31-7-2025 MOLDE, NORWAY - WHITE WAGTAIL (Motacilla alba)

 The White Wagtail (Motacilla alba) is a small, elegant passerine bird, a member of the family Motacillidae, which includes pipits and longclaws. This slender bird measures between 16.5 to 19 cm in length, with East Asian subspecies reaching up to 21 cm. It is characterized by its long, constantly wagging tail, a behavior that has become synonymous with the genus. Weighing an average of 25 g, the White Wagtail can live up to 12 years in the wild.

Adult White Wagtails exhibit a distinctive plumage with a combination of grey, black, and white. The bird's upper parts are generally grey, with a white face, belly, and breast. Males during the breeding season may show a darker back, and the species is known for its sharp, brisk call and more melodious song during courtship.

The White Wagtail is commonly found in open country, often in close proximity to human habitation and water sources. It shows a preference for bare areas which facilitate the sighting and pursuit of prey. This bird has adapted well to urban environments, utilizing paved areas such as parking lots for foraging.

This species has a vast breeding range across Europe, the Asian Palearctic, parts of North Africa, and has a presence in Alaska. It is a migratory bird, with populations moving to Africa and parts of Asia during the winter. In Great Britain and Ireland, the darker subspecies known as the Pied Wagtail is more prevalent.

The White Wagtail is known for its perpetual tail wagging, a behavior that remains somewhat enigmatic but is thought to be a signal of vigilance to predators. It is a monogamous bird that defends its breeding territory with determination.

The call of the White Wagtail is a sharp "chisick," softer than that of the Pied Wagtail. Its song is more structured and is used by males to attract females rather than to mark territory.

White Wagtails are monogamous breeders, with both sexes contributing to nest building. The nest is often placed in crevices or holes near water or in human-made structures. The species lays three to eight cream-colored, speckled eggs, which both parents incubate. Chicks fledge after 12 to 15 days and continue to be fed for a week thereafter.

The Pied Wagtail, particularly the subspecies M. a. yarrellii, is similar but has a darker back and is found in Great Britain and Ireland. Other subspecies vary in wing, back, and head coloration.

The diet of the White Wagtail primarily consists of insects and small invertebrates, including beetles, dragonflies, flies, and crustaceans. It continues to feed on insects even in winter, unlike many other insectivorous birds in temperate climates.

The White Wagtail is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN. Its population is large and stable, and the species has adapted well to human-altered landscapes. However, it faces threats from being kept as pets, used for food, and potentially from climate change affecting migration patterns.

The White Wagtail is the national bird of Latvia and has been depicted on the postage stamps of several countries. It is celebrated in Latvian folk songs and holds a special place in the cultural heritage of the regions it inhabits.

31-7-2025 ROMDAL PARK MOLDE, NORWAY - EURASIAN MAGPIE (Pica pica)

The Eurasian magpie, or common magpie (Pica pica), is a striking bird that graces the northern reaches of the Eurasian continent. It is a member of the crow family, known as corvids, and is part of the "monochrome" magpie group within the Holarctic radiation. The bird is easily recognized by its black and white plumage and long, iridescent tail.

Adult Eurasian magpies measure 44–46 cm in length, with over half of this being the tail. They have a wingspan of 52–62 cm. The head, neck, and breast are glossy black with a metallic sheen of green and violet, while the belly and scapulars are pure white. The wings are black with green or purple gloss, and the primaries have white inner webs. The tail is black with green and reddish-purple gloss. Both sexes have similar plumage, though females are slightly smaller. 

The Eurasian magpie favors open countryside with scattered trees, avoiding dense forests and treeless areas. It adapts well to suburban environments, including parks and gardens, and can be found in city centers.

This magpie's range spans temperate Eurasia from the western edges of Portugal and Spain to the eastern limits of the Kamchatka Peninsula.

The Eurasian magpie is known for its intelligence, comparable to that of great apes. It is monogamous, with pairs often remaining together across seasons. They are sedentary, though northern populations may move south in severe weather.

The magpie's call is a distinctive "chac-chac" or a repetitive "chac-chac-chac-chac." Young birds emit a similar call and a high-pitched "Uik Uik," which can resemble a small dog's bark.

Magpies typically breed after their first year. They build large, domed nests in tall trees, laying clutches of five to six pale blue-green eggs, which are incubated for 21–22 days. The chicks are altricial and fledge at around 27 days, with parental care continuing for several weeks.

The Eurasian magpie can be confused with the North American black-billed magpie (Pica hudsonia), though they are now considered separate species.

Omnivorous, the Eurasian magpie's diet includes young birds, eggs, small mammals, insects, carrion, acorns, grain, and other plant matter.

With an extensive range and stable population trends in Europe, the Eurasian magpie is classified by the IUCN as Least Concern. Estimates suggest a total population of 46 to 228 million individuals globally.

31-7-2025 ROMDAL PARK MOLDE, NORWAY - COMMON GULL (Larus canus)

The Common Gull, or Sea Mew (Larus canus), presents itself as a medium-sized gull, a touch smaller than the Ring-billed Gull. Its breeding plumage is a sight to behold, with a grey mantle and a pristine white underbelly. The bird's bill, a tapered beacon of greenish-yellow, stands unmarked in the breeding season. Observers will note the yellow legs that dull in winter and the head that becomes streaked with grey. The wingtips are adorned with black, punctuated by large white "mirrors" on the outer primaries, a distinctive feature of this species.

