Friday 17 September 2021
Thursday 16 September 2021
Wednesday 15 September 2021
EUROPEAN HERRING GULL (Larus argentatus subspecies L. a. argenteus) adult Blacksod Lighthouse, Mullett Peninsula, Co. Mayo, Ireland
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Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds
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Click external link here to see distribution map and to hear calls
The European Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) is of the family Laridae which is in the genus Larus. There are several subspecies recognised including the Western European Herring Gull (Larus argentatus argenteus) which is resident in Ireland, Britain and the Near Continent.
European Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) distribution map 
Cephas, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Green: year-round Yellow: breeding Blue: non breeding
Tuesday 14 September 2021
WHITE ERMINE MOTH (Spilosoma lubricipeda) caterpillar Blacksod, Mullet Peninsula, Co. Mayo, Ireland
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The White Ermine Moth (Spilosoma lubricipeda) is of the family Erebidae which is in the genus Spilosoma. This common species is found throughout the temperate regions of Eurasia. The adult is white with dark antennae and has black speckling on the forewing. The normal flight season is from mid May to end of July but infrequently there is a second generation later in the autumn. Larval stage is from July to late September. Then a hairy cocoon is formed among plant debris in which the pupal stage remains and emerges the following year as an adult in early summer.
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds
References and highly recommended reading:
Field guide to the Moths of Great Britain and Ireland by Paul Waring, Martin Townsend and Richard Lewington
Field guide to the Caterpillars of Great Britain and Ireland by Barry Henwood, Phil Sterling and Richard Lewington
Monday 13 September 2021
KNOT GRASS MOTH (Acronicta rumicis) caterpillar Blacksod, Mullet Peninsula, Co. Mayo, Ireland
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Click external link here for detailed species information
Click external link here for detailed species information
The Knot Grass Moth (Acronicta rumicis) is of the family Noctuidae which is in the genus Acronicta.
Sunday 12 September 2021
RED BACKED SHRIKE (Lanius collurio) immature found by Mark Collins on 12-09-2021 was still present on 15th and is only the 5th Dublin record Upper Cliff Road, Balscadden, Howth, Co. Dublin, Ireland
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The Red Backed Shrike (Lanius collurio) is of the family Laniidae which is in the genus Lanius. Its breeding range extends from Mainland Europe to Western Asia and in the autumn it migrates south to spend the winter in Southern Africa.
Click external link here for detailed species information
Click external link here to see distribution map and to hear calls
The Red Backed Shrike (Lanius collurio) is of the family Laniidae which is in the genus Lanius. Its breeding range extends from Mainland Europe to Western Asia and in the autumn it migrates south to spend the winter in Southern Africa.
In Ireland, it is a rare but annual spring and autumn passage migrant, with just over 200 records. There are four previous Co. Dublin records: 26-08-1927 (immature Rockabill Island, Skerries), 24-09-1974 (immature Clontarf), 02 to 04-10-2004 (first-winter North Bull Island) and 26-05-2012 (male Sutton).
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds
Reference:
A List of Some Rarer Birds in Dublin version 5.2 by Joe Hobbs (download pdf here)
Friday 10 September 2021
GARDEN BUMBLEBEE (Bombus hortorum) Broadmeadow Estuary, Swords, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland
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The Garden Bumblebee (Bombus hortorum) is of the family Apidae which is in the genus Bombus.
Wednesday 8 September 2021
LITTLE EGRET (Egretta garzetta) adult in breeding plumage Broadmeadow Estuary, Swords, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland
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Click external link here to see distribution map and to hear calls
The Little Egret (Egretta garzetta) is of family Ardeidae
which includes Bitterns, Egrets as well as Herons and is in the genus Egretta . It is found in the temperate
parts of Eurasia and Africa as well as Australia and New Zealand.
Over the last 60 years or so this species has greatly expanded its range
including recolonising its former breeding areas in Northern Europe, as well as Ireland. It
first bred in the Caribbean in the mid 1990’s and is increasingly being
recorded along the North American eastern seaboard.
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds
Sunday 5 September 2021
GREY HERON (Ardea cinerea) melanistic type adult at The Horse Marsh, Broadmeadow Estuary, Swords, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland
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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
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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 4 September 2021
EUROPEAN STARLING or COMMON STARLING (Sturnus vulgaris) female Port Oriel Harbour, Clogherhead, Co. Louth, Ireland
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The European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) or more commonly known as a Starling is of the family Sturnidae which is in the genus Sturnus.
Click external link here for detailed species information
Click external link here to see distribution map and to hear calls
The European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) or more commonly known as a Starling is of the family Sturnidae which is in the genus Sturnus.
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