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Irish Native Species

I want to share some silly info dumps (and maybe some art?) of Irish native specicies here! A lot of our animals and agricultural plants aren't actually 'fully native', but were intoduced through trade in late antiquity - medieval periods. They're not considered invasive however and are part of a healthy ecosystem. Some more were introduced during colonisation, like the deer you see in the Phoenix Park, who were introduced for hunting. These have caused a mix of issues, japanese knotweed is a nightmare to manage and a lack of predators have caused issues with deer. We've lost a few natural predators like wolves, who are fully extinct and have not been reintorduced on a large scale, and the golden eagele, who has been reintroduced to some success! This page won't just focus on endangered species but unfortunately there are a lot of native speciies at risk due to a loss of native woodlands and other factors like farming (2/3 of land in Ireland is agricultural).

a small bird with a dark head and back and white belly sits on a branch of a tree scrunched up

House Martin

Have I seen this?:No :( I'd really love to though, their nests are fascinating and they're really fun to draw

Conservation status: Amber (middle concern)

Description:In between swallos and sand martins in size. They build their nests out of mud, often under the eaves of houses and are often seen in groups collecting mud with their beaks. The top of their body is glossy and dark, witht he udnerside being a bright white. Common summer visitors to Ireland, migrating south for winter.

Picture credit:Mike Prince via Wikimedia Commons!

image of a large black seabird with a warm yellow face standing in front of the sea on a rock

Comorant

Have I seen this?:Yes! I remember my dad pointing them out to me by the sea and explaining how they dive. I’ve seen them many times since :)

Conservation status: Amber (middle concern)

Description:A large black seabird. They live along the coast and occasionally inland where they breed in trees! I’ve always liked these guys I have to say, they were the first ‘unusual’ bird I learned to identify and I was fascinated as a kid (and still am lol) by their ability to dive for long periods. You see them along canals in Dublin sometimes as well. There’s not much else to say I just love these little guys so they make a fitting first animal.

Picture credit:Katja Schulz via Wikimedia Commons!