Small Tortoiseshell Butterfly

I visited the Shannon Airport Lagoon during the week and came across small numbers of Tortoiseshell Butterflies Aglais urticae and little clusters of newly hatched caterpillars on nettle plants.

Field Grasshopper

I came across this Field Grasshopper Chorthippus brunneus on a mint plant in my courtyard during the week.  Field Grasshoppers are widespread and common in the Irish countryside.  Over the past two summers, even though we have had wet July's these grasshoppers seem to be making a comeback.

Wood Mouse

This morning when out in the garden I found a family party of five baby Wood Mice stumbling around the courtyard and a small rockery next to the sunroom within the stones and rocks.  I'm not sure where they originated and there was no sign of any adult Wood Mice coming to feed them throughout the day.

Great Skua

On Saturday the 9th July 2011 when travelling around Clew Bay in Mayo we came across six different Great Skuas.

Common Sandpiper

I was in Mayo on Saturday 9th July and came across small numbers of Common Sandpipers feeding along the sandy shores.  These birds probably bred locally but will soon be heading south to Africa for the winter.  Early to mid August we see large numbers of Common Sandpipers migrate down the west coast of Ireland.