Fauna of Ireland

The red deer (Cervus elaphus) is Ireland's largest wild mammal and could be considered Ireland's national animal. A stag appeared on the old £1 coin.

The winter wren (Troglodytes troglodytes) enjoys an exalted position as "King of All Birds" in Irish folklore, but is the villain in the tale of Saint Stephen.

The fauna of Ireland comprises all the animal species inhabiting the island and surrounding waters.

Mammals

Only 26 land mammal species are native to Ireland, because it was isolated from the European mainland by rising sea levels after the Midlandian Ice Age.^[1] In the Ice age (which include warm spells) mammals include the Woolly Mammoth, Wild Horse, Giant Deer, Brown Bear, Spotted Hyena, Arctic Lemming, Norway Lemming, Arctic Fox, European Beaver, Wolf, Eurasian Lynx and Reindeer flourished or migrated depending on the degree of cold.

Some species, such lah as the red fox, European hedgehog, stoat, otter, pygmy shrew and badger are common, whereas others, like the Irish hare, red deer and pine marten are less common and generally seen only in certain national parks and nature reserves around the island. Some introduced species have become thoroughly naturalised, e.g. the European rabbit, gray squirrel and brown rat. In addition, ten species of bat are found in Ireland.

Reptiles

The Viviparous lizard is the only land Reptile native to Ireland.

See also List of reptiles of Ireland

Only one land reptile is native to the country, the viviparous lizard it is common in National Parks particularly in the Wicklow Mountains. Slow-Worm's are common in parts of The Burren area in County Clare, they are not a native species. Five marine turtle species appear regularly off the west coast, Leatherback, Green, Hawksbill, Loggerhead and the Kemp's ridley, but they very rarely come ashore.

Amphibians

Three amphibians are found in Ireland, the common European brown frog, the smooth newt and the natterjack toad. There are questions over whether the frog is actually native to Ireland, with some historic accounts telling that the frog was introduced in the 18th century. The natterjack toad is only found in a few localised sites in County Kerry and west Cork. For atlases see Atlases of the flora and fauna of Britain and Ireland.

Birds

The Atlantic Puffin is a migratory bird to Ireland, common at coastal areas.

About 400 bird species have been recorded in Ireland. Many of these species are migratory. There are Arctic birds, which come in the winter, and birds such as the swallow, which come from Africa in the summer to breed.Many birds which are common residents in Britain and continental Europe are rare or unusual in Ireland, examples include the Tawny Owl, Willow Tit, Marsh Tit, Nuthatch and all woodpecker species except the recently established Great Spotted Woodpecker.^[2] These are birds which do not move great distances and their absence may be due to Irelands early isolation but also Ireland's mild weather means early breeding and choice of best habitats which gives residents an advantage over visitors.

Although Ireland has fewer breeding species than Britain and Continental Europe (because there are fewer habitat types, fewer deciduous woodlands, Scots pine forests, heaths and high mountain ranges), there are important populations of species which are in decline elsewhere. Storm Petrels (largest breeding numbers in the world) Roseate Tern, Chough and Corncrake. Four species of bird have Irish subspecies. These are the Coal Tit (Parus ater hibernicus), Dipper (Cinclus cinclus hibernicus), Jay (Garrulus glandarius hibernicus) and Red Grouse ( Lagopus lagopus hibernicus).

The European Robin is a year-round resident in Ireland.

The Wren, Robin, Blackbird and Chaffinch are the most widespread species, occurring in 90% of the land area. These and the Rook, Starling, Great Tit and Blue Tit are among the most numerous and commonly seen. Over the period 1997-2007, populations of pigeons, warblers, tits, finches and buntings have remained stable or shown an increase (there were massive declines during the 1970s).Kestrel, Common Swift, Skylark and Mistle Thrush have continued to decline due to changes in agricultural practices such as increased use of pesticides and fertiliser. Climate change has also played a role.^[3] For atlases see Atlases of the flora and fauna of Britain and Ireland

Ireland has a rich marine avifauna, with many large seabird colonies dotted around its coastline such as those on the Saltee Islands, Skellig Michael and the Copeland Islands. Also of note are golden eagles, recently reintroduced after decades of extinction (Golden Eagle Reintroduction Programme in County Donegal). Another conservation effort is habitat management to encourage the Red-necked Phalarope.

The White-tailed Eagle, re-introduced in 2007 following a 200 year absence from Ireland.

South-eastern Wexford is an important site for birds - the north side of Wexford Harbour, the North Slob, is home to 10,000 Greenland White-Fronted Geese each winter (roughly one third of the entire world's population), while in the summer Lady's Island Lake is an important breeding site for terns, especially the Roseate Tern. Three quarters of the world population of Pale Bellied Brent Geese winter in Strangford Lough in Co. Down.