To distinguish the Common Gull from its relatives, look for its shorter bill and smaller stature compared to the Herring Gull. In winter, the head streaks grey, and the bill may exhibit a vague blackish band, which can lead to confusion with the Ring-billed Gull. Juveniles display scaly black-brown upperparts and a neat wing pattern, with pink legs that later grey before turning yellow.  

Common Gulls are known to breed in colonies near water or marshes, favoring a nest on the ground or in a small tree.

This species breeds across the Palearctic and is known to migrate southward during the winter months.

The Common Gull is an adaptable bird, both an omnivore and a scavenger. It is also known to hunt small prey. The species is gregarious, breeding in colonies that can range from a mere couple to several hundred pairs.

The call of the Common Gull is a high-pitched "laughing" cry, a sound that resonates across its habitat.

Common Gulls typically lay three eggs, which hatch after 24 to 26 days. The chicks then fledge after another 30 to 35 days. The breeding season sees the gull's legs turn a vibrant yellow.

The Short-billed Gull was once considered conspecific but is now recognized as a separate species. It can be differentiated by genetic, morphological, and vocalization differences.

As opportunistic feeders, Common Gulls will scavenge as well as actively hunt, consuming a varied diet that sustains them throughout the year.

The IUCN Red List categorizes the Common Gull as Least Concern, with an estimated global population of about one million pairs. They are most populous in Europe, where they constitute the majority of their global numbers.

In the voice of the natural world, we find the Common Gull, a bird of both land and sea, whose laughter-like calls and graceful flight remind us of the enduring charm of our feathered companions.

31-7-2025 MOLDE, NORWAY - ORANGE HAWKWEED (Pilosella aurantiaca)

 Pilosella aurantiaca (fox-and-cubs,[4]: 758  orange hawkweed,[5]: 208  devil's paintbrush,[6]: 324  grim-the-collier) is a perennial flowering plant in the family Asteraceae that is native to alpine regions of central and southern Europe, where it is protected in several regions.

It is a low-growing plant with shallow fibrous roots and a basal rosette of elliptical to lanceolate leaves 5–20 centimetres (2.0–7.9 in) long and 1–3 centimetres (0.39–1.18 in) broad. All parts of the plant exude a milky juice. The flowering stem is usually leafless or with just one or two small leaves. The stem and leaves are covered with short stiff hairs (trichomes), usually blackish in color. The stems may reach a height of 60 centimetres (24 in) and have 2–25 capitula (flowerheads), each 1–2+1⁄2 cm diameter, bundled together at the end of short pedicels. The flowers are orange, almost red, which is virtually invisible to bees, yet they also reflect ultraviolet light, increasing their conspicuousness to pollinators. The flowers are visited by various insects, including many species of bees, butterflies, pollinating flies. The flowers themselves come in a range of colors from a deep rust-orange to a pure yellow and often show striking gradients of color. In the UK, it flowers in June and July. After flowering, it produces seed heads of the "dandelion clock" type, each individual cypsela (achene-like fruit resembling a seed) being equipped with its own pappus ("parachute") of white or pale brown hairs evolved as a mechanism for wind-dispersal.

The plant propagates through its wind-dispersed seeds, and also vegetatively via the stolons and shallow rhizomes in autumn or spring.

30-7-2025 OLDEN, NORWAY - TUBEROUS BEGONIA (Begonia boliviensis)

Begonia boliviensis is a plant in the begonia family, Begoniaceae, which was introduced to Europe in 1864 by Richard Pearce who discovered it in the Bolivian Andes, although the plant had previously been identified by Hugh Weddell in the same region but not introduced.

Begonia boliviensis is of special historical interest to gardeners, being one of the species used by John Seden in the production of the first hybrid tuberous begonia raised in England, B. × sedenii.

The plant originates from montane cloud forests on the eastern side of the Andes in Bolivia and Argentina. It is typically found in rock crevices and slopes near streams, where plant competition is low. 

It was exhibited for the first time at the International Horticultural Show in Paris, in May 1867, when it attracted much attention from both botanists and horticulturists, "more than any other plant then brought to that magnificent exhibition."

The stems of Begonia boliviensis spring from a tuberous root-stock, and attain a height of between 12 inches (300 mm) and 18 inches (460 mm); the flowers, produced in pairs or threes on short stems in the angles of the obliquely lanceolate leaves, are bright orange/pink in colour, composed of four pointed segments.

The description in Hortus Veitchii reads:

"A very beautiful plant with drooping scarlet flowers, from Bolivia, sent by Richard Pearce, and of great interest as one of the original species from which the numerous garden varieties, so popular at the present day, have been derived."

The cultivar B. boliviensis 'Bonfire' is widely available commercially and can be used in containers, in hanging baskets and as a landscape plant. It has bright-orange, bell-shaped flowers covering the plant from late spring through summer, with serrated foliage accented by a red margin. It reaches 2 ft (0.61 m) tall.

30-7-2025 OLDEN, NORWAY - COMMON GULL (JUVENILE) (Larus canus)

The Common Gull, or Sea Mew (Larus canus), presents itself as a medium-sized gull, a touch smaller than the Ring-billed Gull. Its breeding plumage is a sight to behold, with a grey mantle and a pristine white underbelly. The bird's bill, a tapered beacon of greenish-yellow, stands unmarked in the breeding season. Observers will note the yellow legs that dull in winter and the head that becomes streaked with grey. The wingtips are adorned with black, punctuated by large white "mirrors" on the outer primaries, a distinctive feature of this species.

