15-5-2021 PRADA GANDIA, VALENCIA - COMMON HOUSE MARTIN (Delichon urbicum)

The Western House Martin (Delichon urbicum), sometimes known as the Common House Martin, is a migratory passerine bird belonging to the swallow family. It is characterized by a blue head and upperparts, a distinctive white rump, and pure white underparts. This species exhibits sexual dimorphism, with both sexes appearing similar, and juveniles displaying a sooty black coloration with white-tipped wing coverts and quills.

Adults measure approximately 13 cm in length, with a wingspan ranging from 26 to 29 cm and an average weight of 18.3 grams. They possess brown eyes, a small black bill, and pink toes and exposed leg parts. The white rump and underparts are particularly noticeable in flight, aiding in distinguishing them from other swallows.

The Western House Martin favors open country with low vegetation, such as pastures, meadows, and farmland, often near water. It is also found in urban areas and can nest in city centers if air quality permits.

28-11-2021 LLUTXENT, VALENCIA - SARDINIAN WARBLER (FEMALE) (Sylvia melanocephala)

The Sardinian warbler, Curruca melanocephala, presents itself as a charming and distinctive bird of the Mediterranean. The males are adorned with a sleek grey back and pristine whitish underparts, crowned with a striking black head, a pure white throat, and captivating red eyes. The females, on the other hand, exhibit a more subdued palette, with brown upperparts and buff underparts, complemented by a subtle grey head.

When attempting to identify the Sardinian warbler, look for the male's black head and red eyes, which contrast with the white throat and grey back. Females can be recognized by their brown and buff coloration with a greyish head. The variability in plumage, including the presence or absence of a reddish hue, can be a helpful clue in distinguishing between subspecies.

13-8-2021 PARQUE DE JESUITAS, SALAMANCA - EUROPEAN SERIN (Serinus serinus)

The European serin, or simply the serin (Serinus serinus), is a diminutive member of the finch family, Fringillidae. This sprightly bird is the smallest within its family, closely related to the Atlantic canary. It is characterized by its short tail and a length that spans a mere 11 to 12 centimeters. The serin's plumage is a tapestry of nature's palette, with upper parts dappled in dark-streaked greyish green and a conspicuous yellow rump. The underparts are a canvas of yellow breast and white belly, both adorned with heavy streaks.

When attempting to identify the European serin, look for the male's radiant yellow face and breast, which stand out against the greenish backdrop of its feathers. The male also boasts yellow wing bars and yellow tail sides, which can be quite helpful in distinguishing it from similar species. Both sexes share a buzzing trill of a song that resonates through their Mediterranean habitats.

The European serin is partial to open woodland and cultivated areas, often with a sprinkling of conifers. These environments provide the perfect backdrop for breeding and foraging.

This species has a breeding range that extends across southern and central Europe and into North Africa. Populations along the southern and Atlantic coasts tend to be resident, while those in the north are migratory, seeking warmer climates in southern Europe during the winter months.

Outside of the breeding season, the European serin is a sociable creature, forming flocks that may sometimes mingle with other finch species. It is an active and often conspicuous bird, its presence easily announced by its distinctive trill.

The serin's song is a distinctive buzzing trill, a sound that becomes part of the ambient music in regions where these birds are common.

The European serin weaves its nest within the shelter of a shrub or tree, where it lays a clutch of 3 to 5 eggs. The chosen breeding habitats are often areas of open woodland and cultivation, with a preference for some conifers.

The diet of the European serin is predominantly seeds, but it does not shy away from including insects during the breeding season, providing essential protein for its young.

16-8-2026 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - BLUE ROCK THRUSH (FEMALE) (Monticola solitarius)

Widespread throughout Southern Europe, North Africa and Southern Asia, the blue rock thrush is a large sized chat which is predominantly sedentary, although a partial migrant within specific narrow geographical areas.

Although named as a thrush this bird is actually a chat. The adult male of the nominate race has a dark blue body with darker brown coloured wings and tail. It is the same size as a starling and has a long thick spiky slate grey bill. From a distance the male can appear to be black although the head is a bright blue. The adult female is a dull browny blue grey on the upperparts extending from the forehead, across the crown and down the back. The face is pale and mottled with thin brown markings almost with the appearance of scales, which run down to the mid chest area. From the mid chest to the lower belly the body is pale with horizontal dark brown bars across the belly from flank to flank. Juveniles are similar to females but slighter darker with bolder underpart markings, although there is no blue colouration or shading on the plumage whatsoever. There are a total of five sub-species of blue rock thrush. The colour and patternation differences from the nominate of four of the sub-species are subtle, however the adult male of the sub-species Monticola solitarius philippensis is strikingly different, in that whilst the body of the bird is predominantly a bold blue, the breast, belly and undertail areas are a contrasting rufous to chestnut brown shade.

