High counts of 46at Lough Carra (Jan) and 32 at Pat Reddan’s Lake(Mar) return these sites to the ranks of attainingnational importance. Counts in excess of 20 birdswere made at three further sites in 1999-00 - LoughGur (50: Dec), Bunlicky Lake (23: Nov) andCastlemartyr Lake (24: Nov).

Whooper Swans (K. Colhoun)

Key to symbols used in species accounts

* recently ammended thresholds (Delany, 1997)

? population size not accurately knownÖ denotes that a qualifying level different to the national

threshold has been used for the purposes of presentingsites in individual species tables

** count obtained from source other than I-WeBS CoreCounts (see individual tables)

7

Teal Anas crecca

ROI max: 32,800 (Jan)NI max: 5,871 (Jan)International threshold: 4,000National threshold: 500

The relatively high annual maximum recorded inthe previous year was sustained in 1999-00 at+30,000 levels.

The list of 23 sites attaining national importancelevels on five-year averages to 1998-99 has beenjoined by four additional sites - Lower BlackwaterRiver (723: Jan), River Slaney (1,047: Jan),Charleville Lagoons (759: Feb) and AnnaghmoreLakes (987: Jan). Record high counts at Lough Swilly(2,017: Dec) and Southern Roscommon Lakes(2,468: Jan) have elevated the positions of these sitesto third and fifth respectively.

Mallard Anas platyrhynchos

ROI max: 14,759 (Jan)International threshold: 20,000NI max: 8,249 (Sep)National threshold: 500

The 1999-00 annual peak was around average andthe order of sites in the table of those attainingnational importance remains the same as shownpreviously. A peak of 607 birds at the Shannon &Fergus Estuary(Jan), however, elevates this site tonational importance.

1999-00 peaks were notably higher at three of the topsites - Lough Swilly (1,477: Dec), Lough Ree (1,631:Jan) and Dundalk Bay (1,472: Sep), raising theirrespective 5-year mean peaks to 1,169, 1,087 and 765respectively.

Pintail Anas acuta

ROI max: 612 (Jan)International threshold: 600*NI max: 306 (Dec)National threshold: 20*

The annual peak was the lowest yet recorded by I-WeBS. Site peaks were therefore, not surprisingly,below-average at most sites. The table of top sitesremains more-or-less the same. Tacumshin Lakemoves to top position following the highest count ofthe year there of 290 birds (Jan), displacing DublinBay to second place. Low numbers at both the RiverSuck and Rahasane Turlough, together with anabsence of counts from The Cull & Killag haveresulted in these sites dropping from those attainingnational importance.

Shoveler Anas clypeata

ROI max: 1,996 (Jan)International threshold: 400NI max: 209 (Oct)National threshold: 40*

With numbers around average for recent years, thetable of top sites attaining national importance haschanged little, losing one site (Doolough Headford(Turloughcor) 4: Feb) and gaining another(Drumalough 62: Jan). Notable high counts in 1999-00 include those at Little Brosna Callows (229: Feb)and Cork Harbour (148: Jan); in both cases resultingin elevated position in the ranking of top sites. GlenLough was the only site at which nationallyimportant numbers were recorded in 1999-00 (53:Dec) but which does not attain this status based onfive-year averages.

Pochard Aythya ferina

ROI max: 13,815 (Jan)International threshold: 3,500NI max: 22,894 (Dec)National threshold: 350*

The 1999-00 annual maximum was about average.Lough Corrib recorded its highest ever count of12,000 (Nov) and the site easily maintains itsposition as the top site in the country and the onlyone of international importance. The table ofnationally important sites remains otherwiseunchanged but for the loss of Lough Owel as a resultof a low peak of 117 birds there in November. Notablehigh counts in 1999-00 were of 503 at BallyhaunisLakes (Feb) and 900 at Lady’s Island Lake (Jan).

Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula

ROI max: 9,749 (Jan)NI max: 20,340 (Dec)International threshold: 10,000National threshold: 300*

The 1999-00 peak was almost identical to that of theprevious season and annual peaks at most of the topsites were predictably variable. Despite this, the tableof top sites remains almost identical to that presentedpreviously. The only notable change is the elevationof Lough Derg (Shannon) to fourth as a result of aparticularly high count of 2,273 birds there inJanuary. Lough Corrib held the highest count of theseason, with 3,093 birds recorded in November.

Scaup Aythya marila

ROI max: 302 (Jan)International threshold: 3,100NI max: 4,742 (Jan)National threshold: 50

Scaup numbers fell to a record low level in 1999-00,for the first time to below an annual maximum of1,000 birds. This was primarily a reflection of a lowpeak at the most important site - Tralee Bay, LoughGill & Akeragh Lough. Peak counts at all other topsites were also below average in 1999-00.

