Tuesday 28 September 2021
Monday 27 September 2021
COMMA BUTTERFLY (Polygonia c-album) two on the Bird Walk trail Turvey Nature Reserve, Donabate, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland
Click external link here to see identification guide to Irish Butterflies
The Comma Butterfly (Polygonia c-aibum) is of the family Nymphalidae which is in the genus Polygonia.
This
common species has a widespread distribution in the temperate regions
of Eurasia and North Africa. Formally absent from Ireland, it is only in
recent times that it has been
added to the Irish Butterfly List. It was first reliably reported
near Portaferry, Co. Down in August 1997 and again in August 1998. There
were no further reports until 17th August 2000 when there was a fully verified record from the Raven Nature Reserve, Co. Wexford.
Proof of breeding was subsequently confirmed in that area. Over the
last ten years, it has rapidly expanded its range from southeast Co.
Wexford and has now colonised most of southern Leinster as well as
eastern Munster.
The larval food plant is mainly Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica)
and the flight season is from late March to late September, split over
two generations. Having overwintered as an adult, it emerges in late
spring and then after mating, lays its eggs on the larval food plant.
The 1st record for
Cape Clear Island, Co. Cork on 14th October 2019 (pers. comm. Jim Fitzharris)
might be an indication of fresh immigration from Britain or Continental
Europe.
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds
Sunday 26 September 2021
BUFF TAILED BUMBLEBEE (Bombus terrestris) nectaring on Common Ivy Blossoms (Hedera helix ) Turvey Nature Reserve, Donabate, 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
The Buff-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris) is of the family Apidae which is in the genus Bombus. This
bumblebee is commonly found throughout the temperate regions of Europe,
The Middle East, northern Africa and occurs as an introduced species in other countries including Australia (Tasmania), Japan as well as parts of South America.
Saturday 25 September 2021
GREY HERON (Ardea cinerea) sheltering from the wind at Turvey Nature Reserve, Donabate, 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
Friday 24 September 2021
Thursday 23 September 2021
Wednesday 22 September 2021
COMMON LINNET (Linaria cannabina) Blacksod Village, Mullet Peninsula, Co. Mayo, 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 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
Tuesday 21 September 2021
BRIGHT-LINE BROWN-EYE MOTH or TOMATO MOTH (Spilosoma lubricipeda) caterpillar Blacksod Village, Mullet Peninsula, Co. Mayo, Ireland
CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE
Click external link here for detailed species information 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.
Click external link here for detailed species information
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
Field guide to the Caterpillars of Great Britain and Ireland by Barry Henwood, Phil Sterling and Richard Lewington References and highly recommended reading:
Field guide to the Moths of Great Britain and Ireland by Paul Waring, Martin Townsend and Richard Lewington
Monday 20 September 2021
BARN SWALLOW (Hirundo rustica) a migrating juvenile resting on a gutter Blacksod Village, Mullet Peninsula, Co. Mayo, 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 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
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds
Sunday 19 September 2021
MOSS CARDER BEE (Bombus muscorum) or LARGE CARDER BEE nectering on Devil's-bit Scabious Wildflower (Succisa pratensis) at Blacksod Village, Mullet Peninsula, Co. Mayo, Ireland
CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE
Click external link here for detailed Moss Carder Bee information
Click external link here for detailed Moss Carder Bee information
Click external link here for detailed Devil's-bit Scabious Wildflower information
The Moss Carder Bee (Bombus muscorum) or Large Carder Bumblebee is of the family Apidae which is in the genus Bombus.
The Devil's-bit Scabious Wildflower (Succisa pratensis) is of the family Caprifoliaceae which is in the genus Succisa.
Saturday 18 September 2021
Friday 17 September 2021
Thursday 16 September 2021
Wednesday 15 September 2021
EUROPEAN HERRING GULL (Larus argentatus subspecies L. a. argenteus) adult Blacksod Lighthouse, Mullett Peninsula, Co. Mayo, Ireland
CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE
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 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.
European Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) distribution map 
Cephas, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Green: year-round Yellow: breeding Blue: non breeding
Tuesday 14 September 2021
WHITE ERMINE MOTH (Spilosoma lubricipeda) caterpillar Blacksod, Mullet Peninsula, Co. Mayo, Ireland
Click external link here for detailed species information
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
Monday 13 September 2021
KNOT GRASS MOTH (Acronicta rumicis) caterpillar Blacksod, Mullet Peninsula, Co. Mayo, Ireland
CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE
Click external link here for detailed species information
Click external link here for detailed species information
The Knot Grass Moth (Acronicta rumicis) is of the family Noctuidae which is in the genus Acronicta.
Sunday 12 September 2021
RED BACKED SHRIKE (Lanius collurio) immature found by Mark Collins on 12-09-2021 was still present on 15th and is only the 5th Dublin record Upper Cliff Road, Balscadden, Howth, Co. Dublin, Ireland
CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE
The Red Backed Shrike (Lanius collurio) is of the family Laniidae which is in the genus Lanius. Its breeding range extends from Mainland Europe to Western Asia and in the autumn it migrates south to spend the winter in Southern Africa.
Click external link here for detailed species information
Click external link here to see distribution map and to hear calls
The Red Backed Shrike (Lanius collurio) is of the family Laniidae which is in the genus Lanius. Its breeding range extends from Mainland Europe to Western Asia and in the autumn it migrates south to spend the winter in Southern Africa.
In Ireland, it is a rare but annual spring and autumn passage migrant, with just over 200 records. There are four previous Co. Dublin records: 26-08-1927 (immature Rockabill Island, Skerries), 24-09-1974 (immature Clontarf), 02 to 04-10-2004 (first-winter North Bull Island) and 26-05-2012 (male Sutton).
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds
Reference:
A List of Some Rarer Birds in Dublin version 5.2 by Joe Hobbs (download pdf here)
Friday 10 September 2021
GARDEN BUMBLEBEE (Bombus hortorum) Broadmeadow Estuary, Swords, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland
Click external linkhere for detailed species information
The Garden Bumblebee (Bombus hortorum) is of the family Apidae which is in the genus Bombus.
Wednesday 8 September 2021
LITTLE EGRET (Egretta garzetta) adult in breeding plumage 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 Little Egret (Egretta garzetta) is of family Ardeidae
which includes Bitterns, Egrets as well as Herons and is in the genus Egretta . It is found in the temperate
parts of Eurasia and Africa as well as Australia and New Zealand.
Over the last 60 years or so this species has greatly expanded its range
including recolonising its former breeding areas in Northern Europe, as well as Ireland. It
first bred in the Caribbean in the mid 1990’s and is increasingly being
recorded along the North American eastern seaboard.
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds
Sunday 5 September 2021
GREY HERON (Ardea cinerea) melanistic type adult 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 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
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)