M Carmody Photography's photostream  

Shorebirds of Ireland with Jim Wilson.
Freshwater Birds of Ireland with Jim Wilson
www.markcarmodyphotography.com

The Hen Harrier (Circus cyaneus) is a bird of prey. It breeds throughout the northern parts of the northern hemisphere in Canada and the northernmost USA, and in northern Eurasia. This species is polytypic, with two subspecies. Marsh Hawk is a historical name for the American form.

It migrates to more southerly areas in winter. Eurasian birds move to southern Europe and southern temperate Asia, and American breeders to the southernmost USA, Mexico, and Central America. In the mildest regions, such as France, Great Britain, Ireland and the southern US, Hen Harriers may be present all year, but the higher ground is largely deserted in winter.

The Hen Harrier is a bird of open habitats such as heather moorland and extensive agriculture. However, much of its range, particularly in Ireland and parts of western Britain, has been (and continues to be) afforested, predominantly with non-native conifers such as Sitka Spruce (Picea sitchensis) from North America. (wikipedia)

The Hen Harrier Amber-listed due to a decline in the breeding population. The European population has been evaluated as Depleted due to a large historical decline.

This is a female bird hunting for mice in a manner very similar to an owl. Stunning birds.

Shorebirds of Ireland with Jim Wilson.
Freshwater Birds of Ireland with Jim Wilson
www.markcarmodyphotography.com

The Hen Harrier (Circus cyaneus) is a bird of prey. It breeds throughout the northern parts of the northern hemisphere in Canada and the northernmost USA, and in northern Eurasia. This species is polytypic, with two subspecies. Marsh Hawk is a historical name for the American form.

It migrates to more southerly areas in winter. Eurasian birds move to southern Europe and southern temperate Asia, and American breeders to the southernmost USA, Mexico, and Central America. In the mildest regions, such as France, Great Britain, Ireland and the southern US, Hen Harriers may be present all year, but the higher ground is largely deserted in winter.

The Hen Harrier is a bird of open habitats such as heather moorland and extensive agriculture. However, much of its range, particularly in Ireland and parts of western Britain, has been (and continues to be) afforested, predominantly with non-native conifers such as Sitka Spruce (Picea sitchensis) from North America. (wikipedia)

The Hen Harrier Amber-listed due to a decline in the breeding population. The European population has been evaluated as Depleted due to a large historical decline.

This is a female bird hunting for mice in a manner very similar to an owl. Stunning birds.

Shorebirds of Ireland with Jim Wilson.
Freshwater Birds of Ireland with Jim Wilson
www.markcarmodyphotography.com

The Ross's Gull (Rhodostethia rosea) is a small gull, the only species in its genus, although it has been suggested it should be moved to the genus Hydrocoloeus, which otherwise only includes the Little Gull. It breeds in the high arctic of northernmost North America, and northeast Siberia. It migrates only short distances south in autumn, most of the population wintering in northern latitudes at the edge of the pack ice, although some birds reach more temperate areas, such as north west Europe.

This small bird is similar in size and some plumage characteristics to the Little Gull. It is slightly larger and longer winged than that species, and has a pointed tail. Its legs are red. Summer adults are pale grey above and white below, with a pink flush to the breast, and a neat black neck ring. In winter, like the bird depicted here, the breast tints and neck collar are lost. Young birds resemble winter adults, but have a dark "W" pattern on the wings in flight, like young Little Gulls. The juveniles take two years to attain full adult plumage.

This bird is named after the British explorer James Clark Ross. (wikipedia)

This is an adult bird in winter plumage, blown into Ardglass Harbour in Northern Ireland during the recent storms, accompanied by 5 Glaucous Gulls, 15+ Iceland Gulls and 3-5 Kumlien's Gulls. It is the first time I have seen an adult Ross's Gull. The last time I saw a Ross's Gull was 1985(!) and it was a 1st winter bird. Incredible bird.

Shorebirds of Ireland with Jim Wilson.
Freshwater Birds of Ireland with Jim Wilson
www.markcarmodyphotography.com

The Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis) nests near lakes, rivers or the coast in Canada and the northern United States. They are migratory and most move south to the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of North America, also the Great Lakes.

This gull is a regular wanderer to western Europe. In Ireland and Great Britain it is no longer classed as a rarity, with several birds regularly wintering in these countries.

In the late 19th century, this bird was hunted for its plumage. Its population has since rebounded and it is probably the most common gull in North America. In some areas, it is displacing less aggressive birds such as the Common Tern. (wikipedia)

This is an adult bird returning to Cuskinny Marsh Nature Reserve, Cobh, Co. Cork (Ireland) for the winter.

Shorebirds of Ireland with Jim Wilson.
Freshwater Birds of Ireland with Jim Wilson
www.markcarmodyphotography.com

The Ross's Gull (Rhodostethia rosea) is a small gull, the only species in its genus, although it has been suggested it should be moved to the genus Hydrocoloeus, which otherwise only includes the Little Gull. It breeds in the high arctic of northernmost North America, and northeast Siberia. It migrates only short distances south in autumn, most of the population wintering in northern latitudes at the edge of the pack ice, although some birds reach more temperate areas, such as north west Europe.

This small bird is similar in size and some plumage characteristics to the Little Gull. It is slightly larger and longer winged than that species, and has a pointed tail. Its legs are red. Summer adults are pale grey above and white below, with a pink flush to the breast, and a neat black neck ring. In winter, like the bird depicted here, the breast tints and neck collar are lost. Young birds resemble winter adults, but have a dark "W" pattern on the wings in flight, like young Little Gulls. The juveniles take two years to attain full adult plumage.

This bird is named after the British explorer James Clark Ross. (wikipedia)

This is an adult bird in winter plumage, blown into Ardglass Harbour in Northern Ireland during the recent storms, accompanied by 5 Glaucous Gulls, 15+ Iceland Gulls and 3-5 Kumlien's Gulls. It is the first time I have seen an adult Ross's Gull. The last time I saw a Ross's Gull was 1985(!) and it was a 1st winter bird. Incredible bird.