Common Scoter Melanitta nigra

ROI max: 7,589 (Sep)NI max: 53 (Dec)International threshold: 16,000*National threshold: 120*

Though the 1999-00 maximum was above average,the vast proportion of the overall total remainslargely a function of the maximum counts atWexford Bay which receives frequent coverage. Incontrast, the hitherto top site in Kerry (Kells Bay)received few visits and, as a result, peaks in recentyears have fallen to between 5% and 10% of thoseattained in the first few years of I-WeBS. Tralee Bay,Lough Gill & Akeragh is the only site to fall from thelist of nationally important sites based on recent five-year averages.

Shoveler (A. McGeehan)

8

Goldeneye Bucephala clangula

ROI max: 2,459 (Jan)NI max: 8,002 (Jan)International threshold: 3,000National threshold: 100

The 1999-00 annual maximum was the highest yetrecorded by I-WeBS. The table of top sites qualifyingas nationally important is similar to that publishedpreviously. A progressive decline at Lough Owel froma 1994-95 peak, however, has resulted in this sitedropping from the list. Other counts exceeding the100-level in 1999-00 were made at River Foyle (105:Dec) and Lough Conn (102: Jan).

Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator

ROI max: 1,104 (Jan)NI max: 537 (Sep)International threshold: 1,250*National threshold: 25*

Numbers of Red-breasted Merganser were aroundaverage in 1999-00 and the table of top sites remainsvery similar to that of last year. The three highestcounts of the year all came from the most importantsite for the species - Inner Galway Bay. Brandon Bayhas joined the list of 22 other sites holding, onaverage, over 25 birds.

Moorhen Gallinula chloropus

ROI max: 662 (Nov)NI max: 258 (Jan)International threshold: ?National threshold: ?Ö

The 1999-00 peak was marginally the highest yetrecorded by I-WeBS and numbers were aroundaverage at most sites. Notable peaks, however, werethose at River Deel (76: Nov) and Shannon & FergusEstuary (95: Nov). The Grand Canal (Dublin)maintains its top position following a peak count of105 in November.

Coot Fulica atra

ROI max: 16,184 (Nov)NI max: 8,436 (Nov)International threshold: 15,000National threshold: 300

Following especially high numbers in the previousyear, the 1999-00 peak fell to the 14-16,000 rangetypical of years in which large numbers are notrecorded at Lough Corrib. Here the peak count, easilythe highest recorded by I-WeBS, was 8,873 (Nov).The 5-year average at this site falls to 14,473 and, assuch, no longer attains internationally importantstatus.

Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus

ROI max: 27,508 (Oct)NI max: 15,062 (Jan)International threshold: 9,000National threshold: 700

Numbers in 1999-00 were close to their highest levelyet recorded by I-WeBS. The status of Dundalk Bay asthe top site was further consolidated with a recordhigh count of almost 14,700 birds there in October;this accounts for over 50% of the peak count in thatmonth for the entire country. The 5-year averagethere is thus close to the international threshold leveland sustained high counts will inevitably lead to this.The list of other top sites remains similar but for theaddition of Bannow Bay to the list of nationallyimportant sites following continued counts in excessof 700 birds there.

Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula

ROI max: 3,240 (Jan)NI max: 740 (Oct)International threshold: 500National threshold: 100

The 1999-00 annual maximum fell comfortablywithin the range of 3,100 - 3,594 since 1994-95. Thetable of top sites remains on the whole unchanged. Afurther four sites are elevated to nationally importantstatus (Trá na Rón, Fanad North Coast, TrawenaghBay and Bantry Bay) and other notable high countsin 1999-00 were those at Trawbrega Bay (200: Dec)and South Mayo Coast (195: Nov).

Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria

ROI max: 104,182 (Jan)NI max: 15,669 (Nov)International threshold: 18,000National threshold: 1,500*

Numbers in 1999-00 reached their highest ever levelsince I-WeBS began, the peak being only slightlyabove that of over 103.000 in 1994-95. The alreadyextensive list of top sites remains very much the sameas previous; the Cashen River Estuary and InishcarraReservoirs are the only sites to be added on the basisof five-year mean peaks. At the same time, continuedlow numbers at Rogerstown Estuary, low numbers atRiver Suir Lower and absence of counting fromDurrow Curragh have resulted in these sites droppingfrom the list.Notable counts in 1999-00 were those of 12,500 and17,530 at Ballymacoda (Dec) and Little BrosnaCallows (Jan) respectively, the latter site now holding,on average, the largest numbers in the country. Otherhigh counts were those at Tralee Bay, Lough Gill &Akeragh Lough (12,000: Dec) and SouthernRoscommon Lakes (10,000; Feb).

Grey Plover Pluvialis squatorola

ROI max: 2,350 (Jan)NI max: 413 (Feb)International threshold: 1,500National threshold: 50

The poorest year yet for this species, numbers forwhich in good years seem to vary between 4,000 and5,000 and otherwise fall around 2,000. Notsurprisingly, 1999-00 peaks and long-term averages

dropped at the vast majority of sites, though notsufficiently so to alter the table; Castlemaine Harbour& Rossbehy is the only one to drop from the list ofthose attaining nationally important status.

