Lots of Black Darters in the Ox Mountains now. This is a male and a female.

Spiked Shieldbug at Larkfield, Co Leitrim today.

Sallow Kitten, Pebble Hook-tip, Pale Prominent and Iron Prominent at Mountallen, Co Roscommon today.

Bordered Beauty in the garden this morning.

The remarkable larva of Eriocampa ovata or Wooly Alder Sawfly on an alder leaf at Bunduff, Co Sligo. They produce a wooly secretion to camouflage themselves.

Marsh Helleborine at Sheskinmore, Co Donegal today.

Counted 78 Narrow-bordered Five-spot Burnets at Mullaghmore Head, Co Sligo today feeding on knapweed.

Small Blue at Lunniagh, Co Donegal

The not so spectacular Dense-flowered Orchid at Sheskinmore, Co Donegal today. One of four stems counted.

Poplar Hawk-moth from the garden moth trap this morning.

A couple of new species for Mountallen, Co Roscommon last night - Scarce Prominent and Grey Birch. Also, 16 Brindled Beauty.

Brindled Beauty and Pale Pinion in the garden moth trap this morning.

Rare Greenland Shark washed up at Finisklin, Sligo.

The crazy looking Red Sword-grass in the garden moth trap this morning.

A nice Christmas present! Finally found my first nursehound egg case today on Dunmoran Strand, Co Sligo. Merry Christmas all.

Good haul of mermaids purses on Trawlua Co Sligo today. Found 2 Small-eyed Ray, 2 Thornback Ray, 2 Spotted Ray and 147 Lesser Spotted Dogfish.

Great Egret at Bunduff today. Photos by Molly.

Yellow-browed Warbler on Tory yesterday. Photos by Molly.

Buff Arches from the garden.

Unreal views of the Swainson's Thrush at Malinmore, Co Donegal today. Photos by Molly.