16-8-2026 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - BARREL CACTUS (Ferocactus herrerae)

Ferocactus herrerae, commonly known as the twisted barrel cactus, Herrera's barrel cactus, or the biznaga (in Classical Nahuatl), is a species of viviparous barrel cactus in the genus Ferocactus of the family Cactaceae that is native to southwestern Sonora to the northwestern coastline of Sinaloa in western Mexico.

F. herrerae is a solitary cactus, reaching an average height of 2 m (6.56 ft), and 40 cm (15.74 in) in diameter. It features 13 deep ribs, initially heavily tuberculated. Areoles are 2.03 cm long with 7-9 spines, with supposed bristle-like radials up to 10 cm (3.9 in) long and 5 mm (0.20 in) wide. Flowers are yellow, with red-pink midribs and brown tips, blooming from Summer to early Autumn. The funnel-shaped flowers are yellow with a red central stripe, reaching up to 6 cm (2.4 in) in length and diameter. Fruit are yellow-green and fleshy, 4 to 6 cm (1.6 to 2.4 in) long, and 2.5 to 3 cm (0.98 to 1.18 in) in diameter, splitting open at their base. It starts out in a globular barrel cactus form and eventually, as it matures, developing into a signature cylindrical barrel cactus form.

28-4-2021 RACO DE OLLA, VALENCIA - WOODCHAT SHRIKE (Lanius senator)

The Woodchat Shrike, Lanius senator, is a captivating bird, slightly larger than its cousin, the Red-backed Shrike. The male boasts a distinctive appearance with black and white upper parts and a rich chestnut crown, while the female and juveniles display a more subdued brown and white vermiculated plumage with buff underparts.

To identify the Woodchat Shrike, look for the male's striking black and white upper parts and chestnut crown. The female and young birds are less conspicuous with their vermiculated brown and white upper parts and buff underparts. The western Mediterranean race, L. s. badius, lacks the prominent white wing patches seen in other subspecies.

23-3-2020 SAPSUCKER WOODS, NEW YORK - PILEATED WOODPECKER (MALE) (Dryocopus pileatus) WEBCAM

The Pileated woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus) is a large woodpecker that live in forests of eastern North America. It is the largest extant woodpecker species in North America, with the possible exception of the Ivory-billed woodpecker, which the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed be reclassified as extinct. It is also the third largest species of woodpecker in the world, after the Great slaty woodpecker and the Black woodpecker. "Pileated" refers to the bird's prominent red crest, from the Latin pileatus meaning "capped".

Pileated woodpeckers are mainly black with a red crest, and have a white line down the sides of the throat. Younger specimens tend to have less curved crests, or "mohawks" as some refer to them. They show white on the wings in flight. The flight of these birds is strong and direct, but undulates in the way characteristic of woodpeckers. Adult males have a red line from the bill to the throat; in adult females these are black.

3-1-2016 HONG KONG - BALI MYNA (Leucopsar rothschildi)

The Bali myna (Leucopsar rothschildi), also known as Rothschild's mynah, Bali starling, or Bali mynah, locally known as jalak Bali, is a medium-sized (up to 25 cm (9.8 in) long), stocky myna, almost wholly white with a long, drooping crest, and black tips on the wings and tail. The bird has blue bare skin around the eyes, greyish legs and a yellow bill. Both sexes are similar. It is critically endangered and in 2020, fewer than 50 adults were assumed to exist in the wild.

The Bali myna is restricted to the island of Bali (and its offshore islands) in Indonesia, where it is the island's only endemic vertebrate species. In 1991, the bird was designated the faunal emblem of Bali. Featured on the Indonesian 200 rupiah coin, its local name is jalak Bali 

 In its natural habitat it is inconspicuous, using tree tops for cover and–unlike other starlings–usually coming to the ground only to drink or to find nesting materials; this would seem to be an adaptation to its noticeability to predators when out in the open. The Bali mynah often gathers in groups when it is young to better locate food and watch out for predators. The vocalizations are a variety of sharp chattering calls and an emphatic tweet.

The Bali myna's diet includes fruit, seeds, worms and insects.

10-12-1991 MIAMI, FLORIDA - BROWN PELICAN (Pelecanus occidentalis)

The back, rump, and tail are streaked with gray and dark brown, sometimes with a rusty hue. The male and female are similar, but the female is slightly smaller. The nonbreeding adult has a white head and neck, and the pre-breeding adult has a creamy yellow head. The pink skin around the eyes becomes dull and gray in the non-breeding season. It lacks any red hue, and the pouch is strongly olivaceous ochre-tinged and the legs are olivaceous gray to blackish-gray. It has pale blue to yellowish-white irides which become brown during the breeding season. During courtship, the bill becomes pinkish red to pale orange, redder at the tip, and the pouch is blackish. Later in the breeding season, the bill becomes pale ash-gray over most of the upper jaw and the basal third of the mandible. The Brown pelican is exceptionally buoyant due to the internal air sacks beneath its skin and in its bones. It is as graceful in the air as it is clumsy on land.

15-11-1993 AMBOSELI, KENYA - SOUTHERN LION (FEMALE) (Panthera leo ssp. melanochaita)

 Panthera leo melanochaita is a lion subspecies in Southern and East Africa. In this part of Africa, lion populations are regionally extinct in Lesotho, Djibouti and Eritrea, and are threatened by loss of habitat and prey base, killing by local people in retaliation for loss of livestock, and in several countries also by trophy hunting. Since the turn of the 21st century, lion populations in intensively managed protected areas in Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe have increased, but declined in East African range countries. In 2005, a Lion Conservation Strategy was developed for East and Southern Africa.

Results of a phylogeographic study indicate that lion populations in southern and eastern Africa form a major clade distinct from lion populations in West Africa, Central Africa and Asia. In 2017, the Cat Classification Task Force of the IUCN Cat Specialist Group subsumed lion populations according to the major clades into two subspecies, namely P. l. leo and P. l. melanochaita. Within P. l. melanochaita three subclades are clearly distinguishable. One from northeastern Africa, another one from southwestern Africa and a third one from southeastern Africa.

9-11-1994 NOISE-BE, MADAGASCAR - THREE STRIPED PALM SQUIRREL (Funambulus palmarum)

The Indian palm squirrel or three-striped palm squirrel (Funambulus palmarum) is a species of rodent in the family Sciuridae found naturally in India (south of the Vindhyas), Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. In the late 19th century, the palm squirrel was introduced to Madagascar, Réunion, Mayotte, Comoro Islands, Mauritius, and Seychelles. The closely related five-striped palm squirrel (F. pennantii) is found in northern India, and its range partly overlaps with this species.

The palm squirrel is about the size of a large chipmunk, with a bushy tail slightly shorter than its body. The back is a grizzled, grey-brown colour with three conspicuous white stripes which run from head to tail. The two outer stripes run from the forelegs to the hind legs only. It has a creamy-white belly and a tail covered with interspersed, long, black and white hair. The ears are small and triangular. Juvenile squirrels have significantly lighter coloration, which gets progressively darker as they age. Albinism is rare, but exists in this species.

20-2-2021 ADOR CAMPO, VALENCIA - GREAT TIT (Parus major)

The great tit (Parus major) is a small passerine bird, easily recognized by its black head and neck, striking white cheeks, olive upperparts, and vibrant yellow underparts. This bird is the most widespread species in the genus Parus, found across Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia, and parts of North Africa.

Males are characterized by their bright plumage, with a black bib that extends down the belly, bordered by a lemon-yellow breast. Females and juveniles are similar but have duller coloration. The black line down the belly is also narrower and sometimes broken in these birds.

Great tits favor a variety of woodland habitats, including deciduous and mixed forests, forest edges, and even urban parks and gardens. They are also found in riverine woodlands and, in some regions, boreal taiga.

17-2-2021 EL PALMAR, VALENCIA - EURASIAN GREAT CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax carbo)

The great cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo), a robust seabird, is cloaked in predominantly black plumage. It is a member of the cormorant family, with a widespread distribution. The species exhibits considerable size variation across its range, with males generally larger than females. Notable features include a longish tail and a distinctive yellow throat-patch. During the breeding season, adults boast white patches on their thighs and throat.

To identify the great cormorant, look for its large size, heavy build, and thick bill. It lacks a crest and its plumage does not have a green tinge, distinguishing it from the common shag. In North America, it is bulkier than the double-crested cormorant and has less yellow on the throat and bill. The white thigh patches are a key identifier.

Great cormorants are found in a variety of aquatic environments including seas, estuaries, freshwater lakes, and rivers. They often nest in colonies close to these water bodies.

This species has a broad distribution, breeding across the Old World, Australia, and the Atlantic coast of North America. Northern populations tend to migrate southward in winter, seeking coasts rich in fish.

23-3-2017 SAN GERARDO DE DOTA, COSTA RICA - RUFOUS COLLARED SPARROW (Zonotrichia capensis)

The rufous-collared sparrow or Andean sparrow (Zonotrichia capensis ) is an American sparrow found in a wide range of habitats, often near humans, from the extreme south-east of Mexico to Tierra del Fuego, and the island of Hispaniola (split between the Dominican Republic and Haiti) in the Caribbean. It has diverse vocalizations, which have been intensely studied since the 1970s, particularly by Paul Handford and Stephen C. Lougheed (UWO), Fernando Nottebohm (Rockefeller University) and Pablo Luis Tubaro (UBA). Local names for this bird include the Portuguese tico-tico, the Spanish copetón ("tufted") in Colombia, as well as chingolo and chincol, and comemaíz "corn eater" in Costa Rica.

The rufous-collared sparrow is 13.5–15 cm (5+1⁄4–6 in) long and weighs 20–25 g (0.71–0.88 oz). The adult has a stubby grey bill, and a grey head with broad black stripes on the crown sides, and thinner stripes through the eye and below the cheeks. The nape and breast sides are rufous, and the upperparts are black-streaked buff-brown. There are two white wing bars. The throat is white, and the underparts are off-white, becoming brown on the flanks and with a black breast patch.

