Excitement from Irish birdwatchers as rare Penduline Tit is spotted in Cork

This is the first time the bird has been seen in Ireland.

There’s been huge excitement in the Irish birdwatching community as the small Penduline Tit has been spotted here for the first time.

The birds, which are identifiable by the “bandit” like black marking across their eyes and red brown band across their backs usually spend winters in the Mediterranean, with the odd “very rare accidental vagrant to the UK”, according to birdfieldguide.co.uk. 

Penduline tit the gearagh cork today first for Ireland with @Eanin1 @EntMoot15 pic.twitter.com/R6ImYWqtg8

— Luke Geraty (@LGeraty9) January 2, 2023

The bird was spotted in Gearagh, County Cork by nature photographer Pascal Lee. Gearagh is a submerged glacial woodland and nature reserve just south of Macroom, and is a popular site for birdwatching.

Every now and again, a bird comes along that demands a cover change. Penduline Tit found by Pascal Lee is such a bird. An amazing start to 2023. https://t.co/Is4nfItkdM#irishbirdnews #irishrareandscarce #irishbirding pic.twitter.com/Gw49n703Yz

— Helsinki Birder (@HelsinkiBirder) January 2, 2023

Since the sighting, bird enthusiasts from all over Ireland have been flocking to the West Cork reserve to catch a glimpse of the rare bird. The visit from the Penduline Tit has been described by birdwatchers as “a great start to the New Year”. Cork TD Christopher O’Sullivan has described the breed as “one of those birds that catch your eye when you open a bird guide book for the very first time”.

Ireland’s first ever Penduline tits. With it’s dark mask and light grey head it is one of those birds that catch your eye when you open a bird guide book for the very first time.
The Gearagh is a special place. Wonderful wild wetland habitat only 30 mins from Cork city. pic.twitter.com/98QgDEEIiK

— Christopher O’Sullivan TD (@COSullivanTD) January 3, 2023

Other ‘birders’ have observed that the Penduline Tit is one of three breeds to have visited Ireland for the first time in the last three months, along with the Alder Flycatcher and the White-winged Scoter.

The most sought after species of all…Irish firsts. Three national firsts in just under three months. Alder Flycatcher, White-winged Scoter and Penduline Tit. pic.twitter.com/ZUNGw3HHqr

— BMcCloskey (@BMcCloskey_98) January 3, 2023

Header image via Shutterstock 

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