COMMA BUTTERFLY (Polygonia c-album) one of two individuals seen on 27-03-2021, freshly emerged from hibernation and were subsequently observed nectaring on BLACKTHORN (Prunus spinosa) blossoms, Turvey Nature Reserve, Donabate, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland

 

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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

COMMON LINNET (Linaria cannabina) male, Turvey Nature Reserve, Donabate, Fingal, Co. Dublin, 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)

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

YELLOWHAMMER (Emberiza citrinella) male, Turvey Nature Reserve, Donabate, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland

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 The Yellowhammer (Emberiza citrinella) is of the bunting family Emberizidae which is in the genus Emberiza.

EURASIAN BLACKCAP (Sylvia atricapilla) a minimum of ten males in song today, Turvey Nature Reserve, Donabate, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland

 

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 The Eurasian Blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla) or more simply known as a Blackcap s of the family Sylviidae which is in the genus Sylvia.

SIBERIAN CHIFFCHAFF (Phylloscopus collybita subspecies P. c. tristis) on 06-04-2021 at The Mill Pond, Skerries Mills, Skerries, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland

 

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 The Siberian Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita tristis) 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

SEVEN SPOT LADYBIRD or SEVEN SPOTTED LADYBUG (Sympetrum striolatum) feeding on COMMON GORSE (Ulex europaeus) sap, Turvey Nature Reserve, Donabate, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland

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The Seven Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata), also known as Seven Spotted Ladybug in North America, is of the family Coccinellidae which is in the genus Coccinella.

COMMON CHIFFCHAFF (Phylloscopus collybita subspecies P. c. collybita) at least seven males in song today, Turvey Nature Reserve, Donabate, Fingal, Co. Dublin, 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

COMMON CARDER BUMBLEBEE (Bombus pascuorum) Turvey Nature Reserve, Donabate, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland

 

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The Common Carder Bumblebee (Bombus pascuorum) or Common Carder Bee is of the family Apidae which is in the genus Bombus.

GORSE SHIELDBUG (Piezodorus lituratus) Turvey Nature Reserve, Donabate, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland

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  The Gorse Shieldbug (Piezodorus lituratus) is of the family Pentatomidae which is in the genus Piezodorus.This species is found in most of the temperate regions of North America, Europe, Northern Asia and parts of Africa. It mainly occurs on Common Gorse (ulex europeaus), Common Broom (Sarothamnus scoparius) as well as various legumes (Fabaceae). There are two colour forms, green when it emerges from hibernation in late spring, having overwintered as an adult. The next generation appear in summer and following five instar stages, become green adults with purple red bar markings on the upper parts. In spring, its fully red antennae help separate from the very similar Green Shieldbug (Palomena prasina) which has partially red antennae.   

 

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MEADOW PIPIT (Anthus pratensis) Turvey Nature Reserve, Donabate, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland

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

COMMA BUTTERFLY (Polygonia c-album) one of two individuals seen today, freshly emerged from hibernation and were subsequently observed nectaring on BLACKTHORN (Prunus spinosa) blossoms, Turvey Nature Reserve, Donabate, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland

 

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Click external link here for detailed species information
 

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

MOUNTAIN HARE (Lepus timidus subspecies L. t. hibernicus) or IRISH HARE sheltering from the wind behind a HARD RUSH PLANT (Juncus inflexus), Turvey Nature Reserve, Donabate, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland

 

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The Mountain Hare (Lepus timidus) is of the family Leporidae which is in the genus Lepus and mainly occurs in the tundra and mountainous regions of the Palearctic.  

The Irish Hare (Lepus timidus hibernicus) is a subspecies that is endemic to Ireland. It uniquely also occurs in lowland areas down to sea level as well as not having a white coat in winter. 

The Hard Rush (Juncus inflexus) is of the family Juncaceaertgt which is in the genus Juncus. This perennial plant is native to Eurasia and Africa. It is found as an invasive species in a number of countries as well as eastern North America. Damp grassland areas, wetlands, sand dunes and marshes are its main habitats. The flowering season is from May to August when nondescript brown flower clusters are formed on its rigid stems.

