Colour-Tagged Sanderling

This sanderling was colour-tagged by an International research group in Iceland on the 26th May 2010. This picture was taken at a beach near Louisburgh, Co. Mayo, Ireland on the 19th January 2013. The bird has been sighted at the same beach during the winter of 2010, 2011 and 2012 and subsequently in Iceland during the summer months.

Sanderling and Oystercatchers in Flight

Iniskea Islands

Wheatear (Oenanthe oenanthe)

Wheatear (Oenanthe oenanthe)

Redshank (Tringa totanus)

Little Gull (Sterna albifrons)

Ringed Plover (Charadrius hiaticula)

Ringed Plover (Charadrius hiaticula)

Arctic Tern (Sterna paradisaea)

Inishkea South

Rock Pipit (Anthus petrosus)

Burren in Bloom

The Burren is in full bloom with a spectacular display of Gentians, Mountain Avens and Hoary Rock Rose alongside the more common spring flowers. The unusually early spring with weeks of warm sunny days has resulted in one of the best floral displays for many years.

Gentian


Early Purple Orchid


Cuckoo Flower


Wild Goats





Lesser Butterfly Orchid


Primrose


Wood White

Male Orange Tip Butterfly

Orange Tip (Anthocharis cardamines)

Clonbur Wood

Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamnii)

There are hundreds of Brimstone butterflies flitting around Clonbur Wood, North Co. Galway, at the moment, along with Holly Blue, Peacock and Tortoiseshells. I took a walk there yesterday in glorious spring sunshine. Clonbur Wood is a Life Nature Project aimed at restoring priority woodland and habitat. The woodland is mixed with Sitka Spruce, Norway Spruce, Scots Pine, Ash, Beech, Yew, Birch and Oak. The walk takes you through majestic woodland, crosses the Clonbur river along the way, then onto the south shore of Lough Mask. It also includes an area of limestone paving. The variety of wildlife I saw along the way was amazing: Jay, Merlin, Raven, Chiffchaff, Wren, Mallard, Blue Tit, Coal Tit, Long Tailed Tit, Red Squirrel, Fox, flowering Wood Anemone and Dog Violet to name a few. I also saw signs of Otter, Pine Marten and an active Badger set. The mixed woodland, river, lakeshore and limestone habitat make this a pretty unique location.

7 Spot Ladybird

7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella-7-punctata)

There are a lot of 7 Spot Ladybirds around at the moment, just emerging from their long winter hibernation. The -15 degree centigrade temperatures obviously didn't upset them too much. They overwinter in communal groups.