SMALL TORTOISESHELL BUTTERFLY (Aglais urticae), twelve were counted during a two hour visit including this tattered individual nectaring on Dandalions (Taraxacum Officinale agg.) at Balscadden, Howth, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland

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The Small Tortoiseshell Butterfly (Aglais urticae) is of the family Nymphalidae which is in the genus Aglais. It has a widespread distribution in the Palearctic region but is absent from southern Asia.  

 Overwintering as an adult, its cryptic under wing pattern helps to avoid detection by predators. It emerges from hibernation in the spring to lay eggs on its larval plant. The caterpillars (larvae) feed on Common Nettle (Urtica dioica).

Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

EUROPEAN STONECHAT (Saxicola rubicola subspecies S. r. hibernans) male, drying out after a wash at Balscadden, Howth, Fingal, Co. Dublin

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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

EUROPEAN SHAG (Gulosus aristotelis) at Howth Harbour, Howth, Fingal, Co. Dublin, 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

BRENT GOOSE or PALE BELLIED BRENT GOOSE (Branta bernicla subspecies B. b. hrota) a family party, [two adults, 1st on left and 2nd right plus three 1st winters] at Howth Harbour, Howth, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland

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The Brent Goose (Branta bernicla), also known as Brant Goose in North America, is of the family Anatidae which is in the genus Branta.

 

There are three subspecies generally recognised:

• Dark-bellied Brent Goose (B. b. bernicla) or Dark-bellied Brant in North America
  
• Pale-bellied Brent Goose (B. b. hrota) or Atlantic Brant in North America
• Black Brant Goose (B. b. nigricans) or the Pacific Brant in North America

It has also been suggested by some that the so called Grey-bellied Brent Goose be recognised as a subspecies. 

Patrick J.O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

EUROPEAN ROBIN (Erithacus rubecula) at Turvey Nature Reserve, Donabate, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland

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 The European Robin (Erithacus rubecula) or more commonly known as a Robin is of the  family Muscicapidae which is in the genus Erithacus.

COMMON PHEASANT or RING NECKED PHEASANT (Phasianus colchicus) at Turvey Nature Reserve, Donabate, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland

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The Common Pheasant or Ring Necked Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) is of the family Phasianidae which is in the genus Phasianus.

MISTLE THRUSH (Turdus viscivorus) feeding on Common Ivy (Hedera helix) berries at Turvey Nature Reserve, Donabate, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland

 

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 The Mistle Thrush (Turdus viscivorus) is of the thrush family Turdidae which is in the genus Turdus.

MISTLE THRUSH (Turdus viscivorus) feeding on Common Ivy (Hedera helix) berries at Turvey Nature Reserve, Donabate, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland

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 The Mistle Thrush (Turdus viscivorus) is of the thrush family Turdidae which is in the genus Turdus.

COMMON BUZZARD (Buteo buteo) at Turvey Nature Reserve, Donabate, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland

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 The Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo) is a medium sized bird of prey of the family Accipitridae which is in the genus Buteo.

SMALL TORTOISESHELL BUTTERFLY (Aglais urticae) freshly emerged from hibernation, a minimum of 8 were present at Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland

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The Small Tortoiseshell Butterfly (Aglais urticae) is of the family Nymphalidae which is in the genus Aglais. It has a widespread distribution in the Palearctic region but is absent from southern Asia.  

 Overwintering as an adult, its cryptic under wing pattern helps to avoid detection by predators. It emerges from hibernation in the spring to lay eggs on its larval plant. The caterpillars (larvae) feed on Common Nettle (Urtica dioica).

Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds