Friday, 14 May 2021
Wednesday, 12 May 2021
Tuesday, 11 May 2021
Monday, 10 May 2021
Sunday, 9 May 2021
TAPERED DRONEFLY or TAPERED HOVERFLY (Eristalis pertinax) Turvey Nature Reserve, Donabate, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland
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The Tapered Dronefly (Eristalis pertinax) or Tapered Hoverfly is of the family Syrphidae which is in the genus Eristalis. This hoverfly is commonly found in Europe. It has a long flight season over a number of generations which extends
from February to early November and overwinters as an adult. Key identification features include: large size, distinctive genus wing
pattern, tapered abdomen, black antennae, yellowish front
and middle lower legs (tarsi).
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds
Click external link here for detailed species information
Reference and highly recommended reading:
Britain's Hoverflies A field guide 2nd edition Stuart Ball and Roger Morris Saturday, 8 May 2021
WILLOW WARBLER (Phylloscopus trochilus) fly catching on an Oak Tree, Turvey Nature Reserve, Donabate, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland
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Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds
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The Willow Warbler (Phylloscopus trochilus) is of the family Phylloscopidae which is in the genus Phylloscopus.
This insectivorous leaf warbler is a common and widespread summer
resident from mid April to late September which breeds throughout the northern and temperate regions of
Eurasia. It is strongly migratory, with almost all of the population
wintering in sub-Saharan Africa. It is a bird of open woodlands with a preference
for habitats that include birch,
alder and willow trees as well as ground cover for nesting.
Friday, 7 May 2021
SAND MARTIN (Riparia riparia) c30 at the Bird Hide Trail ponds, Turvey Nature Reserve, Donabate, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland
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The Sand Martin (Riparia riparia) is of the swallow family Hirundinidae which is in the genus Riparia. This insectivorous species which catches flies and midges on the wing, is a summer resident in North America, Europe as well as Northern Asia.The North American populations winters in South America and western Mexico. The European and western Asian population spends the winter in Sub Saharan Africa. In the Mediterranean region, that population is mainly sedentary. Other Asian populations over winter in Southeast Asia.There are a number of subspecies recognised.
Click here for detailed species information
Click here to see distribution map and to hear calls
The Sand Martin (Riparia riparia) is of the swallow family Hirundinidae which is in the genus Riparia. This insectivorous species which catches flies and midges on the wing, is a summer resident in North America, Europe as well as Northern Asia.The North American populations winters in South America and western Mexico. The European and western Asian population spends the winter in Sub Saharan Africa. In the Mediterranean region, that population is mainly sedentary. Other Asian populations over winter in Southeast Asia.There are a number of subspecies recognised.
Patrick J. O' Keeffe / Raw Birds
Wednesday, 5 May 2021
NOON FLY or NOONDAY FLY (Mesembrina meridiana) Turvey Nature Reserve, Donabate, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland
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The Noon Fly (Mesembrina meridiana) or Noonday Fly is of the family Muscidae which is in the genus Mesembrina. This is a common and widespread medium sized fly with distinctive golden cheeks and amber wing bases. The female lays a single egg in up to five cow pats or dung and when the lava hatches, it predates the larvae of other species which are feeding within the dung. The flight season is from late April into October.
Click external link here for detailed species information
The Noon Fly (Mesembrina meridiana) or Noonday Fly is of the family Muscidae which is in the genus Mesembrina. This is a common and widespread medium sized fly with distinctive golden cheeks and amber wing bases. The female lays a single egg in up to five cow pats or dung and when the lava hatches, it predates the larvae of other species which are feeding within the dung. The flight season is from late April into October.
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds
Tuesday, 4 May 2021
Monday, 3 May 2021
Sunday, 2 May 2021
Saturday, 1 May 2021
BLOTCH WINGED HOVERFLY (Leucozoba lucorum) male at Turvey Nature Reserve, Donabate, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland
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Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds
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Click external link here to see a Beginners Guide to Hoverflies
The Blotch winged Hoverfly (Helophilus pendulus) is of the family Syrphidae which is in the genus Helophilus. This is a very distinctive species that mimics the Common Carder Bumblebee (Bombus pascuorum). Orange hairs on the thorax and an orange yellow scutellum are among the features that help separate it from Volucella hoverflies. In Ireland the normal flight season extends from May to August.
