In my previous post, I talked about species naming conventions, and I’d like to continue that thread here.
The common snipe (Gallinago gallinago, Irish: Naoscach) received its English name a very long time ago – and, sadly, it shows. Today, this remarkable bird’s breeding population is declining, and it is now Red-listed as a species of conservation concern in Ireland. Naming a species “common” reflects the once-naive assumption that its numbers would always remain…
If you'd like to buy a drawing of a particular species from me, but you don't see it in my shop, please ask if I have it.
I have dozens of drawings in my filing cabinet, most of them are part of various large commissions
(I usually draw species separately and combine them on my computer when designing the final artwork, together with the text, if required),
so there's always a chance I might have exactly what you need :)
Blog
May 8
May 8
One species, so many different names, depending on the language. I sometimes wonder why we don’t literally translate the scientific (Latin) names of species – wouldn’t their recognition across languages be much easier?
In case of the bordered beauty moth you can see here, its Latin name – Epione repandaria – literally means "the bent-back/uneven one", likely referencing the distinctively wavy, jagged, or bent appearance of the broad, dark brown border on the wings of the moth.…
Jan 5
8th of December 2025
Very happy to have made my first ever trip to Sligo today to attend the launch of ‘County Sligo Biodiversity Action Plan 2025–2030’ which includes my small contribution – the detailed illustration I did for the pull-up banner ‘Sligo Biodiversity’, which was also revealed for the first time at the launch.
Jan 5
16th December 2025
A big congratulations to everyone involved in bringing the Meath Biodiversity Action Plan 2025–2030 to life – officially launched today.
After months of hard work, it’s wonderful to finally see it out in the world and ready to be read. I was delighted to contribute through my wildlife illustrations and design, and to play a small part in such an important project.
Best of luck to Ben Malone and the team with turning these…
Apr 5, 2025
I'm thrilled to finally share something very special with you – a new book that’s been quietly taking shape behind the scenes: Encounters with Corvids, written by the brilliant Dr Fionn Ó Marcaigh and illustrated and designed by yours truly.
This has been one of the most enjoyable and…
Jun 29, 2024
This alert little bird, the Grey Wagtail, is a familiar sight by the water's edge. Its delicate form and vibrant movements add a touch of liveliness to serene landscapes.
My intricate pen and watercolour drawing was specially prepared for a biodiversity and heritage panel in Timahoe, a picturesque village in County Laois, Ireland.
The panel, with the text provided by Anne Sundermann, celebrates the rich natural heritage of the area, and the Grey wagtail serves as a fitting…