Birdwatchers from all over the world have been making their way to our beautiful village of Belcarra in Co Mayo, to catch a glimpse of a species of bird never before seen in Ireland or the UK.
The Yellow-crowned Night Heron originates from North America and was first spotted in the village by local girl Lorraine Ryan Jennings on Sunday 26th May 2024. News quickly spread and within 24 hours almost 50 bird watchers had arrived in the village from the UK. Since Sunday the yellow-crowned night heron has been residing in trees alongside the popular river side walk in Belcarra.
Short video of Ireland's first ever Yellow-crowned Night Heron looking very relaxed at Belcarra Co. Mayo 27/05/24. pic.twitter.com/jOOYeJRRaN
— Gemma (@BC_Gemma) May 29, 2024
The “extraordinary” sighting has been described as a “once in a lifetime experience” by bird and wildlife experts.
It is believed the bird may have arrived in the west of Ireland after getting caught up in the Atlantic hurricane system last Autumn and it is unlikely the bird will ever be able to get back across the Atlantic by itself.
Chairperson of the Belcarra Community Council Fionnan Nestor said it was wonderful to see so many visitors flocking to the village to see the heron.
“We are so pleased to see so many people coming into the village to see the bird. This beautiful bird lives right above our riverside walk, and we are delighted to be able to showcase this part of our village to all the visitors coming in.”
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Social Media
The sighting of a yellow-crowned night heron, typically only found in North America, is bringing birdwatchers from near & far to Belcarra.
— Mayo.ie (@MayoDotIE) May 28, 2024
It's the first time the bird has been spotted in Ireland or the UK & one of only a handful of times in Europe
More: https://t.co/Fbp0HZLtrM pic.twitter.com/zmXf8CyspF
Birdwatchers from across Ireland and the UK have been making their way to the village of Belcarra in Co Mayo, to catch a glimpse of a rare species that has migrated to the area https://t.co/CueQYczP18
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) May 28, 2024
Another photo of the showy Yellow-crowned Night Heron (taken in Mon 27 May).
— Simon King (@UKTwitcher) May 28, 2024
Present at Belcarra, Co Mayo. Always great to visit Ireland and the locals were so welcoming even specially opening the nearby community centre to provide facilities for visiting birders – thank you. pic.twitter.com/WR8ZAzXoCr
Irelands First!!!
— Vittorio Caschera (@Victor_Caschera) May 28, 2024
Yellow-crowned Night Heron (2nd Summer) @ Manulla River (Behind Community Centre) Belcarra, Co. Mayo on 27th, May, 2024.
Thanks to Lorraine (Finder) & the Friendly Community for this Experience! 😃 pic.twitter.com/HewU3IB0xx
National and International Media:
- https://www.rte.ie/news/connacht/2024/0528/1451634-yellow-craned-night-heron/
- https://www.irishtimes.com/environment/2024/05/27/birdwatchers-flock-to-mayo-after-rare-heron-is-spotted/
- https://www.con-telegraph.ie/2024/05/27/mayo-villagers-are-very-excited-by-surprise-arrival-of-a-vip-visitor/
- https://westernpeople.ie/news/mayo-embracing-its-presence-social-reacts-to-unique-belcarra-rare-bird_arid-18118.html
- https://www.mayonews.ie/news/home/1512055/birdwatchers-flee-to-mayo-village-after-sighting-rare-bird.html
- https://www.midwestradio.ie/index.php/news/76726-birdwatchers-flock-to-belcarra-following-the-first-irish-sighting-of-the-yellow-crowned-night-heron
- https://www.irishcentral.com/news/heron-belcarra-mayo
- https://www.thejournal.ie/north-american-bird-makes-first-ever-appearance-in-ireland-6392097-May2024/
- https://www.breakingnews.ie/lifestyle/birdwatchers-flock-to-mayo-village-after-rare-bird-is-sighted-1631112.html
- https://www.irishnews.com/news/ireland/ornithologists-flocking-to-co-mayo-for-glimpse-of-rare-north-american-bird-to-be-found-for-first-time-ever-in-ireland-or-britain-3D4O4F4OWVDVJN543YKJTZPG3E/