EUROPEAN GOLDFINCH (Carduelis carduelis) 1st winter Turvey Nature Reserve, Donabate, 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 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

NOON FLY or NOONDAY FLY (Mesembrina meridiana) Turvey Nature Reserve, Donabate, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland

CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE
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

LITTLE GREBE or DABCHICK (Tachybaptus ruficollis) Turvey Nature Reserve, Donabate, 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 Grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis) or more commonly known as Dabchick, is a small waterbird in the family Podicipedidae which is in the genus Tachybaptus. Nine subspecies are generally recognised whose range extends in a band over most of Europe across southern and eastern Asia. It also occurs in northern and sub Saharan Africa. Worldwide there were 23 species of grebe but Alaotra Grebe (Tachybaptus rufolavatus), which was last seen in 1985 at Lake Alaotra in Madagascar, is now considered to be extinct. 

Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

MALLARD (Anas platyrhynchos) female and Little Grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis) in the background Turvey Nature Reserve, Donabate, 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 Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) is a dabbling duck of the family Anatidae which is in the genus Anas.

RED ADMIRAL BUTTERFLY (Vanessa atalanta) Turvey Nature Reserve, Donabate, 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 identification guide to Irish Butterflies
 

The Red Admiral Butterfly (Vanessa atalanta) is of the family Nymphalidae which is in the genus Vanessa.

COMMA BUTTERFLY (Polygonia c-album) two on the Bird Walk trail Turvey Nature Reserve, Donabate, 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 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

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

 

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.  

Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

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

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 

COMMON BUZZARD (Buteo buteo) at Turvey Nature Reserve, Donabate, 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 Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo) is a medium sized bird of prey of the family Accipitridae which is in the genus Buteo.

RUDDY TURNSTONE (Arenaria interpres) in transition to winter plumage Blacksod Lighthouse, 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 Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaria interpres) is of the family Scolopacidae which is in the genus Arenaria.

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

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.   

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  

 

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

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

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 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. 

 

Click external link here to view identification guide to Irish Bumblebees

COMMON RINGED PLOVER (Charadrius hiaticula) adult in the foreground and juvenile Blacksod Lighthouse, 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 Common Ringed Plover (Charadrius hiaticula) is of the family Charadriidae which is in the genus Charadrius.

COMMON RINGED PLOVER (Charadrius hiaticula) adult Blacksod Lighthouse, 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 Common Ringed Plover (Charadrius hiaticula) is of the family Charadriidae which is in the genus Charadrius.

COMMON RINGED PLOVER (Charadrius hiaticula) juvenile Blacksod Lighthouse, 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 Common Ringed Plover (Charadrius hiaticula) is of the family Charadriidae which is in the genus Charadrius.

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

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.

 

Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

 

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

WHITE ERMINE MOTH (Spilosoma lubricipeda) caterpillar Blacksod, Mullet Peninsula, Co. Mayo, Ireland

CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE
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 

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

 

The Knot Grass Moth (Acronicta rumicis) is of the family Noctuidae which is in the genus Acronicta.

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  

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)