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

Monday 29 March 2021

GORSE SHIELDBUG (Piezodorus lituratus) Turvey Nature Reserve, Donabate, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland


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  The Gorse Shieldbug (Piezodorus lituratus) is of the family Pentatomidae which is in the genus Piezodorus.This species is found in most of the temperate regions of North America, Europe, Northern Asia and parts of Africa. It mainly occurs on Common Gorse (ulex europeaus), Common Broom (Sarothamnus scoparius) as well as various legumes (Fabaceae). There are two colour forms, green when it emerges from hibernation in late spring, having overwintered as an adult. The next generation appear in summer and following five instar stages, become green adults with purple red bar markings on the upper parts. In spring, its fully red antennae help separate from the very similar Green Shieldbug (Palomena prasina) which has partially red antennae.   
 
Patrick J. O;Keeffe / Raw Birds

Sunday 28 March 2021

MEADOW PIPIT (Anthus pratensis) Turvey Nature Reserve, Donabate, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland

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The Meadow Pipit (Anthus pratensis) is of the family Motacillidae which is in the genus Anthus.

Saturday 27 March 2021

COMMA BUTTERFLY (Polygonia c-album) one of two individuals seen today, freshly emerged from hibernation and were subsequently observed nectaring on BLACKTHORN (Prunus spinosa) blossoms, Turvey Nature Reserve, Donabate, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland

 
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Click external link here to see identification guide to Irish Butterflies
 
The Comma Butterfly (Polygonia c-aibum) is of the family Nymphalidae which is in the genus Polygonia
This common species has a widespread distribution in the temperate regions of Eurasia and North Africa. Formally absent from Ireland, it is only in recent times that it has been added to the Irish Butterfly List. It was first reliably reported near Portaferry, Co. Down in August 1997 and again in August 1998. There were no further reports until 17th August 2000 when there was a fully verified record from the Raven Nature Reserve, Co. Wexford. Proof of breeding was subsequently confirmed in that area. Over the last ten years, it has rapidly expanded its range from southeast Co. Wexford and has now colonised most of southern Leinster as well as eastern Munster.
The larval food plant is mainly Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica) and the flight season is from late March to late September, split over two generations. Having overwintered as an adult, it emerges in late spring and then after mating, lays its eggs on the larval food plant.
The 1st record for Cape Clear Island, Co. Cork on 14th October 2019 (pers. comm. Jim Fitzharris) might be an indication of fresh immigration from Britain or Continental Europe. 
 
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

Friday 26 March 2021

MOUNTAIN HARE (Lepus timidus subspecies L. t. hibernicus) or IRISH HARE sheltering from the wind behind a HARD RUSH PLANT (Juncus inflexus), Turvey Nature Reserve, Donabate, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland

 
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The Mountain Hare (Lepus timidus) is of the family Leporidae which is in the genus Lepus and mainly occurs in the tundra and mountainous regions of the Palearctic.  
The Irish Hare (Lepus timidus hibernicus) is a subspecies that is endemic to Ireland. It uniquely also occurs in lowland areas down to sea level as well as not having a white coat in winter. 
The Hard Rush (Juncus inflexus) is of the family Juncaceaertgt which is in the genus Juncus. This perennial plant is native to Eurasia and Africa. It is found as an invasive species in a number of countries as well as eastern North America. Damp grassland areas, wetlands, sand dunes and marshes are its main habitats. The flowering season is from May to August when nondescript brown flower clusters are formed on its rigid stems.
  
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

Thursday 25 March 2021

EURASIAN KESTREL (Falco tinnunculus) female carrying prey, a WOOD MOUSE, (Apodemus sylvaticus) Turvey Nature Reserve, Donabate, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland


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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.
 
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds
 

Wednesday 24 March 2021

GARDEN BUMBLEBEE (Bombus hortorum) Turvey Nature Reserve, Donabate, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland


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The Garden Bumblebee (Bombus hortorum) is of the family Apidae which is in the genus Bombus.

Tuesday 23 March 2021

HOODED CROW or GREY CROW (Corvus cornix) Turvey Nature Reserve, Donabate, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland


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          The Hooded Crow (Corvus cornix) also known as Grey Crow is a member of the crow family Corvidae which is in the genus Corvus. Four subspecies are generally recognized. Despite the fact that it is heavily persecuted, it occurs throughout Western Asia including parts of the Middle East as well as along the Nile Valley in North Africa. It is also commonly encountered and has a widespread distribution in Northern, Central and Eastern Europe. It is resident in Ireland, Isle of Man and Northern Scotland. In the rest of Britain as well as Southwestern and Western Europe, it is replaced by the closely related Carrion Crow (Corvus corone) from which it was split in 2002 and was recognised as a separate species. Where their breeding ranges overlap, they may hybridise. Some of the northern populations are migratory and move south for the winter.

   Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

Monday 22 March 2021

BIRCH POLYPORE FUNGUS (Fomitopsis betulina) on DOWNY BIRCH TREE (Betula pubescens) Turvey Nature Reserve, Donabate, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland


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The Birch Polypore (Fomitopsis betulina) is of the family Fomitopsidaceae which is in the genus Fomitopsis. This bracket fungus is a parasite that grows exclusively on birch trees and can cause the host species to decay and die. It occurs throughout North America and Eurasia.
 
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

Sunday 21 March 2021

EURASIAN KESTREL (Falco tinnunculus) female at Turvey Nature Reserve, Donabate, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland

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  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.
 