To distinguish the Common Gull from its relatives, look for its shorter bill and smaller stature compared to the Herring Gull. In winter, the head streaks grey, and the bill may exhibit a vague blackish band, which can lead to confusion with the Ring-billed Gull. Juveniles display scaly black-brown upperparts and a neat wing pattern, with pink legs that later grey before turning yellow. 

Common Gulls are known to breed in colonies near water or marshes, favoring a nest on the ground or in a small tree.

This species breeds across the Palearctic and is known to migrate southward during the winter months.

The Common Gull is an adaptable bird, both an omnivore and a scavenger. It is also known to hunt small prey. The species is gregarious, breeding in colonies that can range from a mere couple to several hundred pairs.

The call of the Common Gull is a high-pitched "laughing" cry, a sound that resonates across its habitat.

Common Gulls typically lay three eggs, which hatch after 24 to 26 days. The chicks then fledge after another 30 to 35 days. The breeding season sees the gull's legs turn a vibrant yellow.

The Short-billed Gull was once considered conspecific but is now recognized as a separate species. It can be differentiated by genetic, morphological, and vocalization differences.

As opportunistic feeders, Common Gulls will scavenge as well as actively hunt, consuming a varied diet that sustains them throughout the year.

The IUCN Red List categorizes the Common Gull as Least Concern, with an estimated global population of about one million pairs. They are most populous in Europe, where they constitute the majority of their global numbers.

In the voice of the natural world, we find the Common Gull, a bird of both land and sea, whose laughter-like calls and graceful flight remind us of the enduring charm of our feathered companions.

30-7-2025 OLDEN, NORWAY - FIREWEED (Chamaenerion angustifolium

Chamaenerion angustifolium is a perennial herbaceous flowering plant in the willowherb family, Onagraceae. It is known in North America as fireweed and in the British Isles as rosebay willowherb. It is also known by the synonyms Chamerion angustifolium and Epilobium angustifolium. It is native throughout the temperate Northern Hemisphere, including large parts of the boreal forests.

The reddish stems of this herbaceous perennial are usually simple, erect, smooth, 0.5–2 metres (1+1⁄2–6+1⁄2 feet) high with scattered alternate leaves. The leaves are spirally arranged, entire, narrowly lanceolate, and pinnately veined, the secondary leaf veins anastomosing, joining together to form a continuous marginal vein just inside the leaf margins.[4]: NQ 

The inflorescence is a symmetrical terminal raceme that blooms progressively from bottom to top, producing a gracefully tapered shape. The flowers are 2 to 3 centimetres (3⁄4 to 1+1⁄4 inches) in diameter, slightly asymmetrical, with four magenta to pink petals and four narrower pink sepals behind. The protruding style has four stigmas.

The upright, reddish-brown linear seed capsule splits from the apex and curls open. It bears many minute brown seeds, about 300 to 400 per capsule and 80,000 per plant. The seeds have silky hairs to aid wind dispersal and are very easily spread by the wind, often becoming a weed and a dominant species on disturbed ground. Once established, the plants also spread extensively by underground roots, an individual plant eventually forming a large patch.

30-7-2025 OLDEN, NORWAY - HOUSE SPARROW (MALE) (Passer domesticus)

The house sparrow (Passer domesticus) is a member of the sparrow family Passeridae. This small bird typically measures around 16 cm (6.3 in) in length and weighs between 24–39.5 g (0.85–1.39 oz). The species exhibits sexual dimorphism, with females and young birds displaying pale brown and grey plumage, while males are characterized by more vibrant black, white, and brown markings.

Males can be identified by their bright black, white, and brown markings, with a distinctive black bib, white cheeks, and a grey crown. Females lack the striking head patterns of males and are predominantly buffish with softer coloration. Juveniles resemble adult females but are generally paler with less defined markings.

The house sparrow is highly adaptable and can thrive in both urban and rural environments. It is commonly found in close association with human habitation and avoids dense forests, grasslands, polar regions, and deserts far from human development.

29-7-2025 ALESUND AQUARIUM, NORWAY - LESSER BLACK BACKED GULL (Larus fuscus)

 The lesser black-backed gull (Larus fuscus) is a large gull, distinguishable by its size and the coloration of its plumage. It is smaller than the European herring gull and exhibits a range of mantle colors across its subspecies, from dark grey to jet black.

Adult lesser black-backed gulls have yellow legs and a yellow bill with a red spot. Their wings and back are either black or dark grey, depending on the subspecies. In winter, the head becomes greyer. Juveniles display scaly black-brown upperparts and a distinctive wing pattern. They can be differentiated from juvenile herring gulls by their darker, unbarred tertial feathers.

This species is found along coasts and lakes, where it breeds and feeds. It has adapted to urban environments in some cities, nesting alongside herring gulls.

The lesser black-backed gull breeds on the Atlantic coasts of Europe and is migratory, wintering from the British Isles to West Africa. It has expanded its range to North America, particularly along the east coast, where it is now present year-round in increasing numbers.

These gulls are social birds, breeding colonially. They exhibit a fixed action pattern during feeding, where the young peck at the red spot on the adult's bill to induce regurgitation.

The call of the lesser black-backed gull is a deep-pitched "laughing" cry, similar to that of the herring gull but noticeably lower in tone.

Nesting occurs on the ground or cliffs, with a preference for coastal and lake environments. The species typically lays three eggs and has been known to nest within urban areas.

