BIRDS OF IRELAND [A SERIES OF TILES ON WOLFE TONE STREET]
These have been here on Wolfe Tone Street for a few years but while I have always intended to photograph them I did not manage to do so until today.
These tiles are located within what might be described as a mini public space associated with an apartment complex on Wolfe Tone Street near the corner with Parnell Street, opposite the Virgin Cinema complex. It occupies a piece of land bounded by Jervis Street, Parnell Street, and Wolfe Tone Street that until recently consisted of two large carparks and a number of derelict buildings.
Ireland has a relatively low diversity of breeding birds due to its isolation. Several species such as the tawny owl, Eurasian nuthatch and willow tit which breed in Great Britain have not been recorded. However, there are large colonies of seabirds including important populations of European storm-petrels, northern gannets, and roseate terns. Other notable breeding birds include corn crakes and red-billed choughs. There are no endemic species but there are endemic subspecies of white-throated dipper, coal tit, and Eurasian jay.
Large numbers of wildfowl and waders winter in Ireland, attracted by its mild climate. About half the world population of the Greenland race of greater white-fronted geese spend the winter there. During autumn, many migrating seabirds can be seen off the coasts including several species of skuas, shearwaters, and petrels. Ireland's westerly position means that North American birds are regularly recorded in autumn.