The most notable peaks in 1999-00 were at some ofthe top sites - Wexford Harbour & Slobs (750; Feb)and Ballymacoda (510; Feb).

Lapwing Vanellus vanellus

ROI max: 125,798 (Jan)NI max: 21,920 (Jan)International threshold: 20,000National threshold: 2,000

Peak numbers in 1999-00 were towards the lower endof the range of those recorded since 1994-95. A largedegree of fluctuation in site peaks was again evidentwith counts above-average at as many as where theywere above average. Relatively low numbers atCastlemaine Harbour & Rossbehy and Lough Ironhave resulted in their dropping from the list; at thesame time counts in excess of 2,000 at RahasaneTurlough and River Suir Lower have resulted inelevation in the status of these sites. The mostnotable count in 1999-00 was the 23,839 recorded atthe Shannon Callows (Jan).

Knot Calidris canutus

ROI max: 15,534 (Jan)NI max: 4,861 (Jan)International threshold: 3,500National threshold: 250

The annual peak was below the long-term average of17,300 birds. Mean annual peaks for the two topsites, Dundalk Bay and Dublin Bay fell, due primarilyto relatively low peaks at both in 1999-00. These twosites remain the only ones to attain internationalimportance levels.

Castlemaine Harbour & Rossbehy and Ballymacodaboth drop from the list of nationally important sites;a high count of over 1,000 birds at Dunany Point -Clogher Head (Feb) has elevated this site tonationally important.

Sanderling Calidris alba

ROI max: 1,327 (Mar)NI max: 155 (Jan)International threshold: 1,000National threshold: 40*

With annual peaks in four of the last six years fallingin the range of 1,300 - 1,500 birds, the 1999-00 peakcount was around average. The highest count wasagain made at Dublin Bay (516; Mar) and the tableof top sites remains otherwise the same but for theaddition of Smerwick Harbour. Two other sites -Omey Strand and Trawenagh Bay - held numbers inexcess of the national threshold in 1999-00.

9

Purple Sandpiper Calidris maritima

ROI max: 469 (Feb)NI max: 106 (Nov)International threshold: 500National threshold: 20*

The 1999-00 peak was marginally the highest yetrecorded by I-WeBS. The peak count of over 400came from Mid-Clare Coast and was also the highestyet recorded there, further securing this sites’ positionas the top one in the country.

Dunlin Calidris alpina

ROI max: 62,252 (Jan)NI max: 12,959 (Jan)International threshold: 14,000National threshold: 1,200*

The 1999-00 peak was the lowest yet recorded. TheShannon & Fergus Estuary retains its position as theonly one of international importance, over 13,000birds being recorded in January. The mostexceptional count was, however, of 18,880 atDundalk Bay (Feb). As a result this site becomes thesecond most important based on long-term averages.

Snipe Gallinago gallinago

ROI max: 1,358 (Jan)NI max: 262 (Jan)International threshold: 10,000National threshold: ?Ö

The highest count was of 332 at Tralee Bay, LoughGill & Akeragh Lough.

Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa

ROI max: 8,558 (Feb)NI max: 412 (Mar)International threshold: 700National threshold: 80

A further high count at Little Brosna Callows of 4,300birds (Feb) ensured the long-term average of 2,900was maintained at this site. The overall peak was thesecond lowest yet recorded and this was reflected inrelatively low counts from most sites. Though thenumber of internationally important sites remainsunchanged, the Shannon Callows dropped from thelist and Ballymacoda attained this level for the firsttime, 1,400 birds being recorded there in January.Low counts at three other sites - Blackwater Callows,Lough Derg (Shannon) and Lough Swilly haveresulted in their long-term averages dropping belowthe 80-threshold level.

Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica

ROI max: 8,681 (Jan)NI max: 1,554 (Jan)International threshold: 1,000National threshold: 175

The 1999-00 peak was just below average and sitepeaks were generally below those of the previous year.The table of top sites remains virtually unchanged.The position of The Cull & Killag was elevated

through a record peak there of 1,460 birds (Jan) andsustained counts at around 170-levels have elevatedCourtmacsherry, Broadstrand & Dunworly tonationally important.

Curlew Numenius arquata

ROI max: 27,232 (Jan)NI max: 7,369 (Feb)International threshold: 3,500National threshold: 1,000

Following a record high in the previous year, the1999-00 peak fell to moderate levels well within therange of previous years. The list of nationallyimportant sites extended to eleven following theinclusion of River Deel. Peak counts came from CorkHarbour (2,223: Oct) and Lough Swilly (2,072: Dec),both sites retaining their position as second andfourth, respectively.

