Wren

Wren

Wren – Dreoilín The average lifespan of these birds is 2 to 3 years. The oldest recorded Wren was 6 years and 8 months old. The wren is one of Ireland’s smallest birds. Wrens are readily recognised by their rich brown plumage and short cocked tail which...
Swan

Swan

Swan – Eala The Irish word for mute swan is Eala bhalbh. Average lifespan for a mute swan is ten years but the oldest recorded lived to 28 years and five months in 2012. Female is called a pen, males called a cob and babies called cygnets. The male and female are very...
Stoat

Stoat

Stoat – Easóg The cheeky stoat that features in the latest book is a native Irish species and is commonly mistaken for a weasel. They typically have a lifespan 4 – 6 years in the wild. The typical size of an adult male is 19 – 32 cm and an adult female is 17 – 27 cm....
Starlings

Starlings

Starlings – Druid The Starlings or Druid as gaeilge, have been really grabbing my attention lately. That photo from Lough Ennell last week certainly grabbed attention worldwide. At first glance starlings look somewhat dull and drab however on closer inspection they...
Robin

Robin

Robin – Spideog  Lifespan is approx. 2 years in the wild but the oldest recorded was eight years and five months. They are the only bird in Ireland that keeps singing right through the winter and unusually the female sings also. Adult male and female robins look...