Unmistakable black and white Wader, this is Ireland’s National bird. Lapwing are communal breeders and form small breeding colonies on suitable inland and coastal habitats. Highly vocal with a spectacular display flights over their breeding grounds.

Ireland’s most common breeding Wader. The Snipe has a long, straight bill and is most commonly seen when flushed from cover in a zig-zagging flight. Breeds in marshes, callows, bogs and close to inland lakes. Needs wet pools and habitats for feeding and probing.

Starling-sized Wader with intermediate bill length. Breeding plumage sees birds develop a distinctive black belly patch. Often seen in large Wintering flocks and on migration, these birds are confined to a small number of upland and costal breeding sites in Ireland.

A neat, plump Wader with orange legs and bill and with distinctive black and white features on its face and neck. Breeds on open shores by the sea or lakes, prefers gravel or sandy patches, also breeds on some inland bogs.

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.

Unmistakable black and white Wader, this is Ireland’s National bird. Lapwing are communal breeders and form small breeding colonies on suitable inland and coastal habitats. Highly vocal with a spectacular display flights over their breeding grounds.

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.

Ireland’s most common breeding Wader. The Snipe has a long, straight bill and is most commonly seen when flushed from cover in a zig-zagging flight. Breeds in marshes, callows, bogs and close to inland lakes. Needs wet pools and habitats for feeding and probing.

Large, robust Wader with a striking contrast between its straight orange-re 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.

Starling-sized Wader with intermediate bill length. Breeding plumage sees birds develop a distinctive black belly patch. Often seen in large Wintering flocks and on migration, these birds are confined to a small number of upland and costal breeding sites in Ireland.

Golden Plover in full breeding plumage are one of the most spectacular sights in nature. Seen in very large migratory flocks during Spring and early Summer, this species breeds in open upland, bogs and mountainsides. 

A neat, plump Wader with orange legs and bill and with distinctive black and white features on its face and neck. Breeds on open shores by the sea or lakes, prefers gravel or sandy patches, also breeds on some inland bogs.

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.

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.