M Carmody Photography's photostream  

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.

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

The Common Starling (Sturnus vulgaris), also known as the European Starling or just Starling, is a passerine bird in the family Sturnidae.

This species of starling is native to most of temperate Europe and western Asia. It is resident in southern and western Europe and southwestern Asia, while northeastern populations migrate south and west in winter to these regions, and also further south to areas where it does not breed in Iberia and north Africa. It has also been introduced to Australia, Argentina, New Zealand, North America, and South Africa.

There are several subspecies of the European Starling, which vary in the iridescence of adult plumage. With gradual variation over geographic range and extensive intergradation, the subspecies are said to be clinal. Acceptance of different subspecies varies between different authorities. (wikipedia)

Taken in Cobh, Co. Cork. A stunning bird, much maligned! A bird in winter plumage.

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

The red squirrel or Eurasian red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) is a species of tree squirrel (genus Sciurus). A tree-dwelling omnivorous rodent, the red squirrel is common throughout Eurasia.

In Great Britain and Ireland, numbers have decreased drastically in recent years, in part because of the introduction of the eastern grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) from North America.

The red squirrel is found in both coniferous forest and temperate broadleaf woodlands. The squirrel makes a drey (nest) out of twigs in a branch-fork, forming a domed structure about 25 to 30 cm in diameter. This is lined with moss, leaves, grass and bark. Tree hollows and woodpecker holes are also used. The red squirrel is a solitary animal and is shy and reluctant to share food with others. However, outside the breeding season and particularly in winter, several red squirrels may share a drey to keep warm.

The eastern grey squirrel population appears to be able to out-compete the red squirrel for various reasons:

The eastern grey squirrel can easily digest acorns, while the red squirrel cannot.
The eastern grey squirrel carries a disease, the squirrel parapoxvirus, that does not appear to affect their health but will often kill the red squirrel. When the red squirrel is put under pressure, it will not breed as often. (wikipedia)

Taken in Cobh, Great Island, Co. Cork. Quite a surprise it was too! There are 5 of these stunning mammals in this garden. Made my day.

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

The Bluethroat (Luscinia svecica) is a small passerine bird that was formerly classed as a member of the thrush family Turdidae, but is now more generally considered to be an Old World flycatcher, Muscicapidae. It, and similar small European species, are often called chats. It is a migratory insectivorous species breeding in wet birch wood or bushy swamp in Europe and Asia with a foothold in western Alaska. It nests in tussocks or low in dense bushes. It winters in north Africa and northern Pakistan. The Bluethroat is similar in size to the European Robin at 13–14 cm. It is plain brown above except for the distinctive black tail with red side patches. It has a strong white supercilium. The male has a blue bib edged below with successive black, white and rust coloured borders. (wikipedia)

Taken at Clonea Beach, Ballinclamper, Co. Waterford. This particular individual has been present for a month which is unprecedented for this species in Ireland where it is a rare/scarce vagrant.