ROGERSTOWN ESTUARY (Outer Section) Rush, Co. Dublin. Ireland

 

CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE
Click here for detailed site information

Rogerstown Estuary is situated just north of the Donabate-Portrane peninsula, and also south of Rush, on Ireland's east coast about 25km  north of Dublin.The estuary is made up of saltwater marshes, raised salt marsh, wet meadows and riverine shallows and creeks. It covers an area of 3.63 km2 (900 acres), and is divided by a causeway and bridge built in the 1840s to carry the main Dublin–Belfast railway line. It is internationally recognised as one of the most important east coast sites and is vital for wintering wildfowl and waders and birds on passage. Text © Wikipedia 

BLACK BELLIED (GREY) PLOVER Pluvialis squatarola Rogerstown Estuary, Rush, Co. Dublin, Ireland

 

CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE
Click here for detailed species information

MONK PARAKEET (Myiopsitta monachus) pair at Desembocadura Del Guadalhorce, Park Natural, Malaga, Spain

 

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 Monk Parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus) or Quaker Parrot is of the family Psittacidae which is in the genus Myiopsitta. This small South American parrot is native to the subtropical regions of Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay. It also occurs in many countries, notably in North America and Europe, as an introduced species.

Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds
 

Monk Parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus) distribution map   

  

RESIDENT - YEAR ROUND (Feral populations occur in many countries notably in North America and Europe)

 

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

LITTLE RINGED PLOVER Charadrius dubius Desembocadura Del Guadalhorce, Park Natural, Malaga, Spain

 

CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE
Click here for detailed species information

LITTLE OWL Athene noctua Ria Formosa, Natural Park, Tavira, Portugal

 

CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE
Click here for detailed species information

PEREZ'S FROG Pelophylax perezi El Acebuche, Nature Reserve, Almonte, Huelva, Spain

 

CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE
Click here for detailed species information

PEREZ'S FROG TADPOLE Pelophylax perezi El Acebuche, Nature Reserve, Almonte, Huelva, Spain

 

CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE
Click here for detailed species information

MATALASCANAS LIGHTHOUSE Almonte, Huelva, Spain

CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE
Click here for detailed site information

WESTERN SUBAPLINE WARBLER Sylvia inornata ssp. S. i. iberiae Matalascañas, Almonte, Huelva, Spain

CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE
Click here for detailed species information

LITTLE EGRET (Egretta garzetta) Broadmeadow Estuary, Kilcrea, Swords, Fingal, Co.Dublin, Ireland

 

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 Little Egret (Egretta garzetta) is a small member of the heron family Ardeidae which includes Bitterns, Egrets and Herons. It is found in the temperate parts of Eurasia and Africa as well as Australia and New Zealand. Over the last 60 years or so this species has greatly expanded its range including recolonising its former breeding areas in Northern Europe, as well as Ireland. It first bred in the Caribbean in the mid 1990’s and is increasingly being recorded along the North American eastern seaboard.

Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

EUROPEAN HERRING GULL (Larus argentatus subspecies L. a. argenteus) at Keenleen, South Harbour, Cape Clear Island, Baltimore, Co.Cork, 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 NIGHTJAR (Caprimulgus europaeus) Old Sanatorium, Sigri, Lesvos Island, Greece

CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE
Click here for detailed species information

The European Nightjar (Caprimulgus europaeus), Eurasian Nightjar or Nightjar is a crepuscular and nocturnal species in the family Caprimulgidae which is in the genus Caprimulgus. It returns from its wintering areas in sub-Saharan during April and breeds across most of Europe, temperate Asia and north western Africa.
The preferred habitat is dry open country with some trees and small bushes, such as heath lands, forest clearings or newly planted woodland. It feeds on a wide variety of flying insects.
The return migration south to its winter quarters commences in late August.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_nightjar

EGYPTIAN LOCUST or EGYPTIAN GRASSHOPPER (Anacridium aegyptum) Achladeri Pinewoods, Lesvos Island, Greece

CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE
Click external link here for detailed species information

 

The Egyptian Locust or Egyptian Grasshopper (Anacridium aegyptium) is of the family Acrididae which is in the genus Anacridium. In Europe, it mainly occurs in countries that boarder the Mediterranean Basin. It is also found in North Africa as well as Southwestern Asia. After hatching from an egg, an immature locust (called a nymph) goes through five moult stages known as instars and then becomes an adult. Unlike some other types of locust, this species poses no treat to agriculture. This is Europe's largest grasshopper with some females reaching up to 70mm in length and it overwinters as an adult.
  

  Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

BLACK WINGED STILT [Male] (Himantopus himantopus) Kalloni Salt Pans, Lesvos Island, Greece

CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE
Click here for detailed species information

The Black-winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus) is one of three species of stilt, the others two are Black Stilt (Himantopus novaezelandiae) and Banded Stilt (Cladorhynchus leucocephalus). It is resident in Africa and also breeds across the temperate parts of Europe and Central Asia where it is a summer resident that migrates south for the winter to sub Saharan Africa, the Indian sub-continent and South East Asia. Within the warmer parts of this range, there is a sedentary population.  
In addition, there are also four subspecies or races recognised, which some authorities consider to be full species, 

• Hawaiian Stilt (Himantopus himantopus knudseni) is resident on the Hawaiian Islands. 