18-8-2026 DORSET, ENGLAND - EURASIAN HOBBY (JUVENILE) (Falco subbuteo) WEBCAM

The Eurasian hobby (Falco subbuteo), or just hobby, is a small, slim falcon. It belongs to a group of similar falcons often considered a subgenus of Falco.

Adults are slate-grey above with a dark crown and two short black moustache stripes. The throat is unstreaked white, the thighs and undertail coverts are unstreaked rufous and the rest of the underparts are whitish with black streaks. Close views enable the red "trousers" and vent to be seen. Sexes are similar. Juveniles are generally much browner, with scaled upper parts and streaked buffy thighs and undertail coverts.

The hobby has a distinct first-summer plumage.

This falcon is 29–36 cm (11–14 in) in length with a wingspan of 74–84 cm (29–33 in) and a weight of 175–285 g (6.2–10.1 oz).

This species breeds across the Palearctic realm. The subspecies F. s. subbuteo is a long-distance migrant, wintering in Africa. The subspecies F. s. streichi is mainly resident and does not migrate. It is a rare vagrant in North America, with extralimital records from Massachusetts, Washington, and Alaska in the United States, as well as in Newfoundland and British Columbia in Canada. It has also been sighted in Australia and Brazil.

22-3-2017 HOTEL BOUGANVILLEA, COSTA RICA - VARIEGATED SQUIRREL (Sciurus variegatoides)

The variegated squirrel (Sciurus variegatoides ) is a tree squirrel in the genus Sciurus found in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, southern Mexico, Nicaragua, and Panama. Fifteen subspecies are recognised. It is a common squirrel and the International Union for Conservation of Nature has rated it a "least-concern species". Variegated squirrels kept as pets in Germany have been implicated in the transmission of a bornavirus to humans from which three people have died.

Variegated squirrels are medium-sized tree squirrels. The are several subspecies recognised which differ in appearance. There is even often a considerable variation between the appearances of individuals in the same population. The dorsal colouration varies between dark brown to yellowish grey. The neck tends to be darker than other parts and there is often a paler patch behind the ears. The underparts are usually some shade of cinnamon. The tail is long and densely bushy; in Mexico it is black, sometimes with white tips to the hairs giving it a frosted appearance. In Nicaragua and Costa Rica, some individuals have pale underparts and tails.

6-4-2026 FAIRBANKS, ALASKA - MUSKOX (Ovibos moschatus) WEBCAM

The muskox (Ovibos moschatus) is a hoofed mammal of the family Bovidae. Native to the Arctic, it is noted for its thick coat and for the strong odor emitted by males during the seasonal rut, from which its name derives. This musky odor has the effect of attracting females during mating season. Its Inuktitut name umingmak translates to "the bearded one".

Its Woods Cree names mâthi-môs and mâthi-mostos translate to "ugly moose" and "ugly bison", respectively. In historic times, muskoxen primarily lived in Greenland and the Canadian Arctic of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. They were formerly present in Eurasia, with their youngest natural records in the region dating to around 2,700 years ago, with reintroduced populations in the U.S. state of Alaska, the Canadian territory of Yukon, and Siberia, and an introduced population in Norway, part of which emigrated to Sweden, where a small population now lives.

16-5-2026 OWL RESEARCH INST, USA - GREAT GREY OWL (Strix nebulosa) WEBCAM

The great grey owl, Strix nebulosa, stands as the world's largest owl by length. This majestic bird is recognized by its large rounded head, grey face, and piercing yellow eyes encircled by darker plumage. Its underparts are a lighter shade adorned with dark streaks, while the upper parts boast a grey hue with pale bars. Notably lacking ear tufts, the great grey owl possesses the most expansive facial disc of any raptor, and a distinctive white collar, reminiscent of a "bow-tie," sits just below its beak. The species' long tail, tapering to a rounded end, contributes to its impressive size, which is somewhat exaggerated by its voluminous feathers.

Adult great grey owls can be identified by their lack of ear tufts and the largest facial disc among raptors. They exhibit a white "bow-tie" below the beak and a long, rounded tail. Males are typically smaller than females, a common trait among owl species. The great grey owl's call is a deep, rhythmic series of 'who's, primarily associated with territorial claims or communication with offspring.

The great grey owl favors the dense coniferous forests of the taiga for breeding, often near open spaces such as meadows or bogs. In some regions, like Oregon and California, they have adapted to nesting in mixed oak woodlands.

12-8-2026 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - BARREL CACTUS (Ferocactus herrerae)

Ferocactus herrerae, commonly known as the twisted barrel cactus, Herrera's barrel cactus, or the biznaga (in Classical Nahuatl), is a species of viviparous barrel cactus in the genus Ferocactus of the family Cactaceae that is native to southwestern Sonora to the northwestern coastline of Sinaloa in western Mexico.

F. herrerae is a solitary cactus, reaching an average height of 2 m (6.56 ft), and 40 cm (15.74 in) in diameter. It features 13 deep ribs, initially heavily tuberculated. Areoles are 2.03 cm long with 7-9 spines, with supposed bristle-like radials up to 10 cm (3.9 in) long and 5 mm (0.20 in) wide. Flowers are yellow, with red-pink midribs and brown tips, blooming from Summer to early Autumn. The funnel-shaped flowers are yellow with a red central stripe, reaching up to 6 cm (2.4 in) in length and diameter. Fruit are yellow-green and fleshy, 4 to 6 cm (1.6 to 2.4 in) long, and 2.5 to 3 cm (0.98 to 1.18 in) in diameter, splitting open at their base. It starts out in a globular barrel cactus form and eventually, as it matures, developing into a signature cylindrical barrel cactus form.

12-8-2026 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - NIGHT BLOOMING CACTUS (Cereus jamacaru)

Yellow to brown areoles stand on them at a distance of 2 to 4 cm. These carry about 15 to 20 yellowish to brownish spines, which are divided into 7 to 9 radial spines and 6 to 13 central spines. It is not uncommon for the total number of thorns to be reached over the course of many years. The thorns that form later are particularly tough and up to 10 cm long.

The flowers are white open at night, and about 250 mm (10 in) long, with green and white outside the petals with a brown outer edge. The outer bracts are brownish to light green, the inner ones are white. The flower buds usually appear in the middle of spring and each flower lasts only for a night. They blossom at dusk and wither by the morning.

9-8-2026 SEAL ISLAND MAINE, USA - AMERICAN HERRING GULL (Larus smithsonianus) WEBCAM

The American Herring Gull is a large North American seabird measuring 22–26 inches long with a 54–60 inch wingspan. Adults feature a pale gray back, white head and body, pink legs, and a yellow bill with a red spot. Separated from European gulls in 2024, they thrive in coastal, inland, and urban areas.

Physical Traits and Development

Adult look: White head and underparts, gray back, black wingtips with white spots.

Bill and eyes: Yellow bill with a red spot on the lower jaw; pale yellow eyes.

Young birds: Covered in mottled brown feathers and take four years to get adult plumage.

Habitat and Range

Where they live: Coastlines, lakes, rivers, islands, and city rooftops.

Geographic spread: Breed across Alaska, Canada, and the northern US; winter further south to Central America.

Diet and Behavior

What they eat: Fish, insects, small mammals, marine invertebrates, and human trash.

Nesting: Lay two to three eggs in ground scrapes or on flat buildings.

Vocalizations: Make loud, plaintive calls that sound like a weeping complaint. 

19-7-2026 COBH, IRELAND - 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.

Herring gulls are noisy, gregarious birds with distinctive vocalisations. Their loud, laughing call is particularly well known, and is often seen as a symbol of the seaside in countries such as the United Kingdom. The European herring gull also has a yelping alarm call and a low, barking anxiety call. The most distinct and best known call produced by European herring gulls – which is shared with their American relative – is the raucous territorial 'long call', used to signal boundaries to other birds; it is performed by the gull initially with its head bowed, then raised as the call continues.

European herring gull chicks and fledglings emit a distinctive, repetitive, high-pitched 'peep', accompanied by a head-flicking gesture when begging for food from or calling to their parents. Adult gulls in urban areas also exhibit this behaviour when fed by humans.

19-7-2026 COBH, IRELAND - ROOK (Corvus frugilegus)

Rooks are highly social and gregarious, often seen in flocks. They are monogamous, with pairs forming lifelong bonds and staying together within the flock. These birds are diurnal, foraging on the ground during the day and roosting communally at night. They exhibit complex social behaviors and are known for their intelligence and problem-solving abilities.

The rook's call is a distinctive caw or kaah, variable in pitch and used in different contexts. It is less raucous than that of the carrion crow and is often heard in flight or while perched, where the bird may fan its tail and bow with each call.

Rooks nest colonially in rookeries located at the tops of tall trees. Both sexes contribute to nest-building, which is a cup-shaped structure made of sticks and lined with softer materials. The breeding season begins in spring, with egg-laying occurring by the end of March or early April in Britain, and possibly later in eastern Europe and Russia. The clutch size ranges from three to five eggs, which are incubated primarily by the female.

The birds form flocks in winter, often in the company of other Corvus species or jackdaws. They return to their rookeries, and breeding takes place in spring. They forage on arable land and pasture, probing the ground with their strong bills and feeding largely on grubs and soil-based invertebrates, but they also consume cereals and other plant material. Historically, farmers have accused the birds of damaging their crops and have made efforts to drive them away or kill them. Like other corvids, they are intelligent birds with complex behavioural traits and an ability to solve simple problems.

