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

Tuesday 25 October 2022

RED BREASTED FLYCATCHER (Ficedula parva) a juvenile /1st winter from 11th to 12th October 2022 at Blacksod Village, Fallmore, Mullet Peninsula, Co. Mayo, Ireland


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 The Red Breasted Flycatcher (Ficedula parva) is of the family Muscicapidae which is in the genus Ficedula.
This species breeds in deciduous woodlands throughout Eastern Europe as well as Western Central Asia. In North West Europe, it is mainly an uncommon autumn passage migrant (mostly juveniles) to coastal locations. In Ireland, there has been less than a hand full of spring reports where as it's a rare but regular passage visitor during September and October averaging <10 individuals annually.
In early autumn the migration south to its wintering areas on the Indian subcontinent begins. 
The Taiga Flycatcher (Ficedula albicilla) previously treated as a sub species of Red Breasted Flycatcher (Ficedula parva) has in recent times been upgraded to full species status. The only Irish record is of a juvenile /1st winter at Galley Head, Co. Cork from 21st to 25th October 2018.
 
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Rawbirds 
 
Red Breasted Flycatcher (Ficedula parva) distribution map 
 
File:FicedulaParvaIUCN2019-3.png
 BREEDING AREA               MIGRATION              WINTERING AREA
 
Map atribution:
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, species assessors and the authors of the spatial data., CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Monday 24 October 2022

HOUSE SPARROW (Passer domesticus) male at Blacksod Village, Fallmore, Mullet Peninsula, Co. Mayo, Ireland


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 The House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) is of the sparrow family Passeridae which is in the genus Passer.

Sunday 23 October 2022

Saturday 22 October 2022

PIED WAGTAIL or WHITE WAGTAIL (Motacilla alba subspecies M. a. yarrellii) female at Blacksod Harbour, Mullet Pensinsula, Co. Mayo. Ireland



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 The White Wagtail (Motacilla alba) is a small ground nesting passerine (perching bird). Along with the longclaws and pipits, it is of the family Motacillidae which is in the genus Motacilla. This species is the commonest and most widespread wagtail that is found in Eurasia. It also breeds in Morocco in North Africa and there is a small Alaskan breeding population in North America. The northern populations are migratory and move south to spend the winter in southern Europe, Africa and southern Asia. 
Up to 11 sub-species are recognised, including the Pied Wagtail (Motacilla alba yarrellii) which breeds in Britain, Ireland and the near-continent.

Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds
 
PIED WAGTAIL (Motacilla alba subspecies M. a. yarrellii) male at Broadmeadow Estuary, Swords, Fingal, Swords, Co. Dublin, Ireland 
 

 

WHITE WAGTAIL (Montacella alba) subspecies distribution map 

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CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Friday 21 October 2022

COMMON FIRECREST (Regulus ignicapilla) or FIRECREST . A small fall of upto 4 individuals in a private garden from 10th to 12th October 2022 at Dún na mBó, Mullet Peninsula, Co. Mayo, Ireland.



 
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 The Common Firecrest (Regulus ignicapilla) or more simply known as a Firecrest is of the family Regulidae which is in the genus Regulus. This small kinglet breeds in coniferous woodlands in the temperate regions of Europe and northwestern Africa as well as in a small number areas in western Asia. Northern populations are migratory and move south for the winter. 
It is a scare breeding resident in southern Britain. In Ireland, it is now a rare spring and autumn passage migrant and in recent times there has been a sharp decline in the numbers occurring annually.
 
