Harry Hussey
@harryhussey
Using this mostly for birds and other wildlife, keen birder, slight knowledge of other groups of creatures.
Caught up with my first Irish Golden-ringed Dragonflies at a site in SE Ireland today, with 3-4 males seen around a tiny shallow seepage area next to a forestry track. 2-3 Clouded Yellows and a Comma also.
Painted Lady from Cork city yesterday. The underwing pattern in this species is possibly as attractive as the upperwing.
Had a good day with Seán Ronayne and Alex Lynch in east Cork yesterday. A male Red-veined Darter at Cuskinny was new for Great Island, but, despite being a resident species in Ireland, a female Keeled Skimmer in dunes at Ring was even more of a surprise.
Saw my first Clouded Yellow for the year, and ever for Cork city as far as I recall, this afternoon, no photos. At least 3 Commas after work were rather more co-operative, especially this one.
The usual 2CY Yellow-legged Gull was again at Horgan's Quay this evening, but the gull flock as a whole was rather skittish today for some reason, even when I provided bread it barely settled them for a while. I was able to just crouch there and have them walk around unconcerned over the weekend.
Male Lesser Emperor near the old Cork city waterworks this evening. A very restless erratic individual, didn't get any proper photos and only got this blurry one by taking a few photos of the area it had flown to once I'd lost it against the vegetation.
Courtesy of Alex Lynch, saw a few Red-veined Darters at Lough Aderra today, though a fraction of how many he had, and I missed his Lesser Emperor there. Found my own Lesser Emperor at Castlemartyr Resort, but it never really obliged for photos. Also 2-3 mature red darters at Castlemartyr, distant.
A bit surprised to pick up this adult Yellow-legged Gull among the tiny number of gulls present at the settlement ponds at Tramore Valley Park. Definitely a different bird from the adult type on the quays, too.
Nice tally of at least five Commas today at Tramore Valley Park in Cork city. Still get a kick from seeing this species in Ireland, seems well established in the Cork city area by now.
Some more Yellow-legged Gull photos in better light yesterday evening in Cork city.
Getting to that time of year, went to check Horgan's Quay in Cork city today and saw four different Yellow-legged Gulls there (2 x 2CY, 1 x 3CY, 1 adult type). Photos of all bar the adult attached. 3CY Med Gull too.
Given the change from heatwave conditions to moderately warm but cloudy and windy conditions, this Hummingbird Hawkmoth seemed to need to land on the ground in order to raise its body temperature.
With thanks to @sevenheads.bsky.social , I got to see this stunning Striped Hawkmoth this evening after dinner. A beautiful creature, and unexpected within walking distance of my house!
Been hearing fledged juvenile Blackcaps a lot recently. One brood showed really well this evening at Tramore Valley Park in Cork city.
Almost 30 years after the species first bred in Ireland, I still haven't become blasé about Little Egrets. Some photos taken in good light at Harper's Island yesterday evening.
Some Sanderling at close range livened up an otherwise standard day in east Cork yesterday, they look great at this time of year.