An omnivorous bird, the lesser black-backed gull's diet includes fish, insects, crustaceans, worms, starfish, molluscs, seeds, berries, small mammals, eggs, small birds, chicks, scraps, offal, and carrion.

The IUCN lists the lesser black-backed gull as Least Concern. However, there is concern about declines in parts of its range, and it is on the UK Amber List due to its significant population in the UK and the concentration of these birds at a limited number of breeding sites.

29-7-2025 ALESUND, NORWAY - HOODED CROW (Corvus cornix)

The Hooded Crow, known scientifically as Corvus cornix, is a striking bird found across parts of Europe and the Middle East. It is characterized by its ashy grey body contrasted with a black head, throat, wings, tail, and thigh feathers. The bird's bill, eyes, and feet are also black, creating a distinctive two-tone appearance. Males are generally larger than females, but both share the same coloration.

Adult Hooded Crows are identifiable by their grey and black plumage, with the grey parts appearing streaky due to the dark shafts. The bill and legs are black, and the iris is dark brown. Juveniles can be recognized by their duller plumage and bluish or greyish eyes, with a red mouth that fades as they mature. The wingspan of this bird is approximately 105 cm, and it weighs around 510 grams on average.

The Hooded Crow is adaptable and can be found in a variety of habitats including farmlands, coastal areas, and urban environments. It is also commonly seen in woodlands and on cliffs where it may forage or nest.

This species has a broad range, inhabiting Northern, Eastern, and Southeastern Europe, as well as parts of the Middle East. In areas where its range overlaps with the Carrion Crow, hybrids can occur, though they are less common due to the Hooded Crow's reclassification as a distinct species.

29-7-2025 ALESUND, NORWAY - FIREWEED (Chamaenerion angustifolium)

Chamaenerion angustifolium is a perennial herbaceous flowering plant in the willowherb family, Onagraceae. It is known in North America as fireweed and in the British Isles as rosebay willowherb. It is also known by the synonyms Chamerion angustifolium and Epilobium angustifolium. It is native throughout the temperate Northern Hemisphere, including large parts of the boreal forests.

The reddish stems of this herbaceous perennial are usually simple, erect, smooth, 0.5–2 metres (1+1⁄2–6+1⁄2 feet) high with scattered alternate leaves. The leaves are spirally arranged, entire, narrowly lanceolate, and pinnately veined, the secondary leaf veins anastomosing, joining together to form a continuous marginal vein just inside the leaf margins.[4]: NQ 

The inflorescence is a symmetrical terminal raceme that blooms progressively from bottom to top, producing a gracefully tapered shape. The flowers are 2 to 3 centimetres (3⁄4 to 1+1⁄4 inches) in diameter, slightly asymmetrical, with four magenta to pink petals and four narrower pink sepals behind. The protruding style has four stigmas.

The upright, reddish-brown linear seed capsule splits from the apex and curls open. It bears many minute brown seeds, about 300 to 400 per capsule and 80,000 per plant. The seeds have silky hairs to aid wind dispersal and are very easily spread by the wind, often becoming a weed and a dominant species on disturbed ground. Once established, the plants also spread extensively by underground roots, an individual plant eventually forming a large patch.

29-7-2025 ALESUND AQUARIUM, NORWAY - SMALL LEAFED PLANTAIN LILY (Hosta sieboldii)

Hosta sieboldii, also known as the small-leaved plantain lily and yard hosta, is a species of flowering plant in the family Asparagaceae, native to Sakhalin, the Kurils, and Japan, and being introduced safely in many parts of Europe, New England and other regions of the northern continental United States.  A number of cultivars are available, such as bare, painted, dash, and, lime.

They have bright pink and purple flowers when in bloom, and they last on average from mid-July to mid-August. Yard hostas can be up to 1.2 meters, (4 feet,) in diameter, however some cultivars may be smaller or larger. The lime cultivar is by far the smallest at around 0.9 meters in diameter. (3 feet.)

Bare: Dark green leaves with tall whitish-pink flowers.

Painted: Lighter but still dark green leaves with white outlines with tall violet and pink flowers. This is the original cultivar.

Dash: Dark green leaves with a broad, white stripe going down the center of the leaves with flowers the same as painted.

Lime: Lime green leaves with occasional white lines. Occasional whitish-pink flowers.

Hosta sieboldii, also known as the small-leaved plantain lily and yard hosta, is a species of flowering plant in the family Asparagaceae, native to Sakhalin, the Kurils, and Japan, and being introduced safely in many parts of Europe, New England and other regions of the northern continental United States.  A number of cultivars are available, such as bare, painted, dash, and, lime.

They have bright pink and purple flowers when in bloom, and they last on average from mid-July to mid-August. Yard hostas can be up to 1.2 meters, (4 feet,) in diameter, however some cultivars may be smaller or larger. The lime cultivar is by far the smallest at around 0.9 meters in diameter. (3 feet.)

Bare: Dark green leaves with tall whitish-pink flowers.

Painted: Lighter but still dark green leaves with white outlines with tall violet and pink flowers. This is the original cultivar.

Dash: Dark green leaves with a broad, white stripe going down the center of the leaves with flowers the same as painted.

Lime: Lime green leaves with occasional white lines. Occasional whitish-pink flowers.

29-7-2025 ALESUND AQUARIUM, NORWAY - HUMBOLDT PENGUIN (Spheniscus humboldti)

The Humboldt penguin (Spheniscus humboldti) is a medium-sized penguin. It resides in South America, along the Pacific coast of Peru and Chile. Its nearest relatives are the African penguin, the Magellanic penguin and the Galápagos penguin. The Humboldt penguin and the cold water current it swims in both are named after the explorer Alexander von Humboldt. The species is listed as vulnerable by the IUCN with no population recovery plan in place. The current wild population is composed of roughly 23,800 mature individuals and is declining. It is a migrant species.

Humboldt penguins nest on islands and rocky coasts, burrowing holes in guano and sometimes using scrapes or caves. In South America the Humboldt penguin is found only along the Pacific coast, and the range of the Humboldt penguin overlaps that of the Magellanic penguin on the central Chilean coast. It is vagrant in Ecuador and Colombia. The Humboldt penguin has been known to live in mixed species colonies with the Magellanic penguin in at least two different locations at the south of Chile.

The Humboldt penguin has become a focus of ecotourism over the last decades.

Humboldt penguins are medium-sized penguins, growing to 56–70 cm (22–28 in) long and a weight of 2.9 to 6 kg (6.4 to 13.2 lb). The sex of the Humboldt penguin cannot be recognised via differences in plumage, as they are monomorphic. The male is heavier and larger than the females. Their sex can be determined via head width and bill length; the male has a longer bill than the female. While all the Spheniscus penguins are close to each other in size, the Humboldt penguin is the heaviest species in the genus, with 123 females weighing 4.05 kg (8.9 lb) on average and 165 males averaging 4.7 kg (10 lb). Humboldt penguins have a black head with a white border that runs from behind the eye, around the black ear-coverts and chin, and joins at the throat. They have blackish-grey upperparts and whitish underparts, with a black breast-band that extends down the flanks to the thigh. They have a fleshy-pink base to the bill. Juveniles have dark heads and no breast-band. They have spines on their tongue which they use to hold their prey.

The Humboldt penguin has different calls that it uses to communicate in different ways. The function of its calls are consistent among Spheniscus species. If an individual comes too close to an adult Humboldt penguin, the Yell is a warning call which is followed by pecking or chasing if ignored. A higher density of penguins leads to more territorial and aggressive behaviours, which leads to more Yells  The Throb is a soft call between pairs at the nest, used by incubating birds when their mates return to the nest. The Haw is a short call given by juveniles alone in the water and by paired birds when one is on the water and the other is on land. It has significant individual variation in duration and frequency. The Bray is a long call used to attract a mate and advertise a territory during the pre-laying and pre-hatching periods. It is an individually distinct call in all variables: syllables per call, duration, inter-syllable intervals, duration of syllables and frequency. When calling, the bird points its head upwards and flaps its flippers slowly. The Courtship Bray is similar to the Bray, however a different posture is assumed and is given synchronously by pairs during the pre-laying period: the birds stand together pointing their necks and head up, with flippers out to the side. The Peep is given by chicks begging for food.

Most penguins moult between mid-January and mid-February, however the initiation varies with latitude and favourable conditions such as food abundance. Humboldt penguins are confined to land until they finish moulting. They become hyperphagic during the pre-moulting period. The feathers are lost and replaced within 2 weeks.

Both the Humboldt penguin and the Humboldt current were named after Alexander von Humboldt. It is known in Peru as the pajaro-niño, which translates to "baby-bird", due to their waddling gait and flightless wings held out suggesting the image of an infant toddling on the beach.

The Humboldt penguin is a top predator endemic to the west coast of South America.

The Humboldt penguin's breeding distribution ranges from southern Chile along the dry and arid coastal regions of the Atacama Desert to subtropical Isla Foca in north Peru. Its range is restricted to the coast and offshore islands affected by the Humboldt current, which provides a continuous supply of nutrients and food, thus supporting huge populations of seabird. In Chile, the most important breeding colony is at Isla Chañaral.

In July 2002, a Humboldt penguin was caught in a fishing net off the coast of Prince of Wales Island in Alaska. The penguin was released from the net, and eventually sent back to the water by one of the fishermen. This is the first and only record of a penguin in the wild in North America. It is unknown whether the penguin was a wild penguin or an escaped pet or zoo animal. 

The Humboldt penguin feeds predominantly on pelagic schooling fish.[24] The consumption of cephalopods and crustaceans vary between populations. Northern colonies consume primarily Atlantic saury and garfish, whilst southern populations primarily consume anchovy, Araucanian herring, silver-side, pilchard and squid. There are seasonal differences in the Humboldt penguin's diet that reflect the changes in availability of fish species across seasons.

The Humboldt penguin is a visual hunter. Humboldt penguins leave their islands for foraging after sunrise and different populations have different preferred foraging distances from the colony. Their foraging rhythm depends on the light intensity. They spend more time foraging during overnight trips. Fish are mostly seized from below through short, shallow dives.

The foraging range of Humboldt penguins is between 2 and 92 km (1.2 and 57.2 mi) from Pan de Azúcar, with 90% of the foraging being from a range of 35 km (22 mi) around the island and 50% from a range of 5 km (3.1 mi). The maximum depth reached is 54 m (177 ft).

Failed breeders take longer foraging trips with longer and deeper dives. They also dive less often than breeding penguins.

During courtship, the Humboldt penguins bow their heads to each other and exchange mutual glances with each eye, alternatively. In the ecstatic display to attract a partner, the bird extends its head vertically, collapses its chest, flaps its wings and emits a loud call resembling the braying of a donkey. The mutual displaying consist of the pair standing side by side and repeating the actions of the ecstatic display.

