EUROPEAN HERRING GULL (Larus argentatus subspecies L. a. argenteus) adult Blacksod Lighthouse, Mullett Peninsula, Co. Mayo, Ireland

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The European Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) is of the family Laridae which is in the genus Larus. There are several subspecies recognised including the Western European Herring Gull (Larus argentatus argenteus) which is resident in Ireland, Britain and the Near Continent.

 

Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

 

European Herring Gull  (Larus argentatus) distribution map

 

  

Green: year-round  Yellow: breeding  Blue: non breeding

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

WHITE ERMINE MOTH (Spilosoma lubricipeda) caterpillar Blacksod, Mullet Peninsula, Co. Mayo, Ireland

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 The White Ermine Moth (Spilosoma lubricipeda) is of the family Erebidae which is in the genus Spilosoma. This common species is found throughout the temperate regions of Eurasia. The adult is white with dark antennae and has black speckling on the forewing. The normal flight season is from mid May to end of July but infrequently there is a second generation later in the autumn. Larval stage is from July to late September. Then a  hairy cocoon is formed among plant debris in which the pupal stage remains and emerges the following year as an adult in early summer.

 

 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 

KNOT GRASS MOTH (Acronicta rumicis) caterpillar Blacksod, Mullet Peninsula, Co. Mayo, Ireland

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The Knot Grass Moth (Acronicta rumicis) is of the family Noctuidae which is in the genus Acronicta.

RUDDY TURNSTONE (Arenaria interpres) Faulmore Beach, Faulmore, Mullet Peninsula, Co. Mayo, Ireland

 

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The Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaria interpres) is of the family Scolopacidae which is in the genus Arenaria.

EUROPEAN STARLING (Sturnus vulgaris) 1st winter, Cross Lough, Mullet Peninsula, Co. Mayo, Ireland

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 The European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) is of the family Sturnidae which is in the genus Sturnus.

EURASIAN SKYLARK (Alauda arvensis) at Cross Lough, Mullet Peninsula, Co. Mayo, Ireland

 

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