CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE
Click here for detailed species information
Click here to see distribution map and to hear calls
The Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni) is a small migratory bird of prey of the family Falconidae which is in the genus Falco. It is a summer resident which occurs across a narrow band that stretches from the Iberian Peninsula eastwards as far as Mongolia and north western China. This colonial breeder has a patchy distribution in southern Europe. It arrives back from its wintering areas in sub Saharan Africa and Pakistan during April and early May. In addition, there are small non migratory populations mainly in southwest Spain and northwest Africa. Prey items include small birds, invertebrates, reptiles, mice, shrews and voles. It remains in the breeding areas until late August and early September when the return migration south begins. Where their ranges overlaps, it can be easily confused with the closely related Eurasian Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) especially the females as they are very similar in appearance. The European population is in serious decline probably as a result of overuse of pesticides and rodenticides. Text © Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds.com |
Monday 3 October 2016
LESSER KESTREL [Female] (Falco naumanni) Katholiko Monastory, Akrotiri, Crete, Greece
Sunday 2 October 2016
CANDIA TULIP (Tulipa saxatilis) Samariá Gorge, Mousoures, Crete, Greece
CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE
Click here for detailed species information
|
The Candia Tulip (Tulipa saxatilis) is primarily a plant of the Southern Aegean Islands in the Mediterranean Sea. It is also native to the limestone areas of the Greek Islands of Crete, Karpathos and Rhodes as well as the Datça peninsula in Western Turkey. It grows at the edges of fields, scree slopes and rock faces up to 900 m. It is naturalized on the Greek mainland as well as parts of Italy and in Britain it occurs on the Scilly Isles. This bulbous species is widely cultivated in gardens. The flowering period extends from March to May.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tulipa_saxatilis
Tuesday 20 September 2016
PURPLE GOATSBEARD (Tragopogon sinuatus) Cape Kutri, Kisamos district, Crete, Greece
CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE
Click here for detailed species information
|
Thursday 15 September 2016
PYRAMIDAL ORCHID (Anacamptis pyramidalis) Cape Kutri, Kisamos district, Crete, Greece
CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE
Click here for detailed species information
|
The Pyramidal Orchid (Anacamptis pyramidalis) is a perennial herbaceous plant of the of the family Orchidaceae which is in the genus Anacamptis. The scientific name Anacamptis derives from Greek ανακάμτειν 'anakamptein' meaning 'bend forward', while the Latin name pyramidalis refers to the pyramidal form of the inflorescence. The triangular arrangement of the flower spike gives this orchid its English name. Colour variations range from pure white to dark magenta. It is commonly found in Europe on roadside verges, in meadows and parks. On the Greek island of Crete this conspecious orchid is in flower from late March to early May.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anacamptis_pyramidalis
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anacamptis_pyramidalis
Monday 12 September 2016
YELLOW LEGGED GULL (Larus michahellis subspecies L. m. michahellis) adult at Palaiochora Harbour, Palaiochora, Crete, Greece
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 There are two subspecies recognised:
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds Yellow Legged Gull (Larus michahellis) distribution map |
Thursday 1 September 2016
SPECKLED WOOD BUTTERFLY (Pararge aegeria) Akrotiri Peninsula, Crete, Greece
CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE Click here for detailed species information |
The Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria) is a butterfly of the family Nymphalidae which is one of three species in the genus Pararge. It is commonly found throughout much of the Palearctic ecozone, but is absent from the colder northern regions.
Sunday 28 August 2016
RED VEINED DARTER DRAGONFLY [Male] (Sympetrum fonscolombii) Techniti Limni Agia, Agia Lake, Agia, Crete, Greece
CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE Click here for detailed species information |
The Red Veined Darter Dragonfly (Sympetrum fonscolombii) is a member of the family Libellulidae which is in the genus Sympetrum. It has a wide spread distribution and is commonly found in Africa, western, central and southern Asia as well as most of Europe. This species is nomadic by nature and since the 1990’s has greatly expanded its European range as far north as southern Scandinavia.
