Mark Carmody

3 weeks ago | 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.

1 month ago | 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.