GORSE SHIELDBUG (Piezodorus lituratus) Turvey Nature Reserve, Donabate, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland

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  The Gorse Shieldbug (Piezodorus lituratus) is of the family Pentatomidae which is in the genus Piezodorus.This species is found in most of the temperate regions of North America, Europe, Northern Asia and parts of Africa. It mainly occurs on Common Gorse (ulex europeaus), Common Broom (Sarothamnus scoparius) as well as various legumes (Fabaceae). There are two colour forms, green when it emerges from hibernation in late spring, having overwintered as an adult. The next generation appear in summer and following five instar stages, become green adults with purple red bar markings on the upper parts. In spring, its fully red antennae help separate from the very similar Green Shieldbug (Palomena prasina) which has partially red antennae.   

 

Patrick J. O;Keeffe / Raw Birds

MEADOW PIPIT (Anthus pratensis) Turvey Nature Reserve, Donabate, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland

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The Meadow Pipit (Anthus pratensis) is of the family Motacillidae which is in the genus Anthus.

COMMA BUTTERFLY (Polygonia c-album) one of two individuals seen today, freshly emerged from hibernation and were subsequently observed nectaring on BLACKTHORN (Prunus spinosa) blossoms, Turvey Nature Reserve, Donabate, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland

 

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The Comma Butterfly (Polygonia c-aibum) is of the family Nymphalidae which is in the genus Polygonia. 

This common species has a widespread distribution in the temperate regions of Eurasia and North Africa. Formally absent from Ireland, it is only in recent times that it has been added to the Irish Butterfly List. It was first reliably reported near Portaferry, Co. Down in August 1997 and again in August 1998. There were no further reports until 17th August 2000 when there was a fully verified record from the Raven Nature Reserve, Co. Wexford. Proof of breeding was subsequently confirmed in that area. Over the last ten years, it has rapidly expanded its range from southeast Co. Wexford and has now colonised most of southern Leinster as well as eastern Munster.

The larval food plant is mainly Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica) and the flight season is from late March to late September, split over two generations. Having overwintered as an adult, it emerges in late spring and then after mating, lays its eggs on the larval food plant.

The 1st record for Cape Clear Island, Co. Cork on 14th October 2019 (pers. comm. Jim Fitzharris) might be an indication of fresh immigration from Britain or Continental Europe. 

 

Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

MOUNTAIN HARE (Lepus timidus subspecies L. t. hibernicus) or IRISH HARE sheltering from the wind behind a HARD RUSH PLANT (Juncus inflexus), Turvey Nature Reserve, Donabate, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland

 

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The Mountain Hare (Lepus timidus) is of the family Leporidae which is in the genus Lepus and mainly occurs in the tundra and mountainous regions of the Palearctic.  

The Irish Hare (Lepus timidus hibernicus) is a subspecies that is endemic to Ireland. It uniquely also occurs in lowland areas down to sea level as well as not having a white coat in winter. 

The Hard Rush (Juncus inflexus) is of the family Juncaceaertgt which is in the genus Juncus. This perennial plant is native to Eurasia and Africa. It is found as an invasive species in a number of countries as well as eastern North America. Damp grassland areas, wetlands, sand dunes and marshes are its main habitats. The flowering season is from May to August when nondescript brown flower clusters are formed on its rigid stems.

  

Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

EURASIAN KESTREL (Falco tinnunculus) female carrying prey, a WOOD MOUSE, (Apodemus sylvaticus) Turvey Nature Reserve, Donabate, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland

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The Eurasian Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) is a small bird of prey of the family Falconidae which is in the genus Falco. Alternative names include European Kestrel, Common Kestrel or simply referred to as a Kestrel. This falcon occurs throughout Europe, Asia and Africa. 

More recently, the British and Irish populations have been in serious decline which may be as a result of changes in agricultural practices and  increased use of rodenticides (rat poisons). Nest predation by Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo), Grey Crow (Corvus cornix), Eurasian Jay (Garrulus glandarius) and Common Raven (Corvus corax), whose populations have increased, may also be a factor.

 

Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

 

GARDEN BUMBLEBEE (Bombus hortorum) Turvey Nature Reserve, Donabate, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland

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The Garden Bumblebee (Bombus hortorum) is of the family Apidae which is in the genus Bombus.

HOODED CROW or GREY CROW (Corvus cornix) Turvey Nature Reserve, Donabate, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland

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          The Hooded Crow (Corvus cornix) also known as Grey Crow is a member of the crow family Corvidae which is in the genus Corvus. Four subspecies are generally recognized. Despite the fact that it is heavily persecuted, it occurs throughout Western Asia including parts of the Middle East as well as along the Nile Valley in North Africa. It is also commonly encountered and has a widespread distribution in Northern, Central and Eastern Europe. It is resident in Ireland, Isle of Man and Northern Scotland. In the rest of Britain as well as Southwestern and Western Europe, it is replaced by the closely related Carrion Crow (Corvus corone) from which it was split in 2002 and was recognised as a separate species. Where their breeding ranges overlap, they may hybridise. Some of the northern populations are migratory and move south for the winter.

   Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

BIRCH POLYPORE FUNGUS (Fomitopsis betulina) on DOWNY BIRCH TREE (Betula pubescens) Turvey Nature Reserve, Donabate, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland

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The Birch Polypore (Fomitopsis betulina) is of the family Fomitopsidaceae which is in the genus Fomitopsis. This bracket fungus is a parasite that grows exclusively on birch trees and can cause the host species to decay and die. It occurs throughout North America and Eurasia.

 

Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

EURASIAN KESTREL (Falco tinnunculus) female at Turvey Nature Reserve, Donabate, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland

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  Click external link here to see distribution map and to hear calls

   

The Eurasian Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) is a small bird of prey of the family Falconidae which is in the genus Falco. Alternative names include European Kestrel, Common Kestrel or simply referred to as a Kestrel. This falcon occurs throughout Europe, Asia and Africa. 

More recently, the British and Irish populations have been in serious decline which may be as a result of changes in agricultural practices and  increased use of rodenticides (rat poisons). Nest predation by Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo), Grey Crow (Corvus cornix), Eurasian Jay (Garrulus glandarius) and Common Raven (Corvus corax), whose populations have increased, may also be a factor.

 

Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

 

COMMON PRIMROSE WILDFLOWER (Primula vulgarus) Two seperate plants depictured in bloom, the lower flower is a four petal variant, Turvey Nature Reserve, Donabate, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland

 

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The Common Primrose (Primula vulgarus) or more simply a Primrose is of the family Primulaceae which is in the genus Primula. This perennial wildflower occurs in western and southern Europe as well as parts of southwestern Asia and northwest Africa. The flowering season is from February to late May.

Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds