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 1 December 2015

EUROPEAN TURTLE DOVE (Streptopelia turtur) juvenile at Ballyieragh North, Cape Clear Island, Baltimore, Co. Cork, Ireland

 
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 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

Thursday 26 November 2015

DUNNOCK (Prunella modularis) Croha East, Cape Clear Island, Baltimore, Co. Cork, Ireland

 
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The Dunnock (Prunella modularis) which was formally known as Hedge Sparrow or Hedge Accentor is of the family Prunellidae which is in the genus Prunella. The name Dunnock comes from the ancient English word dunnākos, meaning "little brown one". It occurs in the temperate regions of Europe, parts of Western Asia and as an introduced species in New Zealand. 
 
 Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

Saturday 21 November 2015

EURASIAN REED WARBLER (Acrocephalus scirpaceus) Knockanacohig, Cape Clear Island, Baltimore, Co. Cork, Ireland

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The Eurasian Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus scirpaceus) is an Old World warbler in the genus Acrocephalus. It breeds across Europe into temperate western Asia. It is migratory, wintering in sub-Saharan Africa.This passerine nests exclusively in reed beds and feeds on a wide variety of small invertebrates . Text reference 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurasian_reed_warbler

Thursday 19 November 2015

SIBERIAN CHIFFCHAFF (Phylloscopus collybita subspecies P. c. tristis) Cotters Garden, Knockanacohig, Cape Clear Island, Baltimore, Co. Cork, Ireland


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 The Common Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita) is of the family Phylloscopidae which is in the genus Phylloscopus. This small insectivorous species of leaf warbler is a summer resident from mid March to October which breeds in the northern and temperate regions of Eurasia. In the autumn it migrates south to spend the winter in the Mediterranean Basin, sub Saharan Africa and southwestern Asia. Small numbers also overwinter in northwest Europe.  
There are several subspecies recognised including, Common Chiffchaff (P. c. collybita), Scandinavian Chiffchaff (P. c. abietinus) and Siberian Chiffchaff (P. c. tristis).  
 
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

Tuesday 17 November 2015

COMMON CHIFFCHAFF (Phylloscopus collybita subspecies P.c.collybita) Cotter's Garden, Knockanacohig, Cape Clear Island, Baltimore, Co. Cork, Ireland


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 The Common Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita) is of the family Phylloscopidae which is in the genus Phylloscopus. This small insectivorous species of leaf warbler is a summer resident from mid March to October which breeds in the northern and temperate regions of Eurasia. In the autumn it migrates south to spend the winter in the Mediterranean Basin, sub Saharan Africa and southwestern Asia. Small numbers also overwinter in northwest Europe.  
There are several subspecies recognised including, Common Chiffchaff (P. c. collybita), Scandinavian Chiffchaff (P. c. abietinus) and Siberian Chiffchaff (P. c. tristis).  
 
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

Monday 16 November 2015

WILLOW WARBLER (Phylloscopus trochilus) Keenleen, Cape Clear Island, Baltimore, Co. Cork, Ireland



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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.
    
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

Sunday 15 November 2015

SIBERIAN CHIFFCHAFF (Phylloscopus collybita subspecies P. c. tristis ) on 13th October 2015 at Cotters Garden, Knockanacohig, Cape Clear Island, Baltimore, Co. Cork, Ireland


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 The Common Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita) is of the family Phylloscopidae which is in the genus Phylloscopus. This small insectivorous species of leaf warbler is a summer resident from mid March to October which breeds in the northern and temperate regions of Eurasia. In the autumn it migrates south to spend the winter in the Mediterranean Basin, sub Saharan Africa and southwestern Asia. Small numbers also overwinter in northwest Europe.  
There are several subspecies recognised including, Common Chiffchaff (P. c. collybita), Scandinavian Chiffchaff (P. c. abietinus) and Siberian Chiffchaff (P. c. tristis).  
 
