Tuesday, 19 April 2022
Sunday, 17 April 2022
Wednesday, 13 April 2022
Monday, 11 April 2022
GREY HERON (Ardea cinerea) adult at Howth Harbour, Howth, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland
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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, 9 April 2022
Thursday, 7 April 2022
PIED WAGTAIL (Motacilla alba subspecies M. a. alba) female at Balscadden Beach, Howth, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland
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The White Wagtail (Motacilla alba) is a small ground nesting passerine and along with the longclaws and pipits is in 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 winters 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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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
CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Tuesday, 5 April 2022
SMALL TORTOISESHELL BUTTERFLY (Aglais urticae), twelve were counted during a two hour visit including this tattered individual nectaring on Dandalions (Taraxacum Officinale agg.) at Balscadden, Howth, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland
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The Small Tortoiseshell Butterfly (Aglais urticae) is of the family Nymphalidae which is in the genus Aglais.
It has a widespread distribution in the Palearctic region but is absent
from southern Asia.
Click external link here for detailed species information
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds
Sunday, 3 April 2022
EUROPEAN STONECHAT (Saxicola rubicola subspecies S. r. hibernans) male, drying out after a wash at Balscadden, Howth, Fingal, Co. Dublin
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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.
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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
Saturday, 2 April 2022
EUROPEAN SHAG (Gulosus aristotelis) at Howth Harbour, Howth, Fingal, Co. Dublin, 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
Thursday, 31 March 2022
BRENT GOOSE or PALE BELLIED BRENT GOOSE (Branta bernicla subspecies B. b. hrota) a family party, [two adults, 1st on left and 2nd right plus three 1st winters] at Howth Harbour, Howth, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland
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The Brent Goose (Branta bernicla), also known as Brant Goose in North America, is of the family Anatidae which is in the genus Branta.
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There are three subspecies generally recognised:
- Dark-bellied Brent Goose (B. b. bernicla) or Dark-bellied Brant in North America
- Pale-bellied Brent Goose (B. b. hrota) or Atlantic Brant in North America
- Black Brant Goose (B. b. nigricans) or the Pacific Brant in North America
It has also been suggested by some that the so called Grey-bellied Brent Goose be recognised as a subspecies.
Patrick J.O'Keeffe / Raw Birds
Tuesday, 29 March 2022
EUROPEAN ROBIN (Erithacus rubecula) at Turvey Nature Reserve, Donabate, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland
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The European Robin (Erithacus rubecula) or more commonly known as a Robin is of the family Muscicapidae which is in the genus Erithacus.
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The European Robin (Erithacus rubecula) or more commonly known as a Robin is of the family Muscicapidae which is in the genus Erithacus.
Thursday, 24 March 2022
Tuesday, 22 March 2022
Monday, 21 March 2022
Sunday, 20 March 2022
Thursday, 17 March 2022
SMALL TORTOISESHELL BUTTERFLY (Aglais urticae) freshly emerged from hibernation, a minimum of 8 were present at Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland
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The Small Tortoiseshell Butterfly (Aglais urticae) is of the family Nymphalidae which is in the genus Aglais.
It has a widespread distribution in the Palearctic region but is absent
from southern Asia.
Click external link here for detailed species information
Overwintering as an adult, its cryptic under wing pattern helps to
avoid detection by predators. It emerges from hibernation in the spring to lay eggs
on its larval plant. The caterpillars (larvae) feed on Common Nettle (Urtica dioica).
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds
Tuesday, 15 March 2022
BRIMSTONE BUTTERFLY (Gonepteryx rhamni subspecies G. r. gravesi) male at Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland
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The Brimstone Butterfly (Gonepteryx rhamni) is of the family Pieridae which is in genus Gonepteryx. It occurs in Europe, Asia and parts of northern Africa. The presence of its larval host plants, Alder Buckthorn (Rhamnus frangula) and Common Buckthorn (Rhamnus carthartica) influences its geographic range and distribution.
The Irish Brimstone Butterfly (Gonepteryx rhamni subspecies G. r. gravesi) is endemic to Ireland. This hardy species can
live for up to a year. There are two flight seasons, March to mid June and July to mid September. It
then goes into hibernation and emerges in early spring the following year.
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds
Reference and very highly recommended reading:
The Irish Butterfly Book available directly from the author Jesmond M. Harding ISBN 978-0-9560546-1-6 Monday, 14 March 2022
MOUNTAIN HARE or IRISH HARE (Lepus timidus subspecies L. t. hibernicus) at least six present including this tame individual at Tumduff Mor, Lough Boora Discovery Park, Boora, Co. Offaly, 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. Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds
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.
Sunday, 13 March 2022
MOUNTAIN HARE or IRISH HARE (Lepus timidus subspecies L. t. hibernicus) at least six present including this individual with snow white underparts and partially snow white ears at Tumduff Mor, Lough Boora Discovery Park, Boora, Co. Offaly, 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.
Patrick J. O' Keeffe / Raw Birds
Saturday, 12 March 2022
COMMON REDSHANK (Tringa totanus) feeding at low tide in the south east corner of Howth Harbour, Howth, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland
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The Common Redshank (Tringa totanus) or more simply known as a Redshank is of the sandpiper family Scolopacidae which is in the genus Tringa.
Common Redshank (Tringa totanus) distribution map
Resident - year round Breeding Passage Non-breeding - winter
SanoAK: Alexander Kürthy, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Friday, 11 March 2022
BLACK REDSTART (Phoenicurus ochruros) immature at Balscadden Beach, Howth, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland
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The Black Redstart (Phoenicurus ochruros) is a small perching bird of the Old World flycatcher family Muscicapidae which is the genus Phoenicurus. It is a locally common resident in central and southern Europe as well as northern Africa. It also occurs in western and central Asia. In the warmer parts of its range it is sedentary. The northern populations migrate in the autumn to spend the winter in southern and western Europe, northern Africa and the Indian sub continent.
In
Ireland, it is a very uncommon spring and autumn passage migrant, in
addition very small numbers overwinter at traditional coastal locations.
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds
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