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Patrick Smiddy

Biography

Patrick Smiddy has had a life-long interest in many aspects of Ireland’s natural history, especially birds and mammals. His main interest in birds is in breeding biology and migration, and he has been involved in long-term studies of birds of rivers and estuaries. He has published over 100 papers and notes in a wide range of natural history journals, as well as several book chapters. He is currently editor of the BirdWatch Ireland journal, Irish Birds. He was awarded an Honorary Master of Science Degree by the National University of Ireland in September 2000 and was conferred at University College, Cork.

Patrick Smiddy can be contacted at patricksmiddy@eircom.net

Publications

1. Smiddy, P. 2014. Breeding birds in Ireland: success and failure among colonists. In: Sleeman, D.P., Carlsson, J. & Carlsson, J.E.L. (eds) Mind the Gap II: new insights into the Irish postglacial. Pages 89-99. Irish Naturalists’ Journal, Belfast.
2. Kelly, T.C., Smiddy, P. & Graham, C.T. 2014. The origin of the avifauna of Ireland: a preliminary Island Biogeography Theory perspective. In: Sleeman, D.P., Carlsson, J. & Carlsson, J.E.L. (eds) Mind the Gap II: new insights into the Irish postglacial. Pages 44-52. Irish Naturalists’ Journal, Belfast.
3. Cullen, C. & Smiddy, P. 2012. Diet of Short-eared Owls Asio flammeus over seven winters in County Cork, Ireland. Biology & Environment: Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy 112B: 217-223.
4. Smiddy, P. & O’Halloran, J. 2010. Breeding biology of Barn Swallows Hirundo rustica in Counties Cork and Waterford, Ireland. Bird Study 57: 256-260.
5. Davenport, J., O’Halloran, J., Hannah, F., McLaughlin, O. & Smiddy, P. 2009. Comparison of plumages of White-throated Dipper Cinclus cinclus and Blackbird Turdus merula. Waterbirds 32: 169-178.
6. O’Connell, M., Smiddy, P. & O’Halloran, J. 2009. Lead poisoning in Mute Swans (Cygnus olor) in Ireland: recent changes. Biology & Environment: Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy 109B: 53-60.
7. Smiddy, P., Cullen, C. & O’Halloran, J. 2007. Time of roosting of Barn Swallows Hirundo rustica at an Irish reedbed during autumn migration. Ringing & Migration 23: 228-230.
8. Doyle, Ú., Crook, A.C., Smiddy, P. & O’Halloran, J. 2005. Feather lice (Mallophaga) of the Irish Dipper Cinclus cinclus hibernicus. Ringing & Migration 22: 133-137.
9. Davenport, J., O’Halloran, J. & Smiddy, P. 2004. Plumage temperatures of Dippers Cinclus cinclus on the roost and in the hand: implications for handling small passerines. Ringing & Migration 22: 65-69.
10. O’Halloran, J., Irwin, S., Harrison, S., Smiddy, P. & O’Mahony, B. 2003. Mercury and organochlorine content of Dipper Cinclus cinclus eggs in south-west Ireland: trends during 1990-1999. Environmental Pollution 123: 85-93.
11. O’Halloran, J., Smiddy, P., Quishi, X., O’Leary, R. & Hayes, C. 2002. Trends in Mute Swan blood lead levels: evidence of grit reducing lead poisoning. Waterbirds (Special Publication 1) 25: 363-367.
12. Flavin, D.A., Biggane, S.S., Shiel, C.B., Smiddy, P. & Fairley, J.S. 2001. Analysis of the diet of Daubenton’s Bat Myotis daubentonii in Ireland. Acta Theriologica 46: 43-52.
13. O’Halloran, J., Smiddy, P. & O’Mahony, B. 2000. Movements of Dippers Cinclus cinclus in southwest Ireland. Ringing & Migration 20: 147-151.
14. Smiddy, P. & O’Halloran, J. 1998. Breeding biology of the Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea in south-west Ireland. Bird Study 45: 331-336.
15. Shiel, C.B., Duvergé, P.L., Smiddy, P. & Fairley, J.S. 1998. Analysis of the diet of Leisler’s Bat (Nyctalus leisleri) in Ireland with some comparative analyses from England and Germany. Journal of Zoology, London 246: 417-425.
16. Cooke, D., Nagle, A., Smiddy, P., Fairley, J. & Muircheartaigh, I. 1996. The diet of the Barn Owl Tyto alba in County Cork in relation to land use. Biology and Environment: Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy 96B: 97-111.
17. Smiddy, P., O’Halloran, J., O’Mahony, B. & Taylor, A.J. 1995. The breeding biology of the Dipper Cinclus cinclus in south-west Ireland. Bird Study 42: 76-81.
18. O’Halloran, J., Ormerod, S.J., Smiddy, P. & O’Mahony, B. 1993. Organochlorine and mercury content of Dipper eggs in south-west Ireland. Biology and Environment: Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy 93B: 25-31.
19. O’Halloran, J., Smiddy, P. & O’Mahony, B. 1992. Biometrics, growth and sex ratios amongst Irish Dippers Cinclus cinclus hibernicus. Ringing & Migration 13: 152-161.
20. Smiddy, P. & O’Halloran, J. 1991. The breeding biology of Mute Swans Cygnus olor in southeast Cork, Ireland. Wildfowl 42: 12-16.