•  Black-necked Stilt (H. h.  mexicanus) occurs in the southern part of North America, Central America, the Caribbean, and the northern part of South America, including the Galapagos Islands

• White-backed Stilt (H. h.  melanurus) occurs in central and southern South America

• White-headed Stilt (H. h.  leucocephalus) occurs in Australasia, the Java Peninsula and the Philippines. 

On Lesvos Island, Black-winged Stilt is a common spring and autumn passage migrant where it is also a local and scarce resident which breeds in small numbers.

Text © Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds.com

EUROPEAN BLACK KITE Milvus migrans ssp. M. m. migrans Los Barrios, Cádiz, Spain

 

CLICK ON IMAGE TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY PHOTO
Click here for detailed species information

RED & BLACK LONG HORNED BEETLE Purpuricenus desfontainii Achladeri Pinewoods, Lesvos Island, Greece

CLICK ON IMAGE TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY PHOTO
Click here for detailed species information

MELODIOUS WARBLER (Hippolais polyglotta) Los Barrios, Cádiz, Spain

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 Melodious Warbler (Hippolais polyglotta) is of the warbler family Acrocephalidae which is in the genus Hippolais. It is a common breeding summer resident in southwest Europe and northwest Africa. In Mid September, it migrates south to spend the winter in sub-Saharan Africa. In Ireland it's a rare but annual over shooting spring and autumn migrant to south coast headlands where it needs to be separated with care from the very similar Icterine Warbler (Hippolais icterina) which has noticeably longer primary projections being equal in length to the tertials. Melodious Warbler primary projections are half the length of its tertials.       

 

Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

BLACK REDSTART (Phoenicurus ochruros) Cape Clear Island, Baltimore, Co.Cork, Ireland

 

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 Black Redstart (Phoenicurus ochruros) is a small perching bird in the Old World flycatcher family Muscicapidae which is the genus Phoenicurus. It is a locally common resident in central and southern Europe and northern Africa. It also occurs in western and central Asia. In the warmer parts of its range it is sedentary. The northern populations migrate in the autumn to spend the winter in southern and western Europe, northern Africa and the Indian sub continent. 

Text © www.rawbirds.com

ROCK DOVE (Columba livia) Cape Clear Island, Baltimore, Co.Cork, 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 Rock Dove (Columba livia) is of the family Columbidae which is in the genus Columba.

EURASIAN CURLEW Numenius arquata Rogerstown Estuary, Rush, Co. Dublin, Ireland

 

CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE
Click here for detailed species information

EURASIAN WIGEON (Male) Anas penelope Rogerstown Estuary, Rush, Co. Dublin, Ireland

 

CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE
Click here for detailed species information

EURASIAN WIGEON (Male) Anas penelope Rogerstown Estuary, Rush, Co. Dublin, Ireland

 

CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE
Click here for detailed species information

WHOOPER SWAN (Cygnus cygnus) Broadmeadow Estuary, Swords, Co.Dublin, Ireland

 

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 Whooper Swan (Cygnus cygnus) is of the family Anatidae which is in the genus Cygnus and is a winter visitor to northwestern Europe. Two other species of wild swan occurs in Ireland, Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) is a common resident and Bewick's Swan (Cygnus columbianus) is a rare winter visitor.

 

Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

COMMON REDSTART (1st winter) Phoenicurus phoenicurus Cape Clear Island, Baltimore, Co.Cork, Ireland

 

CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE
Click here for detailed species information

EUROPEAN TURTLE DOVE (Streptopelia turtur) two juveniles at Ballyieragh South, Cape Clear Island, Baltimore, Co.Cork, 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 Turtle Dove (Streptopelia turtur) is a migratory member of the family Columbidae, which includes doves as well as pigeons and is in the genus Streptopelia. It is a  summer breeding resident in Europe (including the Canary Islands), parts of the Middle East, as well as western Asia and north Africa. It is absent as a breeding species from Iceland, Ireland (formally bred) and most of Scandinavia but does occur in spring and autumn as an uncommon/rare overshooting migrant. Over much of its northern range, there has been a very sharp decline in its population. In the autumn, it migrates south to spend the winter in southern Africa.

 

Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

COMMON ROSEFINCH (1st winter) Carpodacus erythrinus Ballyieragh South, Cape Clear Island, Baltimore, Co.Cork, Ireland

 

CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE
Click here for detailed species information

RED ADMIRAL BUTTERFLY (Vanessa atalanta) Cape Clear Island, Baltimore, Co.Cork, Ireland

 

CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE
Click here for detailed species information

FORSTER'S TERN Sterna forsteri Rogerstown Estuary, Rush, Co. Dublin, Ireland

CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE
Click here for detailed species information

EUROPEAN STONECHAT (Saxicola rubicola ssp.hibernans) male Cape Clear Island, Baltimore, Co.Cork, 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 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

WESTERN MARSH HARRIER (Circus aeruginosus) Ballyieragh South, Cape Clear Island; Baltimore, Co.Cork, Ireland

 

CLICK ON IMAGE TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY PHOTO
Click here for detailed species information