Reference and highly recommended reading:
Britain's Hoverflies A field guide 2nd edition Stuart Ball and Roger Morris Thursday, 29 April 2021
THE FOOTBALLER HOVERFLY (Helophilus pendulus) female, Turvey Nature Reserve, Donabate, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland
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The Footballer Hoverfly (Helophilus pendulus) is of the family Syrphidae which is in the genus Helophilus. This is a common species which occurs in a variety of habitats including gardens and parks. The pattern of black on the hind leg are among the features which help separate it from other Helophilus hoverflies. In Ireland it is on the wing from mid April until late October.
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds
Reference and highly recommended reading:
Britain's Hoverflies A field guide 2nd edition Stuart Ball and Roger Morris Tuesday, 27 April 2021
MUTE SWAN (Cygnus olor) male colour ringed CAFV, Turvey Nature Reserve, Donabate, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland
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Click here to see the 2020 list of nesting colour ringed Mute Swans in the Dublin region The Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) is of the family Anatidae which is in the genus Cygnus. Two other species of wild swan, the Whooper Swan (Cygnus cygnus) and the rare Bewick's Swan (Cygnus columbianus), are winter visitors to Ireland.
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds
Monday, 26 April 2021
EUROPEAN HERRING GULL (Larus argentatus subspecies L. a. argenteus) a pair on the newly created shallow pond off the Bird Hide Trail, Turvey Nature Reserve, Donabate, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland
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Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds
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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 
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
Sunday, 25 April 2021
Saturday, 24 April 2021
IMPERIAL ROVE BEETLE (Staphylinus caesareus) at Turvey Nature Reserve, Donabate, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland
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Click external link here for details of the Rove Beetle family Staphylinidae
Click external link here for details of the Rove Beetle family Staphylinidae
Click external link here to see a list of beetles found in Ireland
The Imperial Rove Beetle (Staphylinus caesareus) is of the family Staphylinidae which is in the genus Staphylinus. Over two thousand species of beetle occur in Ireland and among them there are 641 species of Rove Beetle.
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds
Friday, 23 April 2021
EURASIAN COOT (Fulica atra) Turvey Nature Reserve, Donabate, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland
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The Eurasian Coot (Fulica atra) or more simply known as a Coot is of the crake and rail family Rallidae which is in the genus Fulica. Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds
Click here for detailed species information
Click here to see distribution map and to hear calls
The Eurasian Coot (Fulica atra) or more simply known as a Coot is of the crake and rail family Rallidae which is in the genus Fulica.
Thursday, 22 April 2021
PEACOCK BUTTERFLY (Aglais io) first for the year seen on 25-03-2021. Recently emerged from hibernation in almost prestine condition, having overwintered as an adult and was observed nectaring on Dandalions (Taraxacum Officinale agg.),Turvey Nature Reserve, Donabate, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland
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The Peacock Butterfly (Aglais io) is of the family Nymphalidae which is in the genus Aglais. It overwinters as an adult with its wings closed and the dark cryptic under wing pattern help it avoid detection by predators. Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds
Click external link here for detailed species information
The Peacock Butterfly (Aglais io) is of the family Nymphalidae which is in the genus Aglais. It overwinters as an adult with its wings closed and the dark cryptic under wing pattern help it avoid detection by predators.
EUROPEAN GOLDFINCH (Carduelis carduelis) Turvey Nature Reserve, Donabate, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland
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The European Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis) is a member of the finch family Fringillidae which is in the genus Carduelis.
It breeds in most of Europe and Western Asia but is absent from the
colder northern parts of that region. It has a scattered distribution in
North Africa and occurs as an introduced species in south eastern
Australia, New Zealand and Uruguay. It can be commonly found in gardens,
particularly in winter, where it readily comes to bird feeders.
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
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds
Wednesday, 21 April 2021
COMMA BUTTERFLY (Polygonia c-album) nectaring on BLACKTHORN (Prunus spinosa) blossoms, 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
Tuesday, 20 April 2021
Monday, 19 April 2021
GREY HERON (Ardea cinerea) at 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 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
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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
Sunday, 18 April 2021
GREEN VEINED WHITE BUTTERFLY (Pieris napi) Turvey Nature Reserve, Donabate, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland
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Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds
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The Green-veined White Butterfly (Pieris napi) is of the family Pieridae which is in the genus Pieris. It
commonly occurs in Eurasia as well as North America. This species is on the wing from March to October, over several generations, but in Ireland the normal flight season
extends from mid April to mid September. It hibernates during the winter
as a chrysalis.
Saturday, 17 April 2021
EURASIAN KESTREL (Falco tinnunculus) female at Turvey Nature Reserve, Donabate, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland
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Click external link here for detailed species information
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds
Click external link here to see distribution map and to hear calls
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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