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

Saturday 14 November 2015

SCANDINAVIAN CHIFFCHAFF (Phylloscopus collybita subspecies P. c. abietinus ) on !7-10-2015 at Cotters Garden, Knockanacohig, Cape Clear Island, Baltimore, Co. Cork, Ireland


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 The Common Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita) is of the family Phylloscopidae which is in the genus Phylloscopus. This small insectivorous species of leaf warbler is a summer resident which breeds in the northern and temperate regions of Eurasia. In the autumn it migrates south to spend the winter in the Mediterranean Basin, sub Saharan Africa and southwestern Asia. Small numbers also overwinter in northwest Europe.  
There are several subspecies recognised including, Common Chiffchaff (P. c. collybita), Scandinavian Chiffchaff (P. c. abietinus) and Siberian Chiffchaff (P. c. tristis).  
 
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

Thursday 12 November 2015

WILLOW WARBLER (Phylloscopus trochilus) Keenleen, Cape Clear Island, Baltimore, Co. Cork, Ireland

 
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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.
    
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

Tuesday 10 November 2015

COMMON CHIFFCHAFF (Phylloscopus collybita subspecies P. c. collybita ) Cotters Garden, Knockanacohig, Cape Clear Island, Baltimore, Co. Cork, Ireland

 
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 The Common Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita) is of the family Phylloscopidae which is in the genus Phylloscopus. This small insectivorous species of leaf warbler is a summer resident from mid March to October which breeds in the northern and temperate regions of Eurasia. In the autumn it migrates south to spend the winter in the Mediterranean Basin, sub Saharan Africa and southwestern Asia. Small numbers also overwinter in northwest Europe.  
There are several subspecies recognised including, Common Chiffchaff (P. c. collybita), Scandinavian Chiffchaff (P. c. abietinus) and Siberian Chiffchaff (P. c. tristis).  
 
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

Friday 6 November 2015

(EUROPEAN) LESSER WHITETHROAT (Sylvia curruca subspecies S. c. curruca) Cape Clear Island, Baltimore, Co. Cork, Ireland

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The Lesser Whitethroat (Sylvia curruca) is a common summer resident in the temperate regions of western/central Asia and Europe but is absent as a breeding species from the Iberian Peninsula, Iceland, Ireland and northern Scandinavia. Three races are generally recognised, the European Lesser Whitethroat (Sylvia curruca curruca), the Siberian Lesser Whitethroat (Sylvia curruca blythii) and the Desert Lesser Whitethroat (Sylvia curruca halimodendri).This mainly insectivorous warbler also eats soft skinned berries. In the autumn, it migrates south to spend the winter in sub Saharan Africa, the Arabian Peninsula and the Indian sub-continent. In Europe, it's expanding its range north wards. In Ireland, it's an uncommon but regular spring and autumn passage migrant on coastal headlands as well as off shore islands and in recent years breeding has been suspected at a couple of locations in the south east. Text © www.rawbirds.com

Monday 2 November 2015

LARGE COPPER BUTTERFLY (Lycaena dispar) male, Bihar Plain, Furta, Hajdú-Bihar megye, Hungary

 
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The Large Copper Butterfly (Lycaena dispar) is of the family Lycaenidae which is in the genus Lycaena. Its main strong hold is south western Asia and south eastern Europe. In addition there are isolated populations in France, Holland, Germany, Italy, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Kaliningrad and Poland. 
It is found in damp areas near lakes, canals, rivers and in fens where its larval food plants Docks (Rumex) occurs, this includes Water Dock (Rumex hydrolapathum), Curled Dock (Rumex crispus) and Broad Leaved Dock (Rumex obtusifolius)
Formally bred Britain (in East Anglia, England but became extinct by 1851), subsequent reintroductions failed to permanently re-establish it. There were also a number of attempts to establish a population in Ireland but to no avail and the last report was in 1953.  
 
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

Friday 30 October 2015

EASTERN IMPERIAL EAGLE (Aquila heliaca) immature Bihar Plain, Furta, Hajdú-Bihar megye, Hungary



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The Eastern Imperial Eagle (Aquila heliaca) is of the family Accipitridae which is in the genus Aquila. This very large uncommon bird of prey which breeds in central and south eastern Europe as well as western and central Asia. The European population winters in north east Africa. The Asian population winters in the Middle East, northern Indian and South East Asia. Small numbers remain in the breeding areas all year round. Major prey items include hares, rabbits, susliks (a type of ground squirrel), birds and carrion. 
 
 Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

Thursday 29 October 2015

PALLID HARRIER (Circus macrourus) male Bihar Plain, Furta, Hajdú-Bihar megye, Hungary



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The Pallid Harrier (Circus macrourus) is of the family Accipitridae which is in the genus Circus.This is a scarce summer breeding resident in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. In recent times, it has expanded its range to the west and north in Europe. Its preferred habitats are open steppes, agricultural areas and grassland plains. Prey items include insects, rodents and small birds. The European population winters in sub Saharan Africa and the Asian population winters in the Indian sub-continent and South East Asia. 
  
  Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

Tuesday 27 October 2015

COMMON SWALLOWTAIL BUTTERFLY (Papilio machaon) Bihar Plain, Furta, Hajdú-Bihar megye, Hungary

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In the family Papilionidae, there are 225 species of Swallowtail Butterfly (as well as a number of subfamilies) and they are mainly found in the tropical regions of the world.The Common Swallowtail (Papilio machaon) occurs in North America, Europe and Asia and many subspecies are recognised. It has a widespread distribution in Europe but is absent from Iceland and Ireland. Text © www.rawbirds.com

Sunday 25 October 2015

EURASIAN PENDULINE TIT (Male) (Remiz pendulinus) Hortobágy National Park - The Puszta, Hortobágy, Debrecen, Hajdú-Bihar megye, Hungary

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The Eurasian Penduline Tit (Remiz pendulinus) is found in southern and central Europe as well as central and south western Asia. The northern population is migratory and in late autumn, retreats south to spend the winter in the warmer part of its range. It is generally found near fresh water with marginal trees and shrubs. It weaves an elaborate enclosed suspended nest with an angled downward facing tunnel entrance. Food items include a wide variety of small invertebrates and seeds. Text © www.rawbirds.com 

Saturday 24 October 2015

PURPLE HERON (Ardea purpurea) Hortobágy National Park - The Puszta, Hortobágy, Debrecen, Hajdú-Bihar megye, Hungary

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There are 65 species of heron (which includes Bitterns and Egrets). The Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea) is resident in Africa and southern Asia. It is also a summer breeding resident in eastern and and western Asia as well as central and southern Europe. The northern populations are migratory and with the onset of colder weather in late autumn, they migrate south to Africa and to southern Asia to spend the winter there. This secretive species can at times be difficult to locate. Its preferred habitats are reed beds or ditches and unlike most other species of heron, it is generally no found out in the open. Text © www.rawbirds.com

Monday 28 September 2015

BARN SWALLOW (Hirundo rustica) Hortobágy National Park - The Puszta, Hortobágy, Debrecen, Hajdú-Bihar megye, Hungary

 
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  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 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

Saturday 26 September 2015

WHISKERED TERN (Chlidonias hybrida) Hortobágy National Park - The Puszta, Hortobágy, Debrecen, Hajdú-Bihar megye, Hungary

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The Whiskered Tern (Chlidonias hybrida) is a species of marsh tern. There are three races recognised; Chlidonias hybrida hybrida breeds in Eurasia - Chlidonias hybrida delalandii is found in eastern and southern Africa - Chlidonias hybrida javanicus occurs on the Java Peninsula south to Australia  The northern  population is migratory and winters in West Africa, the Middle East, East Africa, the Indian sub-continent and South East Asia. This fresh water species has a scattered distribution through out its range and is in decline due to the drainage of wetlands. Text © www.rawbirds.com

Thursday 24 September 2015

WHISKERED TERN (Chlidonias hybrida) Hortobágy National Park - The Puszta, Hortobágy, Debrecen, Hajdú-Bihar megye, Hungary

