2008
Donegal Butterfly Survey – Summary Report May 16 -31
The
fine weather in early May continued into the second half of the month with dry
conditions especially in the western part of Donegal where temperatures reached
20 degrees on many days, leading to the warmest month of May on record. It was
also much drier than usual. Temperatures for the month in west Donegal were some
3 degrees above the thirty-year average. Conditions in the east of the county
were more cloudy and cooler as a result of the cold NE wind. The highlights of
the period included a new 10km sq for DS on G89, three new 10km sqs for GH on
B93, C02 and C23, a new sq for LH on G86 and three new 10km sqs for MF on
C02, G67 and G89.
The following summarises the records for each species:
Common
Blue:
On May 30 the first Donegal Common Blue was reported at Sheskinmore (G69) by
Maurice Simms and he reported three more there on May 31.
Dingy
Skipper
The Dingy Skipper remains the scarcest resident butterfly species in Donegal.
However, this year with the prolonged fine weather in its limited known areas of
distribution in the southwest of the county, the species was recorded at more
sites than for many years. Searching for several years in the vicinity of its
former colony at Gweebarra Br (G79) at last led to the DS being recorded on the
adjoining 10km sq of G89 by Frank Smyth and myself on May 19 along a sheltered
pathway to an abandoned cottage at Cleengort. This is currently the most
northerly DS site in Ireland. Another new colony was discovered on a sunny
bank at Mulnamin (G79) by Maurice Simms and myself on May 25, about 1.5km from
the Cleengort site. On May 26 a combined total of at least ten DS were recorded
by Richard McCafferty at two sheltered sites in Bonny Glen Wood (G79). On
May 17/18 Maurice Simms recorded 3 DS at Sheskinmore, two near the Pound Lough
and one east of Kiltoorish Lough (all on G69) and at least five near the Still
Lough (G79). Five DS were seen at the Kilmacreddan site (G77) on May 25 by
Maurice Simms and myself. On May 26 Maurice Simm recorded 3 DS at the Pound
Lough : on May 29 he found a new DS colony near the Burnfoot (G69) along
the cliff walk leading from Portnoo Pier: and on May 31 four DS at Sheskinmore.
Searches at St John’s Point (G76) By Frank Smyth, Maurice Simms and myself
proved negative as did searches north of the Gweebarra Estuary (B70/G79) by
Richard McCafferty and myself on May 23. Both these two latter areas have
suitable habitat close to the known limits of the DS and merit ongoing checking.
Green-veined White
Widespread and often numerous through the period. On May 24 Ian McCambridge
recorded Fifteen GVW at Ballygonigan (G29). On May 26 Richard McCafferty
reported 25 GVW near Glenties (G89) and 26 in Bonny Glen (G79).
New 10km sq records were obtained on May 19 at Ballyboe (B93) when four GHs were
recorded by Frank Smyth and myself on a site along a minor road sheltered by
conifers and with gorse underlain by bird’sfoot trefoil on which four GH were
nectaring: on May 24 at Ardbane (C04) in a small quarry on a south-facing sunny
hillside with bird’sfoot trefoil on which three GH were seen by me: on May 24
south of Glenvar (C23) in a lane with some gorse in which a faded GH was seen by
me. Other GHs were reported from widely spread parts of the county. On May 18
Frank Smyth recorded five GH at St John’s Point (G76), which again is an
example of a site without gorse or bilberry but where bird’sfoot trefoil seems
to be the important factor as a nectar source and probably also the larval food
plant. On May 18, 19 GH were recorded at the Still Lough (G79) by Maurice Simms.
Apart from the wide range of habitats, where the GH were observed, ranging from
bog edges to calcareous grassland and sheltered bare hillsides, in some cases
numbers seen also varied sharply over a few days. An unusual sight was on a
sheltered cliff at the Tullies (G79), where on May 25 Maurice Simms and myself
saw at least ten GH on and flying around a sycamore tree, which was in full
blossom. Searches in suitable habitat near Carrickfin (B72) and in Inishowen
near Greencastle (C64) failed to find any GH. Thus GH is up four 10km sqs in
2008 and means that GH is present on at least 80% of Donegal 10km sqs.
Holly
Blue
This has been quite a good year for HB in Donegal with two new 10km sq records
reported in the first half of May, B81 and C24. The second half of May provided
only a small number of additional Donegal HB records. On May 19 Frank Smyth and
I saw one HB at the new site at Glentornan (B81) discovered the previous week by
Con O’Donnell. On May 25 at 08.20 Ralph Sheppard recorded an HB at Adderwal
Glen (B80) and on the same day Ethna Diver reported one from Glenveagh (C02).