Redshank Tringa totanus

ROI max: 12,497 (Jan)NI max: 8,389 (Oct)International threshold: 1,500National threshold: 250

An unremarkable year for Redshank, with fewsignificant changes in the table of top sites and theirrelative positions. The peak count at the top site -Shannon & Fergus Estuary (981: Jan) - was wellbelow average, numbers having fallen there in eachyear since peaks towards 4,000 birds in the mid-1990s. Dundalk Bay held a record high count of2,345 (Oct) which was the highest of any site in1999-00.The table of internationally and nationallyimportant sites remains unchanged from thatpublished previously.

Greenshank Tringa nebularia

ROI max: 418 (Jan)NI max: 127 (Oct)International threshold: 3,000National threshold: 20*

Numbers of Greenshank were around average in1999-00. The Shannon & Fergus Estuary retains itsposition as top site, holding on average 66 birds overthe last five years.The previous high counts at Castlemaine Harbour &Rossbehy and Lough Swilly were not repeated in1999-00.

Turnstone Arenaria interpres

ROI max: 2,342 (Jan)International threshold: 700NI max: 1,789 (Nov)National threshold: 100

The annual maximum was around average and thetable of top sites remains virtually unchanged but forthe addition of Shannon & Fergus Estuary andBroadmeadow (Malahide) Estuary to nationalimportance.

Purple Sandpiper (E. Dunne)

Black-tailed Godwit (A. McGeehan)

10

Relative importance of sites

BA Bar-tailed GodwitBS Bewick’s SwanBW Black-tailed GodwitBY Barnacle GooseCA CormorantCO CootCU CurlewCX Common ScoterDN DunlinGA GadwallGG Great Crested GrebeGJ Greylag GooseGK GreenshankGN GoldeneyeGP Golden PloverGV Grey PloverH. Grey HeronKN KnotL. LapwingLG Little GrebeLN Long-tailed DuckMA Mallard

MS Mute SwanND Great Northern DiverNG Ring-necked DuckNW Greenland White-F GooseOC OystercatcherPB Light-bellied Brent GoosePO PochardPS Purple SandpiperPT PintailRK RedshankRM Red-breasted MerganserRP Ringed PloverSP ScaupSS SanderlingSU ShelduckSV ShovelerT. TealTT TurnstoneTU Tufted DuckWN WigeonWS Whooper Swan

Table 3a. Species codes used in Table 3b, listed in alphabetical order, of the species listed by two-digit speciescodes as on I-WeBS count forms. Only species which attained interim all-Ireland and/or internationalimportance on the basis of 5-year peak means are listed. Note the usage and purpose of upper-case and lower-case text in Table 8b

Table 3a lists all sites in the Republic of Irelandcovered by I-WeBS for which the mean of annualpeaks is 5,000 or more birds; other sites at whichconcentrations of national or internationalimportance for one or more species are also listed.These figures are derived from summation ofindividual species peaks, irrespective of the month inwhich they occurred. The species which attainnational or international threshold levels, based onthe peak mean of the last 5-years’ counts are alsolisted. Those species codes which appear in upper-case are present, on average, in numbers ofinternational importance while those listed in lower-case occur in nationally important numbers. Due tothe factors which can lead to misinterpretation ofdata of this kind, users should consult theintroductory section of previous reports entitledInterpretation of waterbird counts .A total of 66 sites are listed, of which 13 supportmean peaks in excess of 20,000 birds, a further 16 inexcess of 10,000 birds and 17 in excess of 5,000waterbirds, based on data from the last five years. Afurther 20 sites hold overall numbers below theselevels but hold internationally importantconcentrations of one or more species.The list of top sites remains very much the same aspreviously described; the top four sites are identicaland the only significant change has been the reducedstatus of Castlemaine Harbour & Rossbehy (to<20,000 birds).

This site joins 15 others which on average hold10,000 or more birds. These sites are the same asshown previously but for the loss of BallycottonShanagarry and the addition of Killala Bay followingimproved coverage there.

Bar-tailed Godwits (A. McGeehan)

11

12

13

Acknowledgements

The success of the I-WeBS scheme is entirelydependant on the input of volunteers andprofessional conservation staff of National Parks andWildlife of Dúchas The Heritage Service to whom weare extremely grateful. The role of local and regionalorganisers is crucial in the implementation of thesurvey at the site or county level, and our specialthanks are extended to these people for theiradditional efforts at the time of writing or during theperiod covered in this summary report. They include:Terry Carruthers (Kerry North), Sean Corry (Carlow),Kevin Collins (Tipperary), John Coveney and OliviaCrowe (Dublin Bay), Mary Durkin (Kilkenny &Laois), Jim English (Fingal), Pat Foley (CastlemaineHarbour), Paddy Harford (Baldoyle Bay), PaulHiggins (Longford), Trevor Hunter (Sligo), BrendanKavanagh & Dermot Breen (Offaly), Larry Lenehan(Louth & Meath), John Lovatt (Cavan), RosemaryMcGillycuddy (Cork West), Peter McDermot (KerryNorth), Congella McGuire (Mid-West Region), FrankMcManus and Jim Malone (Rogerstown Estuary),Tony Mee (Limerick), Oscar Merne (Aerial censuses),Paul Moore (Cork Harbour), John Murphy (Clare),Richard Nairn (Wicklow), Padraig O’Donnell andNeil Harmey (Westmeath), Tim O’Donoghue (TraleeBay), Martin Ryan (Roscommon), Neil Sharkey(Galway), Joe Shannon (Monaghan), RalphSheppard (Donegal), Pat Smiddy (Cork East), ValSwan and Roy Thompson (Kildare), Eugene Wallace(Wexford South), Alyn Walsh (Wexford East) andPaul Walsh (Waterford).