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Rawbirds 

Common Firecrest (Regulus ignicapilla)   Distribution Map
 

     Breeding                                               Resident                                         Non-breeding

Attribution:
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, species assessors and the authors of the spatial data., CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Thursday 20 October 2022

AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER (Pluvialis dominica) juvenile on 19th & 20th October 2022 in a flock of c650 European Golden Plover (Pluvialis apricaria) at Annagh Beach, Mullet Peninsula, Co. Mayo, Ireland. Found by Dave Suddaby


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 The American Golden Plover (Pluvialis dominica) is of the family Charadriidae which is in the genus Pluvialis. This long distant migrant breeds in the tundra areas of North America and spends the winter in the southeastern region of South America. 
It is a rare but regular autumn vagrant to Western Europe and the majority of records are of juveniles. In adult summer plumage, key identification features need to be observed to separate it from the closely related Pacific Golden Plover (Pluvialis fulva).
In Ireland, where less than 10 individuals occur annually, it tends to be found at southern and western coastal locations and often associating with flocks of European Golden Plover (Pluvialis dominica). 
 
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Rawbirds 

Friday 16 September 2022

EURASIAN BULLFINCH (Pyrrhula pyrrhul) male at Turvey Nature Reserve, Donabate, Co. Dublin, Ireland,

 

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 The Eurasian Bullfinch (Pyrrhula pyrrhul) is of the finch family Fringillidae which is in the genus Pyrrhula
This stocky species breeds in the temperate regions of Europe and Asia. Northern populations are migratory and move to southern Eurasia for the winter. Unlike most other finches, bullfinches don't form winter flocks. Normally encountered singularly or as a pair but a small family group, usually comprising less than 10 individuals, can be seen in late autumn/winter.
 
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Rawbirds

Friday 17 June 2022

KEELED SKIMMER DRAGONFLY (Orthetrum coerulescens) or HEATLAND SKIMMER DRAGONFLY male and a LARGE RED DAMSELFLY or SPRING RED EYE DAMSELFLY (Pyrrhosoma nymphula) male in the foreground at Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland


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Click external link here for detailed Large Red Damselfly information

 The Keeled Skimmer Dragonfly (Orthetrum coerulescens) or Heathland Skimmer Dragonfly is of the family Libellulidae which is in the genus Orthetrum. This small to medium sized dragonfly commonly occurs in Europe, Western Asia as well as parts of North Africa. 
In Ireland it has a more patchy distribution and is uncommon. Although in western regions it is more abundant, as is the case in Britain. The main flight season is from June to August.
The Large Red Damselfly (Pyrrhosoma nymphula) or Spring Red Eye Damselfly is of the family Coenagrionidae which is in the genus Pyrrhosoma. It is a common and widespread species in Europe as well as parts of Western Asia and North Africa. In Ireland, the flight season can extends from mid April into October.
 In recent times, the english names for most European species of damselflies and dragonflies have been changed. Here the older name is used first, to reflect common useage, follow by the new name.
 
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Rawbirds 

Monday 30 May 2022

JUNIPER SHIELDBUG (Cyphostethus tristriatus) adult on 04-05-2022 at Broadmeadow Estuary, Swords, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland


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Click external link here to see identification guide to British and Irish Shieldbugs 
                     
The Juniper Shieldbug (Cyphostethus tristriatus) is of the family Acanthosomatidae which is in the genus Cyphostethus . It has two very distinctive purple red boomerang shaped markings on the upperparts as well as rounded "shoulders" which helps to identify from the similar Birch Shieldbug (Elasmostethus interstinctus) which has squarish "shoulders".  
It occurs in the temperate regions of Europe. In Britain, it has recently expanded its range northward and has become more common. In Ireland, this appears to be a rare species with has been reported from less than 25 locations. Although this represents the first record for Fingal, in all probably it is under recorded.
 
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

Sunday 29 May 2022

EURASIAN SKYLARK (Alauda arvensis) at Annagh Marsh, Mullet Peninsula, Co. Mayo, Ireland


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The Eurasian Skylark (Alauda arvensis) or commonly referred to as a Skylark is a member of the lark family Alaudidae which is in the genus Alauda.
 
