RED BREASTED FLYCATCHER (Ficedula parva) a juvenile /1st winter from 11th to 12th October 2022 at Blacksod Village, Fallmore, Mullet Peninsula, Co. Mayo, Ireland

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 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

 

Map atribution:
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, species assessors and the authors of the spatial data., CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

RED ADMIRAL BUTTERFLY (Vanessa atalanta). Nine seen for the day including this heavyify worn and faded individual at Blacksod Village, Mullet Pensinsula, Co. Mayo. Ireland

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The Red Admiral Butterfly (Vanessa atalanta) is of the family Nymphalidae which is in the genus Vanessa.

PIED WAGTAIL or WHITE WAGTAIL (Motacilla alba subspecies M. a. yarrellii) female at Blacksod Harbour, Mullet Pensinsula, Co. Mayo. Ireland

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 The White Wagtail (Motacilla alba) is a small ground nesting passerine (perching bird). Along with the longclaws and pipits, it is of 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 move south to spend the winter 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 

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CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

COMMON FIRECREST (Regulus ignicapilla) or FIRECREST . A small fall of upto 4 individuals in a private garden from 10th to 12th October 2022 at Dún na mBó, Mullet Peninsula, Co. Mayo, Ireland.

 

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 The Common Firecrest (Regulus ignicapilla) or more simply known as a Firecrest is of the family Regulidae which is in the genus Regulus. This small kinglet breeds in coniferous woodlands in the temperate regions of Europe and northwestern Africa as well as in a small number areas in western Asia. Northern populations are migratory and move south for the winter. 

It is a scare breeding resident in southern Britain. In Ireland, it is now a rare spring and autumn passage migrant and in recent times there has been a sharp decline in the numbers occurring annually.

 

Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Rawbirds 

Common Firecrest (Regulus ignicapilla)   Distribution Map

 

     Breeding                                               Resident                                         Non-breeding

Attribution:
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, species assessors and the authors of the spatial data., CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER (Pluvialis dominica) juvenile on 19th & 20th October 2022 in a flock of c650 European Golden Plover (Pluvialis apricaria) at Annagh Beach, Mullet Peninsula, Co. Mayo, Ireland. Found by Dave Suddaby

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 The American Golden Plover (Pluvialis dominica) is of the family Charadriidae which is in the genus Pluvialis. This long distant migrant breeds in the tundra areas of North America and spends the winter in the southeastern region of South America. 

It is a rare but regular autumn vagrant to Western Europe and the majority of records are of juveniles. In adult summer plumage, key identification features need to be observed to separate it from the closely related Pacific Golden Plover (Pluvialis fulva).

In Ireland, where less than 10 individuals occur annually, it tends to be found at southern and western coastal locations and often associating with flocks of European Golden Plover (Pluvialis dominica). 

 

Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Rawbirds 

EURASIAN SKYLARK (Alauda arvensis) at Annagh Marsh, Mullet Peninsula, Co. Mayo, Ireland

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The Eurasian Skylark (Alauda arvensis) or commonly referred to as a Skylark is a member of the lark family Alaudidae which is in the genus Alauda.

 

EURASIAN SKYLARK (Alauda Arvensis) distribution map

 

Resident breeding    Summer breeding resident    Passage migrant    Winter non breeding    Introduced resident breeding
 

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

ROCK PIPIT (Anthus petrosus) on a landing beacon at Blacksod Lighthouse Helipad, Blacksod, Mullet Peninsula, Co. Mayo, Ireland

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The Rock Pipit (Anthus petrosus) or European Rock Pipit is of the family Motacillidae which is in the genus Anthus.

ROCK PIPIT (Anthus_petrosus) distribution map

Green year round resident  Yellow summer resident  Blue winter resident

 

Jimfbleak, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

SMALL COPPER BUTTERFLY or AMERICAN COPPER BUTTERFLY (Lycaena phlaeas) male nectaring on Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) at Cross Lough, Killadoon, Mullet Peninsula, Co. Mayo, Ireland

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The Small Copper Butterfly (Lycaena phlaeas) or American Copper Butterfly is of the family Lycaenids which is in the genus Lycaena. This is a common species that is found throughout the Holarctic region which includes North America and Eurasia. It also occurs in North Africa and a number of subspecies are recognised. The normal flight season is from mid April to late October over three generations and it overwinters as a caterpillar.  In North America, it is known as American Copper Butterfly.

Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

WALL BROWN BUTTERFLY (Lasiommata megera) male at St. Deirbhile's Old Church and Graveyard, Faulmore, Mullet Peninsula, Co. Mayo

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The Wall Brown Butterfly (Lasiommata megera) is of the family Nymphalidae which is in the genus Lasiommata. 

It occurs in most of Europe as well as parts of Western Asia and North Africa. Formally more common and widespread but since the mid 1980 it has been in decline and is now absent from many of its former haunts.  This decline has not been reflected on the Mullet Peninsula where this species is still commonly encountered. The main flight season is from late April to early September, over two generations. Occasionally there is a third generation in late September into early October. Males have a very distinctive dark mid fore wing bar. It overwinters as a larva.  

 

 Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

EUROPEAN SHAG (Gulosus aristotelis) adult at Blacksod Harbour, Mullet Peninsula, Co. Mayo, 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

 

GREAT BLACKED GULL (Larus marinus) 2nd winter, at Faulmore Beach, Faulmore, Mullet Peninsula, Co. Mayo, Ireland

 

 

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The Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus) is of the family Laridae which is in the genus Larus.