The continued collaboration of the WeBS partners(BTO, WWT, RSPB and JNCC) is greatly appreciated.Special thanks are due to Peter Cranswick, ColetteHall, Mel Kershaw, Mark O’Connell, Mark Pollitt, andJames Robinson (WWT), Graham Austin, SteveHolloway, Andy Musgrove and Mark Rehfisch (BTO),Deborah Procter and David Stroud (JNCC), andRowena Langston, David Gibbons and RichardGregory (RSPB). As ever, special thanks are extendedto the staff of the WeBS Secretariat for theircontinued support, advice and encouragement.

We are also indebted to the following people forproviding help, assistance or additional information:David Norriss and John Wilson (NPW), SimonDelany (Wetlands International), Liam Lysaght (TheHeritage Council), Tony Fox (NERI, Denmark), DaveAllen and Matthew Tickner (RSPB), GrahamMcElwaine and Jim Wells (Irish Whooper Swan StudyGroup), Richard Hearn, Becky Hughes, James Orrand Eileen Rees (WWT), the late Davy Andrews(National Trust), and Mark Kavanagh, EugeneArcher, Catherine Casey, Dick Coombes, AlexCopland, Olivia Crowe, Paul Galvin, Jackie Hunt,Maggie Keogh, Sinéad McDonnell, Declan Murphy,John Murphy, Annette Quigley, Mairéad Ruttledge,Áisling Tallon and Faith Wilson (BirdWatch Ireland).

Above all, the following observers are thankedsincerely for their outstanding commitment to the I-WeBS scheme - for all those hours in the field andspent completing forms. They include (with sincereapologies for omissions):

Dave Allen, Eugene Archer, Brian Arthurs, WesleyAtkinson, Betty Balcombe, Stephen Barrett, M.Bartlett, Ian Beatty, Dominic Berridge, BrendanBlack, Heather Bothwell, Dermot Breen, DerekBrennan, Pat Brennan, Ian Brophy, Alex Brown,Maurice Bryan, Patsy Burke, Gerry Butler, JohnByrne, Monica Byrne, David Cabot, Pete Capsey,Myles Carey, Bruce Carrick, Terry Carruthers, MayCashman, Ciaran Casey, Catherine Casey, DominicClancy, Kevin Collins, Richard Collins, DeirdreComerford, Maurice Connolly, Brendan Convery,Dave Cooke, Dan Cooke, Dick Coombes, Sean Corry,Don Cotton, John Coveney, Joseph Crawford, JohnCromie, Jill Crosher, Olivia Crowe, Cormac Crowley,Denis Cullen, Sean Cullen, Joe Curtis, Michael Davis,Hugh Delaney, Simon Delany, Joe Devlin, John-MarkDick, Danny Dodrill, Tommie Durkan, Terry Doherty,Anita Donaghy, Oliver Dooley, Eamonn Doran,Pascal Dower, John Doyle, Nick Duff, TommieDurkin, David Durell, James English, Martin Enright,Sean Farrell, Padraig Farrelly, Shay Fennelly, MaryFinnegan, Patrick Finnegan, Ann Fleming, FrankFlynn, Pat Foley, June Fox, Mike Fox, Tom Gittings,Michael Glynn, Tony & Jo Gordon, George Gordon,John Gormley, Robert Graham, Tim Griffin, Mervyn& Suzanne Guthrie, Michael, Hackett, Hugh Hanley,Cathyrn Hannon, Gordon Hardwicke, AndrewHarford, Paddy Harford, Hazlett Harkness, NeilHarmey, Robert Hart, Finbarr Healy, Stephen Heery,Marie-Louise Heffernan, John Hennigan, PaulHiggins, John Higgins, Carla Hill, Dan Hogan, GeoffHunt, Jackie Hunt, Trevor Hunter, (the late) CliveHutchinson, Trish Hyde, Alex Jeffrey, Andrew Johnson,Brendan Kavanagh, Tony Kavanagh, Tom Kealy, D.Keaney, Vincent Keenan, Aidan G Kelly, Marie Kenny,Antóin Kiely, James Kilroy, Kevin Leane, LarryLenehan, Susan Louis, John Lovatt, John Lynch,Liam Lysaght, Paul Lynch, Kay Macklin, BrianMadden, Alan Maguire, Helen Maher, Jim Malone,

Declan Manley, Ruth Mann, Réamann Mathers,Eleanor Mayes, Tony Mee, Christopher Meehan,Maeve Meehan, Clive Mellon, Oscar Merne, LesMilne, Paul Milne, Stephen Mooney, M. Moore, PaulMoore, Patrick Mulhern, Declan Murphy, GerryMurphy, Joe Murphy, John Murphy, Evelyn Murray,Philip Murray, Tony Murray, RosemaryMacGillycuddy, Gearóid MacLochlainn, TómasMcCoy, Paddy McCrossan, Maurice McDonnell,Anthony McElheron, Graham & Alison McElwaine,Bernie McGrath, Declan McGrath, Congella McGuire,Dermot McLaughlin, Hugh McLindon, FrankMcManus, Jim McNally, Tony Nagle, Richard Nairn,Pat Neavyn, David Nesbitt, Ann Newton, StephenNewton, Aine ni Suillebhean, John & Brenda O’Boyle,D. O’Brien, Michael O’Clery, Dermot O’Connor, FrankO’Connor, John O’Connor, Aonghus O’Donaill, GerO’Donnell, Padraig O’Donnell, Tim O’Donoghue,Frank O’Duffy, John O’Halloran, Danny O’Keeffe,David O’Keeffe, Gerry O’Keefe, Paudie O’Leary, BarryO’Mahony, Michael O’Sullivan (Cork), MichaelO’Sullivan (Kerry), Oran O’Sullivan, PadraigO’Sullivan, Donncha O’Teangana, John Palmer, KenPerry, Ben Phalan, George Phipps, Sean Pierce,Evelyn Pollard, Mark Pollitt, Jim Power, AnthonyPrins, Eric Quinn, Heather Quinn, Noel Raferty,Padraig Réaney, Brad Robson, Maurice Roche, AnjaRosner, Martin Ryan, Michael Ryan, Peter Ryan,Cyril Saich, Don Scott, Lorcan Scott, Joe Shannon,Neil Sharkey, Andrew Shaw, Elizabeth Sheppard,Ralph Sheppard, Tom Shevlin, Caroline Shiel, MarkShorten, John Small, Pat Smiddy, Andy Smith,Raymond Stevens, Denis Strong, Val Swan, EvaSweeney, Tom Tarpey, Roger Taylor, Marianne tenCate, Matthew Tickner, Pat Twomey, Pat Vaughan,Martin Wall, Eugene Wallace, Alyn Walsh, PaulWalsh, Jim Wells, Mick Whelan, Jimmy Whitla, TraceWilliams, Chris Wilson, Jim Wilson and PeterWolstenholme.

List of Local/Regional Organisers

The task of co-ordinating counts throughout thecountry is aiding significantly through a network orlocal/regional organisers whose help is muchappreciated. As of present they include: Sean Corry(Carlow), Kevin Collins (Tipperary), Olivia Crowe(Dublin Bay), Mary Durkin (Kilkenny & Laois), JimEnglish (Fingal), Pat Foley (Castlemaine Harbour),Paddy Harford (Baldoyle Bay), Neil Harmey(Westmeath), Paul Higgins (Longford), TrevorHunter (Sligo), Dermot Breen (Offaly), LarryLenehan (Louth & Meath), John Lovatt (Cavan), JimMalone (Rogerstown Estuary), RosemaryMcGillycuddy (Cork West), Peter McDermot (KerryNorth), Tony Mee (Limerick), Oscar Merne (AerialCensuses), John Murphy (Clare), Tony Murray(Mayo), Richard Nairn (Wicklow), Tim O’Donoghue(Tralee Bay), Martin Ryan (Roscommon), NeilSharkey (Galway), Joe Shannon (Monaghan), RalphSheppard (Donegal), Pat Smiddy (Cork East), PaulWalsh (Cork Harbour), Roy Thompson (Kildare),Eugene Wallace (Wexford South), Alyn Walsh(Wexford East), Paul Walsh (Waterford). Leitrim isthe only county with no organiser at present.

14

The January census recorded 16,118 birds, though asis typical, flocks were much more widely distributedat this time. 15 sites held internationally importantnumbers, Dublin Bay and Tralee Bay each holdingover 3,000 birds, and Strangford Lough over 2,200.Productivity was estimated at 19.8% from a muchsmaller age sample of 2,455 birds (16% of the censustotal at that time).

The overall census total in October follows anincreasing upward trend since 1997-98 of around 5%per annum. At the same time, productivity estimateshave shown a similar increase from very low levels inthe first two years (around 2%), to 9% (1997-98),15% (1999/2000) and around 30% (this census). Itcan expected that the population will, at least in theshort-term, increase if productivity is sustained atthese levels.