The Humboldt penguin nests in loose colonies, with most pairs laying two eggs of the same size 4 days apart that require 41 days of incubation. Their breeding schedule is adjusted depending on the abundance of food. They breed immediately after moulting, when food is abundant and solar radiation is reduced.

The Humboldt penguin lay eggs from March to December, but also with peaks in April and August–September, due to individuals having a second clutch. Half of the females successfully have two clutches per year and most were double broods. If pairs lose their eggs during the first breeding season, they lay a new clutch within 1–4 months. The incubation shifts last, on average, 2.5 days, before one parent takes over and allows the other to forage. There are no differences in the contribution to provisioning from the male and female parents.

Chicks hatch generally 2 days apart. Chicks are semi-altricial and nidicolous and guarded by one parent while the other forages. Chicks are fed only once every day. Chicks are left unattended at the nest site after a certain age and both parents forage simultaneously.

The historical breeding sites of this species are burrows on guano layers. Nests of the Humboldt penguin can also be found at caverns, hollows, cliff tops, beaches and scrapes covered by vegetation. They also nest at few Peruvian islands where true soil can be found for digging. The majority of penguins breed on cliff tops.

Humboldt penguins are sedentary during the breeding season, staying in proximity to their nests and show fidelity to breeding site. They can cover large distances, particularly in response to food shortages or changes in environmental conditions. They are a true migrant between Peru and Chile.

29-7-2025 ALESUND AQUARIUM, NORWAY - HARBOUR SEAL (Phoca vitulina)

The harbor (or harbour) seal (Phoca vitulina), also known as the common seal, is a true seal found along temperate and Arctic marine coastlines of the Northern Hemisphere. The most widely distributed species of pinniped (walruses, eared seals, and true seals), they are found in coastal waters of the northern Atlantic and Pacific oceans, Baltic and North seas.

Harbour seals are brown, silvery white, tan, or grey, with distinctive V-shaped nostrils. An adult can attain a length of 1.85 m (6.1 ft) and weigh up to 168 kg (370 lb). Blubber under the seal's skin helps to maintain body temperature. Females outlive males (30–35 years versus 20–25 years). Harbor seals stick to familiar resting spots or haulout sites, generally rocky areas (although ice, sand, and mud may also be used) where they are protected from adverse weather conditions and predation, near a foraging area. Males may fight over mates under water and on land. Females bear a single pup after a nine-month gestation, which they care for alone. Pups can weigh up to 16 kg (35 lb) and are able to swim and dive within hours of birth. They develop quickly on their mothers' fat-rich milk, and are weaned after four to six weeks.

29-7-2025 ALESUND AQUARIUM, NORWAY - GARDEN LOBELIA (Lobelia erinus)

 Lobelia erinus (edging lobelia, garden lobelia or trailing lobelia) is a species of flowering plant in the bellflower family Campanulaceae, native to southern Africa.

It is a low growing, prostrate or scrambling herbaceous perennial plant growing to 8–15 cm tall. The basal leaves are oval, 10 mm long and 4–8 mm broad, with a toothed margin; leaves higher on the stems are slender and sometimes untoothed.

The flowers are blue to violet in wild plants, with a five-lobed corolla 8–20 mm across; they are produced in loose panicles. About 0.5 to 4.5 inches long inflorescence stems are about 5 inches long, loose racemose inflorescences with many flowers. The hermaphrodite flower is zygomorphic with a length of up to 1 centimeter and quinate with double perianth. The five sepals are fused. The fan-shaped lower lip is trilobed. The color of the crown varies depending on the variety between white, blue, purple, pink or red and the center is yellow or white. The five stamens are 3 to 7 millimeters long.

The fruit is a 5–8 mm capsule containing numerous small seeds.

The distribution area lies in southern Africa and extends from Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe to the south to Botswana, Namibia, Eswatini, Lesotho and the South African provinces. L. erinus also occurs as a weed where it has escaped from cultivation.

Lobelia erinus is a very popular edging plant in gardens, especially for hanging baskets and window boxes. In temperate zones it is grown as a half-hardy annual, i.e. sown under glass with some heat in spring, then planted out when all danger of frost has passed. Alternatively plants can be purchased from garden centres as young "plug" plants, to be transferred outside in May or June.

29-7-2025 ALESUND AQUARIUM, NORWAY - EUROPEAN HERRING GULL (Larus marinus)

The European herring gull (Larus argentatus) is a large and robust seabird, with a length of up to 66 cm (26 inches). It is a familiar sight along the coastal regions of Western Europe and is known for its striking appearance and adaptability to various environments.

Adult European herring gulls have a light grey back and upper wings, with a white head and underparts. Their wingtips are marked with black and white spots known as "mirrors." The bill is a bright yellow with a red spot near the tip, and the legs are typically pink, although they can sometimes be yellowish. Juveniles are mottled brown with darker streaks and possess a dark bill and eyes. As they mature, their plumage gradually lightens, reaching full adult coloration and sexual maturity at around four years of age.

These gulls are commonly found in coastal areas, but they have also adapted to urban environments where they can be seen nesting on rooftops and scavenging for food.

29-7-2025 ALESUND AQUARIUM, NORWAY - CAPE DAISY (Dimorphotheca jucunda)

Dimorphotheca jucunda, the delightful African daisy, is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae. It is native to South Africa, Lesotho and Eswatini, and introduced to Ireland and Tasmania. As its synonym Osteospermum jucundum, it and two of its cultivars, 'Blackthorn Seedling' and 'Langtrees' have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.

