It is most likely to have been a Buzzard. Despite this bird of prey becoming a common sight across most counties, it has had a difficult history in Ireland. Once thought to be a very widespread species, the Buzzard unfortunately went extinct in Ireland by the late 1890s. At the same time, serious population declines led other raptor species such as the White-tailed Eagle, the Golden Eagle and the Red Kite to also go extinct. However, unlike these birds, the Buzzard began to re-colonise Ireland and re-establish itself naturally without and human-led reintroduction.
This natural re-introduction occurred after Scottish Buzzards settled in Co. Antrim in the 1930s. However, sadly, this attempted re-colonisation failed and the species was once again declared extinct in Ireland. Thankfully, in the 1960s, a breeding population established itself in Counties Antrim, Down and Donegal. Since then the species has continued to expand its range, and it now breeds once again in all 32 counties.
If you would like to know more about the Buzzard, please click here.
You can also learn more about the Buzzard in episode 4 of our “In your Nature” podcast.