19-7-2026 COBH, IRELAND - PIED WAGTAIL (Motacilla alba ssp. yarrellii)

The Pied Wagtail (Motacilla alba ssp. yarrellii) is a common black, white, and grey subspecies of the White Wagtail. It breeds mainly in Great Britain and Ireland, featuring a much darker black or dark grey back compared to continental European birds.

Key Identification Features

Plumage: Adult males have a jet-black back, crown, and throat bib with a crisp white face and underparts.

Rump: Features a solid black rump, which helps separate it from the lighter continental White Wagtail (Motacilla alba alba).

Behavior: Constantly bobs and wags its long tail up and down while running fast on open ground.

Habitat and Range

Distribution: Resident across Britain and Ireland; some populations migrate south to winter in western France, Iberia, and North Africa.

Environment: Thrives near water, farmland, and urban environments like parks and parking lots. Users on BirdForum reach a consensus that telling females and first-winter birds apart from standard White Wagtails can be tricky due to overlapping grey tones on the mantle.

19-7-2026 COBH, IRELAND - BLUE LILY (Agapanthus praecox)

Agapanthus praecox (common agapanthus, blue lily, African lily, or lily of the Nile) is a popular garden plant around the world, especially in Mediterranean climates. It is native to the Kwa-Zulu Natal and Eastern Cape provinces of South Africa. Local names include agapant, bloulelie, isicakathi and ubani. Most of the cultivated plants of the genus Agapanthus are hybrids or cultivars of this species. It is divided into three subspecies: subsp.praecox, subsp. orientalis and subsp. minimus.

Agapanthus praecox is a variable species with open-faced flowers. It is a perennial plant that can live for up to 75 years. Its evergreen leaves are 2 cm wide and 50 cm long. Its inflorescence is an umbel. The flowers are blue, purple or white and bloom from late spring to summer, followed by capsules filled with black seeds. Its flowering stem reaches one meter high. Its roots are very powerful and can break concrete.

12-8-2026 TURPENTINE CREEK WILDLIFE REFUGE - BENGAL TIGER (Panthera tigris) WEBCAM

The Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) is the nominate Tiger subspecies. It ranks among the biggest wild cats alive today. It is considered to belong to the world's charismatic megafauna. The Bengal tiger is estimated to have been present in the Indian subcontinent since the Late Pleistocene, for about 12,000 to 16,500 years. Today, it is threatened by a number of threats caused by humans.

The Bengal tiger's coat is yellow to light orange, with stripes ranging from dark brown to black; the belly and the interior parts of the limbs are white, and the tail is orange with black rings. The white tiger is a recessive mutant, which is reported in the wild from time to time in Assam, Bengal, Bihar, and especially in the former State of Rewa. However, it is not an occurrence of albinism. The Bengal tiger has exceptionally stout teeth. Its canines are 7.5 to 10 cm (3.0 to 3.9 in) long and thus the longest among all cats.

22-7-2026 ST BENEDICTS PRIORY, COBH - EUROPEAN GOLDFINCH (Carduelis carduelis)

The Goldfinch is a colourful finch with a bright red face and yellow wing patch. It's a very sociable bird, often breeding in loose groups. It has a delightful twittering song and call. Their fine beaks allow them to extract otherwise inaccessible seeds from thistles and teasels. Increasingly, they are visiting bird tables and feeders. In winter, many UK Goldfinches migrate as far south as Spain.

The European goldfinch is illegally trafficked and can be found in countries worldwide, including the United States.

They attach their nests to tree twigs using spider silk.

Males and females look similar, but males have slightly larger red face masks that extend to their eyes.

They are frequent visitors to backyard feeders, especially those containing niger seeds.

They forage by hovering over plants and will occasionally feed upside down.

The European goldfinch or simply the goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis) is a small passerine bird in the finch family that is native to Europe, North Africa and western and central Asia. It has been introduced to other areas, including Australia, New Zealand and Uruguay.

22-7-2026 ST BENEDICTS PRIORY, COBH - ROSE OF SHARON (Hypericum calycinum)

Hypericum calycinum is a species of prostrate or low-growing shrub in the flowering plant family Hypericaceae. It is native to the Strandzha Mountains along the Bulgarian and Turkish Black Sea coast. Widely cultivated for its large yellow flowers, its names as a garden plant include rose-of-Sharon in Britain and Australia, and Aaron's beard, great St-John's wort, creeping St. John's wort and Jerusalem star.

Hypericum calycinum is a low, creeping, evergreen woody shrub (classified as a subshrub or shrublet to about 1 m (3 ft 3 in) tall and 1–2 m (3 ft 3 in – 6 ft 7 in) wide but often smaller. The green, ovate leaves grow in opposite pairs. Usually 4 inches (10 cm) long, the undersides of the leaves are net-veined. In the sun, the leaves are a vibrant green color, and in shade, the leaves are a lighter yellow-green. The underside of the leaves is a blue-green color and in the fall, the leaves take on a purple color.

The flowers are 3–5 cm (1.2–2.0 in) in diameter, a rich yellow, with five petals and numerous yellow stamens. Its flowers can be described as "rose-like" and tend to be single or in units of two or three, flowering in June to September.

