Birds to See in Galway in January
120 bird species on our list for Galway are recorded regularly in January
Of these, the most often recorded are Black-headed Gull, European Herring Gull, Hooded Crow, European Robin and Common Gull. New this month: Little Gull, Spotted Redshank, Twite and Arctic Loon.
On the move in January
GBIF · JanArriving
At their peak
From Galway’s bird records, 2019–2024: arriving birds are regular this month but not last; leaving birds are regular this month but not next.
Other months
All 120 birds in January
120 birds
Black-headed GullChroicocephalus ridibundusResidentCommon38–44 cmRecorded all year · 2.93% in Jan
European Herring GullLarus argentatusResidentCommon55–67 cmRecorded all year · 2.92% in Jan
Hooded CrowCorvus cornixResidentCommon44–51 cmRecorded all year · 2.88% in Jan
European RobinErithacus rubeculaResidentCommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 2.56% in Jan
Common GullLarus canusResidentCommon40–46 cmRecorded all year · 2.41% in Jan
Eurasian OystercatcherHaematopus ostralegusResidentCommon40–45 cmRecorded all year · 2.36% in Jan
CurlewNumenius arquataResidentCommon50–60 cmRecorded all year · 2.31% in Jan
RookCorvus frugilegusResidentCommon45–47 cmRecorded all year · 2.22% in Jan
MallardAnas platyrhynchosResidentCommon50–65 cmRecorded all year · 2.21% in Jan
RedshankTringa totanusWinter visitorCommon27–29 cmRecorded all year · 2.19% in Jan
BlackbirdTurdus merulaResidentCommon24–25 cmRecorded all year · 2.18% in Jan
Common StarlingSturnus vulgarisResidentCommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 2.12% in Jan
Eurasian WigeonMareca penelopeWinter visitorCommon42–51 cmRegularly Aug–Apr · 2.09% in Jan
JackdawColoeus monedulaResidentCommon34–39 cmRecorded all year · 2.07% in Jan
Grey HeronArdea cinereaResidentCommon90–98 cmRecorded all year · 2.01% in Jan
Mute SwanCygnus olorResidentCommon140–160 cmRecorded all year · 1.94% in Jan
Pied WagtailMotacilla albaResidentCommon17–18 cmRecorded all year · 1.92% in Jan
Great CormorantPhalacrocorax carboResidentCommon80–100 cmRecorded all year · 1.87% in Jan
Eurasian TealAnas creccaWinter visitorCommon34–38 cmRecorded all year · 1.80% in Jan
Common LoonGavia immerWinter visitorCommon66–91 cmRegularly Sep–Jun · 1.76% in Jan
MagpiePica picaResidentCommon44–46 cmRecorded all year · 1.76% in Jan
Great Black-backed GullLarus marinusResidentCommon64–79 cmRecorded all year · 1.76% in Jan
WoodpigeonColumba palumbusResidentCommon40–42 cmRecorded all year · 1.60% in Jan
ChaffinchFringilla coelebsResidentCommon14–16 cmRecorded all year · 1.55% in Jan
Northern LapwingVanellus vanellusResidentCommon28–31 cmRecorded all year · 1.55% in Jan
Blue TitCyanistes caeruleusResidentCommon11–12 cmRecorded all year · 1.46% in Jan
Eurasian WrenTroglodytes troglodytesResidentCommon9–10 cmRecorded all year · 1.44% in Jan
Song ThrushTurdus philomelosResidentCommon20–23 cmRecorded all year · 1.44% in Jan
GreenshankTringa nebulariaWinter visitorCommon30–35 cmRegularly Jun–Apr · 1.37% in Jan
Little EgretEgretta garzettaResidentCommon55–65 cmRecorded all year · 1.36% in Jan
European GoldfinchCarduelis carduelisResidentCommon12–13 cmRecorded all year · 1.35% in Jan
European ShagGulosus aristotelisResidentCommon65–80 cmRecorded all year · 1.27% in Jan
Ruddy TurnstoneArenaria interpresWinter visitorCommon21–24 cmRegularly Jul–May · 1.27% in Jan
Little GrebeTachybaptus ruficollisResidentCommon23–29 cmRecorded all year · 1.16% in Jan
Rock PipitAnthus petrosusResidentCommon16–18 cmRecorded all year · 1.15% in Jan
Rock DoveColumba liviaResidentCommon31–34 cmRecorded all year · 1.13% in Jan
Meadow PipitAnthus pratensisResidentCommon14–15 cmRecorded all year · 1.13% in Jan
RedwingTurdus iliacusWinter visitorCommon20–24 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 1.09% in Jan
StonechatSaxicola rubicolaResidentCommon12–13 cmRecorded all year · 1.09% in Jan
