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 30 November 2020

Sunday 29 November 2020

ALDER BUCKTHORN WILDPLANT (Frangula alnus) Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland



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The Alder Buckthorn Wildplant (Frangula alnus) is of the family Rhamnaceae which is in the genus Frangula. This deciduous shrub or small tree is uncommon in Ireland and is typically found in acidic soils. It mainly occurs in a band which stretches from Co. Kildare, in the midlands, westwards into eastern Co. Galway as well as parts of Co. Clare where a prostrate form grows in the limestone soils of the Burren.
This species and the Common Buckthorn (Rhamnus catharticas) are the larval food plants of the Brimstone Butterfly (Gonepteryx rhamni).
 
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds
 
Distribution map of Alder Buckthorn (Frangula alnus)
 
File:Frangula alnus range.svg 

Legend:            Native range.   Isolated population.

 Map source:

Caudullo, G., Welk, E., San-Miguel-Ayanz, J., 2017. Chorological maps for the main European woody species. Data in Brief 12, 662-666. DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2017.05.007

Friday 27 November 2020

CRYPTIC WOOD WHITE BUTTERFLY (Leptidea juvernica) on HERB ROBERT WILDFLOWER (Geranium_robertianum) Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland


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Cryptic Wood White Butterfly information
Click here for detailed Herb Robert Wildflower information
 
The Cryptic Wood White Butterfly (Leptidea juvernica) is of the family Pieridae which is in the genus Leptidea.
The Herb Robert Wildflower (Geranium_robertianum) is of the family Geraniaceae which is in the genus Geranium.

Thursday 26 November 2020

COMMON SNOUT HOVERFLY (Rhingia campestris) female on HERB ROBERT WILDFLOWER (Geranium_robertianum) Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland


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Common Snout Hoverfly information
Click here for detailed Herb Robert Wildflower information  
 
The Common Snout Hoverfly (Rhingia campestris) is of the family Syrphidae which is in the genus Rhingia. It commonly occurs in the Palaearctic region. The flight season is from late March to mid November and there are two generations. This is a very striking species with a long snout and its larvae are found in dung or silage.
The Herb Robert Wildflower (Geranium_robertianum) is of the family Geraniaceae which is in the genus Geranium.

Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds
 
Reference and highly recommended reading:
Britain's Hoverflies A field guide 2nd edition Stuart Ball and Roger Morris

Monday 23 November 2020

LESSER DIVING BEETLE (Acilius sulcatus) [female] Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland


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The Lesser Diving Beetle (Acilius sulcatus) is of the family Dytiscidae which is in the genus Acilius. Also known as the Grooved Diving Beetle, it occurs on all continents of the world except Antarctica. In Ireland this water beetle has a very scattered distribution but as in other countries it is probably under recorded due to its aquatic life style. Separate with care from the almost identical but rarer Acilius canaliculatus by differences in face pattern. As a strong flier, it is not confined to a single body of water. It overwinters deep under water as an adult.
 
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

Sunday 22 November 2020

RAGGED ROBIN WILDFLOWER (Silene flos-cuculi) Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland


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The Ragged Robin Wildflower (Lychnis flos-cuculi) is of the family Caryophyllaceae which is in the genus Lychnis. This perennial wildflower occurs in Europe, Asia and as an invasive species in parts of Canada and United States. The flowering season is from May to late August.

Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

Saturday 21 November 2020

YELLOW BARRED BOG HOVERFLY (Sericomyia silentis) on Blackberry Plant (Rubus fruticosus aggregate) Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland




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Yellow-barred Bog Hoverfly information
Click here for detailed Blackberry Plant information
 
The Yellow-barred Bog Hoverfly (Sericomyia silentis) or Bog Hoverfly is of the family Syrphidae which is in the genus Sericomyia.
The Blackberry Plant (Rubus fruticosus aggregate) is of the family Rosaceae which is in the genus Rubus.
 
Reference and highly recommended reading:
Britain's Hoverflies A field guide 2nd edition Stuart Ball and Roger Morris

Thursday 19 November 2020

HAIRY SHIELDBUG (Dolycoris baccarumm) on COMMON HAWKWEED (Hieracium lachenalii syn H. vulgatum) Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland


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detailed Hairy Shieldbug information
Click here to see identification guide to British and Irish Shieldbugs
Click here for detailed Common Hawkweed information
  
The Hairy Shieldbug (Dolycoris baccarum) or Sloe Bug, is of the family Pentatomidae which is in the genus Dolycoris. Shieldbugs go through five instar stages before becoming adults.
The Common Hawkweed Wildflower (Hieracium lachenalii syn H. vulgatum) is of the family Asteraceae which is in the genus Hieracium.

Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

Tuesday 17 November 2020

COMMON FIELD GRASSHOPPER (Chorthippus brunneus) [4th instar nymph] Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland


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 The Common Field Grasshopper (Chorthippus brunneus) is of the family Acrididae which is in the genus Chorthippus. Like all species of grasshopper, it goes through five instar stages before becoming an adult.

Sunday 15 November 2020

RINGLET BUTTERFLY (Aphantopus hyperantus) on HEDGE BINDWEED WILDFLOWER (Calystegia sepium) Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland


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Ringlet Butterfly information
Click here for detailed Hedge Bindweed Wildflower information  
 
The Ringlet Butterfly (Aphantopus hyperantus) is of the family Nymphalidae which is in the genus Aphantopus. This species has a widespread distribution in the Palearctic region, but is absent from northern latitudes. The flight season is from mid June to late July, peaking in late June. It overwinters as a larva (caterpillar).
The Hedge Bindweed Wildflower (Calystegia sepium) is of the family Convolvulaceae which is in the genus Calystegia.   
 
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds