Showing posts with label Birds of Europe. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Birds of Europe. Show all posts
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
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
Tuesday 29 March 2022
EUROPEAN ROBIN (Erithacus rubecula) at Turvey Nature Reserve, Donabate, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland
CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE
The European Robin (Erithacus rubecula) or more commonly known as a Robin is of the family Muscicapidae which is in the genus Erithacus.
Click external link here for detailed species information
Click external link here to see distribution map and to hear calls
The European Robin (Erithacus rubecula) or more commonly known as a Robin is of the family Muscicapidae which is in the genus Erithacus.
Thursday 24 March 2022
Tuesday 22 March 2022
Monday 21 March 2022
Sunday 20 March 2022
Friday 11 March 2022
BLACK REDSTART (Phoenicurus ochruros) immature 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 Black Redstart (Phoenicurus ochruros) is a small perching bird of the Old World flycatcher family Muscicapidae which is the genus Phoenicurus. It is a locally common resident in central and southern Europe as well as northern Africa. It also occurs in western and central Asia. In the warmer parts of its range it is sedentary. The northern populations migrate in the autumn to spend the winter in southern and western Europe, northern Africa and the Indian sub continent.
In
Ireland, it is a very uncommon spring and autumn passage migrant, in
addition very small numbers overwinter at traditional coastal locations.
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds
Thursday 24 February 2022
EUROPEAN SHAG (Gulosus aristotelis) at Broadmeadow Estuary, Malahide, 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
Wednesday 23 February 2022
EUROPEAN SHAG (Gulosus aristotelis) with a European Flounder (Platichthys flesus) at Broadmeadow Estuary, Malahide, 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. This species breeds in colonies on coastal rocky cliffs and offshore islands. It occurs in northern and western Europe, the Mediterranean Basin, parts of North Africa as well as parts of the Black Sea Coast. Can easily be confused with Greater Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) but unlike that species, it's 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
Monday 21 February 2022
EUROPEAN SHAG (Gulosus aristotelis) at Broadmeadow Estuary, Malahide, 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
Wednesday 9 February 2022
LITTLE GREBE or DABCHICK (Tachybaptus ruficollis) 1st winter plumage 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
Click external link here to see distribution map and to hear calls
The Little Grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis) or more commonly known as a Dabchick, is a small waterbird in the family Podicipedidae which is in the genus Tachybaptus.
Nine subspecies are generally recognised whose range extends in a band
over most of Europe across southern and eastern Asia. It also occurs in
northern and sub Saharan Africa. Worldwide there were 23 species of
grebe but Alaotra Grebe (Tachybaptus rufolavatus), which was last seen in 1985 at Lake Alaotra in Madagascar, is now considered to be extinct.
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds
Little Grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis) distribution map
Breeding Resident Non-breeding-winter Vagrant
SanoAK: Alexander Kürthy, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Monday 7 February 2022
ICELAND GULL (Larus glaucoides) 2nd winter from 31st January to at least 1st February 2022 at 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 Iceland Gull (Larus glaucoides) is of the family Laridae which is in the genus Larus.
Iceland Gull (Larus glaucoides) distribution map
Breeding Passage Non breeding-winter Non breeding-scarce winter
Cephas, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Sunday 6 February 2022
SNOW BUNTING (Plectrophenax nivalis) 1st winter male at Bray Promenade, Bray, Co. Wicklow, 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 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.
Snow Bunting (Plectrophenax nivalis) distribution map
Breeding Migration Resident Non breeding-winter
Cephas, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Breeding Migration Resident Non breeding-winter
Cephas, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Saturday 5 February 2022
MEDITERRANEAN GULL (Ichthyaetus melanocephalus) immature or 1st winter at Bray Promenade, Bray, Co. Wicklow, Ireland
Click external link here for detailed species information
Click external link here to see distribution map and to hear calls
The
first breeding record for Britain was in 1968 and now in excess of 1200
pairs breed. In 1995 a pair was discovered breeding in Co. Antrim and
the following year a pair bred in Co. Wexford. Since then the Irish
population has gradually increased to over 60 pairs. In the autumn there
is an influx of continental birds from Europe for the winter which has
been proven by colour ringing and then a return migration takes place in
late spring.
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds
Mediterranean Gull (Ichthyaetus melanocephalus) distribution map
Breeding Breeding resident 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)