Irish bird populations suffering serious decline

Birdwatch Ireland's research has shown that the country has lost half a million waterbirds or almost 40% in less than 20 years. Among species in decline are Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus), Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos), Tufted Duck (Aythya fuligula), Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) and Pochard (Aythya ferina). It says that there has been an "almost complete extermination" of farmland birds such as the Corncrake (Crex crex). It says the Curlew (Numenius arquata) is now on the verge of extinction in Ireland with only 150 pairs remaining of the 5,000 pairs nesting in Ireland in the 1960s and 1970s.The Corn Bunting (Emberiza calandra) once common in arable land became extinct in Ireland in 1991. The Barn Owl (Tyto alba) population has declined dramatically. Countryside and farmland species have also been falling. Among seabirds Puffins (Fratercula arctica) and Kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla) are globally threatened and have declining populations in Ireland.

Source: RTË, 2 July 2019
https://www.rte.ie/news/politics/2019/0701/1059570-birds/