Mark Carmody

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Birds of Ireland: Water Rail

2 weeks ago | irishexaminer.com | Jim Wilson |Mark Carmody

A water rail is about 22-26 cm long with a wing span of 38-45pm. They are a common breeding species found here all year around — typically on wetlands. Slightly smaller than a blackbird, a water rail has a dark red eye; a long, thin, slightly downcurved pink-red beak, dark culmen and tip; long legs; large, unwebbed, and pale pink feet.
Birds of Ireland: Coot

3 weeks ago | irishexaminer.com | Jim Wilson |Mark Carmody

A coot is about 36-40cm long with a wingspan of 70-80cm. They are a common breeding species found here all year round — typically on wetlands. Smaller than a mallard, both sexes appear similar. Coots can dive quite well. An adult coot has a conspicuous white beak and forehead shield; black plumage; dark red eye; and large, lobed green-grey feet. Juvenile coots are paler than adults, especially on the head, neck and breast.
Birds of Ireland: Woodpigeon

1 month ago | irishexaminer.com | Jim Wilson |Mark Carmody

A woodpigeon is typically 40-42cm long with a wingspan of 75-80cm. They are a common breeding species here and are found all year round in woodlands, farmland, and in gardens. Woodpigeons are rook-sized — fat-looking with a small head; short, red legs; a pale yellow/pink beak; a pale cream iris; and an overall grey body.
Birds of Ireland: Collared dove

1 month ago | irishexaminer.com | Jim Wilson |Mark Carmody

A collared dove is about 30-32 centimetres long with a wing span of 49-53cm. They are a common breeding species found in farmland and in gardens here all year around. A collared dove is slightly smaller than a jackdaw and both sexes look similar. They have a short, thin, dark beak; dark red eyes;short, powdery-pink legs. Collared doves of all ages have sandy-brown plumage, dark brown primaries, and a distinctive (but not always noticeable) thin, black half-collar at the base of their neck.
Birds of Ireland: Kingfisher

1 month ago | irishexaminer.com | Jim Wilson |Mark Carmody

Kingfishers are around 16-18cm long with a wingspan of 24-26cm. They are a common breeding species found here all year round in wetland areas. A kingfisher is smaller than a starling and both sexes look similar. They have a metallic-looking pale blue back and an orange breast and belly with a white neck patch. Kingfishers have short, rounded sky-blue wings with white spots on the inner half. And they have a dagger-shaped beak and very short pink-red legs.
Birds of Ireland: Swift

2 months ago | irishexaminer.com | Jim Wilson |Mark Carmody

Swifts are around 16-17cm long with a wingspan of 42-48cm They are a common breeding species typically seen here in spring, summer and autumn in farmland and urban and suburban areas. A swift is smaller/slimmer than a starling. Both sexes look similar with a tiny, dark beak; short,and dark legs. They are rarely seen on ground — and occasionally cling to walls. Swifts nest inside cavities, usually under eaves of buildings.
Birds of Ireland: Magpie

Mar 30, 2025 | irishexaminer.com | Jim Wilson |Mark Carmody

Magpies are around 42-50cm in length with a wingspan of 56cm. They are a common breeding species found here all year around on farmland, in gardens and in urban and suburban areas. They are around the size of a rook and both sexes appear similar with black legs and beak. Adult magpies have glossy black-and-white bodies and wings with a long wedge-shaped tail. They have a blue-green sheen on their back and tail feathers. They will walk or hop along the ground, sometimes with their tail raised.
Birds of Ireland: Oystercatcher

Mar 23, 2025 | irishexaminer.com | Jim Wilson |Mark Carmody

Oystercatchers are around 40-50cm long with a wingspan of 80-86cm. They are found on estuaries, coasts and farmland here all year around and are a common breeding species. Oystercatchers are a bit bigger than a rook and both sexes look similar. Adult oystercatchers are black and white with a long, straight orange-red beak and fairly long pink legs. Their non breeding plumage features a white half colar.