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

Showing posts with label Co. Cork. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Co. Cork. Show all posts

Monday, 14 December 2015

GREY HERON (Ardea cinerea) at North Harbour, Cape Clear Island, Baltimore, Co. Cork, Ireland

 
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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
 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, 12 December 2015

EUROPEAN STONECHAT (Saxicola rubicola subspecies.S. r. hibernans) male at Ballyieragh South, Cape Clear Island, Baltimore, Co. Cork, Ireland

 
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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

Thursday, 10 December 2015

EUROPEAN STONECHAT (Saxicola rubicola subspecies S. r. hibernans) female at North Harbour, Cape Clear Island, Baltimore, Co. Cork, Ireland

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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


Monday, 7 December 2015

YELLOW BROWED WARBLER (Phylloscopus inornatus) North Harbour, Cape Clear Island, Baltimore, Co. Cork, Ireland

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The Yellow-browed Warbler (Phylloscopus inornatus) is one of smallest leaf warbler in the genus Phylloscopus. This insectivorous species is a summer breeding resident in the temperate regions of Asia. In the autumn, it migrates south to winter in the tropical regions of south east Asia. Small numbers also winter in western and southern Europe, as far south as the Canary Islands. In Ireland, it is a scarce or rare annual autumn passage migrant to coastal headlands and offshore islands. 

Text © Patrick J. O'Keeffe / RawBirds.com

Sunday, 6 December 2015

SPOTTED FLYCATCHER (Muscicapa striata) Knockanacohig, Cape Clear Island, Baltimore, Co. Cork, Ireland

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The Spotted Flycatcher (Muscicapa striata) is a small Old World passerine in the family Muscicapidae which is in the genus Muscicapa. It is the commonest and the most widespread flycatcher found in Europe and western Asia. It is one of five species of migratory flycatcher which are summer breeding residents in Europe. In late spring, it returns from its wintering areas in southern Africa and southwestern Asia. Its preferred habit is open deciduous woodland. Main prey items include small flying invertebrates and caterpillars. By September with its food supply in decline, the return migration south begins.  

Text © www.rawbirds.com

Tuesday, 1 December 2015

EUROPEAN TURTLE DOVE (Streptopelia turtur) juvenile at Ballyieragh North, Cape Clear Island, Baltimore, Co. Cork, Ireland

 
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 The European Turtle Dove (Streptopelia turtur) is a migratory member of the family Columbidae, which includes doves as well as pigeons and is in the genus Streptopelia. It is a  summer breeding resident in Europe (including the Canary Islands), parts of the Middle East, as well as western Asia and north Africa. It is absent as a breeding species from Iceland, Ireland (formally bred) and most of Scandinavia but does occur in spring and autumn as an uncommon/rare overshooting migrant. Over much of its northern range, there has been a very sharp decline in its population. In the autumn, it migrates south to spend the winter in southern Africa.  
 
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

Thursday, 26 November 2015

DUNNOCK (Prunella modularis) Croha East, Cape Clear Island, Baltimore, Co. Cork, Ireland

 
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The Dunnock (Prunella modularis) which was formally known as Hedge Sparrow or Hedge Accentor is of the family Prunellidae which is in the genus Prunella. The name Dunnock comes from the ancient English word dunnākos, meaning "little brown one". It occurs in the temperate regions of Europe, parts of Western Asia and as an introduced species in New Zealand. 
 
 Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

Saturday, 21 November 2015

EURASIAN REED WARBLER (Acrocephalus scirpaceus) Knockanacohig, Cape Clear Island, Baltimore, Co. Cork, Ireland

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The Eurasian Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus scirpaceus) is an Old World warbler in the genus Acrocephalus. It breeds across Europe into temperate western Asia. It is migratory, wintering in sub-Saharan Africa.This passerine nests exclusively in reed beds and feeds on a wide variety of small invertebrates . Text reference 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurasian_reed_warbler

Thursday, 19 November 2015

SIBERIAN CHIFFCHAFF (Phylloscopus collybita subspecies P. c. tristis) Cotters Garden, Knockanacohig, Cape Clear Island, Baltimore, Co. Cork, 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