Text © Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds.com
Wednesday 17 August 2016
RED RUMPED SWALLOW (Cecropis daurica) Techniti Limni Agia, Agia Lake, Agia, Crete, Greece
CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE
Click here for detailed species information
Click here to see distribution map and to hear calls
It is mainly a summer resident in the temperate regions of southern Europe, Morocco in northwest Africa as well as parts of western, central and eastern Asia. Its range extends from the Iberian Peninsula eastwards to Japan. There are also non migratory populations resident in tropical Africa and in South East Asia. This insectivorous species feeds exclusively on small flying insects, mainly flies and midges. Outside of the breeding season, it is a very rare but annual overshooting spring and autumn migrant to northern Europe. The European, Moroccan and northern Asian populations migrate south in the autumn to spend the winter in sub Saharan Africa, the India sub-continent and northern Australia. Text © Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds.com |
Saturday 13 August 2016
LESSER KESTREL [Male] (Falco naumanni) Katholiko Monastory, Akrotiri, Crete, Greece
CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE
Click here for detailed species information
Click here to see distribution map and to hear calls
The Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni) is a small migratory bird of prey of the family Falconidae which is in the genus Falco. It is a summer resident which occurs across a narrow band that stretches from the Iberian Peninsula eastwards as far as Mongolia and north western China. This colonial breeder has a patchy distribution in southern Europe. It arrives back from its wintering areas in sub Saharan Africa and Pakistan during April and early May. In addition, there are small non migratory populations mainly in southwest Spain and northwest Africa. Prey items include small birds, invertebrates, reptiles, mice, shrews and voles. It remains in the breeding areas until late August and early September when the return migration south begins. Where their ranges overlaps, it can be easily confused with the closely related Eurasian Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) especially the females as they are very similar in appearance. The European population is in serious decline probably as a result of overuse of pesticides and rodenticides. Text © Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds.com |
Friday 5 August 2016
RED AND BLACK SOLDIER BEETLE (Trichodes creticus) feeding on COMMON BRIGHTEYES (Reichardia picroides subspecies R. p. galatsida) Akrotiri Peninsula, Crete, Greece
CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE Click here for detailed species information |
The Red and Black Soldier Beetle (Trichodes creticus) is a species of soldier beetle or checkered beetle of the family Cleridae which is in the genus Trichodes. It is endemic to the Greek island of Crete. It relies on its warning coloration to deter predators. The larvae are parasites of bees and wasps. On Crete, there are a number of very similar beetles but the dark line along the inner edges of the elytra that join the black patches on the back readily identifies this species. The adults prey on small invertebrates and are also commonly found feeding on the pollen of a variety of flowers, including Common Brighteyes (Reichardia picroides subspecies R. p. galatsida), from April to August.
Text © Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds.com
Saturday 30 July 2016
COMMON LINNET (Linaria cannabina subspecies L. c. mediterranea) male, Moni Gouvernetou Monastery, Akrotiri Peninsula, Crete, Greece
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 :
Reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_linnet |
Tuesday 26 July 2016
WOOD SANDPIPER (Tringa glareola) Palaiochora Harbour, Palaiochora, Crete, Greece
CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE
Click external here for detailed species information
Click external here to see distribution map and to hear calls
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds |
Sunday 24 July 2016
CRESTED LARK (Galerida cristata) Akrotiri Peninsula, Chania, Crete, Greece
CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE Click here to see distribution map and to hear calls The Crested Lark (Galerida cristata) is a small songbird and is one of 82 species of lark in the family Alaudidae which is in the genus Galerida. It is commonly found across most of the temperate regions of Europe and Asia but is absent from northwest and northern Europe as well as northern Asia. It also occurs in the northern half of Africa as far south as Niger. It is sedentary by nature and is only a rare vagrant outside the normal range. Text © Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds.com |
Labels:
.,
Akrotiri Peninsula,
April,
Birds of Crete,
Birds of Europe,
Birds of Greece,
Chania,
Crested Lark,
Cresterd Lark,
Crete,
Greece,
lark,
passerine
Thursday 21 July 2016
EUROPEAN STONECHAT (Saxicola rubicola subspecies S. r. rubicola) female at Techniti Limni Agia, Agia Lake, Crete, Greece
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 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 |
Sunday 17 July 2016
GLOSSY IBIS (Plegadis falcinellus) Palaiochora Harbour, Palaiochora, Crete, Greece
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 Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus) is a large wading bird of the family Threskiornithidae which is in the genus Plegadis. This migratory species occurs in the warmer regions of North America, Eurasia, Africa and Australia.
