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Click here to see distribution map and to hear calls
The Eurasian Sparrowhawk
(Accipiter nisus), alternative
names include, Northern Sparrowhawk
or simply Sparrowhawk, is a
small bird of prey of the family Accipitridae which is in the genus Accipiter. It
has a widespread distribution across the temperate and subtropical parts of the Old World.
It is a partial migrant and in the more northern and colder parts of its range,
it disperses south for the winter. The preferred habitats include open type
wood land, hedge rows, parks and gardens where a wide variety of small to
medium sized perching birds are preyed upon. Males are up to 25% smaller than
females and tend to prey upon sparrow sized passerines but can include starlings
and thrushes. Females, on the other hand, can tackle larger prey including doves,
pigeons and magpies.
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds
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Saturday 29 November 2014
EURASIAN SPARROWHAWK (Accipiter nisus) female with freshly killed ROCK DOVE (Columba livia) Cape Clear Island, Baltimore, Co. Cork, Ireland
Thursday 27 November 2014
RED BREASTED FLYCATCHER (Ficedula parva) juvenile / 1st winter on 6th October 2014 at Cape Clear Island, Baltimore, Co. Cork, Ireland
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| CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE Click external link here to see distribution map and to hear calls The Red Breasted Flycatcher (Ficedula parva) is of the family Muscicapidae which is in the genus Ficedula. This
species breeds in deciduous woodlands throughout Eastern Europe as well
as Western Central Asia. In North West Europe, it is mainly an uncommon
autumn passage migrant (mostly juveniles) to coastal locations. In
Ireland, there has been less than a hand full of spring reports where as
it's a rare but regular passage visitor during September and October
averaging <10 individuals annually. In early autumn the migration south to its wintering areas on the Indian subcontinent begins. The Taiga Flycatcher (Ficedula albicilla) previously treated as a sub species of Red Breasted Flycatcher (Ficedula parva)
has in recent times been upgraded to full species status. The only
Irish record is of a juvenile /1st winter at Galley Head, Co. Cork from
21st to 25th October 2018. Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Rawbirds Red Breasted Flycatcher (Ficedula parva) distribution map  BREEDING AREA MIGRATION WINTERING AREA IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, species assessors and the authors of the spatial data., CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons |
Tuesday 25 November 2014
RED BREASTED FLYCATCHER (Ficedula parva) juvenile / 1st winter on 6th October 2014 at Carhoona, Cape Clear Island, Baltimore, Co. Cork, Ireland
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| CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE Click external link here to see distribution map and to hear calls The Red Breasted Flycatcher (Ficedula parva) is of the family Muscicapidae which is in the genus Ficedula. This
species breeds in deciduous woodlands throughout Eastern Europe as well
as Western Central Asia. In North West Europe, it is mainly an uncommon
autumn passage migrant (mostly juveniles) to coastal locations. In
Ireland, there has been less than a hand full of spring reports where as
it's a rare but regular passage visitor during September and October
averaging <10 individuals annually. In early autumn the migration south to its wintering areas on the Indian subcontinent begins. The Taiga Flycatcher (Ficedula albicilla) previously treated as a sub species of Red Breasted Flycatcher (Ficedula parva)
has in recent times been upgraded to full species status. The only
Irish record is of a juvenile /1st winter at Galley Head, Co. Cork from
21st to 25th October 2018. Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Rawbirds Red Breasted Flycatcher (Ficedula parva) distribution map BREEDING AREA MIGRATION WINTERING AREA IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, species assessors and the authors of the spatial data., CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons |
Saturday 22 November 2014
HERMANN'S TORTOISE (Testudo hermanni subspecies T. h. boettgeri) Svilengrad, Haskovo Province, Bulgaria
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The Hermann's Tortoise (Testudo hermanniis) of the family Testudinidae which is in the genus Testudo. The Marginated Tortoise (Testudo marginata) and Spur-thighed Tortoise (Testudo graeca) are the only other species of tortoise native to Europe.
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds
Distribution map of Hermann's Tortoise showing subspecies
By Mkljun - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4820094
Wednesday 19 November 2014
Monday 17 November 2014
Saturday 15 November 2014
Monday 10 November 2014
Saturday 8 November 2014
Thursday 6 November 2014
Tuesday 4 November 2014
EASTERN IMPERIAL EAGLE (Aquila heliaca) Svilengrad, Haskovo Province, Bulgaria
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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 Eastern Imperial Eagle (Aquila heliaca) is of the family Accipitridae which is in the genus Aquila.
This very large uncommon bird of prey which breeds in central and south
eastern Europe as well as western and central Asia. The European
population winters in north east Africa. The Asian population winters in
the Middle East, northern Indian and South East Asia. Small numbers
remain in the breeding areas all year round. Major prey items include
hares, rabbits, susliks (a type of ground squirrel), birds and carrion. Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds |
Saturday 1 November 2014
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