Will O'Connor
@entosphenus.bsky.social
Ecologist and wildlife photographer.
More footage of Otters (Lutra lutra) at Annacotty Weir on the River Mulkear, Co. Limerick, from the current winter season. This shows a mother and a juvenile feeding on River Lampreys (Lampetra fluviatilis).
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February 6, 2026 at 7:42 AM
More footage of Otters (Lutra lutra) at Annacotty Weir on the River Mulkear, Co. Limerick, from the current winter season. This shows a mother and a juvenile feeding on River Lampreys (Lampetra fluviatilis).
Read the full post here:-
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Read the full post here:-
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Recent footage of an Otter (Lutra lutra) family on the River Mulkear downstream of Annacotty Weir, Co. Limerick.
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Read the full post here:-
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February 5, 2026 at 8:53 AM
Recent footage of an Otter (Lutra lutra) family on the River Mulkear downstream of Annacotty Weir, Co. Limerick.
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Read the full post here:-
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Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) preying on River Lampreys (Lampetra fluviatilis) on the River Mulkear, Co. Limerick, last week. These lampreys are on their spawning migration, but this weir blocks their upstream passage.
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February 4, 2026 at 8:03 AM
Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) preying on River Lampreys (Lampetra fluviatilis) on the River Mulkear, Co. Limerick, last week. These lampreys are on their spawning migration, but this weir blocks their upstream passage.
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Read the full post here:-
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Today is #WorldWetlandsDay, and to mark it I visited the site of the lost Cloonkeen Lough.
Cloonkeen Lough was once a large permanent lake and turlough system on the River Clare, upstream of Corofin, Co. Galway.
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Cloonkeen Lough was once a large permanent lake and turlough system on the River Clare, upstream of Corofin, Co. Galway.
Read the full post here:-
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February 2, 2026 at 6:44 PM
Today is #WorldWetlandsDay, and to mark it I visited the site of the lost Cloonkeen Lough.
Cloonkeen Lough was once a large permanent lake and turlough system on the River Clare, upstream of Corofin, Co. Galway.
Read the full post here:-
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Cloonkeen Lough was once a large permanent lake and turlough system on the River Clare, upstream of Corofin, Co. Galway.
Read the full post here:-
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River Lampreys (Lampetra fluviatilis) attempting to pass Annacotty Weir on the River Mulkear, Co. Limerick. Lamprey migration is blocked by this weir, which serves no functional purpose.
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Read the full post here:-
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February 2, 2026 at 8:37 AM
River Lampreys (Lampetra fluviatilis) attempting to pass Annacotty Weir on the River Mulkear, Co. Limerick. Lamprey migration is blocked by this weir, which serves no functional purpose.
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Read the full post here:-
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Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) feeding on River Lampreys (Lampetra fluviatilis) downstream of Annacotty weir, River Mulkear, Co. Limerick, yesterday morning. The presence of this ornamental weir blocks upstream lamprey migration, resulting in increased vulnerability to predation at this location.
January 31, 2026 at 12:17 PM
Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) feeding on River Lampreys (Lampetra fluviatilis) downstream of Annacotty weir, River Mulkear, Co. Limerick, yesterday morning. The presence of this ornamental weir blocks upstream lamprey migration, resulting in increased vulnerability to predation at this location.
Current “white flash” trail camera footage of Otters (Lutra lutra) on the River Mulkear, Co. Limerick. The River Mulkear forms part of the Lower River Shannon Special Area of Conservation (SAC), and the Otter is a Qualifying Interest of this Natura 2000 site.
January 30, 2026 at 12:12 PM
Current “white flash” trail camera footage of Otters (Lutra lutra) on the River Mulkear, Co. Limerick. The River Mulkear forms part of the Lower River Shannon Special Area of Conservation (SAC), and the Otter is a Qualifying Interest of this Natura 2000 site.
Infrared trail camera footage of wild Red Deer (Cervus elaphus) Stags and Prickets at a site in east Co. Clare. At this time of the year the males form bachelor herds until the next rut. Unlike the Killarney herd, these deer are descendants of more recent introductions and are not considered native.
January 30, 2026 at 8:07 AM
Infrared trail camera footage of wild Red Deer (Cervus elaphus) Stags and Prickets at a site in east Co. Clare. At this time of the year the males form bachelor herds until the next rut. Unlike the Killarney herd, these deer are descendants of more recent introductions and are not considered native.