Tuesday, 17 November 2015

COMMON CHIFFCHAFF (Phylloscopus collybita subspecies P.c.collybita) Cotter's Garden, Knockanacohig, Cape Clear Island, Baltimore, Co. Cork, 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

Monday, 16 November 2015

WILLOW WARBLER (Phylloscopus trochilus) Keenleen, Cape Clear Island, Baltimore, Co. Cork, Ireland



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The Willow Warbler (Phylloscopus trochilus) is of the family Phylloscopidae which is in the genus Phylloscopus. This insectivorous leaf warbler is a common and widespread summer resident from mid April to late September which breeds throughout the northern and temperate regions of Eurasia. It is strongly migratory, with almost all of the population wintering in sub-Saharan Africa. It is a bird of open woodlands with a preference for habitats that include birch, alder and willow trees as well as ground cover for nesting.
    
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

Sunday, 15 November 2015

SIBERIAN CHIFFCHAFF (Phylloscopus collybita subspecies P. c. tristis ) on 13th October 2015 at Cotters Garden, Knockanacohig, Cape Clear Island, Baltimore, Co. Cork, 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

Thursday, 12 November 2015

WILLOW WARBLER (Phylloscopus trochilus) Keenleen, Cape Clear Island, Baltimore, Co. Cork, Ireland

 
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The Willow Warbler (Phylloscopus trochilus) is of the family Phylloscopidae which is in the genus Phylloscopus. This insectivorous leaf warbler is a common and widespread summer resident from mid April to late September which breeds throughout the northern and temperate regions of Eurasia. It is strongly migratory, with almost all of the population wintering in sub-Saharan Africa. It is a bird of open woodlands with a preference for habitats that include birch, alder and willow trees as well as ground cover for nesting.
    
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

Tuesday, 10 November 2015

COMMON CHIFFCHAFF (Phylloscopus collybita subspecies P. c. collybita ) Cotters Garden, Knockanacohig, Cape Clear Island, Baltimore, Co. Cork, 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

Friday, 6 November 2015

(EUROPEAN) LESSER WHITETHROAT (Sylvia curruca subspecies S. c. curruca) Cape Clear Island, Baltimore, Co. Cork, Ireland

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The Lesser Whitethroat (Sylvia curruca) is a common summer resident in the temperate regions of western/central Asia and Europe but is absent as a breeding species from the Iberian Peninsula, Iceland, Ireland and northern Scandinavia. Three races are generally recognised, the European Lesser Whitethroat (Sylvia curruca curruca), the Siberian Lesser Whitethroat (Sylvia curruca blythii) and the Desert Lesser Whitethroat (Sylvia curruca halimodendri).This mainly insectivorous warbler also eats soft skinned berries. In the autumn, it migrates south to spend the winter in sub Saharan Africa, the Arabian Peninsula and the Indian sub-continent. In Europe, it's expanding its range north wards. In Ireland, it's an uncommon but regular spring and autumn passage migrant on coastal headlands as well as off shore islands and in recent years breeding has been suspected at a couple of locations in the south east. Text © www.rawbirds.com

Monday, 29 December 2014

MEADOW PIPIT (Anthus pratensis) 1st winter at Ballyieragh North, Cape Clear Island, Baltimore, Co. Cork, Ireland

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

Thursday, 25 December 2014

EUROPEAN ROBIN (Erithacus rubecula) Cape Clear Island, Baltimore, Co. Cork, Ireland

 
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 The European Robin (Erithacus rubecula) is of the  family Muscicapidae which is in the genus Erithacus.

Tuesday, 23 December 2014

EURASIAN SISKIN (Spinus spinus) male at Croha West, Cape Clear Island, Baltimore, Co. Cork, Ireland

 
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 The Eurasian Siskin (Spinus spinus) is of the family Fringillidae which is in the genus Spinus.

Eurasian Siskin (Spinus spinus) distribution map

Breeding                   Resident                    Non breeding - winter
 
SanoAK: Alexander Kürthy, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Sunday, 21 December 2014

EUROPEAN SHAG (Gulosus aristotelis subspecies P. a. aristotelis) immature at South Habour, Cape Clear Island, Baltimore, Co. Cork, Ireland

 
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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