Irish birdwatchers have been left surprised after the discovery in Co Cork of a robin which had flown from France.
Robins, one of Ireland’s most common garden birds, normally stay just a few kilometres from where they hatch as chicks. But a dead robin with the word Paris written on its leg-ring was found by a woman in west Cork this week.
Further research by Birdwatch Ireland discovered that the bird had been ringed two weeks previously in the French port of Calais – more than 800km away from where it was found. Birdwatch Ireland said it has recorded as small number of records of robins coming to Ireland from northern Scotland for the winter, but this is the first record of a robin moving between France and Ireland.
A spokesperson said the bird’s journey may have been even longer. “It is really an exceptional record given that our robins are considered sedentary and our wintering population is considered to just be Irish-breeding birds. Given the location and timing there’s a good chance this bird was actually halfway on its journey when it was caught by a ringer in France, and it likely came from further north/east in Scandinavia or northern Europe.”
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They also appealed to anybody who does come across a bird, alive or dead, to check them for rings which will provide the association with valuable details.
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