Increased synchronisation of counts between the twotop N. Ireland sites (Lough Foyle and StrangfordLough) has increased confidence in the accuracy ofthe totals derived from the census and this shouldcontinue in future. Efforts are also underway toincrease collaboration with Icelandic researcherswith a view to monitoring the phenology of autumnstaging in Iceland, and in the UK and Brittany toexamine mid-winter distribution patterns. Bothinitiatives are aimed at increasing the accuracy ofcensus totals and understanding patterns ofdistribution.

Project ReportsAll-Ireland Light-bellied Brent Goose Censuses: October 2000and January 2001

The forthcoming October and January censuses (on13th/14th Oct and 122h/13th Jan) will mark the sixthyear of this census and these results, combined withthose of the previous years will be important inunderpinning some of the important work about tobe undertaken on this species along the flyway (seearticle later).

Very many thanks to all who participated in thecensuses (mostly I-WeBS and WeBS counters) and wewill ensure all are fully acknowledged in ensuingpublications.

Site OCT JAN

Larne Lough 35 72

Belfast Lough/Harbour 0 -

Strangford Lough 15,060 2,273

Dundrum Inner Bay - 163

Carlingford Lough 79 267

Dundalk Bay 177 306

Nanny Estuary & shore - 17

Rogerstown Estuary 51 1,043

Dublin Bay 744 3,053

North Wicklow

Coastal Marshes - 610

Wexford Harbour & Slobs 5 1,450

Tramore Back Strand - 654

Blackwater Estuary 0 39

Ballymacoda 13 93

Ballycotton Shanagarry 0 42

Castlemaine Hbr. 312 570

Tralee Bay 437 3,019

Inner Galway Bay 0 845

The Mullet, Broadhaven

& Blacksod Bays 36 262

Killala Bay - 367

Sligo Bay Complex ? ?

Donegal Bay - 172

Dunfanaghy 1 -

Lough Swilly 50 112

Trawbrega Bay - 405

Lough Foyle 3,221 284

Bann Estuary 4 0

20,225 16,118

Kendrew Colhoun (I-WeBS National Organiser)and James Orr (WWT)

The 2000-01 all-Ireland censuses of Light-belliedBrent Geese in Ireland was the fifth consecutivecensus of this population, carried out under theauspices of WeBS and I-WeBS and co-ordinated bythe Irish Brent Goose Research Group.

The primary aims of the census are twofold anddiffer somewhat between each census. The autumncensus is primarily concerned with estimating thetotal population at a time when it is mostconcentrated; the mid-winter census aims to assessnumbers and distribution after birds have dispersedfrom autumn staging areas. During each, observersare asked to collect information on productivity,brood sizes and habitat usage.

Census dates in 2000-01 were chosen as 14th/15th

October and 13th/14th January for the autumn andmid-winter counts, respectively, and results werereceived for 25 sites in all. Notable sites for whichdata was not received in time for inclusion includeBannow Bay, Clew Bay and Sligo Bay Complex.

The October census, which typically records thehighest total, was the highest yet recorded sincecensusing began in 1994-95. 20,225 individuals werecounted, almost three-quarters of which were atStrangford Lough. The other main concentrationswere at Lough Foyle (3,221), Dublin Bay (744) andat Tralee Bay/Castlemaine Harbour (749 combined).Productivity was estimated at 29.7%, based on anaged sample of almost 9,800 birds or 50% of thepopulation.

Light-bellied Brent Geese (R.T. Mills)

Corrections to the last(5th) I-WeBS Report

Two important mistakes were noted in the last(5th) I-WeBS Report. The table of top sites forScaup was omitted.

More importantly, an error occurred in thecalculation of 1998-99 annual peaks for DublinBay for Light-bellied Brent Geese and all waders.Those that need correcting are as follows (seecount forms or Table 8a for explanation of speciescodes):

PB: 2,430; OC: 2,282; RP: 97; GP: 1,079; GV: 376;KN: 2,822; SS: 268; DN: 5,622; BW: 457; BA: 2,081;CU: 967; RK: 1,893; GK: 13; TT: 198

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The Irish Wetland Bird Survey (I-WeBS) is the monitoring scheme for non-breeding waterbirds in the Republic of Ireland which aims to be the primary tool for monitoring theirpopulations and the wetland habitats on which they depend. The data generated are used to assess the sizes of non-breeding waterbird populations, identify trends in their numbers and

distribution, and assess the importance of individual sites for them. I-WeBS is a joint project of BirdWatch Ireland, Dúchas The Heritage Service and The Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust and issupported by The Heritage Council.

