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

Monday 14 December 2015

GREY HERON (Ardea cinerea) at North 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 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 

Saturday 12 December 2015

EUROPEAN STONECHAT (Saxicola rubicola subspecies.S. r. hibernans) male 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 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

Thursday 10 December 2015

EUROPEAN STONECHAT (Saxicola rubicola subspecies S. r. hibernans) female at North 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 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


Monday 7 December 2015

YELLOW BROWED WARBLER (Phylloscopus inornatus) North Harbour, Cape Clear Island, Baltimore, Co. Cork, Ireland

CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE
tClick here for detailed species information
Click here to see distribution map and to hear calls

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 6 December 2015

SPOTTED FLYCATCHER (Muscicapa striata) Knockanacohig, Cape Clear Island, Baltimore, Co. Cork, Ireland

CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE
tClick here for detailed species information
Click here to see distribution map and to hear calls
The Spotted Flycatcher (Muscicapa striata) is a small Old World passerine in the family Muscicapidae which is in the genus Muscicapa. It is the commonest and the most widespread flycatcher found in Europe and western Asia. It is one of five species of migratory flycatcher which are summer breeding residents in Europe. In late spring, it returns from its wintering areas in southern Africa and southwestern Asia. Its preferred habit is open deciduous woodland. Main prey items include small flying invertebrates and caterpillars. By September with its food supply in decline, the return migration south begins.  

Text © www.rawbirds.com

Tuesday 1 December 2015

EUROPEAN TURTLE DOVE (Streptopelia turtur) juvenile at Ballyieragh North, 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

Thursday 26 November 2015

DUNNOCK (Prunella modularis) Croha East, 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 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

CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE
tClick here for detailed species information
Click here to see distribution map and to hear calls
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


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 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


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 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



 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 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


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 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


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 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

 
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 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

 
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 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

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 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

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

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



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 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



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 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

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

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 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

CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE
Click here for detailed species information
Click here to see distribution map and to hear calls

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