birdsgalway: July 2013

Wednesday, 31 July 2013

A Few shots in the Burren

Was on a training course in the Burren title 'Place based learning' not much opportunity to use the camera but go a few including a first in a shape of a Small Heath.

Small Heath
Coenonympha pamphilus
Fraochán Beag

Common blue
Polyommatus icarus
Gormán Coiteann

Ringlet
Aphantopus Hyperantus
Fáinneog

Meadow Brown
Maniola Jurtina
Donnóg Fhéir

Common Darter
Sympetrum striolatum
Sciobaire Coiteann

Common Blue Damselfly
Enallagma cyathigerum
Goirmín Droimriabhach

It was sometime in May when I was last down at Nimmo's. Got a report from Galway Bird News admin by Dermot Breen about a 1st Summer Iceland Gull seen by Michael Davis. Also reports on Face book by Łukasz Czajka about Mediterranean Gulls. The Mediterranean Gull along with an albino Black-headed Gull appear in a flock around this time for the past number of years.

All shots with Swarovski ATX 95mm+TLS-APO+Lumix GH2

Ring-billed Gull
Larus delawarensis
Faoileán bandghobach

Mediterranean Gull (1st Summer)
Larus melanocephalus
Sléibhín meánmhuirí

Iceland Gull (1st Summer)
Larus glaucoides
Faoileán Íoslannach

Swallow
Hirundo rustica
Fáinleog

House Martin
Delichon urbicum
Gabhlán Binne

Swallow
Hirundo rustica
Fáinleog

Rook
Corvus frugilegus
Rúcach

Tuesday, 30 July 2013

Terryland Forest Park survey 29th July 2013

Back on the transect today and a couple of days late. Highest bee count so far today with 75 including 5 species. 8 species of butterfly 7 Meadow Brown; 8 Large White; 2 Small Tortoiseshell; 2 Peacock; 1 Common Blue; Speckled Wood; 1Green Vein White. 3 Dragonfly species 2 Brown Hawker; 1 Hairy Dragonfly; 1 Common Darter which is a new species to the list. Only one Damselfly in the form of a Blue Tail. Another first was a Shield Bug.

Blue-tailed Damselfly Ischnura elegans
Rinnghorm Coiteann

Large White
Pieris Brassicae
Bánóg Mhór

Hairy Sheildbug
Dolycoris baccarum

Grey Mining Bee
Andrena cineraria

Hover fly
Helophilus Trivittatus

Six-Spot Burnet
Zygaena filipendulae
Buirnéad sébhallach

Silver Y
Autographa gamma

Common blue
Polyommatus icarus
Gormán Coiteann

Common Darter
Sympetrum striolatum
Sciobaire Coiteann

Red-tailed Bumblebee
Bombus Lapidraius

White-tailed Bumblebee
Bombus Lucorum

Field Grasshopper
Chorthippus brunneus

Marsh Woundwort
Stachys palustris
Duilleog na saor

Friday, 26 July 2013

Family of Kestrels in the City

Visit this location on a regular basis over the past 12 years and always see the Kestrels, but never seen 3 juveniles together. They put on a bit of a display practising the flight skills and landing skills.

All shots taken with Swarovski ATX 95mm+TLS-APO+Lumix GH2

Kestrel
Falco tinnunculus
Pocaire gaoithe

Thursday, 25 July 2013

Kingfisher delight

Was asked to provide some photos for public information at a picnic area along the Abbert River. No problem except I did not have any good shots of the most important river bird. It was time to take a walk along the river. As I walk along the river a flash of blue streaking low across the water and disappearing into some trees over hanging the river. This was not a great location and I was out in the open with no cover, so I waited and waited. Pure magic hearing the bird under the cover of some branches, come on show yourself and it did. After 4 hours in a poor location due to lack of sun light and over hanging branches I managed to get a few of shots.

All shots taken with Swarovski ATX 95mm+TLS-APO+Lumix GH2

Kingfisher
Alcedo atthis
Cruidín

Wednesday, 24 July 2013

Terryland Forest Park 20th July 2013

Oh it’s hot very hot and it seems to have effect the bees with very few on the transect today, but the butterflies made up the difference. 13 bumble bee various species and 3 bees. 8 species of Butterflies; 1 Red Admiral; 20 Meadow Brown; 4 Small Tortoiseshell; 5 Green-vein White; 7 Ringlet; 3 Small White; 3 Large White; 1 Speckled Wood. 4 Species of Damselflies; 2 Beautiful Demoiselle; 1 Common Blue; 5 Blue Tail; 2 Azure. 2 Dragonflies species, 1 Hairy hawker and 4 Brown Hawkers.