Fallow Deer (Dama dama) in the Phoenix Park, Dublin, last week. These deer live close to the city centre and are accustomed to seeing people, but they are wild. There has been a deer herd here since the park was established as a Royal Deer Park in 1662.
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Full post here:-
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January 29, 2026 at 8:39 AM
Fallow Deer (Dama dama) in the Phoenix Park, Dublin, last week. These deer live close to the city centre and are accustomed to seeing people, but they are wild. There has been a deer herd here since the park was established as a Royal Deer Park in 1662.
Full post here:-
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Full post here:-
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Current trail camera footage of wild Red Deer (Cervus elaphus) at a site in east Co. Clare.
January 28, 2026 at 7:55 AM
Current trail camera footage of wild Red Deer (Cervus elaphus) at a site in east Co. Clare.
Current trail camera footage of wild Red Deer (Cervus elaphus), a Fox (Vulpes vulpes), and a Woodcock (Scolopax rusticola) from a site in east Co. Clare.
January 27, 2026 at 8:00 AM
Current trail camera footage of wild Red Deer (Cervus elaphus), a Fox (Vulpes vulpes), and a Woodcock (Scolopax rusticola) from a site in east Co. Clare.
This photograph shows the last native Bearded Vulture (Gypaetus barbatus) in the Alps. It was shot in the Aosta Valley, Italy, in 1913.
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January 26, 2026 at 8:05 AM
This photograph shows the last native Bearded Vulture (Gypaetus barbatus) in the Alps. It was shot in the Aosta Valley, Italy, in 1913.
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Europe’s most endangered vulture species, the Bearded Vulture (Gypaetus barbatus). I took this photo from a licenced hide in the Spanish pre-Pyrenees in October 2024. It was incredible to see these magnificent birds up close.
January 24, 2026 at 8:10 AM
Europe’s most endangered vulture species, the Bearded Vulture (Gypaetus barbatus). I took this photo from a licenced hide in the Spanish pre-Pyrenees in October 2024. It was incredible to see these magnificent birds up close.
Bearded Vulture (Gypaetus barbatus) in the Catalan pre-Pyrenees. This is Europe’s rarest vulture species, yet despite strict legal protection and more than four decades of conservation and awareness efforts, persecution remains a real threat.
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January 23, 2026 at 8:31 AM
Bearded Vulture (Gypaetus barbatus) in the Catalan pre-Pyrenees. This is Europe’s rarest vulture species, yet despite strict legal protection and more than four decades of conservation and awareness efforts, persecution remains a real threat.
Read the full post here:-
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Read the full post here:-
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Golden Eagle in Sierra Espuña Natural Park. I took this video from a licenced hide in December 2025.
It is understood that this individual is a young adult male that has recently formed a pair bond with an older female, estimated to be around 20 years old.
Full post here:-
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It is understood that this individual is a young adult male that has recently formed a pair bond with an older female, estimated to be around 20 years old.
Full post here:-
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January 22, 2026 at 8:41 AM
Golden Eagle in Sierra Espuña Natural Park. I took this video from a licenced hide in December 2025.
It is understood that this individual is a young adult male that has recently formed a pair bond with an older female, estimated to be around 20 years old.
Full post here:-
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It is understood that this individual is a young adult male that has recently formed a pair bond with an older female, estimated to be around 20 years old.
Full post here:-
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Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus) in Las Tablas de Daimiel National Park, Ciudad Real, Spain, October 2025.
This is a groundwater-dependent wetland located at the headwaters of the Guadiana River. It is designated as both a SPA and SAC but has many problems due to groundwater abstraction.
This is a groundwater-dependent wetland located at the headwaters of the Guadiana River. It is designated as both a SPA and SAC but has many problems due to groundwater abstraction.
January 21, 2026 at 8:13 AM
Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus) in Las Tablas de Daimiel National Park, Ciudad Real, Spain, October 2025.
This is a groundwater-dependent wetland located at the headwaters of the Guadiana River. It is designated as both a SPA and SAC but has many problems due to groundwater abstraction.
This is a groundwater-dependent wetland located at the headwaters of the Guadiana River. It is designated as both a SPA and SAC but has many problems due to groundwater abstraction.
Northern Bald Ibis (Geronticus eremita) at Vejer de la Frontera, Cádiz, Andalusia, Spain.
