Birds of Prey

Birds of prey are still relatively uncommon in Ireland and are only now beginning to recover from even lower levels that resulted from human activity.  It is fair to comment that the countryside can sustain more birds of prey that currently occupy it.  The sparrowhawk and the kestrel are by far the most prolific of the raptor species in the British Isles, while at the other end of the spectrum, the osprey, marsh harrier and the honey buzzard are struggling to keep their numbers.

These pages will give visitors some information on the various birds of prey found in both Ireland and the UK.
 

The Peregrine Falcon

The Peregrine is a large, powerful falcon that is quite widespread in the Northern British Isles.  Coastal cliffs, mountain crags and open moorland are its preferred hunting grounds, although they are increasingly being found in cities.  Its black hood distinguishes the peregrine from other similar sized falcons.  Adult birds have slate coloured upperparts with grey barring below.  The preferred method of hunting for the peregrine is to circle high overhead and then descend onto its prey in an action referred to as the "stoop."  Peregrine numbers in Ireland are on the increase, particularly in Northern Ireland where in excess of 100 pairs of birds have been recorded.

 

 

The Sparrowhawk

Despite its name, the sparrowhawk's prey extends to well over 100 bird species.  This is in addition to a number of small mammals.  It is not uncommon for several sparrowhawks to hunt over the same piece of ground.  As a species they are on the increase throughout Ireland, to the extent that they are now the most common bird of prey on the island.  The sparrowhawk's colouring is bluish black for the male and a brownish colour for the female.  Both sexes have the barred underparts that is common on many birds of prey.  They hunt primarily along hedgerows where they are exponents of flying fast and low, threading their way between saplings and hedgerow shrubs. Here it is the small songbirds they search for, although garden bird tables are also a popular location with this bird.

 
 

The Goshawk

The story of the goshawk in the British Isles generally is not a happy one.  Once quite common, the goshawk was persecuted to the stage of extinction by the late 19th century.  The goshawk's appearance is very similar to the sparrowhawk and, indeed, their method of hunting is not dissimilar.  These are woodland hunters and their prey are the larger woodland birds.  Hence the reasons for their persecution by gamekeepers of the Victorian period.   Whilst not established in the majority of areas where their once roamed freely, the goshawk has been re-introduced to these islands.  Falconers are credited with the re-introduction of the species during the 1950s and 1960s.  It is unlikely, however, that these birds of prey will ever recover from the damage caused to their numbers in this country.

 
 

The Merlin

The adult, male Merlin is not a big bird and at a distance they can be confused with a kestrel.  Merlins are more compact than the kestrel with a shorter tail and they have deep brown upper parts as opposed to the reddish brown of the kestrel.  Merlins are quite aggressive, especially when around other birds of prey and are often seen in encounters with larger raptors.  They are usually solitary hunters but there are many reports of pairs working as a team, diving alternatively at song birds.  Happily their numbers in Ireland are on the increase where they breed on our moorland or sea cliffs.

 

 
 

The Hobby

The hobby is not a regular visitor to Ireland and when it is encountered it is generally in the southernmost part of the island.  Most that make their way here during the summer months are migrants from North Africa. Many think it is the migrating swallows and swifts that brings the hobby to our shores.  Certainly this is one of the few birds capable of out flying swifts and swallows and their high speed chases of these birds make the hobby one of the most agile of all birds of prey.   Hunting generally in the early evening, hobbies also feed on large insects such as dragonflies and moths that they take on the wing.  Moorland, hedgerows, lake shores and particularly conifer plantations are frequently visited by this fast flying raptor that is distinguished by sharply pointed wings, blue black upper parts and fiery brown legs.

 

 
 

The Buzzard

In Ireland, buzzards are found principally in the north eastern part of the country and are easily distinguished from other hawks and falcons because of their size alone.  Their wingspans can range from 48 - 60 inches, with their body length often exceeding 20 inches.  The "mewing" sound of a buzzard as it soars in the sky is unmistakable as is its slow, gliding flight.   Rabbits are its main diet although carrion of all sorts is picked up by the buzzard.  Preferring the tallest of trees as a perch and for nesting, a mere lift of its wings sets it skywards where it is an exponent of the updrafts and air currents.   This bird is a slow flier and depends upon its bulk and talons when it sweeps down on an unsuspecting prey.
 

Golden Eagle

It is estimated that some 550 pairs of golden eagles nested in the British Isles at the beginning of the 19th century and that by the end of that century their numbers had been reduced through persecution to as few as 80 pairs.  Since the early 1980s the population in the British Isles as a whole stands at about 420 breeding pairs.  In Ireland there have always been golden eagles in the more rugged parts of the country, although their numbers too have suffered during the 20th century.  A recent scheme in Donegal on Ireland's north west coast saw the re-introduction of several breeding pair into the wild.  There is little more to be said about these magnificent birds that glide effortlessly on the air, have a haunting call that reverberates along the hillsides and are our largest, native bird of prey.

 
 

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