 

 

Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus) distribution map

  

Range_map for Larus marinus based on: Lars Larsson, Birds of the World, 2001, CD-rom Mullarney, K. Svensson, L. Zetterström, D. (1999) Fågelguiden, Europas och medelhavsområdets fåglar i fält. Stockholm: Albert Bonniers förlag David Allen Sibley, The Sibley Guide to Birds, 2000, ISBN 0-679-45122-6  No machine-readable author provided. AHA2 assumed (based on copyright claims)., CC BY-SA 3.0 <http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/>, via Wikimedia Commons

 Red - Breeding ground        Purple - All year round        Blue - Winter

GREAT BLACKED GULL (Larus marinus) 2nd winter, feeding on a Grey Seal (Halichoerus grypus) carcass at Faulmore Beach, Faulmore, Mullet Peninsula, Co. Mayo, Ireland

 

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The Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus) is of the family Laridae which is in the genus Larus.

 

 

Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus) distribution map

 

  

 

 Range_map for Larus marinus based on: Lars Larsson, Birds of the World, 2001, CD-rom Mullarney, K. Svensson, L. Zetterström, D. (1999) Fågelguiden, Europas och medelhavsområdets fåglar i fält. Stockholm: Albert Bonniers förlag David Allen Sibley, The Sibley Guide to Birds, 2000, ISBN 0-679-45122-6  No machine-readable author provided. AHA2 assumed (based on copyright claims)., CC BY-SA 3.0 <http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/>, via Wikimedia Commons

 Red - Breeding ground        Purple - All year round        Blue - Winter

FOX MOTH (Macrothylacia rubi) caterpillar at Blacksod Village, Mullet Peninsula, Co. Mayo, Ireland

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 The Fox Moth (Macrothylacia rubi) is of the family Lasiocampidae which is in the genus Macrothylacia.

SANDERLING (Calidris alba) at Blacksod Harbour, Mullet Peninsula, Co. Mayo, Ireland

 

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The Sanderling (Calidris alba) is of the family Scolopacidae which is in the genus Calidris. It breeds in the Arctic tundra regions of North America and Asia. This small shorebird winters on the coastal beaches of southern North America, South America, Western Europe, Africa, southern Asia and Australia. It also occurs as a spring and autumn passage migrant at inland locations.

  

Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

COMMON LINNET (Linaria cannabina) Blacksod Village, Mullet Peninsula, Co. Mayo, Ireland

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The Linnet (Linaria cannabina) or Common Linnet is of the family Fringillidae which is in the genus Linaria.

 It derives its name from its fondness for the seeds of the flax plant which is used to make linen. This small finch occurs in Europe as well as Western Asia but is absent from northern latitudes and has a limited distribution in North West Africa and the Middle East. 

There are seven subspecies :

• Linaria c. autochthona - occurs in Scotland     
• L. c. cannabina - occurs in the rest of Britain, Ireland also northern Europe, eastwards to central Siberia. It is a partial migrant, wintering in north Africa and southwest Asia
• L. c. bella - occurs in Middle East, eastwards to Mongolia and northwestern China
• L. c. mediterranea - occurs on the Iberian Peninsula, Italy, Greece, northwest Africa and on the Mediterranean islands
• L. c. guentheri - occurs on Madeira Island
• L. c. meadewaldoi - occurs on the Western Canary Islands (El Hierro, La Gomera, La Palma, Tenerife and Gran Canaria)
• L. c. harterti - occurs on the Eastern Canary Islands (Lanzarote and Fuerteventura)
  

 

Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

 

Reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_linnet

BRIGHT-LINE BROWN-EYE MOTH or TOMATO MOTH (Spilosoma lubricipeda) caterpillar Blacksod Village, Mullet Peninsula, Co. Mayo, Ireland

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 The Bright-line Brown-eye Moth (Lacanobia oleracea) or Tomato Moth is of the family Noctuidae which is in the genus Lacanobia. This common and widespread species occurs in the temperate areas of Eurasia as well as parts of North Africa.   

Having overwintered underground as a papa, the adult merges in early May and is on the wing until early July. In warmer regions there is a second generation and that flight season is during August and September. The caterpillar or larva stage is from June into early October.

Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds  

 

References and highly recommended reading:

Field guide to the Moths of Great Britain and Ireland  by Paul Waring, Martin Townsend and Richard Lewington

Field guide to the Caterpillars of Great Britain and Ireland  by Barry Henwood, Phil Sterling and Richard Lewington

BARN SWALLOW (Hirundo rustica) a migrating juvenile resting on a gutter Blacksod Village, Mullet Peninsula, Co. Mayo, Ireland

 

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  The Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) is of the family Hirundinae which is in the genus Hirundo . It is a summer resident which breeds in the Northern Hemisphere. There are small sedentary populations in some of the tropical parts of this range but during the summer it is mainly absent from the Indian sub-continent and South East Asia. This common and widespread insectivorous species feeds exclusively on small flies and midges. 

In late autumn with the onset of colder weather, when its prey items begin to diminish, it migrates south to its wintering areas. The North American population winters in Central and South America. The Eurasian population winters in sub-Saharan Africa, the Indian sub-continent, South East Asia and parts of Northern Australia. In early spring the return migration north begins. At least six races are recognised.  

There are 74 species of hirundines which includes Swallows and Martins. In additional, the only known record of the Red Sea Cliff Swallow (Hirundo perdita) was of one found dead at Sanganeb Lighthouse, Sudan in May 1984.

  Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds