Thursday, 28 April 2022
Wednesday, 27 April 2022
Tuesday, 26 April 2022
Monday, 25 April 2022
BLACK TAILED GODWIT (Limosa limosa subspecies L .l. islandica) immature at the Horse Marsh, Broadmeadow Estuary, Swords, 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 Black-tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa) is of the family Scolopacidae which is in the genus Limosa. This large, long-legged and long-billed shorebird's breeding range extends from Iceland through central Europe as well as central and northeastern Asia. In the autumn, it migrates south to spend the winter in southern and western Europe, Mediterranean Basin, sub Saharan Africa, southern Asia and parts of coastal Australia. The species breeds in fens, damp meadows, moorlands and bogs. In the winter, it occurs on estuaries, lake shores, and in damp coastal fields.
Click external link here for detailed species information
Click external link here to see distribution map and to hear calls
The Black-tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa) is of the family Scolopacidae which is in the genus Limosa. This large, long-legged and long-billed shorebird's breeding range extends from Iceland through central Europe as well as central and northeastern Asia. In the autumn, it migrates south to spend the winter in southern and western Europe, Mediterranean Basin, sub Saharan Africa, southern Asia and parts of coastal Australia. The species breeds in fens, damp meadows, moorlands and bogs. In the winter, it occurs on estuaries, lake shores, and in damp coastal fields.
There are three subspecies recognised:
- Icelandic Black-tailed Godwit - (Limosa limosa islandica)
- European Black-tailed Godwit - (Limosa limosa limosa)
- Asian Black-tailed Godwit - (Limosa limosa melanuroides)
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds
Black-tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa) distribution map
Yellow breeding Blue wintering Green breeding resident
Sunday, 24 April 2022
BLACK TAILED GODWIT (Limosa limosa subspecies L .l. islandica) adult in transition to breeding plumage at the Horse Marsh, Broadmeadow Estuary, Swords, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland
CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE
Click external link here for detailed species information
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds
Click external link here for detailed species information
Click external link here to see distribution map and to hear calls
The Black-tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa) is of the family Scolopacidae which is in the genus Limosa. This large, long-legged and long-billed shorebird's breeding
range extends from Iceland through central Europe as well as central
and northeastern Asia. In the autumn, it migrates south to spend the
winter in southern and western Europe, Mediterranean Basin, sub Saharan Africa, southern Asia
and parts of coastal Australia. The species breeds in fens, damp
meadows, moorlands and bogs. In the winter, it occurs on estuaries, lake
shores, and in damp coastal fields.
There are three subspecies recognised:
- Icelandic Black-tailed Godwit - (Limosa limosa islandica)
- European Black-tailed Godwit - (Limosa limosa limosa)
- Asian Black-tailed Godwit - (Limosa limosa melanuroides)
Black-tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa) distribution map
Yellow breeding Blue wintering Green breeding resident
J. Schroeder, CC BY-SA 2.5 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5>, via Wikimedia Commons
Saturday, 23 April 2022
RED TAILED BUMBLEBEE (Bombus lapidarius) queen nectaring on Hawkweed wildflower species (Hieracium sp.) at Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland
CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE
Click external link here for detailed Red-tailed Bumblebee information
Click external link here for detailed Hawkweed Wildflower information
Click here to see identification guide to Irish Bumblesbees
The Red-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius) is of the family Apidae which is in the genus Bombus.
The Hawkweed Wildflower species (Hieracium sp.) is of the family Asteraceae which is in the genus Hieracium.
Friday, 22 April 2022
PEACOCK BUTTERFLY (Aglais io) at Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland
CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE
Click external link here for detailed species information
The Peacock Butterfly (Aglais io) is of the family Nymphalidae which is in the genus Aglais. It overwinters as an adult with its wings closed and the dark cryptic under wing pattern help it avoid detection by predators. Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds
Click external link here for detailed species information
The Peacock Butterfly (Aglais io) is of the family Nymphalidae which is in the genus Aglais. It overwinters as an adult with its wings closed and the dark cryptic under wing pattern help it avoid detection by predators.
Thursday, 21 April 2022
ORANGE TIP BUTTERFLY (Anthocharis cardamines) a male nectaring on Bluebell flowers (Hyacinthoides non-scripta) at Broadmeadow Estuary, Swords, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland
CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE
Click external link here for detailed Orange-tip Butterfly information
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds
Click external link here for detailed Orange-tip Butterfly information
The Orange-tip Butterfly (Anthocharis cardamines) is of the family Pieridae which is in the genus Anthocharis. This common and widespread species is on the wing from early May to late June. The larval food plant is Cuckoo Flower (Cardamine pratensis) which is also known as Lady's Smock. It overwinters as a chrysalis.
Wednesday, 20 April 2022
COMMON SANDPIPER (Actitis hypoleucos) at Broadmeadow Estuary, Malahide, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland
CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE
The Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos) is a small shorebird or wader in the family Scolopacidae which is in the genus Actitis. This Eurasian species is a summer resident that returns from its wintering areas in April. It breeds around fresh water lakes and has a scattered distribution that extends from the Atlantic coast of Europe to Eastern Asia. Unlike most other shorebirds or waders seen on passage, it does not occur in flocks, single individuals are normally encountered. It migrates south in late Summer to spend the winter in Africa, southern Asia and Australia. Small numbers over winter in western and southern Europe.
Click external link here for detailed species information
Click external link here to see distribution map and to hear calls
The Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos) is a small shorebird or wader in the family Scolopacidae which is in the genus Actitis. This Eurasian species is a summer resident that returns from its wintering areas in April. It breeds around fresh water lakes and has a scattered distribution that extends from the Atlantic coast of Europe to Eastern Asia. Unlike most other shorebirds or waders seen on passage, it does not occur in flocks, single individuals are normally encountered. It migrates south in late Summer to spend the winter in Africa, southern Asia and Australia. Small numbers over winter in western and southern Europe.
The Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularius)
is an almost identical species that is a summer resident in North
America which winters in South America and to a lesser extent in parts
of southern USA. It is a rare but annual vagrant in Europe. Remarkably in 1975, a pair attempted to breed on the Isle of Sky in Scotland but alas the eggs failed to hatch.
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds
Tuesday, 19 April 2022
Sunday, 17 April 2022
Wednesday, 13 April 2022
Monday, 11 April 2022
GREY HERON (Ardea cinerea) adult at Howth Harbour, Howth, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland
CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE
%20distribution%20map.jpg)
Click external link here for detailed species information
Click external link here to see distribution map and to hear calls
The Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea) is of the family Ardeidae and is in the genus Ardea.
It is resident in the temperate regions of Eurasia as well as eastern
and sub Saharan Africa. The more northern populations are migratory and
move south for
the winter. Wetlands are its main habitat and commonly occurs along
estuaries, streams, rivers and lakes. Aquatic as well as terrestrial
creatures are preyed upon. Prey items include amphibians, insects, reptiles, small mammals and birds which are swallowed whole.
This species nests in tall trees in colonies which are known as heronries. Upto five eggs are laid and are incubated for 25 days. Fledging takes place after 60 days.
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds
Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea) distribution map
%20distribution%20map.jpg)
Breeding Resident Winter Vagrant Introduced resident
SanoAK: Alexander Kürthy, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Saturday, 9 April 2022
Thursday, 7 April 2022
PIED WAGTAIL (Motacilla alba subspecies M. a. alba) female at Balscadden Beach, Howth, 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 White Wagtail (Motacilla alba) is a small ground nesting passerine and along with the longclaws and pipits is in the family Motacillidae which is in the genus Motacilla.
This species is the commonest and most widespread wagtail that is found
in Eurasia. It also breeds in Morocco in North Africa and there is a
small Alaskan breeding population in North America. The northern
populations are migratory and winters in Southern Europe, Africa and
Southern Asia. Up to 11 sub-species are recognised, including the Pied
Wagtail (Motacilla alba yarrellii) which breeds in Britain, Ireland and the near-continent.
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds
PIED WAGTAIL (Motacilla alba subspecies M. a. yarrellii) male at Broadmeadow Estuary, Swords, Fingal, Swords, Co. Dublin, Ireland
WHITE WAGTAIL (Montacella alba) subspecies distribution map
CLICK ON MAP TO ENLARGE
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds
PIED WAGTAIL (Motacilla alba subspecies M. a. yarrellii) male at Broadmeadow Estuary, Swords, Fingal, Swords, Co. Dublin, Ireland
WHITE WAGTAIL (Montacella alba) subspecies distribution map
CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Tuesday, 5 April 2022
SMALL TORTOISESHELL BUTTERFLY (Aglais urticae), twelve were counted during a two hour visit including this tattered individual nectaring on Dandalions (Taraxacum Officinale agg.) at Balscadden, Howth, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland
CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE
The Small Tortoiseshell Butterfly (Aglais urticae) is of the family Nymphalidae which is in the genus Aglais.
It has a widespread distribution in the Palearctic region but is absent
from southern Asia.
Click external link here for detailed species information
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds
Sunday, 3 April 2022
EUROPEAN STONECHAT (Saxicola rubicola subspecies S. r. hibernans) male, drying out after a wash at Balscadden, Howth, Fingal, Co. Dublin
CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE
The European Stonechat (Saxicola rubicola) is of the chat family Muscicapidae which is in the genus Saxicola. Preferred habitats include rough grassland, sand dunes and heathland where it is typically seen perched on brambles, gorse or shrubs within the breeding area.
Click external link here for detailed species information
The European Stonechat (Saxicola rubicola) is of the chat family Muscicapidae which is in the genus Saxicola. Preferred habitats include rough grassland, sand dunes and heathland where it is typically seen perched on brambles, gorse or shrubs within the breeding area.
In the temperate part of its range, nesting
commences in late March and up to three broods are raised. It is a partial migrant. Populations from the colder regions move to spend the winter in southern Europe and northern Africa. Successive hard winters, as was the case in 2009/10 and 2010/11 caused severe losses in the mainly sedentary northwestern populations.
There are two
subspecies generally recognised:
- Saxicola rubicola rubicola - occurs in central, eastern and southern Europe as well as northern Morocco and southeastern Turkey.
- Saxicola rubicola hibernans - occurs in northwestern Europe including Britain, Ireland, France and Norway.
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds
Saturday, 2 April 2022
EUROPEAN SHAG (Gulosus aristotelis) at Howth Harbour, Howth, 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 European Shag (Gulosus aristotelis) is of the cormorant family Phalacrocoracidae which is in the genus Gulosus. It occurs in northern and western Europe, the Mediterranean
Basin, parts of North Africa as well as parts of the Black Sea Coast.
This species breeds in colonies on coastal rocky cliffs and on offshore
islands. Can easily be confused with Greater Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) but unlike that species, it is very rarely found inland on lakes or rivers.
Three subspecies are generally recognised :
- G. a. aristotelis – occurs in northwestern European Atlantic Ocean coasts
- G. a. desmarestii – occurs in the Mediterranean Basin and Black Sea coasts
- G. a. riggenbachi – occurs in northwestern African coasts
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds
European Shag (Gulosus aristotelis) distribution map
Breeding Non-breeding - winter
SanoAK: Alexander Kürthy, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)