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CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE Click here for detailed species information |
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CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE Click here for detailed species information |
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CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE Click here for detailed species information |
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CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE Click here for detailed species information |
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CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE Click here for detailed species information |
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CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE Click here for detailed species information |
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CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE
Click here for detailed species information
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CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE Click here for detailed species information |
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CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE Click here for detailed species information |
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CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE Click here for detailed species information |
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CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE Click here for detailed species information |
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CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE Click external link here for detailed species information The Cryptic Wood White Butterfly (Leptidea juvernica) is of the family Pieridae which is in the genus Leptidea. |
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CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE Click here for detailed species information The Marsh Fritillary Butterfly (Euphydryas aurinia) is of the family Nymphalidae which is in the genus Euphydryas. It has a wide distribution in the Palearctic region and is protected under Annex II of the European Union Habitats and Species Directive. The gregarious larvae overwinter in a silken web formed at the base of the larval host plant Devil’s-bit Scabious (Succisa pratensis). In mid March they emerge from hibernation and disperse prior to pupation in late April. Three to four weeks later, the adults appear and are on the wing until late June or early July. After mating the female lays batches of up to 300 eggs on the underside of the leaves of the host plant. The larvae hatch in mid June and then form a new silken web from which they feed on the leaves of the host plant before the hibernation period begins. Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds |
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CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE Click here for detailed species information The Narrow-bordered Bee Hawk-moth (Hemaris tityus) is of the family Sphingidae which is in the genus Hemaris. It occurs through out the Palearctic region. This day flying bumblebee mimic is normally on the wing during May and June extending occasionally into July. It is the only Bee Hawk-moth found in Ireland where it has a very scattered distribution. Elsewhere it can be confused with the very similar Broad-bordered Bee Hawk-moth (Hemaris fuciformis). Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds |
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CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE Click here for detailed species information The Hairy Hawker Dragonfly is of the family Aeshnidae which is in the genus Brachytron. Alternative names include Hairy Dragonfly and Spring Hawker. It has a scattered distribution in Europe and parts of western Asia. It is absent from Iceland and other northern latitudes. In the warmer part of its range, it is on the wing from late March to early August but has a shorter flight season elsewhere. This close up view of a freshly emerged female clearly demonstrates where it got its English name from. Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds |
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CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE Click here for detailed species information The Large Red Damselfly (Pyrrhosoma nymphula) is of the family Coenagrionidae which is in the genus Pyrrhosoma. It is commonly found in Europe, smaller populations occur in northern Africa and western Asia. It is on the wing from April to early September. Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds |
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CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE Click here for detailed species information The Dingy Skipper Butterfly (Erynnis tages) is of the family Hesperiidae which is in the genus Erynnis. It occurs in Europe and most of western Asia. The flight season is normally from late April to early June but in the warmer parts of its range there is a second generation on the wing during July and August. Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds |
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CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE Click here for detailed species information The Hairy Hawker Dragonfly is of the family Aeshnidae which is in the genus Brachytron. Alternative names include Hairy Dragonfly and Spring Hawker. It has a scattered distribution in Europe and parts of western Asia. It is absent from Iceland and other northern latitudes. In the warmer part of its range, it is on the wing from late March to early August but has a shorter flight season elsewhere. Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds |
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The Green Hairstreak Butterfly (Callophrys rubi) is of the family Lycaenidae which is in the genus Callophrys. This small butterfly has a widespread distribution in Europe, Asia and northern Africa. When seen in flight, with its dull brown upper wings, it can easily be confused with darker coloured species. When not feeding it lands on green foliage always resting with the wings closed, revealing the iridescent green underwing. With this camouflage, it can be surprisingly difficult to spot. The flight season can extend from late March to early August but has a much shorter season in the northern part of its range. Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds |
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The Raft Spider (Dolomedes fimbriatus) is a semi-aquatic member of the family Pisauridaeone which is in the genus Dolomedes. It is one of Ireland’s largest spiders. Also known as the Hunting Spider or the Jesus Christ spider for its ability to walk on water. It occurs in sphagnum bogs. Main prey items include aquatic and terrestrial insects, invertebrates as well as tadpoles which it detects using its forelegs to sense any vibrations on the water surface. If threatened, it can submerge itself under water for up to 60 minutes. Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds |
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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:
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds |
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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 |
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Click external link here to see distribution map and to hear calls
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