2008 Donegal Butterfly Survey – Summary Report 16-30th June

The fine settled weather in the first half of June was replaced by very unsettled conditions as a series of Atlantic depressions produced cloud and at times strong wind. This coincided with the end of many of the early butterflies and did little to encourage the emergence of the mid-summer species. The following summarises the available records for each species during the second half of June:

Common Blue
The Common Blue was one of the more plentiful species at least in its strongholds in south Donegal. On June 20 ten CBs were recorded at St John’s Point (G76) by Ian McCambridge. On June 23 twelve CBs were seen along the Glenmacannive transect (G89) by Richard McCafferty. This is a large number as well as being exceptionally early for this inland area. Also on June 23 six CBs were seen at Murvagh (G87) by Ethna Diver and on June 26 six CBs were recorded there by Ian McCambridge.
On June 29 nine CBs were recorded at Glenmacannive by Richard McCafferty and five CBs were seen at Murvagh (G87) by Frank Smyth.

Dark Green Fritillary
Murvagh (G87) was the only Donegal site with records of DGFs in the period. On June 23 three DGFs were reported at Murvagh by Ethna Diver on June 26 two DGFs were seen there by Ian McCambridge and on June 29 at least five DGFs were recorded by Frank Smyth.

Green-veined White
The GVW was recorded in small numbers during the second half of June. For example on June 23 three GVWs were recorded at Meentashesk (G68) by Eleanor Hort. On June 28 five GVWs were seen at Inch Levels (C32) by members of the Inishowen Wildlife Club. On June 29 two were seen at Murvagh by Frank Smyth.

Large Heath
On June 18 two LHs were seen in cloudy conditions at Glenmacannive (G89) by Richard McCafferty and on June 23 and June 29 he recorded one in the same area.

Large White
Small numbers of Large Whites continued to be reported in the period. On June 23 one was seen at Glenmacannive (G89) by Richard McCafferty. On June 26 two were recorded at Lifford (H39) by Maurice Simms and on the same day two were seen at Carnowen (H29) by Liz Sheppard.

Meadow Brown
On June 19 three MBs were seen at Murvagh (G87) by Ian McCambridge. On June 20 at Lifford (H39) one MB was seen by Maurice Simms. On June 28 two MBs were recorded at Inch Levels (C32) by members of the Inishowen Wildlife Club. On June 29 six MBs were recorded at Glenmacannive (G89) by Richard McCafferty.

Red Admiral
On June 26 one Red Admiral was recorded at Carnowen (H29) by Liz Sheppard.

Ringlet
On June 23 two Ringlets were recorded at Glenmacannive (G89) by Richard McCafferty  and on June 29 seven Ringlets were seen at this transect. On June 28 four Ringlets wee recorded at Inch Levels (C32) by members of the Inishowen Wildlife Club. On June 29 two Ringlets were recorded at Murvagh (G87) by Frank Smyth.

Small Copper
One SC was seen on June 23 and June 29 at Glenmacannive (G89) by Richard McCafferty.

Small Heath
On June 17 four SHs were recorded at Sheskinmore (G69) by Ian McCambridge. On June 23 two SHs were seen at Glenmacannive (G89) by Richard McCafferty. On June 26 four SHs were recorded at Murvagh (G87) by Ian McCambridge.

Small White
On June 23 one SW was seen at Lifford (H39) by Maurice Simms and one was recorded the same day at Meentashesk (G68) by Eleanor Hort.
On June 29 two SWs were seen at Murvagh (G87) by Frank Smyth.

Speckled Wood
Speckled Woods were reported at many localities but in numbers of less than half a dozen. On June 29 six SpWs were recorded at Knockbrack (C20) by Ethna Diver and two SpWs were recorded at Murvagh (G87) by Frank Smyth.

Bob Aldwell   04/07/08