Robert Vaughan
banner
robertvaughani.bsky.social
Robert Vaughan
@robertvaughani.bsky.social
Wildlife artist
www.robertvaughanillustrations.com
Thanks @hollygroganart.bsky.social for the beautiful calendar, here's to a wonderful 2026!
January 1, 2026 at 10:19 AM
A wonderful, but cold and breezy morning back at Trà na gCloch in north Donegal ahead of my last survey of the year.

A huge thank you to everyone who has liked, shared and bought my work throughout the year, I am eternally grateful for all the support. Best wishes for 2026
December 31, 2025 at 12:23 PM
I would like to wish everyone a very happy Christmas and a wonderful New Year. Thank you very much to all who follow me, liked and shared my work, it really means a lot to me.
December 24, 2025 at 8:36 AM
I was delighted to catch up with the Harlequin Duck again at Trà na gCloch yesterday. Despite the horrible weather, I was able to sit in the comfort of the car and watch it come and go in the massive surf.
December 19, 2025 at 7:39 AM
It was a pleasure to be asked to judge the Wainfest Children's Art Competition in Glenveagh National Park . The variety and quality of entrants was incredible.
A huge thank you to Alarnagh, Clare and Maggie for their incredible work to put it all together. The winners will be announced soon!
December 9, 2025 at 10:51 AM
A selection of original illustrations from various recent projects, some of these are available on my website. If you see one you are interested in, please feel free to get in touch. See more at www.robertvaughanillustrations.com
December 4, 2025 at 11:21 AM
I have a selection of cards and prints available on my website, as well as many original artworks. You can see the full selection at www.robertvaughanillustrations.com
December 3, 2025 at 10:17 AM
I was delighted to be asked to look through the entries and help to select the 12 winners to be included in the annual children’s calendar.
Closing date is on 7 December 2025.
Entries can be posted or delivered to:
Glenveagh National Park Visitor Centre
Church Hill, Letterkenny
Donegal F92P993
December 2, 2025 at 10:29 AM
Earlier in the autumn a stunning Red-breasted Goose appeared along the north coast. It was a bit early to be considered a genuine vagrant, but it was a stunning looking bird. It was my first time to see the species anywhere, and I was glad to spend a bit of time sketching it.
November 28, 2025 at 10:21 AM
This Ross's Gull was painted from a long staying bird in Galway a few winters' back. I was fortunate to see it 3 times, and it was my third at that very location. This, and many more original artworks are available on my website www.robertvaughanillustrations.com
November 27, 2025 at 10:00 AM
I have been trying for a while to get back again and see the Harlequin Duck. Although he has become a little more erratic in his appearances, it is really worth the effort. The moult is advancing rapidly and he is looking stunning, I am really hoping he sticks about for the winter.
November 26, 2025 at 3:41 PM
I am really looking forward to starting a new and exciting project today, this Golden Eagle being the first of a long list of flora and fauna to be illustrated
November 24, 2025 at 9:40 AM
A small selection of the Christmas cards that are available on my website. You can see the full range at www.robertvaughanillustrations.com
November 21, 2025 at 11:44 AM
Having been delighted with a single Snow Bunting on Monday, I was amazed to find 14 on Tuesday, and atleast 24 yesterday in the Leitrim hills! Sadly, they rarely settled for long, flying far and wide while I was doing survey.
November 20, 2025 at 11:18 AM
A 1st winter Ring-billed Gull was reported near one of my survey sites, so a slight diversion after work yesterday resulted in great views as it fed amongst the gulls and mallards in a small park.
November 19, 2025 at 11:06 AM
Having spent the day in the hills on a survey and seeing almost nothing yesterday, I was delighted when this snow bunting shuffled out of the heather by my feet and posed so well for almost 15 minutes. Wonderful to see such colour on what seemed like a bleak and barren site.
November 18, 2025 at 11:10 AM
A few sketches from the weekend. Goosander is generally a scarce and shy species in Ireland, always distant at a few regular sites, so I was delighted with one showing well with mallards in Ramelton town on Saturday. The Coal Tit was one of a few birds during some surveying yesterday.
November 17, 2025 at 11:17 AM
White-tailed Eagles are becoming an increasingly regular sight in Donegal, and can almost be guaranteed at a few favoured locations. This was a rough study from a few years ago to help me age the birds I was seeing.
November 15, 2025 at 10:47 AM
Reposted by Robert Vaughan
This is disgusting in all regards. The crime, the time and the silence. As soon as these crimes have been committed and announcing info won’t risk an investigation, then this should be communicated nationally as fast as possible.
November 14, 2025 at 7:17 PM
Two new Christmas card designs are still available on my website. A huge thank you to everyone who has bought them, and for the kind feedback, it is really appreciated!
Please check out www.robertvaughanillustrations.com for more.
November 14, 2025 at 11:19 AM
A few sketches of a pair of Bullfinches that were quietly feeding in our garden recently. They looked even better against the autumn colours surrounding them.
November 13, 2025 at 10:31 AM
I was glad to see the 2 Taiga Bean Geese last week at Dooey in West Donegal. Having managed brief views of 1 of the 9 Taiga's that had been at Inch, it was a great opportunity to be able to take in the structure and details.
A Pink-footed sleeping in a roadside field made for a much better subject.
November 12, 2025 at 1:05 PM
I completed the Swainson's and Grey-cheeked Thrush illustration over the weekend. It was really enjoyable to work on these 2 subtle American vagrants that I was lucky to see earlier this Autumn close to home. #donegalbirding
November 11, 2025 at 10:54 AM
A big surprise on Saturday was a Bittern appearing at Inch Island, Donegal. I had just started sketching an American Golden Plover when the Bittern flew in and landed infornt of us. Although typically skulky, it was on show regularly until darkness allowing some sketching.
November 10, 2025 at 10:57 AM
Two new Christmas card designs now available on my website, www.robertvaughanillustrations.com
Plenty of other cards, prints and some new originals can also be found there.
November 6, 2025 at 10:52 AM