  

Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

EURASIAN KESTREL (Falco tinnunculus) female carrying prey, a WOOD MOUSE, (Apodemus sylvaticus) Turvey Nature Reserve, Donabate, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland

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The Eurasian Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) is a small bird of prey of the family Falconidae which is in the genus Falco. Alternative names include European Kestrel, Common Kestrel or simply referred to as a Kestrel. This falcon occurs throughout Europe, Asia and Africa. 

More recently, the British and Irish populations have been in serious decline which may be as a result of changes in agricultural practices and  increased use of rodenticides (rat poisons). Nest predation by Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo), Grey Crow (Corvus cornix), Eurasian Jay (Garrulus glandarius) and Common Raven (Corvus corax), whose populations have increased, may also be a factor.

 

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GARDEN BUMBLEBEE (Bombus hortorum) Turvey Nature Reserve, Donabate, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland

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The Garden Bumblebee (Bombus hortorum) is of the family Apidae which is in the genus Bombus.

HOODED CROW or GREY CROW (Corvus cornix) Turvey Nature Reserve, Donabate, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland

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          The Hooded Crow (Corvus cornix) also known as Grey Crow is a member of the crow family Corvidae which is in the genus Corvus. Four subspecies are generally recognized. Despite the fact that it is heavily persecuted, it occurs throughout Western Asia including parts of the Middle East as well as along the Nile Valley in North Africa. It is also commonly encountered and has a widespread distribution in Northern, Central and Eastern Europe. It is resident in Ireland, Isle of Man and Northern Scotland. In the rest of Britain as well as Southwestern and Western Europe, it is replaced by the closely related Carrion Crow (Corvus corone) from which it was split in 2002 and was recognised as a separate species. Where their breeding ranges overlap, they may hybridise. Some of the northern populations are migratory and move south for the winter.

   Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

BIRCH POLYPORE FUNGUS (Fomitopsis betulina) on a DOWNY BIRCH TREE (Betula pubescens) at Turvey Nature Reserve, Donabate, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland

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The Birch Polypore (Fomitopsis betulina) is of the family Fomitopsidaceae which is in the genus Fomitopsis. This bracket fungus is a parasite that grows exclusively on birch trees and can cause the host species to decay and die. It occurs throughout North America and Eurasia.

 

Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

EURASIAN KESTREL (Falco tinnunculus) female at Turvey Nature Reserve, Donabate, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland

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The Eurasian Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) is a small bird of prey of the family Falconidae which is in the genus Falco. Alternative names include European Kestrel, Common Kestrel or simply referred to as a Kestrel. This falcon occurs throughout Europe, Asia and Africa. 

More recently, the British and Irish populations have been in serious decline which may be as a result of changes in agricultural practices and  increased use of rodenticides (rat poisons). Nest predation by Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo), Grey Crow (Corvus cornix), Eurasian Jay (Garrulus glandarius) and Common Raven (Corvus corax), whose populations have increased, may also be a factor.

 

Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

 

COMMON PRIMROSE WILDFLOWER (Primula vulgarus) Two seperate plants depictured in bloom, the lower flower is a four petal variant, Turvey Nature Reserve, Donabate, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland

 

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The Common Primrose (Primula vulgarus) or more simply a Primrose is of the family Primulaceae which is in the genus Primula. This perennial wildflower occurs in western and southern Europe as well as parts of southwestern Asia and northwest Africa. The flowering season is from February to late May.

Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

COMMON CHIFFCHAFF (Phylloscopus collybita subspecies P. c. collybita) Turvey Nature Reserve, Donabate, Fingal, Co. Dublin, 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

COMMON REED BUNTING (Emberiza schoeniclus) male, Turvey Nature Reserve, Donabate, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland

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 The Common Reed Bunting (Emberiza schoeniclus) or more simply known as a Reed Bunting is of the bunting family Emberizidae which is in the genus Emberiza.

COMMON REED BUNTING (Emberiza schoeniclus) female, Turvey Nature Reserve, Donabate, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland

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 The Common Reed Bunting (Emberiza schoeniclus) or more simply known as a Reed Bunting is of the bunting family Emberizidae which is in the genus Emberiza.