IRBC - The Irish List

The Irish List (as on the 31st December 2007) is available as a PDF document which may be downloaded by following the link in the right-hand panel. The Irish List consists of all species which are included in Categories A, B & C. The taxonomy used follows that of Voous (1977) incorporating those recommendations of various taxonomic authorities adopted by the IRBC subsequently; especially the Taxonomic Sub-Committee of the BOURC and the Taxonomic Advisory Committee of the AERC.

New species are added to the Irish List following their publication in the Irish Rare Bird Report. Species may occasionally be removed from the list when the evidence no longer supports their inclusion. In addition, the outcome of periodic studies by various taxonomic authorities can sometimes result in new species being recognised, existing species becoming lumped or changes to the list order. Any changes to the Irish List are outlined in the Announcement pages. The most recent are those contained in the 6th Report of the Taxonomic Sub-Committee of the BOU (Sangster et al 2009) which are outlined here

Please note that the list includes three records which are not specifically identified, i.e. Fea's and/or Zino's Petrel, Frigatebird sp. and Black Wheatear or White-crowned Black Wheatear. Where known the races which occur are specified. Monotypic species are indicated by a dash in the 'Race' column.

National List Category System

The Association of European Rarities Committees (AERC) recommend the use of categories when compiling national lists of species. Many European rare bird committees now follow this practice including the IRBC. The following is a list of the categories in use and their significance:

• Category A
  Species that have been recorded in an apparently natural state in Ireland at least once since 1st January 1950.
• Category B
  Species that have been recorded in an apparently natural state in Ireland at least once up to 31st December 1949, but have not been recorded subsequently.
• Category C1
  Species that, although originally introduced by man, have established feral breeding populations in Ireland which apparently maintain themselves without necessary recourse to further introduction.
• Category C2
  Species that have occurred, but are considered to have originated from established naturalised populations outside Ireland.
• Category D1
  Species that would otherwise appear in Categories A or B except that there is a reasonable doubt that they have ever occurred in a natural state.
• Category D2
  Species that have arrived through ship or other human assistance.
• Category D3
  Species that have only ever been found dead on the tideline.
• Category D4
  Species that would otherwise appear in Category C1 except that their feral populations may or may not be self-supporting.
• Category E
  Species that have been recorded as introductions, transportees or escapes from captivity.

The category breakdown of the Irish list on the 31st December 2007 was as follows:

• Category A - 437
• Category B - 16
• Category C - 3
• Total - 456
• Category D - 12

Species in Category D are not included in the main Irish List. Whenever a species is assigned to more than one category, the higher category only is included in the statistics. Category A is regarded as the highest.

References:

Sangster, G., Collinson, J.M., Knox, A.G., Parkin, D.T. & Svensson, L. 2009. Taxonomic recommendations for British birds: Sixth report. Ibis 152: 180–186

Voous, K.H. 1977. List of Recent Holarctic Bird Species. British Ornithologists' Union, London. (Reprinted with revisions from Ibis 115 (1973): 612-638, 119 (1977): 223-250, 376-406)