29-7-2025 ALESUND, NORWAY - EUROPEAN HERRING GULL (Larus marinus)

The European herring gull (Larus argentatus) is a large and robust seabird, with a length of up to 66 cm (26 inches). It is a familiar sight along the coastal regions of Western Europe and is known for its striking appearance and adaptability to various environments.

Adult European herring gulls have a light grey back and upper wings, with a white head and underparts. Their wingtips are marked with black and white spots known as "mirrors." The bill is a bright yellow with a red spot near the tip, and the legs are typically pink, although they can sometimes be yellowish. Juveniles are mottled brown with darker streaks and possess a dark bill and eyes. As they mature, their plumage gradually lightens, reaching full adult coloration and sexual maturity at around four years of age.

These gulls are commonly found in coastal areas, but they have also adapted to urban environments where they can be seen nesting on rooftops and scavenging for food.

24-7-2025 FOTA WILDLIFE PARK COBH, IRELAND - CAPYBARA (Hydrochoerus hydrochaer)

The capybara[a] or greater capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) is the largest living rodent, native to South America. It is a member of the genus Hydrochoerus. The only other extant member is the lesser capybara (Hydrochoerus isthmius). Its close relatives include guinea pigs and rock cavies, and it is more distantly related to the agouti, the chinchilla, and the nutria. The capybara inhabits savannas and dense forests, and lives near bodies of water. It is a highly social species and can be found in groups as large as one hundred individuals, but usually live in groups of 10–20 individuals. The capybara is hunted for its meat and hide and also for grease from its thick fatty skin.

24-7-2025 FOTA WILDLIFE PARK COBH, IRELAND - BRAZILIAN TAPIR (Tapirus terrestris)

 The South American tapir (Tapirus terrestris), also commonly called the Brazilian tapir (from the Tupi tapi'ira), the Amazonian tapir, the maned tapir, the lowland tapir, anta (Brazilian Portuguese), and la sachavaca (literally "bushcow", in mixed Quechua and Spanish), is one of the four recognized species in the tapir family (of the order Perissodactyla, with the mountain tapir, the Malayan tapir, and the Baird's tapir). It is the largest surviving native terrestrial mammal in the Amazon.

The South American tapir is an herbivore. Using its mobile nose, it feeds on leaves, buds, shoots, and small branches it tears from trees, fruit, grasses, and aquatic plants. They also feed on the vast majority of seeds found in the rainforest. This is known because the diet is studied through observation of browsing, analysis of feces, and studying stomach contents.

Although it has been determined via fecal samples that T. kabomani feeds on palm tree leaves and seeds from the genera Attalea and Astrocaryum, much about the diet and ecology of T. kabomani is unknown. Previously discovered tapirs are known to be important seed dispersers and to play key roles in the rainforest or mountain ecosystems in which they occur.

 It is possible that T. kabomani shares this role with the other members of its genus although further research is required.I 

24-7-2025 FOTA WILDLIFE PARK COBH, IRELAND - GREEN VEINED WHITE BUTTERFLY (Pieris napi)

A circumboreal species widespread across Europe and Asia, including the Indian subcontinent, Japan, the Maghreb and North America. It is found in meadows, hedgerows and woodland glades but not as often in gardens and parks like its close relatives the large and small whites, for which it is often mistaken. Like other "white" butterflies, the sexes differ. The female has two spots on each forewing, the male only one. The veins on the wings of the female are usually more heavily marked. The underside hindwings are pale yellow with the veins highlighted by black scales giving a greenish tint, hence green-veined white. Unlike the large and small whites, it rarely chooses garden cabbages to lay its eggs on, preferring wild crucifers. Males emit a sex pheromone that is perceptible to humans, citral, the basic flavor-imparting component of lemon peel oil.

Some authors consider the mustard white and West Virginia white of North America to be conspecific with P. napi  or consider P. napi to be a superspecies. Despite this, the American butterflies, unlike P. napi, cannot successfully use garlic mustard as a host plant. Females will lay eggs on it, mistaking this non-native species for a compatible native mustard, resulting in the death of the offspring. Classification is also an issue concerning the European dark-veined white.

A circumboreal species widespread across Europe and Asia, including the Indian subcontinent, Japan, the Maghreb and North America. It is found in meadows, hedgerows and woodland glades but not as often in gardens and parks like its close relatives the large and small whites, for which it is often mistaken. Like other "white" butterflies, the sexes differ. The female has two spots on each forewing, the male only one. The veins on the wings of the female are usually more heavily marked. The underside hindwings are pale yellow with the veins highlighted by black scales giving a greenish tint, hence green-veined white. Unlike the large and small whites, it rarely chooses garden cabbages to lay its eggs on, preferring wild crucifers. Males emit a sex pheromone that is perceptible to humans, citral, the basic flavor-imparting component of lemon peel oil.

Some authors consider the mustard white and West Virginia white of North America to be conspecific with P. napi  or consider P. napi to be a superspecies. Despite this, the American butterflies, unlike P. napi, cannot successfully use garlic mustard as a host plant. Females will lay eggs on it, mistaking this non-native species for a compatible native mustard, resulting in the death of the offspring. Classification is also an issue concerning the European dark-veined white.