Great TitParus majorResidentCommonRecorded all year · 1.05% in Jan
DunlinCalidris alpinaWinter visitorCommon16–22 cmRecorded all year · 1.04% in Jan
DunnockPrunella modularisResidentCommon14–15 cmRecorded all year · 1.04% in Jan
GreenfinchChloris chlorisResidentCommon15–16 cmRecorded all year · 1.00% in Jan
Brent GooseBranta berniclaWinter visitorCommon55–66 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.93% in Jan
House SparrowPasser domesticusResidentCommon14–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.83% in Jan
Ringed PloverCharadrius hiaticulaResidentCommon17–19 cmRecorded all year · 0.81% in Jan
Whooper SwanCygnus cygnusWinter visitorCommon140–165 cmRegularly Sep–Jun · 0.77% in Jan
GoldcrestRegulus regulusResidentCommon9–10 cmRecorded all year · 0.73% in Jan
Common ShelduckTadorna tadornaResidentCommon58–67 cmRecorded all year · 0.71% in Jan
Common SnipeGallinago gallinagoResidentCommon25–27 cmRecorded all year · 0.65% in Jan
Red-breasted MerganserMergus serratorWinter visitorCommon52–58 cmRecorded all year · 0.65% in Jan
Bar-tailed GodwitLimosa lapponicaWinter visitorCommon37–41 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.62% in Jan
MoorhenGallinula chloropusResidentCommon30–38 cmRecorded all year · 0.59% in Jan
Tufted DuckAythya fuligulaResidentCommon40–47 cmRecorded all year · 0.59% in Jan
Eurasian Collared DoveStreptopelia decaoctoResidentCommon30–32 cmRecorded all year · 0.58% in Jan
Mistle ThrushTurdus viscivorusResidentCommon26–29 cmRecorded all year · 0.58% in Jan
Black GuillemotCepphus grylleResidentCommon30–32 cmRecorded all year · 0.57% in Jan
Common RavenCorvus coraxResidentCommon54–67 cmRecorded all year · 0.56% in Jan
BullfinchPyrrhula pyrrhulaResidentCommon15–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.55% in Jan
GadwallMareca streperaWinter visitorCommon46–56 cmRecorded all year · 0.53% in Jan
LinnetLinaria cannabinaResidentCommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.51% in Jan
Northern ShovelerSpatula clypeataWinter visitorCommon44–51 cmRecorded all year · 0.51% in Jan
Coal TitPeriparus aterResidentCommon10–12 cmRecorded all year · 0.49% in Jan
Long-tailed TitAegithalos caudatusResidentCommon13–16 cmRecorded all year · 0.47% in Jan
Great Crested GrebePodiceps cristatusResidentCommon46–51 cmRecorded all year · 0.47% in Jan
SanderlingCalidris albaWinter visitorCommon18–20 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.45% in Jan
Red-throated LoonGavia stellataWinter visitorCommon53–69 cmRegularly Sep–Jun · 0.43% in Jan
Golden PloverPluvialis apricariaWinter visitorCommon26–29 cmRecorded all year · 0.42% in Jan
SparrowhawkAccipiter nisusResidentCommon28–38 cmRecorded all year · 0.42% in Jan
Grey WagtailMotacilla cinereaResidentCommon17–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.41% in Jan
CootFulica atraResidentUncommon36–42 cmRecorded all year · 0.40% in Jan
FieldfareTurdus pilarisWinter visitorCommon22–27 cmRegularly Oct–Mar · 0.36% in Jan
BuzzardButeo buteoResidentUncommon51–57 cmRecorded all year · 0.35% in Jan
KestrelFalco tinnunculusResidentCommon32–39 cmRecorded all year · 0.35% in Jan
Long-tailed DuckClangula hyemalisWinter visitorUncommon37–60 cmRegularly Oct–Feb · 0.28% in Jan
Reed BuntingEmberiza schoeniclusResidentCommon14–16 cmRecorded all year · 0.28% in Jan
Grey PloverPluvialis squatarolaWinter visitorUncommon27–30 cmRegularly Aug–Apr · 0.27% in Jan
Greater ScaupAythya marilaWinter visitorUncommon39–56 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.25% in Jan
Northern PintailAnas acutaWinter visitorUncommon59–76 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.25% in Jan
Common PheasantPhasianus colchicusResidentCommon50–90 cmRecorded all year · 0.24% in Jan
Peregrine FalconFalco peregrinusResidentUncommon34–58 cmRecorded all year · 0.24% in Jan
Purple SandpiperCalidris maritimaWinter visitorUncommon20–22 cmRegularly Nov–Apr · 0.24% in Jan
Eurasian SiskinSpinus spinusResidentUncommon11–13 cmRecorded all year · 0.23% in Jan
PochardAythya ferinaWinter visitorUncommon42–49 cmRegularly Aug–Jun · 0.23% in Jan
RazorbillAlca tordaResidentUncommon38–43 cmRegularly Dec–Oct · 0.22% in Jan
Eurasian JayGarrulus glandariusResidentUncommon32–35 cmRecorded all year · 0.21% in Jan
GoldeneyeBucephala clangulaWinter visitorUncommon40–51 cmRegularly Nov–Mar · 0.21% in Jan
TreecreeperCerthia familiarisResidentUncommon12–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.20% in Jan
BlackcapSylvia atricapillaSummer visitorCommon13–15 cmRegularly Dec–Oct · 0.19% in Jan
Black-tailed GodwitLimosa limosaWinter visitorCommon40–44 cmRecorded all year · 0.17% in Jan
Iceland GullLarus glaucoidesWinter visitorUncommon52–60 cmRegularly Nov–Apr · 0.16% in Jan
DipperCinclus cinclusWinter visitorUncommon17–20 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.14% in Jan
Great White EgretArdea albaWinter visitorUncommon80–104 cmRegularly Sep–Mar · 0.13% in Jan
Red-billed ChoughPyrrhocorax pyrrhocoraxResidentUncommon39–43 cmRecorded all year · 0.13% in Jan
Sandwich TernThalasseus sandvicensisSummer visitorCommon36–41 cmRecorded all year · 0.13% in Jan
Common RedpollAcanthis flammeaResidentUncommon12–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.12% in Jan
Greater White-fronted GooseAnser albifronsWinter visitorUncommon64–81 cmRegularly Apr–Feb · 0.12% in Jan
Greylag GooseAnser anserResidentUncommon75–90 cmRecorded all year · 0.12% in Jan
MerlinFalco columbariusWinter visitorUncommon24–33 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.12% in Jan
Northern GannetMorus bassanusSummer visitorCommon87–100 cmRecorded all year · 0.12% in Jan
Eurasian SkylarkAlauda arvensisSummer visitorCommon16–18 cmRecorded all year · 0.11% in Jan
Eurasian WoodcockScolopax rusticolaWinter visitorUncommon33–38 cmRegularly Nov–May · 0.11% in Jan
Hen HarrierCircus cyaneusWinter visitorUncommon41–52 cmRegularly Aug–Mar · 0.11% in Jan
Common KingfisherAlcedo atthisResidentUncommon16–17 cmRegularly May–Feb · 0.10% in Jan
Mediterranean GullIchthyaetus melanocephalusResidentUncommon37–40 cmRegularly Dec–Oct · 0.09% in Jan
Ring-billed GullLarus delawarensisWinter visitorUncommon43–54 cmRegularly Oct–Feb · 0.09% in Jan
Western Marsh-harrierCircus aeruginosusWinter visitorUncommon48–56 cmRegularly Jul–Apr · 0.09% in Jan
White-tailed Sea-eagleHaliaeetus albicillaWinter visitorUncommon66–94 cmRegularly Jun–Mar · 0.09% in Jan
Common ScoterMelanitta nigraWinter visitorUncommon43–54 cmRegularly Nov–Jul · 0.08% in Jan
Spotted RedshankTringa erythropusPassage migrantUncommon29–31 cmRegularly Aug–Jan · 0.08% in Jan
Horned GrebePodiceps auritusPassage migrantUncommon31–38 cmRegularly Dec–Jan · 0.07% in Jan
Little GullHydrocoloeus minutusResidentUncommon25–30 cmRegularly Jan–Oct · 0.07% in Jan
Water RailRallus aquaticusSummer visitorUncommon23–28 cmRegularly Mar–Jan · 0.07% in Jan
Red KnotCalidris canutusWinter visitorUncommon23–26 cmRegularly Aug–Mar · 0.07% in Jan
Barnacle GooseBranta leucopsisWinter visitorUncommon58–70 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.05% in Jan
Arctic LoonGavia arcticaPassage migrantRare58–77 cmRegularly Jan · 0.04% in Jan
KittiwakeRissa tridactylaSummer visitorCommon37–41 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in Jan
Red CrossbillLoxia curvirostraResidentUncommon15–17 cmRegularly Dec–Oct · 0.04% in Jan
Barn OwlTyto albaPassage migrantUncommon33–39 cmRegularly Jun–Jan · 0.03% in Jan
TwiteLinaria flavirostrisScarceUncommon13–14 cmRegularly Jan · 0.03% in Jan
Data: EOD – eBird Observation Dataset (Cornell Lab of Ornithology), accessed via GBIF.org, CC BY 4.0. Records from 2019–2024, aggregated and filtered by Birdfact. How these lists are made