Many thanks for all your helpThe success of the I-WeBS scheme and its future development

are largely dependent on volunteer input from you, thecounters. We trust that you will continue to support the schemeand in doing so, help in the conservation of wetland habitats

and their birds in Ireland and beyond.Contact details

General enquiries about the I-WeBS scheme should be made to:BirdWatch Ireland, Ruttledge House, 8 Longford Place,

Monkstown, Co. Dublin(01) 2804322; e-mail: bird@indigo.ie

Website: www.birdwatchireland.ieOr, alternatively, direct to the National Organiser at:

on 0280 437 70949; e-mail: iwebs@indigo.ie

Noticeboard

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Light-bellied Brent GooseResearch programme

A programme of research on the East Canadianpopulation of the Light-bellied Brent Goose has beeninitiated that will serve to underpin an internationalFlyway Management Plan (FMP). This FMP willensure that this population of Brent Geese will beafforded strict and targeted protection throughout theflyway. WWT is collaborating closely with the IrishBrent Goose Research Group and Brent Goosespecialists in Iceland, Greenland and Canada toachieve this goal. The WWT research programme willfocus on:

● identifying the main breeding, moulting andstaging sites and investigating the phenology ofmigration using satellite telemetry;

● investigating the physiology and energetics ofmigration;

● monitoring demographic variables, e.g.abundance, survival, and productivity;

● identifying density-dependent factors operatingthroughout the flyway, especially on thewintering grounds; and

● building a population model using theinformation collected to predict the likely effectsof habitat loss, disturbance and global climatechange.

In 2000/01, abundance and productivity weremeasured as part of the annual international censusand geese were caught and colour-marked so thatindividual life-histories and movements can befollowed. Fieldwork was undertaken by WWT andQueen’s University Belfast staff to investigate thefactors affecting foraging behaviour and timebudgets of these geese in Ireland.

Just under 100 individuals were marked in winter2000/01; 32 at the Wexford Slobs in February and 60

at the staging grounds in Iceland during May. Geesewere caught using cannon nets. Each individualcaught has been fitted with a yellow plastic ring oneach leg, each inscribed with a single black letter.Therefore each bird has its own two-letter identity.Geese marked in Ireland were recorded in Iceland inMay as birds staged prior to crossing the Greenlandice-cap. We rely on I-WeBS counters and otherbirdwatchers to supply re-sightings of marked geesethey record in Ireland. The key information requiredfor each sighting is as follows: date, location (withgrid reference) and the letter on the ring on each leg.With this information, we can then identify thegoose, add to our knowledge of its life history, andreport the details of the goose to the finder. All re-sightings should be sent to Lynne Tinkler (LBBG Re-sightings Co-ordinator), School of Biology andBiochemistry, QUB, Medical Biology Centre, 97Lisburn Road, Belfast BT7 1NN, emailIBGRG@qub.ac.uk. We look forward to receivingyour valuable sightings.

Funding has also been received from the HeritageCouncil in Ireland and the Joint Nature ConservationCommittee to produce a definitive monitoring reviewin 2001 that will provide a backbone for the FMP. The40-year review of data collected on the Light-belliedBrent Goose in Ireland will concentrate on thepresentation of count information, but will alsoreview the progress in research and conservation thathas been made over the years and the conservationchallenges and requirements which still remain to beaddressed. This is an integral component of theresearch programme and will be undertaken incollaboration with brent specialists in Iceland,Greenland and Canada. The long-term data-setsfrom I-WeBS and WeBS will form the basis of thereview for Ireland which will be finalised later thisyear.

James Robinson, WWT Slimbridge

Other marked waterbirds

Remember that a variety of other waterbird speciescarry individual marks (typically leg rings and/orneck-collars) identifiable in the field includingBewick’s and Whooper Swans, Greenland White-fronted Geese, Barnacle Geese, Greylag Geese andBlack-tailed Godwits. If you have any suchobservations (including historic ones) for any specieswhich appear on an I-WeBS form, please send detailsto the I-WeBS Office including information on thesite, date, species, mark colour and inscription, andtype/location of mark (e.g. left or right leg) and wewill be happy to forward your records to the relevantco-ordinator.

Schedule for submittingcount forms

Though typically counts take place from Septemberto March inclusive, counts from other months arealways welcome and it is possible that, as the numberof counts outside these months increases, these datawill appear in the annual I-WeBS Reports. Restassured that all submitted data is computerised! The‘count year’ thus runs from April to March and mostcounts are carried out in the latter period fromSeptember onwards. All data from counts carried outup to and including March should be submitted inthe subsequent months (data collected from Aprilonwards should be included with the followingwinters’ counts), preferably via. your local/regionalorganiser to arrive not later than end June butpreferably sooner.

This allows three months in which to complete allpaperwork and gives some time for the organiser toallocate to coding and other clerical tasks associatedwith the completed data sheets prior to them beingsent to a data processing company. The schedule forprocessing data should enable data to be sent in Julyand to be received in a computerised format by earlyautumn. As each one of these deadlines slips, so toodoes the availability of data for analyses, publicationsand for consultation by counters and other users.Late data has to be input ‘in-house’ which takes agreat deal of time which is otherwise better spent!

Please remember that outstanding data which youmay have mislaid or forgotten to submit is verywelcome, even if it is late!