SHORT EARED OWL (Asio flammeus) Turvey Nature Reserve, Donabate, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland

 

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    The Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus) is a member of the owl family Strigidae which is in the genius Asio. It occurs on all continents except Australia and Antarctica. Worldwide, there are 216 species of owl. 

    In Ireland, it is mainly a scarce winter visitor to northern, eastern and southern coastal locations. Historically, the absence of voles from the Irish landscape has prevented it from becoming a breeding resident. Elsewhere in Europe, breeding success is heavily dependent upon an abundance of voles which is an important prey item fed to young owlets. Probably as a result of accidental introduction, Bank Vole (Myodes glareolus) has now become established in southwestern Ireland and subsequently this species of owl has bred on a number of occasions in that region. 

    More recently, a small breeding population of Short-eared Owl has become established in northeastern Ireland.

 

Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

SANDWICH TERN (Thalasseus sandvicensis) Skerries, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland

 

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In Europe, Sandwich Tern (Thalasseus sandvicensis)  is a summer resident  which breeds in coastal colonies and spends the winter in Africa

PURPLE SANDPIPER (Calidris maritima) East Pier, Howth Harbour, Howth, Fingal, Co.Dublin, Ireland

 

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MEDITERRANEAN GULL (Ichthyaetus melanocephalus) in 2nd winter or 3rd year plumage at Gormanston Beach, Gormanston, Co. Meath, Ireland

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 The Mediterranean Gull (Ichthyaetus melanocephalus) is of the family Laridae which is in the genus Ichthyaetus. This species has greatly expanded its range in the last 60 years from Eastern Europe. 

The first breeding record for Britain was in 1968 and now in excess of 1200 pairs breed. In 1995 a pair was discovered breeding in Co. Antrim and the following year a pair bred in Co. Wexford. Since then the Irish population has gradually increased to over 60 pairs. In the autumn there is an influx of continental birds from Europe for the winter which has been proven by colour ringing and then a return migration takes place in late spring.

 

Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

 

 Mediterranean Gull (Ichthyaetus melanocephalus) distribution map

Breeding      Breeding resident     Non breeding - winter

 

SanoAK: Alexander Kürthy, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

ROSEATE TERN (Juvenile) (Sterna dougallii) Gormanston Beach, Gormanston, Co. Meath, Ireland

 

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In Europe, the Roseate Tern (Sterna dougallii) is a rare summer visitor which breeds in a small number of coastal colonies and spends the winter in West Africa

SILVER WASHED FRITILLARY BUTTERFLY (Argynnis paphia) Clogherhead Village, Clogherhead, Co. Louth, Ireland

 

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The Silver-washed Fritillary Butterfly (Argynnis paphia) is of the family Nymphalidae which is in the genus Argynnis. This very large species occurs throughout the temperate regions of the Palearctic. In Britain, it is found in the southern half of England and Wales. It has a very scattered distribution in Ireland.

Eggs are laid in tree crevices close of it's larval foodplant Common Dog-violet (Viola riviniana). The larvae hatch in August and immediately hibernate. They emerge the following April and then feed on the foodplant. Pupation occurs during May and the adult flight season is from July to late September.

Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

DUNLIN (Juvenile in moult to winter plumage) (Calidris alpina) Rogerstown Estuary, Rush, Fingal, Co. Dublin

 

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PACIFIC BLACK DUCK Anas superciliosa ssp. A. s. rogersi Chinese Garden of Friendship, Pier Street, Darling Harbour, Sydney, NSW , Australia

 

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CHINESE GARDEN OF FRIENDSHIP, Pier Street, Darling Harbour, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

 

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The Chinese Garden of Friendship is located in Chinatown, Sydney, Australia. Modeled on the typical private gardens of the Ming Dynasty, the garden offers an insight into Chinese heritage and culture. The gardens were officially opened in 1988 as part of Sydney's bicentennial celebrations and they were named the Garden of Friendship symbolizing the bond established between China and Australia.

 

 

 

CURLEW SANDPIPER (Adult summer plumage) (Calidris ferruginea) Kalloni Salt Pans, Lesvos Island, Greece

 

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