Bird, bug, butterfly and a wild variety of photos from Belarus, Cyprus, Finland, Greece, Ireland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Scotland and Spain by Irish wildlife photographer Patrick J. O'Keeffe and invited guests

Tuesday 12 February 2013

YELLOW BROWED WARBLER ( Phylloscopus inornatus) Cotter's Garden, Cape Clear Island, Baltimore, Co Cork, Ireland


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The Yellow-browed Warbler (Phylloscopus inornatus) is one of smallest leaf warbler in the genus Phylloscopus. This insectivorous species is a summer breeding resident in the temperate regions of Asia. In the autumn, it migrates south to winter in the tropical regions of south east Asia. Small numbers also winter in western and southern Europe, as far south as the Canary Islands. In Ireland, it is a scarce or rare annual autumn passage migrant to coastal headlands and offshore islands.
 
Text © Patrick J. O'Keeffe / RawBirds.com

Sunday 10 February 2013

HOLLY BLUE BUTTERFLY (Celastrina argiolus) male, Broadmeadow Estuary, Swords, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland


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The Holly Blue Butterfly (Celastrina argiolus) is a small butterfly in the family Lycaenids which is in the genus Celastrina. It is a widespread species and occurs in North America as well as Eurasia but is absent from the colder northern parts of this range. Up to 14 subspecies are generally recognised. There are two generations and it is one of the earliest blue butterflies to be seen, emerging in late spring. Later in the season, it can be confused with similar coloured species but it has very distinctive black speckling on its under wing.  
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

WESTERN ORPHEAN WARBLER Sylvia hortensis Tavira, Portugal

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SPECKLED WOOD Pararge aegeria

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EUROPEAN SERIN Serinus serinus Parque Natural da Ria Formosa, Tavira, Portugal

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RED VEINED DARTER (Female) Sympetrum fonscolombii El Rocio, Almonte, Huelva, Spain

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Friday 8 February 2013

SARDINIAN WARBLER [Male] (Sylvia melanocephala) Parque Natural da Ria Formosa, Tavira, Portugal


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The Sardinian Warbler (Sylvia melanocephala) is a small mainly insectivorous warbler of the family Sylviidae which is in the genus Sylvia. It is commonly encountered in southern and eastern Europe as well as in countries bordering the Mediterranean Basin. It is also resident on the Canary Islands. Some authorities recognise up to five subspecies. The female, typical of most sylvia warblers, has drabber plumage, it is grey headed with brownish upper parts and the under parts are washed buff. This species normally occurs in shrubby type habitat as well as in parks and gardens.
   
Text © Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds.com 
Up to five subspecies are generally recognised:
  • Sylvia melanocephala melanocephala - Iberia across the northern Mediterranean to western Turkey. Extends into the Maghreb from Iberia, and into Libya from Italy via Sicily. Migrates to the Sahel and oases in the Sahara in winter.
  • Sylvia melanocephala leucogastra  - Canary Islands, resident, probably some vagrancy between eastern islands and Maghreb.
  • Sylvia melanocephala momus - Near East. Resident, some local movements. 
  • Sylvia melanocephala norissae - Fayyum Warbler - probably only a local morph of momus  - Nile Delta region. Extinct since around 1940.
  • Sylvia melanocephala valverdei - Morocco south to the Tropic of Cancer, inland to the edge of the Sahara. Resident, but some seasonal movements.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sardi

Wednesday 6 February 2013

BRAMBLING (Fringilla montifringilla) Broadmeadow Estuary, Swords, Co. Dublin, Ireland

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The Brambling
(Fringilla montifringilla) is a member of the finch family Fringillidae which is in the genus Fringilla. It breeds in the northern birch and coniferous forests of Scandinavia and Russia. With the onset of colder weather, this migratory species moves south to winter in western and southern Europe, North Africa, the northern part of the Indian sub continent, China, and Japan. During migration, it regularly occurs in Alaska and as far south as the western United States.
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

EURASIAN SPARROWHAWK (Accipiter nisus) Broadmeadow Estuary, Sword, Fingal, Co.Dublin, Ireland


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The Eurasian Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus), alternative names include Northern Sparrowhawk or simply Sparrowhawk, is a small bird of prey of the family Accipitridae which is in the genus Accipiter. It has a widespread distribution across the temperate and subtropical parts of the Old World. It is a partial migrant and in the more northern and colder parts of its range, it disperses south for the winter. The preferred habitats include open type wood land, hedge rows, parks and gardens where a wide variety of small to medium sized perching birds are preyed upon. Males are up to 25% smaller than females and tend to prey upon sparrow sized passerines but can include starlings and thrushes. Females, on the other hand, can tackle larger prey including doves, pigeons and magpies.
This species is the most commonly encountered bird of prey in Ireland.

Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

Thursday 31 January 2013

SHORT TOED SNAKE EAGLE Circaetus gallicus Parque Nacional de Doñana, El Rocio, Almonte, Huelva, Andalucía, Spain

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SHORT TOED SNAKE EAGLE Circaetus gallicus Parque Nacional de Doñana, El Rocio, Almonte, Huelva, Andalucía, Spain

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SHORT TOED SNAKE EAGLE Circaetus gallicus Parque Nacional de Doñana, El Rocio, Almonte, Huelva, Andalucía, Spain

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SHORT TOED SNAKE EAGLE Circaetus gallicus Parque Nacional de Doñana, El Rocio, Almonte, Huelva, Andalucía, Spain

 
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SHORT TOED SNAKE EAGLE Circaetus gallicus Parque Nacional de Doñana, El Rocio, Almonte, Huelva, Andalucía, Spain

 
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Wednesday 30 January 2013

LULWORTH SKIPPER BUTTERFLY (Male) Thymelicus acteon El Rocio, Almonte, Huelva, Spain

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PIMELIA BEETLE or DARKLING BEETLE (Pimelia species) at Doñana National Park, Almonte, Huelva, Spain


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Primelia Beetles (Pimelia species) are of the family Tenebrionidae and are in the genus Primelia.
Also refereed to by the more general name Darkling Beetles which includes other types of ground beetles. This
flightless diurnal species occurs in warmer climates and is exclusively found in sand dunes and deserts. In the heat of the day they burrow down into the sand to avoid dehydration and emerge in the early morning or late evening to feed on dead or decaying matter.

Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds
  
 

Monday 28 January 2013

BOHEMIAN WAXWING (Bombycilla garrulus) Glasnevin, Co Dublin, Ireland

 
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The Bohemian Waxwing (Bombycilla garrulus) is of the family Bombycillidae which is in the genus Bombycilla.  
This eruptive species breeds in the coniferous forests of North America and Eurasia. Northern populations migrate to spend the winter in the southern parts of its home range. In years when there is a poor winter berry crop in northern latitudes, all of the population disperses further south and can be found either singly or in flocks feeding on berries or rose hips in parks, gardens and along hedgerows. In Ireland, Bohemian Waxwing is an irregular or scarce winter visitor from Scandinavia.
 
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

BOHEMIAN WAXWING (Bombycilla garrulus) Glasnevin, Co Dublin, Ireland


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The Bohemian Waxwing (Bombycilla garrulus) is of the family Bombycillidae which is in the genus Bombycilla.  
This eruptive species breeds in the coniferous forests of North America and Eurasia. Northern populations migrate to spend the winter in the southern parts of its home range. In years when there is a poor winter berry crop in northern latitudes, all of the population disperses further south and can be found either singly or in flocks feeding on berries or rose hips in parks, gardens and along hedgerows. In Ireland, Bohemian Waxwing is an irregular or scarce winter visitor from Scandinavia.
 
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

BOHEMIAN WAXWING (Bombycilla garrulus) Glasnevin, Co Dublin, Ireland

 
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The Bohemian Waxwing (Bombycilla garrulus) is of the family Bombycillidae which is in the genus Bombycilla.  
This eruptive species breeds in the coniferous forests of North America and Eurasia. Northern populations migrate to spend the winter in the southern parts of its home range. In years when there is a poor winter berry crop in northern latitudes, all of the population disperses further south and can be found either singly or in flocks feeding on berries or rose hips in parks, gardens and along hedgerows. In Ireland, Bohemian Waxwing is an irregular or scarce winter visitor from Scandinavia.
 
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

BOHEMIAN WAXWING (Bombycilla garrulus) Glasnevin, Co. Dublin, Ireland

 
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The Bohemian Waxwing (Bombycilla garrulus) is of the family Bombycillidae which is in the genus Bombycilla.  
This eruptive species breeds in the coniferous forests of North America and Eurasia. Northern populations migrate to spend the winter in the southern parts of its home range. In years when there is a poor winter berry crop in northern latitudes, all of the population disperses further south and can be found either singly or in flocks feeding on berries or rose hips in parks, gardens and along hedgerows. In Ireland, Bohemian Waxwing is an irregular or scarce winter visitor from Scandinavia.
 
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

Sunday 27 January 2013

EURASIAN BLACKBIRD (Turdus merula) male at Glasnevin, Co. Dublin, Ireland

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 The Eurasian Blackbird (Turdus merula) or more simply known as a Blackbird is of the thrush family Turdidae which is in the genus Turdus.

EURASIAN BLACKBIRD (Turdus merula) female at Glasnevin, Co. Dublin, Ireland

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 The Eurasian Blackbird (Turdus merula) or more simply known as a Blackbird is of the thrush family Turdidae which is in the genus Turdus.

Friday 25 January 2013

SPOTTED REDSHANK Tringa erythropus

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SPOTTED REDSHANK Tringa erythropus

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COMMON REDPOLL (Acanthis flammea subspecies A. f. caberet) Broadmeadow Estuary, Swords, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland

 
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 The Common Redpoll (Acanthis flammea) or more simply known as a Redpoll is of the finch family Fringillidae which is in the genus Acanthis. 
 There are several subspecies recognised including the Lesser Redpoll (Acanthis flammea caberet) which is resident in Ireland and Britain. It also breeds in Central Europe and Southern Scandinavia where it is a partial migrant, which moves south and west to more temperate regions for the winter.

Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

Thursday 24 January 2013

COMMON REDPOLL (Acanthis flammea subspecies A. f. caberet) Broadmeadow Estuary, Swords, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland

 
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 The Common Redpoll (Acanthis flammea) or more simply known as a Redpoll is of the finch family Fringillidae which is in the genus Acanthis. 
 There are several subspecies recognised including the Lesser Redpoll (Acanthis flammea caberet) which is resident in Ireland and Britain. It also breeds in Central Europe and Southern Scandinavia where it is a partial migrant, which moves south and west to more temperate regions for the winter.

Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

COMMON REDPOLL (Acanthis flammea subspecies A. f. caberet) Broadmeadow Estuary, Swords, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland

 
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 The Common Redpoll (Acanthis flammea) or more simply known as a Redpoll is of the finch family Fringillidae which is in the genus Acanthis. 
 There are several subspecies recognised including the Lesser Redpoll (Acanthis flammea caberet) which is resident in Ireland and Britain. It also breeds in Central Europe and Southern Scandinavia where it is a partial migrant, which moves south and west to more temperate regions for the winter.

Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

Tuesday 22 January 2013

GREEN VEINED WHITE BUTTERFLY (Pieris napi) Belarus

 
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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. There are a number of subspecies recognised. It hibernates during the winter as a chrysalis.

Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds