Wednesday 29 November 2017
Monday 27 November 2017
SNOW BUNTING (Plectrophenax nivalis) male at West Pier, Howth, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland
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Click external link here for detailed species information Click external link here to see distribution map and to hear calls
The Snow Bunting (Plectrophenax nivalis)
is of the longspur family Calcariidae which is in the genus Plectrophenax. This circumpolar species breeds mainly in the arctic mountainous regions of North America and Eurasia. Isolated populations also breed south of this range in upland areas. Apart from small numbers breeding in the Cairngorm Mountains in Scotland, this is an uncommon and local winter visitor, from October to March, at coastal
locations in Britain and Ireland. It occurs
singularly or in small flocks at shingle beeches near the edges of sand dunes, harbour piers and
headlands. Feeding close to the ground, it can be easily overlooked and
difficult to locate as
cryptic colouration helps it blend into the background. |
Saturday 25 November 2017
Thursday 23 November 2017
Sunday 29 October 2017
Monday 23 October 2017
EURASIAN KESTREL (Falco tinnunculus ) male at Rogerstown Estuary, Rush, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland
CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE Click external link here for detailed species information Click external link here to see distribution map and to hear calls
The Eurasian Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) is a small bird of prey of the family Falconidae which is in the genus Falco.
Alternative names include European Kestrel, Common Kestrel or simply
referred to as a Kestrel. This falcon occurs throughout Europe, Asia and
Africa. More recently, the British and Irish populations have been in serious decline which
may be as a result of changes in agricultural practices and increased use of rodenticides (rat poisons). Nest predation by Common
Buzzard (Buteo buteo), Grey Crow (Corvus cornix), Eurasian Jay (Garrulus glandarius) and Common Raven (Corvus corax), whose populations have increased, may also be a factor. |
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