This species became extinct in Europe by the 17th century and is now being re-established through a long-term reintroduction programme.
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This species became extinct in Europe by the 17th century and is now being re-established through a long-term reintroduction programme.
Read the full post here:
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January 20, 2026 at 8:41 AM
Northern Bald Ibis (Geronticus eremita) at Vejer de la Frontera, Cádiz, Andalusia, Spain.
This species became extinct in Europe by the 17th century and is now being re-established through a long-term reintroduction programme.
Read the full post here:
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This species became extinct in Europe by the 17th century and is now being re-established through a long-term reintroduction programme.
Read the full post here:
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Wild Iberian Lynx (Lynx pardinus) in Sierra de Andújar Natural Park, Andalusia, Spain.
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January 19, 2026 at 7:57 PM
Wild Iberian Lynx (Lynx pardinus) in Sierra de Andújar Natural Park, Andalusia, Spain.
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Read the full post here:-
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Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus) in Sierra Espuña Natural Park, Murcia, Spain, December 2025. This species had almost disappeared from this area but is now breeding here again thanks to conservation efforts.
January 18, 2026 at 6:53 PM
Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus) in Sierra Espuña Natural Park, Murcia, Spain, December 2025. This species had almost disappeared from this area but is now breeding here again thanks to conservation efforts.
Wild female Iberian Lynx (Lynx pardinus) with a Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) in Sierra de Andújar Natural Park, Andalusia, Spain.
I took this photo from a hide after dusk during October 2025. The hide features subtle lighting to facilitate night photography without disturbing wildlife.
I took this photo from a hide after dusk during October 2025. The hide features subtle lighting to facilitate night photography without disturbing wildlife.
January 17, 2026 at 8:43 AM
Wild female Iberian Lynx (Lynx pardinus) with a Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) in Sierra de Andújar Natural Park, Andalusia, Spain.
I took this photo from a hide after dusk during October 2025. The hide features subtle lighting to facilitate night photography without disturbing wildlife.
I took this photo from a hide after dusk during October 2025. The hide features subtle lighting to facilitate night photography without disturbing wildlife.
Cinereous Vulture (Aegypius monachus) in Sierra de Andújar Natural Park, Andalusia, Spain, October 2025.
The Presa de Jándula dam also features in the video. This dam was completed in 1932 and was one of the earliest large hydroelectric dams constructed in Spain.
The Presa de Jándula dam also features in the video. This dam was completed in 1932 and was one of the earliest large hydroelectric dams constructed in Spain.
January 16, 2026 at 7:58 AM
Cinereous Vulture (Aegypius monachus) in Sierra de Andújar Natural Park, Andalusia, Spain, October 2025.
The Presa de Jándula dam also features in the video. This dam was completed in 1932 and was one of the earliest large hydroelectric dams constructed in Spain.
The Presa de Jándula dam also features in the video. This dam was completed in 1932 and was one of the earliest large hydroelectric dams constructed in Spain.
Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus), Osprey (Pandion haliaetus), Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus), and Booted Eagle (Hieraaetus pennatus), all recorded in one morning at El Hondo Natural Park, Alicante, Spain, December 2025.
January 15, 2026 at 1:40 PM
Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus), Osprey (Pandion haliaetus), Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus), and Booted Eagle (Hieraaetus pennatus), all recorded in one morning at El Hondo Natural Park, Alicante, Spain, December 2025.
Interpretative sign on the European eel (Anguilla anguilla) at El Hondo Natural Park, Alicante, Spain.
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January 15, 2026 at 8:40 AM
Interpretative sign on the European eel (Anguilla anguilla) at El Hondo Natural Park, Alicante, Spain.
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Very nice footage of young Otters (Lutra lutra) playing downstream of Encinarejo dam, on the Jándula River, Sierra de Andújar, Andalusia, Spain.
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Read the full post here:-
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January 14, 2026 at 8:24 AM
Very nice footage of young Otters (Lutra lutra) playing downstream of Encinarejo dam, on the Jándula River, Sierra de Andújar, Andalusia, Spain.
Read the full post here:-
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Read the full post here:-
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Booted Eagles (Hieraaetus pennatus) at El Hondo Natural Park, Alicante, Spain, December 2025.
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January 12, 2026 at 8:40 AM
Booted Eagles (Hieraaetus pennatus) at El Hondo Natural Park, Alicante, Spain, December 2025.
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Read the full post here:-
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