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The Whiskered Tern (Chlidonias hybrida) is a species of marsh tern. There are three races recognised; Chlidonias hybrida hybrida breeds in Eurasia - Chlidonias hybrida delalandii is found in eastern and southern Africa - Chlidonias hybrida javanicus occurs on the Java Peninsula south to Australia  The northern population is migratory and winters in West Africa, the Middle East, East Africa, the Indian sub-continent and South East Asia. This fresh water species has a scattered distribution through out its range and is in decline due to the drainage of wetlands. Text © www.rawbirds.com

Tuesday 22 September 2015

RED FOOTED FALCON (Male) (Falco vespertinus) Hortobágy National Park - The Puszta, Hortobágy, Debrecen, Hajdú-Bihar megye, Hungary

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The Red-footed Falcon (Falco vespertinus) breeds in eastern Europe and west, central and north-central Asia, with its main range from Belarus south to Hungary, northern Serbia and Montenegro, Romania, Moldova and east Bulgaria, eastward through Ukraine and north-west and south Russia and north Kazakhstan to extreme north-west China and the upper Lena river (Russia). It winters in southern Africa, from South Africa northwards to southern Kenya (Ferguson-Lees et al. 2001).  Text © iucnredlist.org (see full species status at  http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/22696432/00)

Sunday 20 September 2015

LONG EARED OWL (Roosting) (Asio otus) Hortobágy National Park - The Puszta, Hortobágy, Debrecen, Hajdú-Bihar megye, Hungary

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The Long-eared Owl (Asio otus) is a widespread northern hemisphere species which occurs in North America, Europe and Asia. There are four subspecies generally recognised:  Asio otus tuftsi is found in western Canada south to northern Mexico - Asio otus wilsonianus breeds in central and eastern Canada south to eastern USA - Asio otus otus occurs in Asia, Europe and North Africa - Asio otus canariensis is endemic to the Canary Islands. The northern part of the population is migratory and disperses south before the onset of winter. Breeding habitat includes both deciduous woodland and conifer plantations with access to open country side for hunting. Prey items include a wide variety of small vertebrates, mainly mice, voles, shrews, rats and to a lesser extent reptiles and birds.  Text © www.rawbirds.com

Saturday 19 September 2015

MOUSTACHED WARBLER (Acrocephalus melanopogon) Hortobágy National Park - The Puszta, Hortobágy, Debrecen, Hajdú-Bihar megye, Hungary

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The Moustached Warbler (Acrocephalus melanopogon) is an Old World reed bed species of the family Acrocephalidae which is in genus Acrocephalus. It is predominantly a Eurasian species that breeds in southern Europe and in south western Asia. There is also a small scattered population in northwest Africa. It feeds on a wide variety of small invertebrates. In the northern part of the range birds migrate south to spend the winter in the Mediterranean Basin, North Africa, the Arabian Peninsula and in the north western part of the Indian sub-continent. 

 Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

Tuesday 15 September 2015

RED FOOTED FALCON (Male) (Falco vespertinus) Hortobágy National Park - The Puszta, Hortobágy, Debrecen, Hajdú-Bihar megye, Hungary

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The Red-footed Falcon (Falco vespertinus) breeds in eastern Europe and west, central and north-central Asia, with its main range from Belarus south to Hungary, northern Serbia and Montenegro, Romania, Moldova and east Bulgaria, eastward through Ukraine and north-west and south Russia and north Kazakhstan to extreme north-west China and the upper Lena river (Russia). It winters in southern Africa, from South Africa northwards to southern Kenya (Ferguson-Lees et al. 2001).  Text © iucnredlist.org (see full species status at  http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/22696432/00)

Saturday 12 September 2015

BLACK REDSTART [Juvenile] (Phoenicurus ochruros) Hortobágy National Park - The Puszta, Hortobágy, Debrecen, Hajdú-Bihar megye, Hungary


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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