In 2001 the Golden Eagle was Reintroduced into Glenveagh National Park after a 90 year absence from Ireland. A total of 46 Golden Eagles have been released in Ireland since 2001, In 2007 the first Golden Eagle Chick hatched in Ireland since re-introduction.^[4][5] In 2006 30 Red Kite bird's originally from Wales were released in the Wicklow Mountains, Six weeks later one was shot dead, it was found to have 8 shotgun pellets in it.^[6] The first Red Kite Chick hatched in 2010.^[7] In 2007, the White-tailed Eagle returned to Ireland, 6 young birds were released in Killarney National Park after an absence of over 200 years from Ireland. 15 have been released in total.^[8][9] There are plans for the Common Crane to also return to Ireland in the Future. While the Osprey and Marsh Harrier have slowly returned to Ireland naturally.

Insects and other invertebrates

Calopteryx virgo Found only in the South of Ireland.

There are an estimated 11,500 species of insect recorded in Ireland (11,422 actual at October 2010: in wellknown groups 1,400 of these moths, 33 species of dragonflies/damselflies and 34 species of butterfly). Many more remain to be found.^[10] Four checklists of the Irish insect fauna have been published to date-Coleoptera,^[11] Lepidoptera^[12] Diptera^[13] and Hymenoptera^[14] Spiders are represented by 378 species^[15] Literature on other Irish land invertebrates can be accessed on^[16] using the key words search facility.The site is regularly updated but gaps still exist.

For atlases See Atlases of the flora and fauna of Britain and Ireland

Notable Irish species include the freshwater pearl mussel, diving bell spider, Marsh Fritillary Butterfly, Kerry slug, Semilimax pyrenaicus, freshwater crayfish, the White Prominent moth and Roesel's bush-cricket.

Aquatic

Atlantic salmon

Ireland has 375 fish species in its coastal waters^[17] 40 freshwater species in its rivers and lakes.^[18] Most of these are pelagic. There are many aquatic mammals too, such as bottlenose dolphins, killer whales and harbour porpoises. Sea turtles are also common off the western seaboard, and the walrus has also been found around the Irish coasts, but is very rare with only a handful of sightings.^[19] The cool temperate waters around Ireland contain a huge variety of marine invertebrates^[20] Some of this diversity can be observed in tide pools.

Common Dragonet

24 species of cetacean and five species of sea turtles have been recorded in Irish waters.^[21] The Giant Squid has been recorded on five occasions^[22]

The Porcupine Abyssal Plain which has an average Depth of 4774 m is on the continental margin

The Basking Shark (Cetorhinus maximus) is often seen off the West coast of Ireland

southwest of Ireland.It is the habitat for many Deep sea fish and was first investigated in the summers of 1868 and 1869 by Charles Wyville Thomsons H.M.S. Porcupine expedition. Other notable fish include the Basking Shark, Ocean Sunfish, Conger Eel, Hagfish,

Boarfish (Capros aper), Large-eyed rabbitfish, Lumpsucker, Cuckoo wrasse and the Thresher Shark.

In a study of the marine fauna of the Celtic Sea based on 61 beam trawl catches the Common Dragonet and the hermit crab Pagurus prideaux were the most ubiquitous species.^[23]

The aquatic insect fauna is listed by Ashe et al.^[24]

Extinctions

Species that have become extinct in Ireland in historic times include the great auk, the European beaver and the Wildcat. The last grey wolf in Ireland was killed by John Watson of Ballydarton, County Carlow in 1786.^[25][26] Many Bird of prey species including the Golden Eagle, White-tailed Eagle and Red Kite have been re-introduced to National Parks after absences of between 90–200 years.

Zoology museums

These are the Natural History Museum Dublin which opened in 1856 and the Ulster Museum in Belfast which opened in 1929. Ireland's universities hold smaller collections.

Research

In 2000, scientists in Ireland commenced a research programme called "Ag-Biota", concerning the impact of modern agriculture on biodiversity.^[27]

History

An early (1180) account of the fauna is given by Gerald of Wales in Topographia Hibernica and in 1652 Gerard Boate's Natural History of Ireland was published. The Clare Island Survey (1909–11) organised by Robert Lloyd Praeger was the first comprehensive biological survey carried out in the world. It became a model for studies elsewhere.

The Composition of the Fauna

Details of the composition of the Irish fauna by group are given by Ferriss, S. E., Smith, K. G. and Inskipp, T. P.(editors), 2009 Irish Biodiversity: a taxonomic inventory of fauna. Online here: [1]. Not up to date for all taxa.

Further reading

• Cabot,D. 2009 Ireland Collins New Naturalist Series ISBN 978-0-00-730859-0 Natural history of Ireland biological history, geology and climate, habitats and nature conservation.Flora and fauna
• Chinery, M. 2009 British Insects: A Photographic Guide to Every Common Species (Collins Complete Guide) ISBN 9780007298990 A photographic field guide to 1,500 species of insects found in Britain and Ireland. Irish species are indicated on the maps presented for each species covered from information supplied by James P. O'Connor NMI. "Common" is a relative term of uncertain meaning perhaps best interpreted commonly observed.
• Dempsey, E. and O'Clery, M. 2010 The Complete Field Guide to Ireland's Birds Gill & Macmillan ISBN 9780717146680
• Hutchinson, C.D., 1989 Birds in Ireland T. & A. D. Poyser ISBN 9780856610523
• Nunn, J.D. (ed.) 2002 Marine Biodiversity in Ireland and Adjacent Waters. Proceedings of a Conference 26–27 April 2001. Ulster Museum publication no. 8.
• Irish Wildlife Manuals is a series of contract reports relating to the conservation management of habitats and species in Ireland. The volumes are published on an irregular basis by Ireland's National Parks and Wildlife Service.^[28]
• Praeger, R. Ll. 1950. Natural History of Ireland. Collins, London.
• Viney, M. 2003 Ireland. A Smithsonian Natural History.Blackstaff Press, Belfast ISBN 978-0-85640-744-4
• Viney. M. and Viney, E. 2008 Ireland's Ocean: A Natural History Cork [Ireland] : The Collins Press ISBN 978-1-905172-66-5
• Mooney, D. and Sterry, P. 2004 Complete Irish Wildlife: Photoguide Harper Collins ISBN 9780007176298
• Lever, C. 2009 The Naturalized Animals of Britain and Ireland New Holland ISBN 9781847734549
• Niall Mac Coitir, 2010,,Ireland's Animals - Myths, Legends and Folklore ISBN 9781848890602 Collins Press

Scientific Journals

• Bulletin of the Irish Biogeographical Society
• Irish Naturalists' Journal
• Irish Bird Report
• Proceedings Royal Irish Academy

See also

• List of mammals in Ireland
• List of birds of Ireland
• List of amphibians of Ireland
• List of reptiles of Ireland
• List of butterflies in Ireland
• List of moths of Ireland
• List of Odonata species of Ireland
• List of non-marine molluscs of Ireland
• Deer of Ireland
• Belfast Natural History Society
• List of fish of Ireland
• Dublin University Zoological Association
• National Parks in the Republic of Ireland
• Irish zoologists History