22-7-2026 COBH, IRELAND - MAIDENHAIR SPLEENWORT (Asplenium trichomanes)

Linnaeus was the first to describe maidenhair spleenwort with the binomial Asplenium trichomanes in his Species Plantarum of 1753.

Asplenium trichomanes has diploid, tetraploid and hexaploid cytotypes, which it has been argued should be recognised as distinct species. A triploid cytotype (a sterile hybrid between the diploid and tetraploid cytotype) is also known. 

Within these cytotypes several subspecies are recognised. Plants of the World Online accepts 20 infraspecific subdivisions as of February 2025.

21-7-2026 COBH, IRELAND - BRITISH BUFF TAILED BUMBLEBEE (Bombus terrestris ssp. audax)

The British buff-tailed bumblebee (Bombus terrestris ssp. audax) is an endemic UK subspecies of the common buff-tailed bumblebee. It features a black body with golden-yellow bands, a distinctive buff-coloured tail on queens, and white tails on workers. Colonies can grow up to 600 individuals underground.

Appearance and Identification

Size: Queens reach 22 mm, while workers are smaller (11–17 mm).

Collar & Bands: Yellow-orange collar on the thorax with a second yellow-brown band on the abdomen.

Tail color: Queens show a brownish-buff tail, whereas workers often appear white-tailed.

Behavior and HabitatNesting: They build underground nests, often in old rodent or mammal holes.

Winter activity: Mild UK winters allow some southern colonies to stay active and forage year-round.

Feeding: They possess short tongues and practice "nectar robbing" by biting holes in deep flowers.

22-7-2026 COBH, IRELAND - RED ADMIRAL BUTTERFLY (Vanessa atalanta)

Vanessa atalanta, the red admiral or, previously, the red admirable, is a well-characterized, medium-sized butterfly with black wings, red bands, and white spots. It has a wingspan of about 2 inches (5 cm). It was first described by Carl Linnaeus in his 1758 10th edition of Systema Naturae. The red admiral is widely distributed across temperate regions of North Africa, the Americas, Europe, Asia, and the Caribbean. It resides in warmer areas, but migrates north in spring and sometimes again in autumn. Typically found in moist woodlands, the red admiral caterpillar's primary host plant is the stinging nettle (Urtica dioica); it can also be found on the false nettle (Boehmeria cylindrica). The adult butterfly drinks from flowering plants like Buddleia and overripe fruit. Red admirals are territorial; females will only mate with males that hold territory. Males with superior flight abilities are more likely to successfully court females. It is known as an unusually calm butterfly, often allowing observation at a very close distance before flying away, also landing on and using humans as perches.

In northern Europe, it is one of the last butterflies to be seen before winter sets in, often feeding on the flowers of ivy on sunny days. The red admiral is also known to hibernate, re-emerging individuals showing prominently darker colors than the first brood. The butterfly also flies on sunny winter days, especially in southern Europe.

Male red admirals are territorial and perch during the afternoon until sunset. Larger territories are optimal and subject to intrusion by other males more frequently than smaller territories. Territories tend to be oval, 8–24 feet (2.4–7.3 m) long and 13–42 feet (4.0–12.8 m) wide. Males patrol their territory by flying around the perimeter between 7 and 30 times per hour. On average, territory holders interact with intruders 10 to 15 times per hour.

When another male encroaches on a red admiral's territory, the resident chases away the intruder, often in a vertical, helical path to disorient or tire out the intruder while minimizing the horizontal distance it travels from its perch. The red admiral immediately returns to its territory after chasing off encroaching males. Time spent patrolling increases as number of the intruder interactions increases.

23-7-2026 COBH, IRELAND - EURASIAN BLACKBIRD (MALE) (Turdus merula)

The Common Blackbird, Turdus merula, is a true thrush and a familiar sight in gardens and woodlands. The male is distinguished by its all-black plumage, bright yellow eye-ring, and orange-yellow bill, which darkens slightly during winter. Females and juveniles are more demure in their attire, sporting mainly dark brown feathers.

Adult males are entirely black with the exception of the yellow eye-ring and bill. Females are sooty-brown with a duller bill, and juveniles resemble females but have pale spots on their upperparts. The very young may also exhibit a speckled breast.

23-7-2026 RIVER LEE CORK, IRELAND - 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.

23-7-2026 RIVER LEE CORK, IRELAND - EUROPEAN HERRING GULL (JUVENILE) (Larus argentatus)

A juvenile European herring gull (Larus argentatus) is a large, heavy-bodied young bird up to 66 cm long. It features mottled, dark brown and buff-speckled plumage, a dark bill, dark eyes, and pinkish legs. It takes about four years to transition into fully gray-and-white adult plumage.

Appearance and Identification

Plumage: Covered in a messy mix of dark brown feathers with pale fringes, giving a scaly or checkered look.

Head and Neck: Streak-brown and dingy, lacking the clean white look of adults.