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds
 

Saturday 20 March 2021

COMMON PRIMROSE WILDFLOWER (Primula vulgarus) Two seperate plants depictured in bloom, the lower flower is a four petal variant, Turvey Nature Reserve, Donabate, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland

 


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The Common Primrose (Primula vulgarus) or more simply a Primrose is of the family Primulaceae which is in the genus Primula. This perennial wildflower occurs in western and southern Europe as well as parts of southwestern Asia and northwest Africa. The flowering season is from February to late May.

Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

Friday 19 March 2021

COMMON CHIFFCHAFF (Phylloscopus collybita subspecies P. c. collybita) Turvey Nature Reserve, Donabate, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland


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 The Common Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita) is of the family Phylloscopidae which is in the genus Phylloscopus. This small insectivorous species of leaf warbler is a summer resident from mid March to October which breeds in the northern and temperate regions of Eurasia. In the autumn it migrates south to spend the winter in the Mediterranean Basin, sub Saharan Africa and southwestern Asia. Small numbers also overwinter in northwest Europe.  
There are several subspecies recognised including, Common Chiffchaff (P. c. collybita), Scandinavian Chiffchaff (P. c. abietinus) and Siberian Chiffchaff (P. c. tristis).  
 
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

Wednesday 17 March 2021

COMMON REED BUNTING (Emberiza schoeniclus) male, Turvey Nature Reserve, Donabate, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland


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 The Common Reed Bunting (Emberiza schoeniclus) or more simply known as a Reed Bunting is of the bunting family Emberizidae which is in the genus Emberiza.

Tuesday 16 March 2021

COMMON REED BUNTING (Emberiza schoeniclus) female, Turvey Nature Reserve, Donabate, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland


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 The Common Reed Bunting (Emberiza schoeniclus) or more simply known as a Reed Bunting is of the bunting family Emberizidae which is in the genus Emberiza.

Monday 15 March 2021

YELLOWHAMMER (Emberiza citrinella) male, Turvey Nature Reserve, Donabate, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland

 

 
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 The Yellowhammer (Emberiza citrinella) is of the bunting family Emberizidae which is in the genus Emberiza.

Sunday 14 March 2021

YELLOWHAMMER (Emberiza citrinella) female, Turvey Nature Reserve, Donabate, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland


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 The Yellowhammer (Emberiza citrinella) is of the bunting family Emberizidae which is in the genus Emberiza.

Saturday 13 March 2021

SONG THRUSH (Turdus philomelos) Turvey Nature Reserve, Donabate, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland


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 The Song Thrush (Turdus philomelos) is of the thrush family Turdidae which is in the genus Turdus.

Friday 12 March 2021

EURASIAN BLACKBIRD (Turdus merula) male at Turvey Nature Reserve, Donabate, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland


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 The Eurasian Blackbird (Turdus merula) or more simply known as a Blackbird is of the thrush family Turdidae which is in the genus Turdus.

Thursday 11 March 2021

EUROPEAN HONEY BEE or WESTERN HONEY BEE (Apis mellifera) on FLOWERING CHERRY TREE (Prunus x yedoensis) blossoms, Turvey Nature Reserve, Donabate, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland


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 The European Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) or Western Honey Bee is of the family Apidae which is in the genus Apis. Honey bees live in a social colony containing a single egg laying queen, up to 60,000 sterile female worker bees and during the summer months also includes over 500 male bees known as drones.

Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

Wednesday 10 March 2021

EURASIAN SKYLARK (Alauda arvensis) Turvey Nature Reserve, Donabate, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland

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The Eurasian Skylark (Alauda arvensis) is a member of the lark family Alaudidae which is in the genus Alauda.

Tuesday 9 March 2021

EUROPEAN GOLDFINCH (Carduelis carduelis) Turvey Nature Reserve, Donabate, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland

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The European Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis) is a member of the finch family Fringillidae which is in the genus Carduelis. It breeds in most of Europe and Western Asia but is absent from the colder northern parts of that region. It has a scattered distribution in North Africa and occurs as an introduced species in south eastern Australia, New Zealand and Uruguay. It can be commonly found in gardens, particularly in winter, where it readily comes to bird feeders.
   
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

Monday 8 March 2021

HOODED CROW or GREY CROW (Corvus cornix) Turvey Nature Reserve, Donabate, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland

 
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Click here to see distribution map and to hear calls

          The Hooded Crow (Corvus cornix) also known as Grey Crow is a member of the crow family Corvidae which is in the genus Corvus. Four subspecies are generally recognized. Despite the fact that it is heavily persecuted, it occurs throughout Western Asia including parts of the Middle East as well as along the Nile Valley in North Africa. It is also commonly encountered and has a widespread distribution in Northern, Central and Eastern Europe. It is resident in Ireland, Isle of Man and Northern Scotland. In the rest of Britain as well as Southwestern and Western Europe, it is replaced by the closely related Carrion Crow (Corvus corone) from which it was split in 2002 and was recognised as a separate species. Where their breeding ranges overlap, they may hybridise. Some of the northern populations are migratory and move south for the winter.

   Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

Sunday 7 March 2021

MALLARD (Anas platyrhynchos) pair, Turvey Nature Reserve, Donabate, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland

 
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 The Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) is a dabbling duck of the family Anatidae which is in the genus Anas.

Saturday 6 March 2021

EURASIAN KESTREL (Falco tinnunculus) female at Turvey Nature Reserve, Donabate, 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 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.
 
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds