A Helping Beak

Long Tailed Tits are the cutest birds found in Ireland. A previously common nickname for them was Bum towel. An interesting fact about them is that they do practice Cooperative breeding. There is a high rate of nest failure due to high predation. If a nest fails after the beginning of May, the failed breeder will not try to re-nest, but may become helpers at another, usually related, pair's nest. In one study, approximately half of the nests had one or more helpers. Helpers gain indirect fitness benefits by increasing the survivability of related offspring by assisting close relatives. In the future, helpers may have greater access to mates and territories. Helpers gain experience raising children, and as a result, their future offspring have a higher chance of survival.

Wing

Ant eating Chats ( are distinguished by their whistles, grating notes, and clucks. These birds are also capable of imitating the sounds of other species  These  Chats are facultative cooperative breeders, which means that juveniles from the most recent breeding season assist the breeding pair of Ant-eating Chats. These birds build a bowl-shaped nest out of roots, dry grass, and twigs that they place in a chamber at the back of their burrow. They also use the same burrow for shelter and as a safe haven from predators.

Lonely

This Impala Ram awaits the arrival of a herd of females into his territory during the rut. It was raining quite heavily just before this shot was taken. For a brief moment there was a break in the downpour and I managed to get this shot before the rain returned and the Ram wandered off.

Dog Fight

An aerial battle between a Pied Crow and a female Malagasy Harrier, erupted during the Livingstone Fruit bat count. I watched in wonder as these two dive bombed each other across the valley slowly making their way towards our little group. I managed to capture a few images however this one I think set the mood of the situation.