Birds to See in Leinster in February
141 bird species on our list for Leinster are recorded regularly in February
Of these, the most often recorded are Hooded Crow, European Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Black-headed Gull and European Robin. New this month: Common Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, Glossy Ibis and Water Pipit.
On the move in February
GBIF · FebArriving
At their peak
Common ScoterBusiest month of the year · All year
Greater White-fronted GooseBusiest month of the year · Oct–Mar
Spotted RedshankBusiest month of the year · Sep–Mar
Barn OwlBusiest month of the year · Oct–Apr
Ring-billed GullBusiest month of the year · Nov–Jul
Velvet ScoterBusiest month of the year · Nov–Mar
From Leinster’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 141 birds in February
141 birds
Hooded CrowCorvus cornixResidentCommon44–51 cmRecorded all year · 3.55% in Feb
European Herring GullLarus argentatusResidentCommon55–67 cmRecorded all year · 3.50% in Feb
WoodpigeonColumba palumbusResidentCommon40–42 cmRecorded all year · 3.17% in Feb
Black-headed GullChroicocephalus ridibundusResidentCommon38–44 cmRecorded all year · 3.12% in Feb
European RobinErithacus rubeculaResidentCommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 3.11% in Feb
MagpiePica picaResidentCommon44–46 cmRecorded all year · 2.97% in Feb
BlackbirdTurdus merulaResidentCommon24–25 cmRecorded all year · 2.83% in Feb
Blue TitCyanistes caeruleusResidentCommon11–12 cmRecorded all year · 2.64% in Feb
JackdawColoeus monedulaResidentCommon34–39 cmRecorded all year · 2.50% in Feb
Common StarlingSturnus vulgarisResidentCommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 2.42% in Feb
RookCorvus frugilegusResidentCommon45–47 cmRecorded all year · 2.32% in Feb
Eurasian WrenTroglodytes troglodytesResidentCommon9–10 cmRecorded all year · 2.05% in Feb
ChaffinchFringilla coelebsResidentCommon14–16 cmRecorded all year · 2.02% in Feb
MallardAnas platyrhynchosResidentCommon50–65 cmRecorded all year · 1.93% in Feb
European GoldfinchCarduelis carduelisResidentCommon12–13 cmRecorded all year · 1.93% in Feb
Rock DoveColumba liviaResidentCommon31–34 cmRecorded all year · 1.81% in Feb
Pied WagtailMotacilla albaResidentCommon17–19 cmRecorded all year · 1.73% in Feb
Great TitParus majorResidentCommonRecorded all year · 1.69% in Feb
Great CormorantPhalacrocorax carboResidentCommon80–100 cmRecorded all year · 1.68% in Feb
DunnockPrunella modularisResidentCommon14–15 cmRecorded all year · 1.66% in Feb
House SparrowPasser domesticusResidentCommon14–17 cmRecorded all year · 1.60% in Feb
Great Black-backed GullLarus marinusResidentCommon64–79 cmRecorded all year · 1.59% in Feb
Grey HeronArdea cinereaResidentCommon90–98 cmRecorded all year · 1.55% in Feb
Eurasian OystercatcherHaematopus ostralegusResidentCommon40–45 cmRecorded all year · 1.44% in Feb
Mute SwanCygnus olorResidentCommon140–160 cmRecorded all year · 1.30% in Feb
Song ThrushTurdus philomelosResidentCommon20–23 cmRecorded all year · 1.29% in Feb
RedshankTringa totanusResidentCommon27–29 cmRecorded all year · 1.27% in Feb
MoorhenGallinula chloropusResidentCommon30–38 cmRecorded all year · 1.25% in Feb
Brent GooseBranta berniclaWinter visitorCommon55–66 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 1.23% in Feb
Common GullLarus canusResidentCommon40–46 cmRecorded all year · 1.14% in Feb
GoldcrestRegulus regulusResidentCommon9–10 cmRecorded all year · 1.08% in Feb
