Zoology In Down
Zoology
The lacustrine avifauna of Ulster is important, as the large lakes, such as Lough Erne and Lough Neagh, have an abundant bird population. Among the breeding species arc the Tufted Duck, (now widespread), Shoveller, (increasing) ; Common Scoter, (recently found breeding on Lough Erne) ; Red-breasted Merganser (frequent; also on marine islands) ; several species of Gulls and Terns; Oyster-catcher (breeding on Lough Neagh) ; Great Crested Grebe, (frequent) ; and Red-throated Diver (one breeding station).
The Yellow Wagtail, breeds in Ireland only about Lough Neagh in Ulster, and Loughs Corrib, Mask, and Carra in Connaught. On heaths and bogs we find nesting numbers of Wheatcars, and Stonechats, also the Merlin, Curlew, and so on ; while, the mountains are the home of the. Ring Ouzel, Raven, Peregrine, and Golden Plover, all of which are 
widespread, though not abundant. As regards the shore-breeding birds, the low coasts of Co. Down, and especially the, numerous gravelly islets of the land-locked inlet of Strangford Lough afford suitable nesting-sites for an abundant avifauna-Arctic Terns, Common Terns, Little Terns, Ringed Plover, Oyster-catchers, Sheld-duck, and Red-breasted Mergansers. Most of these species are found again on Mew Island off Donaghadee, which is another great Tern colony ; here the Roseate Tern,
Sterna Dougalli, bred until about 40 years ago. The Sandwich Tern, S. cantiaca has been found breeding in Down, Fermanagh, and Donegal. The only other Irish colony at present known is in Mayo. The lofty cliffs of Rathlin Island, and of some of the Donegal promon- tories, such as Horn Head, support vast colonies of breeding sea-birds, mainly Guillemots, Razorbills, Puffins, Shags, Kittiwakes, Herring Gulls, and Lesser Black-backed Gulls. The less common breeders on the sea-cliffs and shores include the Manx Shearwater, Storm-Petrel, Chough, Peregrine, and Raven. The latest addition to the fauna is the Fulmar, which has taken up residence during the breeding season in two places.
In winter, the land-birds are reinforced by great numbers of immigrants, such as Fieldfares, Redwings, and Sky-larks, while the aquatic fauna, both fresh-water and marine, includes vast numbers of Ducks and Geese from the north. Among the rarer winter visitors are the Great Spotted Woodpecker, Great Grey Shrike, Snowy Owl, Greenland Falcon, and King Eider. The Glaucous and Iceland Gulls are occasionally seen. Among the breeding birds which have increased in the district are the Mistle-Thrush, now breeding everywhere, of which the first known Irish example was shot in Co. Down in 1808 ; Bull- finch, Grasshopper Warbler, Starling (quite rare half a century ago ; now everywhere), Magpie (first seen in Ireland about 1680), Jackdaw, Tufted Duck, (first found breeding in Ireland about thirty-five years ago, on Lough Erne) ; Stock-Dove, (discovered breeding about the same date as the last, in Co. Down) ; and Woodcock, (now breeds in every county). The birds which have now ceased to breed in Ulster include the Golden Eagle, (once on most of the mountain-ranges, now extinct), White-tailed Eagle, and Marsh Harrier, (all formerly wide- spread). The Hen Harrier, appears to be on the verge of extinction. The Quail, formerly abundant, is now rare.