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds
Saturday 16 July 2016
PALE SHOULDER MOTH (Acontia lucida) Moni Gouvernetou Monastery, Akrotiri Peninsula, Crete, Greece
CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE Click here for detailed species information |
The Pale Shoulder (Acontia lucida) is a macro moth in the family Noctuidae which is in the genus Acontia. This day flying moth is commonly found in southern Europe and western Asia as fast east as India. There are also records from northwest Africa and from further north in Europe where it has occurred as a rare autumn migrant. There are two generations which are on the wing in April/May and again in July/August. The wingspan is 26–30 mm. The food plants of the lavae include Field Bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis) and Marsh Mallow (Althaea officinalis).
Text © Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds.com
PALE SHOULDER MOTH (Acontia lucida) Moni Gouvernetou Monastery, Akrotiri Peninsula, Crete, Greece
PALE SHOULDER MOTH (Acontia lucida) Moni Gouvernetou Monastery, Akrotiri Peninsula, Crete, Greece
Saturday 9 July 2016
PAINTED LADY BUTTERFLY (Vanessa cardui) Moni Gouvernetou Monastery, Akrotiri Peninsula, Crete, Greece
CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE Click here for detailed species information |
The Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui) is a migratory butterfly in the family Nymphalidae which is in the genus Vanessa. It is one of the most widespread butterflies in the world and occurs on every continent except the Antarctic.
Having over wintered in North Africa, this species migrates north and arrives back in Southern Europe in early spring. It then gradually progresses further north and recolonizes the rest of Europe over a number of generations, reaching the extreme northern part of the range by July. In the autumn, it migrates south at higher altitudes where higher wind speeds greatly assist this southerly movement to its overwintering areas.
In the rest of its World range, similar spring and autumn migrations are undertaken but as is the case in Europe there are small sedentary populations in the tropical parts of its range.
Alternatively known as the Thistle Butterfly and the Cosmopolitan Butterfly in North America.
Text © www.rawbirds.com
Having over wintered in North Africa, this species migrates north and arrives back in Southern Europe in early spring. It then gradually progresses further north and recolonizes the rest of Europe over a number of generations, reaching the extreme northern part of the range by July. In the autumn, it migrates south at higher altitudes where higher wind speeds greatly assist this southerly movement to its overwintering areas.
In the rest of its World range, similar spring and autumn migrations are undertaken but as is the case in Europe there are small sedentary populations in the tropical parts of its range.
Alternatively known as the Thistle Butterfly and the Cosmopolitan Butterfly in North America.
Text © www.rawbirds.com
Thursday 7 July 2016
PURPLE MILK THISTLE (Galactites tomentosa) Pelekaniotikos River, Koundoura, Crete, Greece
CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE
Click here for detailed species information
|
The Purple Milk Thistle (Galactites tomentosa) is a biennial herbaceous plant in the family Asteraceae which is in the genus Galactites. The genus name derives from the Greek γάλα meaning milk and refers to the dense white hairs covering the stems and leaves. The species name tomentosa means hairy in Latin. It grows up to 1 metre tall and the flowering period extends from April to July. The flower colour varies from white or pink to lilac-purple. It grows on uncultivated or barren ground, waste places, well-drained soils, pastures and roadsides. It occurs in countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galactites_tomentosa
Saturday 2 July 2016
COMMON CHAFFINCH [Female] (Fringilla coelebs subspecies F. c. schiebeli) Agia Marina, Crete, Greece
Wednesday 29 June 2016
CLEOPATRA BUTTERFLY [Male] (Gonepteryx cleopatra subspecies G. c. insularis) Moni Gouvernetou Monastery, Akrotiri Peninsula, Crete, Greece
CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE Click here for detailed species information |
The Cleopatra Butterfly (Gonepteryx cleopatra) or simply called Cleopatra is a medium sized butterfly of the family Pieridae which is in the genus Gonepteryx. It occurs in Southern Europe, Northwest Africa as well as Turkey and parts of the Middle East. In Europe, this long lived species is on the wing from April to August. There are 10 subspecies recognised and the subspecies Gonepteryx cleopatra insularis is endemic to the Greek island of Crete.
Text © Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds.com
The Cleopatra Butterfly is divided into the following subspecies:
Text © Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds.com
The Cleopatra Butterfly is divided into the following subspecies:
- Gonepteryx cleopatra cleopatra – North Africa, Portugal, Spain, Sicily
- Gonepteryx cleopatra balearica – Balearic Islands
- Gonepteryx cleopatra petronella – Ibiza
- Gonepteryx cleopatra italica – Italy, France, Corsica, Sardinia
- Gonepteryx cleopatra dalmatica – Dalmatian coast, western Balkans
- Gonepteryx cleopatra citrina – southern Greece
- Gonepteryx cleopatra insularis – Crete
- Gonepteryx cleopatra fiorii – Rhodes
- Gonepteryx cleopatra taurica – Anatolia, Syria, Jordan, Israel, Cyprus
- Gonepteryx cleopatra palmata – Cyrenaica, Libya
Saturday 25 June 2016
WESTERN HONEY BEE (Apis mellifera) on PURPLE MILK THISTLE (Galactites tomentosa) Pelekaniotikos River, Koundoura, Crete, Greece
CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE
Click here for detailed species information
|
The Western Honey Bee or European Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) is the most common of the seven species of honey bee, though historically, from six to eleven species have been recognized. The genus name Apis is Latin for "bee" and mellifera means "honey-bearing", referring to the species' tendency to produce a large quantity of honey for storage over the winter. Like all honey bees, the Western Honey Bee is eusocial, creating colonies with a single fertile female (or "queen"), many sterile females or "workers" and small proportion of fertile males or "drones". Individual colonies can house tens of thousands of bees. Colony activities are organized by complex communication between individuals, through both odors and the dance language.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_honey_bee
Tuesday 21 June 2016
SPOTTED FLYCATCHER (Muscicapa striata) Pelekaniotikos River, Koundoura, Crete, Greece
CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE |
The Spotted Flycatcher (Muscicapa striata)
is a small Old World passerine in the family Muscicapidae which is in the genus Muscicapa. It is the commonest and the most widespread flycatcher found in
Europe and western Asia. It is one of five species of migratory flycatcher
which are summer breeding residents in Europe. In late spring, it
returns from its wintering areas in southern Africa and southwestern
Asia. Its preferred habit is open deciduous woodland. Main prey
items include small flying invertebrates and caterpillars. By September
with its food supply in decline, the return migration south begins.
Text © www.rawbirds.com
Text © www.rawbirds.com
Saturday 18 June 2016
(EASTERN) SUBALPINE WARBLER (Sylvia cantillans subspecies S. c. albistriata) Moni Gouvernetou Monastery, Akrotiri Peninsula, Crete, Greece
CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE
Click here for detailed species information
Click here to see distribution map and to hear calls
The Subalpine Warbler (Sylvia cantillans) is a migratory passerine in the family Sylviidae which is in the genus Sylvia. It breed in Northwest Africa, Southern Europe and Western Turkey. It feeds on small invertebrates as well as soft fruits. In the autumn, it migrates south to spend the winter in sub Saharan Africa. There are four subspecies which are divided into two groups:
Text © rawbirds.com |
Map of the breeding ranges of all five former taxa of the Subalpine Warbler
complex. The grey zone in the north of Italy is of the intergradation
between subalpina and cantillans. The points are
locations with proven cases of sympatry. The map constructed by Lars
Svensson from Shirihai et al (2001), Brambilla et al (2006), and
comments from M. Ullman (© Lars Svensson).
Source:
Svensson, L. (2013a): A taxonomic revision of the Subalpine Warbler Sylvia cantillans. Bulletin of the British Ornithologists’ Club 133: 240-248.
Svensson, L. (2013b): Subalpine Warbler variation and taxonomy. British Birds106: 651-668.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)