EURASIAN SKYLARK (Alauda Arvensis) distribution map
 
Resident breeding    Summer breeding resident    Passage migrant    Winter non breeding    Introduced resident breeding
 
SanoAK: Alexander Kürthy, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Saturday 28 May 2022

ROCK PIPIT (Anthus petrosus) on a landing beacon at Blacksod Lighthouse Helipad, Blacksod, Mullet Peninsula, Co. Mayo, Ireland


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The Rock Pipit (Anthus petrosus) or European Rock Pipit is of the family Motacillidae which is in the genus Anthus.

ROCK PIPIT (Anthus_petrosus) distribution map

Green
year round resident  Yellow summer resident  Blue winter resident
 
Jimfbleak, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Friday 27 May 2022

SMALL COPPER BUTTERFLY or AMERICAN COPPER BUTTERFLY (Lycaena phlaeas) male nectaring on Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) at Cross Lough, Killadoon, Mullet Peninsula, Co. Mayo, Ireland


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The Small Copper Butterfly (Lycaena phlaeas) or American Copper Butterfly is of the family Lycaenids which is in the genus Lycaena. This is a common species that is found throughout the Holarctic region which includes North America and Eurasia. It also occurs in North Africa and a number of subspecies are recognised. The normal flight season is from mid April to late October over three generations and it overwinters as a caterpillar.  In North America, it is known as American Copper Butterfly.

Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

Thursday 26 May 2022

EUROPEAN STONECHAT (Saxicola rubicola subspecies S. r. hibernans) male at Cross Lough, Killadoon, Mullet Peninsula, Co. Mayo, Ireland

 
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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

Wednesday 25 May 2022

WALL BROWN BUTTERFLY (Lasiommata megera) male at St. Deirbhile's Old Church and Graveyard, Faulmore, Mullet Peninsula, Co. Mayo


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The Wall Brown Butterfly (Lasiommata megera) is of the family Nymphalidae which is in the genus Lasiommata
It occurs in most of Europe as well as parts of Western Asia and North Africa. Formally more common and widespread but since the mid 1980 it has been in decline and is now absent from many of its former haunts.  This decline has not been reflected on the Mullet Peninsula where this species is still commonly encountered. The main flight season is from late April to early September, over two generations. Occasionally there is a third generation in late September into early October. Males have a very distinctive dark mid fore wing bar. It overwinters as a larva.  
 
 Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

Tuesday 24 May 2022

EUROPEAN SHAG (Gulosus aristotelis) adult at Blacksod Harbour, Mullet Peninsula, Co. Mayo, Ireland


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The European Shag (Gulosus aristotelis) is of the cormorant family Phalacrocoracidae which is in the genus Gulosus. It occurs in northern and western Europe, the Mediterranean Basin, parts of North Africa as well as parts of the Black Sea Coast. This species breeds in colonies on coastal rocky cliffs and on offshore islands. Can easily be confused with Greater Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) but unlike that species, it is very rarely found inland on lakes or rivers.
  
Three subspecies are generally recognised :
      • G. a. aristotelis – occurs in northwestern European Atlantic Ocean coasts
      • G. a. desmarestii – occurs in the Mediterranean Basin and Black Sea coasts
      • G. a. riggenbachi – occurs in northwestern African coasts
 
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds
 
European Shag (Gulosus aristotelis) distribution map

 Breeding                  Non-breeding - winter 
 
SanoAK: Alexander Kürthy, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

 

Monday 23 May 2022

COMMON CLOVER SAWFLY (Tenthredo arcuata) at Saint Anne's Park and Rose Gardens, Clontarf East, Raheny, Co. Dublin, Ireland


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The Common Clover Sawfly (Tenthredo arcuata) is of the family Tenthredinidae which is in the genus Tenthredo. It is on the wing from April to late August over two generations. This pollen eating species is commonly encountered on thistles and umbellifers. The larval food plant is White Clover. 

Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

Saturday 21 May 2022

GREY HERON (Ardea cinerea) in breeding plumage at Saint Anne's Park and Rose Gardens, Clontarf East, Raheny, Co. Dublin, Ireland


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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