CurlewNumenius arquataResidentCommon50–60 cmRecorded all year · 1.07% in Feb
Little EgretEgretta garzettaResidentCommon55–65 cmRecorded all year · 1.06% in Feb
Coal TitPeriparus aterResidentCommon10–12 cmRecorded all year · 1.05% in Feb
Long-tailed TitAegithalos caudatusResidentCommon13–16 cmRecorded all year · 1.04% in Feb
Eurasian TealAnas creccaWinter visitorCommon34–38 cmRecorded all year · 1.04% in Feb
BuzzardButeo buteoResidentCommon51–57 cmRecorded all year · 1.03% in Feb
Mistle ThrushTurdus viscivorusResidentCommon26–29 cmRecorded all year · 1.02% in Feb
Meadow PipitAnthus pratensisResidentCommon14–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.83% in Feb
Ruddy TurnstoneArenaria interpresWinter visitorCommon21–24 cmRecorded all year · 0.83% in Feb
LinnetLinaria cannabinaResidentCommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.82% in Feb
GreenfinchChloris chlorisResidentCommon15–16 cmRecorded all year · 0.81% in Feb
Little GrebeTachybaptus ruficollisResidentCommon23–29 cmRecorded all year · 0.79% in Feb
Black-tailed GodwitLimosa limosaResidentCommon40–44 cmRecorded all year · 0.78% in Feb
DunlinCalidris alpinaResidentCommon16–22 cmRecorded all year · 0.72% in Feb
European ShagGulosus aristotelisResidentCommon65–80 cmRecorded all year · 0.70% in Feb
BullfinchPyrrhula pyrrhulaResidentCommon15–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.68% in Feb
Common ShelduckTadorna tadornaResidentCommon58–67 cmRecorded all year · 0.68% in Feb
Eurasian WigeonMareca penelopeWinter visitorCommon42–51 cmRecorded all year · 0.68% in Feb
GreenshankTringa nebulariaWinter visitorCommon30–35 cmRecorded all year · 0.68% in Feb
Eurasian Collared DoveStreptopelia decaoctoResidentCommon30–32 cmRecorded all year · 0.67% in Feb
Common RavenCorvus coraxResidentCommon54–67 cmRecorded all year · 0.67% in Feb
Lesser Black-backed GullLarus fuscusSummer visitorCommon52–64 cmRecorded all year · 0.63% in Feb
Northern LapwingVanellus vanellusResidentCommon28–31 cmRecorded all year · 0.61% in Feb
Great Crested GrebePodiceps cristatusResidentCommon46–51 cmRecorded all year · 0.60% in Feb
Eurasian SiskinSpinus spinusResidentCommon11–13 cmRecorded all year · 0.57% in Feb
RedwingTurdus iliacusWinter visitorCommon20–24 cmRegularly Oct–Mar · 0.57% in Feb
Mediterranean GullIchthyaetus melanocephalusResidentCommon37–40 cmRecorded all year · 0.55% in Feb
Grey WagtailMotacilla cinereaResidentCommon17–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.54% in Feb
StonechatSaxicola rubicolaResidentCommon12–13 cmRecorded all year · 0.53% in Feb
CootFulica atraResidentCommon36–42 cmRecorded all year · 0.52% in Feb
Tufted DuckAythya fuligulaResidentCommon40–47 cmRecorded all year · 0.52% in Feb
Red-breasted MerganserMergus serratorWinter visitorCommon52–58 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.51% in Feb
SparrowhawkAccipiter nisusResidentCommon28–38 cmRecorded all year · 0.45% in Feb
Black GuillemotCepphus grylleResidentCommon30–32 cmRecorded all year · 0.43% in Feb
BlackcapSylvia atricapillaResidentCommon13–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.43% in Feb
Rock PipitAnthus petrosusResidentUncommon16–18 cmRecorded all year · 0.39% in Feb
Golden PloverPluvialis apricariaWinter visitorUncommon26–29 cmRegularly Aug–Apr · 0.38% in Feb
Bar-tailed GodwitLimosa lapponicaWinter visitorCommon37–41 cmRecorded all year · 0.37% in Feb
Red-throated LoonGavia stellataWinter visitorCommon53–69 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.37% in Feb
Northern ShovelerSpatula clypeataWinter visitorUncommon44–51 cmRecorded all year · 0.33% in Feb
Common PheasantPhasianus colchicusResidentCommon50–90 cmRecorded all year · 0.32% in Feb
Whooper SwanCygnus cygnusWinter visitorUncommon140–165 cmRegularly Sep–Jun · 0.31% in Feb
Eurasian SkylarkAlauda arvensisResidentCommon16–18 cmRecorded all year · 0.30% in Feb
Northern GannetMorus bassanusSummer visitorCommon87–100 cmRecorded all year · 0.29% in Feb
Common SnipeGallinago gallinagoResidentUncommon25–27 cmRecorded all year · 0.29% in Feb
Reed BuntingEmberiza schoeniclusResidentCommon14–16 cmRecorded all year · 0.29% in Feb
Grey PloverPluvialis squatarolaWinter visitorUncommon27–30 cmRecorded all year · 0.28% in Feb- Common ScoterMelanitta nigraWinter visitorUncommon43–54 cmRecorded all year · 0.27% in Feb
Ringed PloverCharadrius hiaticulaResidentCommon17–19 cmRecorded all year · 0.27% in Feb
Greylag GooseAnser anserResidentUncommon75–90 cmRecorded all year · 0.26% in Feb
TreecreeperCerthia familiarisResidentUncommon12–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.26% in Feb
KestrelFalco tinnunculusResidentCommon32–39 cmRecorded all year · 0.24% in Feb
RazorbillAlca tordaResidentUncommon38–43 cmRecorded all year · 0.24% in Feb
Peregrine FalconFalco peregrinusResidentUncommon34–58 cmRecorded all year · 0.24% in Feb
GoldeneyeBucephala clangulaWinter visitorUncommon40–51 cmRegularly Oct–Mar · 0.23% in Feb
FieldfareTurdus pilarisWinter visitorUncommon22–27 cmRegularly Oct–Mar · 0.23% in Feb
Northern PintailAnas acutaWinter visitorUncommon59–76 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.22% in Feb
Red KnotCalidris canutusWinter visitorUncommon23–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.22% in Feb
Water RailRallus aquaticusResidentUncommon23–28 cmRecorded all year · 0.22% in Feb
KittiwakeRissa tridactylaResidentUncommon37–41 cmRecorded all year · 0.21% in Feb
DipperCinclus cinclusResidentUncommon17–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.21% in Feb
Common LoonGavia immerWinter visitorUncommon66–91 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.20% in Feb
SanderlingCalidris albaResidentUncommon18–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.19% in Feb
YellowhammerEmberiza citrinellaResidentUncommon16–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.19% in Feb
Common RedpollAcanthis flammeaResidentUncommon12–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.18% in Feb
GadwallMareca streperaResidentUncommon46–56 cmRecorded all year · 0.17% in Feb
Stock DoveColumba oenasResidentUncommon32–34 cmRecorded all year · 0.17% in Feb
Common KingfisherAlcedo atthisResidentUncommon16–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.17% in Feb
Purple SandpiperCalidris maritimaWinter visitorUncommon20–22 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.16% in Feb
Red KiteMilvus milvusResidentUncommon60–66 cmRecorded all year · 0.15% in Feb
RuffCalidris pugnaxWinter visitorUncommon20–32 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.13% in Feb
Eurasian JayGarrulus glandariusResidentUncommon32–35 cmRecorded all year · 0.13% in Feb- Greater White-fronted GooseAnser albifronsWinter visitorUncommon64–81 cmRegularly Oct–Mar · 0.13% in Feb
Great Spotted WoodpeckerDendrocopos majorResidentUncommon23–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.12% in Feb
Hen HarrierCircus cyaneusWinter visitorUncommon41–52 cmRecorded all year · 0.11% in Feb
