Species
Curlew
Crotach
Ireland’s largest Wader, with unmistakable long curved bill. The Curlew’s call is one of the most evocative sounds in the Irish countryside. Remnant breeding populations are confined to pockets of raised and blanket bogs, wet grassland, arable fields and the large inland lakes.
Redshank
Cosdeargán
Medium sized wader with vivid red beak and legs. Breeds on inland marshes, lakes and wet meadows and callows. Often seen perched on fence posts during the breeding season. Highly vocal if disturbed.
Oystercatcher
Roilleach
Large, robust Wader with a striking contrast between its straight orange-red bill and its black and white body. Breeds on open, flat coastlines and on inland lakes. One of the few Wader species that actively feeds its chicks.
Golden Plover
Feadóg bhuí
Golden Plover in full breeding plumage are one of the most spectacular sights in nature. Seen in very large migratory flocks during Winter and early Spring, this species breeds in open upland, bogs and mountainsides.
Common Sandpiper
Gobadán coiteann
A small-medium sized Wader that can be identified by its habit of continually bobbing its rear body, especially after movement or upon landing. Nests on the ground amongst stones and low vegetation, usually very close to water and often on river, lakeside beach or costal woodland.
Red-Necked Phalarope
Falaróp gobchaol
One of Ireland’s rarest breeding species, this bird only breeds in very select sites in Ireland. Breeding sites are generally waterbodies and small pools with emergent vegetation. Ireland is at the southern extent of the species breeding range and it is believed that the Irish breeding population undertakes a spectacular migration to over-Winter in the Eastern Pacific, offshore from Ecuador and Peru.
Common Sandpiper
Gobadán coiteann
A small-medium sized Wader that can be identified by its habit of continually bobbing its rear body, especially after movement or upon landing. Nests on the ground amongst stones and low vegetation, usually very close to water and often on river, lakeside beach or costal woodland.
Red-Necked Phalarope
Gobadán coiteann
One of Ireland’s rarest breeding species, this bird only breeds in very select sites in Ireland. Breeding sites are generally waterbodies and small pools with emergent vegetation. Ireland is at the southern extent of the species breeding range and it is believed that the Irish breeding population undertakes a spectacular migration to over-Winter in the Eastern Pacific, offshore from Ecuador and Peru.