Bill: Mostly dark or blackish, sometimes showing a slightly paler pinkish base.

Eyes and Legs: Dark eyes (becoming pale only in later years) and dull pink legs.

Development and Behavior

Maturation: Takes four years to reach adult look. Intermediate stages look mottled and messy.

Diet: Opportunistic feeder. Found near coasts, lakes, and landfills.

Flight: Strong and broad-winged, though juvenile tail and wing feathers show dark, uniform tones.

23-7-2026 RIVER LEE CORK, IRELAND - BLACK HEADED GULL (JUVENILE) (Chroicocephalus ridibundus)

A juvenile Black-headed Gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus) is a small, noisy bird measuring about 34 to 43 cm long. Unlike adults, young birds lack a dark hood. They feature a mottled brownish back, brown wing patterns, a speckled breast, yellowish-pink legs, and a pale bill with a dark tip.

Key Identification Features

Head: White with a dark smudge or spot near the ear.

Body: Warm buff-brown streaking and mottling on the upper back and wing coverts.

Tail: White with a distinct dark or black band right at the tip.

Bill and Legs: Flesh-colored, yellowish, or dull orange-pink rather than the bright red of an adult.

Wings: Show a bright white stripe (blaze) on the front edge of the inner wing during flight.

Behavior and Habitat

Diet: Eats insects, worms, scraps, and small fish.

Location: Found near lakes, ponds, farm fields, rivers, and coastal shores.

Development: They molt their brown juvenile feathers and transition to a pale gray back by their first winter.

30-7-2026 ROSTELLAN, IRELAND - MUTE SWAN (Cygnus olor)

The mute swan, Cygnus olor, is a majestic bird, easily recognized by its all-white plumage and the distinctive orange beak bordered with black. The male, known as a cob, is noted for a prominent knob atop the beak, which is more pronounced than that of the female, or pen.

Adult mute swans measure between 125 to 160 cm in length, with a wingspan of 200 to 240 cm. The males are generally larger than females and possess a larger knob on their bill. The species is one of the heaviest flying birds, with males reaching weights up to 14.3 kg and females up to 10.6 kg. Juveniles, or cygnets, are not as bright white as adults and have a dull greyish-black bill for their first year.

Mute swans are found in a variety of wetland habitats, including lakes, ponds, rivers, and coastal areas, where they build large mounds of vegetation for nesting.

Native to Eurosiberia, the mute swan has been introduced to North America, Australasia, and southern Africa. It is partially migratory in northern latitudes, with some populations moving as far south as North Africa and the Mediterranean.

Mute swans are territorial and monogamous, often reusing the same nest each year. They are less vocal than other swan species but are known for their aggressive defense of their nests and offspring. They can be seen performing a threat display known as busking, with wings half raised and neck curved back.

While not as vocal, mute swans produce a range of sounds including grunting, hoarse whistling, and snorting. They also have a rhythmic song during courtship displays and a unique throbbing sound from their wings in flight.

30-7-2026 ROSTELLAN, IRELAND - MUTE SWAN (JUVENILE) (Cygnus olor)

A juvenile mute swan (Cygnus olor) is a large young water bird. It has dusty gray-brown feathers instead of bright white. Its bill is dark gray or dull pinkish instead of orange, and it lacks the large black forehead knob that adults have.

Physical Traits

Color: Dusky gray-brown body, paler on the neck and chin.

Bill: Dull gray, black, or pinkish-horn with no visible knob.

Size: Nearly as large as an adult, with a long neck.

Change: Feathers turn white and bills turn orange during their first year or second year.

Life and HabitsTracked by bird watchers on platforms like eBird.

Stays with family groups for several months after hatching.

Eats water plants by dabbling in lakes, ponds, and slow rivers.

30-7-2026 ROSTELLAN, IRELAND - MALLARD (FEMALE) (Anas platyrhynchos)

The Mallard, or wild duck (Anas platyrhynchos), is a familiar and widespread dabbling duck with a presence across temperate and subtropical regions of the Americas, Eurasia, and North Africa. It has also been introduced to parts of the Southern Hemisphere. The male is renowned for its iridescent green head and white collar, while the female sports a brown-speckled plumage. Both sexes boast a speculum—a patch of feathers with iridescent purple or blue hues bordered by white. The Mallard's length ranges from 50 to 65 cm, with a wingspan of 81 to 98 cm, and it typically weighs between 0.7 and 1.6 kg.

 Males during the breeding season are unmistakable with their glossy green heads, white collars, and purple-tinged brown breasts. Females are mottled brown with buff cheeks and an eye-stripe. Both sexes have the distinctive speculum on their wings. The male's bill is yellowish-orange tipped with black, while the female's is darker, ranging from black to mottled orange and brown.

Mallards are found in a variety of wetlands, including parks, small ponds, rivers, lakes, and estuaries. They prefer water depths less than 0.9 meters and are drawn to areas with aquatic vegetation.