Bird, bug, butterfly and a wild variety of photos from Belarus, Cyprus, Finland, Greece, Ireland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Scotland and Spain by Irish wildlife photographer Patrick J. O'Keeffe and invited guests

Sunday 21 September 2014

Saturday 13 September 2014

GLOSSY IBIS (Plegadis falcinellus) Lake Mandrensko, Burgas, Bulgaria


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 Click here to see distribution map and to hear calls

The Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus) is a large wading bird in the family Threskiornithidae which is in the genus Plegadis. The scientific name derives from Ancient Greek plegados and Latin falcis, both meaning sickle and referring to the distinctive shape of the bill.
 This is the most widespread ibis species, breeding in scattered sites in warm regions of Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, as well as the Atlantic and Caribbean regions of the Americas. 
 This species is migratory, most European birds winter in Africa and in North America birds from north of the Carolinas winter farther south. Birds from other populations may disperse widely outside the breeding season.
 
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glossy_ibis

Saturday 6 September 2014

STILT SANDPIPER (Calidris himantopus) Adult present from 4th to 7th September 2014. [This same individual was first sighted two days earlier in Co. Wexford from 2nd to 3rd and was seen again later in the month in Co. Wexford on 10th,!2th & 13th], Big Marsh, Broadmeadow Estuary, Swords, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland

 
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Click here for detailed species information
Click here to see distribution map and to hear calls

 The Stilt Sandpiper (Calidris himantopus) is a shorebird or wader of the family Scolopacidae which is in the genus Calidris
 This long legged medium sized sandpiper breeds in the tundra regions of Alaska and Canada. It then migrates south to spend the winter in South America. In addition small numbers over winter in California (Salton Sea), Texas, Florida, the Caribbean Islands and parts of Central America.  
 It also occurs as a very rare autumn passage migrant in northwest Europe including Ireland and this individual is the 16th Irish record.
 
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds
 
Reference source: Irish Bird Report 2014  Carmody M. & Hobbs J.