References

1. ^ Costello, M.J. and Kelly, K.S., 1993 Biogeography of Ireland: past, present and future Irish Biogeographic Society Occasional Publications Number 2
2. ^ "RTENews". http://www.rte.ie/news/2009/0604/6news_av.html?2556858,null,230. 
3. ^ Coombes, R. H.et al., 2009 Countryside Bird Survey 1998-2007. BirdWatch Ireland Unpublished Report Publications Number 2
4. ^ "Error: no |title= specified when using {{Cite web}}". Golden Eagle Trust. http://www.goldeneagle.ie/news_viewnews.php?x=1&z=41&f=1&news_id=8&start=62. 
5. ^ "Error: no |title= specified when using {{Cite web}}". RTE. http://www.rte.ie/news/2007/0530/eagles.html. 
6. ^ "Irish Independent". http://www.independent.ie/national-news/rare-eagle-just-released-shot-out-of-the-sky-1068336.html. 
7. ^ "Irish Examiner USA". http://www.irishexaminerusa.com/mt/2010/05/25/first_red_kite_chicks_in_irela.html. 
8. ^ "White-tailed eagle takes flight in Ireland". Reuters. 16 August 2007. http://uk.reuters.com/article/2007/08/16/environment-ireland-eagles-dc-idUKL1654620520070816. 
9. ^ "Error: no |title= specified when using {{Cite web}}". http://www.rte.ie/news/2007/0816/eagles.html. 
10. ^ Eugenie Regan, Brian Nelson, Stephen McCormack, Robert Nash and James P. O’Connor, 2010 Countdown to 2010: Can we assess Ireland's insect species diversity and loss Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy, Vol. 110B, No. 2, 109–117
11. ^ Anderson R., Nash, R. and O’Connor, J.P. 1997" Irish Coleoptera: a revised and annotated list Irish Naturalists’Journal Special Issue
12. ^ Bond, K.G.M ., Nash, R. and O’Connor, J.P.2006 An annotated checklist of the Irish butterflies and moths (Lepidoptera) The Irish Biogeographical Society and the National Museum of Ireland
13. ^ Chandler, P.J., Nash, R, and O’Connor, J.P 2008"> An Annotated Checklist of the Irish Two-winged flies (Diptera)The Irish Biogeographical Society and the National Museum of Ireland, Dublin
14. ^ O’Connor, J.P,Nash, R. and Broad, G 2009"> An Annotated Checklist of the Irish Hymenoptera The Irish Biogeographical Society and the National Museum of Ireland, Dublin
15. ^ Helsdingen, P.J. van, 1996 A county distribution of Irish spiders, incorporating a revised catalogue of the species Irish Naturalists’Journal Special Issue
16. ^ "Irish Natural History Literature Online". http://www.habitas.org.uk/literature/. 
17. ^ "List of Marine Fishes for Ireland". Fishbase. http://www.fishbase.org/Country/CountryChecklist.php?c_code=372&vhabitat=saltwater&csub_code=. 
18. ^ "List of Freshwater Fishes for Ireland n=44". http://www.fishbase.org/Country/CountryChecklist.php?c_code=372&vhabitat=fresh&csub_code. 
19. ^ Cotton, D.C.F. 2007. A critical review of Irish records of walrus Odobenus rosmarus (L.) with some unpublished observations from Cos Donegal, Sligo and Galway. Ir. Nat. J. 28: 349 - 355
20. ^ "Encyclopedia of Marine Life of Britain and Ireland". http://www.habitas.org.uk/marinelife/. 
21. ^ Berrow, S. 2001.Biological diversity of cetaceans (Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises) in Irish Waters. in Marine Bodiversity in Ireland and Adjacent Waters. Proceedings of a Conference 26–27 April 2001. Ed. J.D.Nunn. Ulster Museum. MAGNI publication no. 008
22. ^ "Research: Giant Squid". http://www.oceanlab.abdn.ac.uk/research/octopod/archi/archbrit.php. 
23. ^ Ellis, J.R., Lancaster, J.E, Cadman, P.S. and Rogers, S.I. 2001. The marine fauna of the Celtic Sea. in Marine Biodiversity in Ireland and Adjacent Waters. Proceedings of a Conference 26–27 April 2001. Ulster Museum publication no 8
24. ^ Ashe P., O’Connor J.P. & Murray D.A.: A Checklist of Irish Aquatic Insects. Occasional Publication of the Irish Biogeographical Society 3. Irish Biogeographical Society, Dublin, 1998, vi + 80 pp
25. ^ The Irish Times, 1 May 2007.
26. ^ D’Arcy, G., 1993 Ireland's Lost Birds Four Courts Press Ltd, Dublin
27. ^ "Ag-Biota News and Links". http://www.ucd.ie/agbiota/action/news.htm. 
28. ^ Irish Wildlife Manuals www.npws.ie

External links

• Biodiversity Ireland
• National Parks and Wildlife Service
• Habitas Ulster Museum Note some parts of this extensive website relate to Northern Ireland only.
• Fauna Europaea Some parts are more complete than others.Northern Ireland and Ireland are separated.
• Colonisation of Ireland by the stoat [2] Provides a useful overview of post glacial colonisation.
• Irish Bees
• Water Beetles of Ireland
• Dragonflies of Ireland
• NPWS Irish Syrphidae
• Freshwater Fish of Ireland
• Fishbase Marine fish of Ireland

The species list accesses an account of the species in Ireland.For more go to the species page.Click on the photo here for more photos

• MarLIN Marine Life Information Network for Britain and Ireland.
• World Register of Marine Species
• Commons Red Deer Page Extensive illustration.
• Irish Species Register
• Biological Records Centre UK organisation but Atlas maps include Ireland.
• NIEA (SSI s, SACs, NRs, MNRs, Ramsar sites and SPAs)
• Biodiversity-Fauna-Purcell
• Earthtrends Ireland profile
• Invasive Species
• MothsIreland Species lists (Micromoths separate). Maps.
• Eugenie Regan, Brian Nelson, Stephen McCormack, Robert Nash and James P. O’Connor 2010 Countdown to 2010: Can we assess Ireland's insect species diversity and loss Biology and Environment: Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy, Vol. 110B, No. 2, 109–117
• BHL Forbes, A.E., 1905 Gaelic names of beasts (Mammalia), birds, fishes, insects, reptiles, etc. in two parts: 1. Gaelic-English.- 2. English-Gaelic. Part 1. contains Gaelic names or terms for each of the above, with English meanings. Part 2. contains all the English names for which Gaelic is given in Part 1 Edinburgh, Oliver and Boyd.
• EU-Nomen Pan-European Species Directories Infrastructure