The Rock Pipit (Anthus petrosus) runs through the grass with jerky movements. Stop, run, stop. This is the movement for quite a long time. Suddenly the Pipit has a long, thick object in its beak. It is a Marsh Cranefly.
The Rock Pipit is a small passerine bird commonly found along the rocky coastlines of Europe – in this case at the Cliffs of Moher in Ireland. Renowned for its distinctive calls and nimble movements among coastal rocks, the rock pipit plays a vital role in its ecosystem. An interesting aspect of its life involves its interaction with the Marsh Cranefly (Tipula paludosa), an insect that significantly influences the bird’s feeding habits and habitat preferences.
The rock pipit is adapted to the rugged coastal environments where it thrives. With a body length of about 16.5 cm and a wingspan of approximately 23-27 cm, this bird is characterized by its olive-brown plumage, streaked breast, and dark legs. Its diet mainly consists of insects, marine invertebrates, and small crustaceans, which it skillfully forages among seaweed and rocks.
Tipula paludosa, commonly known as the marsh cranefly, is a species of cranefly that inhabits wet meadows, marshes, and damp grasslands. With long, slender legs and a wingspan of 2.5-3.5 cm, this insect is often mistaken for a large mosquito but is harmless to humans. The larvae, known as leatherjackets, are soil-dwelling and feed on the roots of grasses and other plants, causing significant damage to pastures and lawns.
The relationship between the Rock Pipit and Tipula paludosa is primarily predatory. During the breeding season, the availability of cranefly larvae can influence the Rock Pipit’s nesting success. Leatherjackets provide a rich source of protein essential for the growth and development of chicks. Rock Pipits have been observed to increase their foraging efforts in areas with high cranefly populations, demonstrating the importance of this food source.
But not only for Rock Pipit the Cliffs of Moher are interesting. Most people come to spend time enjoy the landscape and to observe and photograph the diverse bird species nesting on the cliffs and those swimming and fishing nearby. We were surrounded by thousands of Common Murres (Uria aalge), Black-legged Kittiwakes (Rissa tridactyla), and Razorbills (Alca torda), along with numerous Atlantic Puffins (Fratercula arctica) and Northern Gannets (Morus bassanus).
In order to meet the growing demand for top images of the rarer species of Palaearctic Bird-lens.com has specifically made trips to remote places. Additionally every chance is used, if a rare bird is around the homeground. This to do everything to ensure excellent photos of the Birds of the Western Palearctic . The yield of pictures also of rare Western Palaearctic birds is very good. There are other nice images of birds, that you will find behind the tab “Picture Shop“. Just give a notice if you need a picture of a bird which is not online.