Pink-footed GooseAnser brachyrhynchusWinter visitorUncommon60–75 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.10% in Feb
ChiffchaffPhylloscopus collybitaSummer visitorCommon10–12 cmRecorded all year · 0.10% in Feb
Long-tailed DuckClangula hyemalisWinter visitorUncommon37–60 cmRegularly Nov–Apr · 0.10% in Feb
MerlinFalco columbariusWinter visitorUncommon24–33 cmRecorded all year · 0.10% in Feb
FulmarFulmarus glacialisSummer visitorUncommon45–50 cmRegularly Dec–Sep · 0.07% in Feb- Spotted RedshankTringa erythropusWinter visitorUncommon29–31 cmRegularly Sep–Mar · 0.06% in Feb
Barnacle GooseBranta leucopsisWinter visitorUncommon58–70 cmRegularly Jul–Feb · 0.06% in Feb
Little GullHydrocoloeus minutusResidentUncommon25–30 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in Feb
Common MerganserMergus merganserWinter visitorUncommon58–68 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.05% in Feb
Long-eared OwlAsio otusResidentRare35–40 cmRegularly Oct–Aug · 0.05% in Feb
PochardAythya ferinaWinter visitorUncommon42–49 cmRegularly Jun–Apr · 0.05% in Feb
Black RedstartPhoenicurus ochrurosWinter visitorUncommon13–15 cmRegularly Oct–Mar · 0.04% in Feb- Barn OwlTyto albaWinter visitorRare33–39 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.04% in Feb
- Ring-billed GullLarus delawarensisWinter visitorRare43–54 cmRegularly Nov–Jul · 0.04% in Feb
- Velvet ScoterMelanitta fuscaWinter visitorRare51–58 cmRegularly Nov–Mar · 0.04% in Feb
Red CrossbillLoxia curvirostraResidentUncommon15–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in Feb
Common SandpiperActitis hypoleucosSummer visitorUncommon18–20 cmRegularly Feb–Nov · 0.03% in Feb
EiderSomateria mollissimaWinter visitorUncommon50–71 cmRegularly Aug–Jun · 0.03% in Feb
Greater ScaupAythya marilaWinter visitorUncommon39–56 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.03% in Feb
Western Marsh-harrierCircus aeruginosusResidentUncommon48–56 cmRegularly Apr–Feb · 0.03% in Feb
BramblingFringilla montifringillaWinter visitorRare14–16 cmRegularly Nov–Mar · 0.03% in Feb
Carrion CrowCorvus coroneResidentUncommon45–47 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in Feb
Tundra SwanCygnus columbianusPassage migrantUncommon120–150 cmRegularly Jan–Feb · 0.03% in Feb
Eurasian WoodcockScolopax rusticolaWinter visitorUncommon33–38 cmRegularly Nov–Jul · 0.03% in Feb
Eurasian Tree SparrowPasser montanusResidentRare13–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in Feb
Red GrouseLagopus scoticaResidentRare37–42 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in Feb
Horned GrebePodiceps auritusWinter visitorRare31–38 cmRegularly Nov–Mar · 0.02% in Feb
Jack SnipeLymnocryptes minimusWinter visitorRare17–19 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.02% in Feb
Mandarin DuckAix galericulataResidentRare41–49 cmRegularly Sep–Jul · 0.02% in Feb
Water PipitAnthus spinolettaPassage migrantRare15–17 cmRegularly Dec–Feb · 0.02% in Feb
Cattle EgretArdea ibisWinter visitorRare46–56 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.01% in Feb
Bearded TitPanurus biarmicusSummer visitorUncommon13–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Feb
Glossy IbisPlegadis falcinellusPassage migrantUncommon48–66 cmRegularly Feb–Oct · 0.01% in Feb
Eurasian SpoonbillPlatalea leucorodiaResidentRare80–90 cmRegularly Oct–Jul · 0.01% in Feb
Green SandpiperTringa ochropusPassage migrantUncommon21–24 cmRegularly Jul–Mar · 0.01% in Feb
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