24-7-2025 FOTA WILDLIFE PARK COBH, IRELAND - ROOK (Corvus frugilegus)

The rook (Corvus frugilegus) is a passerine bird belonging to the family Corvidae. It is a sizable bird, with adults typically weighing between 280 to 340 grams, measuring 44 to 46 centimeters in length, and boasting a wingspan of 81 to 99 centimeters. The plumage is predominantly black, exhibiting a blue or bluish-purple sheen when illuminated by sunlight. The feathers are particularly dense and silky around the head, neck, and shoulders. The legs and feet are black, the bill is grey-black, and the iris is dark brown. A notable feature of the adult rook is the whitish, featherless area around the base of the bill and in front of the eye, which gives the impression of a longer bill and a more domed head.

To distinguish the rook from other corvids, observe the bare patch of skin near the bill, which is absent in juveniles and other crow species. The rook's wings are also proportionally longer and narrower than those of the carrion crow when observed in flight. Juvenile rooks can be identified by their black plumage with a greenish gloss and the absence of the bare facial patch.

24-7-2025 FOTA WILDLIFE PARK COBH, IRELAND - COMMON YARROW (Achillea millefolium)

Achillea millefolium, commonly known as yarrow (/ˈjæroʊ/) or common yarrow, is a flowering plant in the family Asteraceae. Growing to 1 metre (3+1⁄2 feet) tall, it is characterized by small whitish flowers, a tall stem of fernlike leaves, and a pungent odor.

The plant is native to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere in Asia, Europe, and North America. It has been introduced as a feed for livestock in New Zealand and Australia. Used by some animals, the plant may have somewhat toxic properties, although historically it has been employed for medicinal purposes.

Achillea millefolium is an erect, herbaceous, perennial plant that produces one to several stems 0.2–1 metre (8–40 inches) in height, and has a spreading rhizomatous growth form. Cauline and more or less clasping, the leaves appear spirally and evenly along the stem, with the largest and most petiolate towards the base; they are 5–20 centimetres (2–8 in) long and fernlike, divided bipinnately or tripinnately.

Achillea millefolium, commonly known as yarrow (/ˈjæroʊ/) or common yarrow, is a flowering plant in the family Asteraceae. Growing to 1 metre (3+1⁄2 feet) tall, it is characterized by small whitish flowers, a tall stem of fernlike leaves, and a pungent odor.
The plant is native to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere in Asia, Europe, and North America. It has been introduced as a feed for livestock in New Zealand and Australia. Used by some animals, the plant may have somewhat toxic properties, although historically it has been employed for medicinal purposes.

Achillea millefolium is an erect, herbaceous, perennial plant that produces one to several stems 0.2–1 metre (8–40 inches) in height, and has a spreading rhizomatous growth form. Cauline and more or less clasping, the leaves appear spirally and evenly along the stem, with the largest and most petiolate towards the base; they are 5–20 centimetres (2–8 in) long and fernlike, divided bipinnately or tripinnately.

24-7-2025 FOTA WILDLIFE PARK COBH, IRELAND - COMMON MALLOW (Malva sylvestris)

Malva sylvestris is a species of the mallow genus Malva, of which it the type species. Known as common mallow to English-speaking Europeans, it acquired the common names of cheeses, high mallow and tall mallow (mauve des bois by the French as it migrated from its native home in Western Europe, North Africa and Asia through the English-speaking world.

M. sylvestris is a vigorous plant with showy flowers of bright mauve-purple, with dark veins, standing 0.91–1.22 metres (3–4 ft) high and growing freely in meadows, hedgerows and in fallow fields.

24-7-2025 FOTA WILDLIFE PARK COBH, IRELAND - COMMON POPPY (Papaver rhoeas)

Papaver rhoeas, with common names including common poppy, corn poppy, corn rose, field poppy, Flanders poppy, red poppy, and Odai, is an annual herbaceous species of flowering plant in the poppy family Papaveraceae. It is native to north Africa and temperate Eurasia and is introduced into temperate areas on all other continents except Antarctica.

It is regarded as an agricultural weed (hence the common names including "corn" and "field"). As the plant thrives in areas of disturbed soil, it was often abundant in agricultural fields before the advent of herbicides. Flushes of poppies may still appear in fields where herbicides are not used, as well as those in fallow. The corn poppy and its cultivars such as the Shirley poppy are widely grown in gardens, and are frequently found in packets of seed labelled "wildflower mixes". Since World War I, it has been used in the Commonwealth as a symbol of remembrance for fallen soldiers because it commonly grew in fields disturbed by war.

24-7-2025 FOTA WILDLIFE PARK COBH, IRELAND - RED LECHWE (MALE) (Kobus leche ssp. leche)

The lechwe, red lechwe, or southern lechwe (Kobus leche) is an antelope found in wetlands of south-central Africa.

The lechwe is native to Botswana, Zambia, southeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, northeastern Namibia, and eastern Angola, especially in the Okavango Delta, Kafue Flats, and Bangweulu Wetlands. The species is fairly common in zoos and wild animal farms.

Adult lechwe typically stand 90 to 100 cm (35 to 39 in) at the shoulder and generally weigh from 50 to 120 kg (110 to 260 lb), with males being larger than females. They are golden brown with white bellies. Males are darker in colour, but exact hue and amount of blackish on the front legs, chest and body varies depending on subspecies. The long, spiral horns are vaguely lyre-shaped and borne only by males. The hind legs are somewhat longer in proportion than in other antelopes to ease long-distance running on marshy soil.