Large
Heath
On May 31, Frank Smyth recorded a Large Heath along with SHs in a marshy area
with bog cotton at Rosnowlagh (G86). This is a new 10km sq record for LH and I
think the earliest ever record for LH in Donegal. It suggests the LH will again
be flying in Donegal this year in early June.
Large
White
Large Whites continued to be reported widely in the period. These usually were
singles, although Danny Gillespie reported up to five at Dactan, Kilcar (G67).
They may have been the result of successful breeding last year but some could be
migrants.
Marsh
Fritillary
On May 18 Frank Smyth reported ten MF at St John’s Point (G76).
On May 25 Maurice Simms and I counted 17 MF in the same general area of St
John’s Point in windy but sunny conditions. On May 24 Ralph and Liz Sheppard
saw five MFs at Cruit Island. Also on May 24 Ian McCambridge saw two MFs at
Ballygonigan (H29) and on May 26 he saw four MFs at St John’s Point. On May 30
Nick Duff reported two MF near Bunbeg (B82). On May 28 Danny Gillespie saw two
MFs at Muckros (G67), which is a new 10km sq record for G67. On May 30 Dermot
Breen recorded one MF near Glenveagh Castle (C02) and which is a new 10km sq
record for sq C02. Finally on May 31 Richard McCafferty saw a MF to the west of
Glenties (G89) and which is a new 10km sq record for MF on G89. Thus so far in
2008 MF is up four 10km sqs, the other sq as reported previously is of larvae
near Inver on G87. It seems as if it is a boom year for MF in much of Donegal.
Orange
Tip
The Orange Tip continued to be widely recorded during this period, although as
to be expected numbers were decreasing compared to the first half of the month.
Painted
Lady
No Painted Ladies were reported following the two seen in early May.
Peacock
Peacocks continued to be seen in ones and twos in many areas.
Real’s Wood White
On May 18 I saw two WW at the usually strong early colony at Salthill,
Mountcharles (G87). On May31 Frank Smyth reported six at Rosnowlagh (G86). In
Donegal this species is very local except in parts of the south of the county.
In June watch out for a small white butterfly that occurs locally in sheltered
areas with lots of vetches and never opens its wings on landing and has a slow
persistent floppy flight..
Red Admiral
Only two Red Admirals were reported in the period: on May 24 at Lough
Nathreebrack (G69) by Maurice Simms and on May 30 at Lough Birroge (G69) by the
same observer. This was despite a small but widespread inward movement of RAs to
the county around May 07.
Small Blue
The warm weather brought out the Small Blues in force. On May 18 Frank Smyth
reported 20+ SBs at St John’s Point (G76) and on May 24 Ralph and Liz
Sheppard recorded eleven SB at Cruit Island (B72) and six on the dunes at
Dunmore (B72). On May 25 Eamonn McGlinchey recorded at least forty SB on the
dunes at Lurgabrack, near Dunfanaghy (B93). Also on May 25 Maurice Simms and I
counted at least twelve SB at St John’s Point (G76), one at Kilmacreddan (G77)
and discovered a new SB colony at the start of the minor road to Mulnamin (G79)
on a sunny roadside bank with plentiful kidney vetch and with just two SB seen
but here had been cutting of the kidney vetch at this exposed site.
Small Copper
Only a few SC were reported in the period at a dune site and in a wood On May 19
Frank Smyth and I saw four at Dunmore (B72) and Ralph and Liz Sheppard reported
and one in the same area on May 25.On may 26 Richard McCafferty saw five SC in
Bonny Glen Wood (B79). Others undoubtedly were present at dune sites. More
should appear in the next few weeks including at inland sites as already
recorded on June 01 at Trusk Lough by Ian McCambridge.
Small Heath
The SH was recorded in large numbers towards the end of the Month. For example
on May 18 Frank Smyth recorded nineteen SH at the usually early St John’s
Point (G76). On May 24 Ralph and Liz Sheppard recorded 22 SH at Dunmore (B72).
On May 31 Richard McCafferty reported 10 SH south of the Meenalargan road (G89).
Small Tortoiseshell
Only the odd SmT was reported in the period. I didn’t see any caterpillars,
although in south Dublin some larval batches are almost full grown.
Small White
On May 18 Frank Smyth reported two SWs at St John’s Point (G76) and on May 26
Ralph Sheppard recorded one at Inch Levels (C32). Eleanor Hort recorded one in
her garden at Meentashesk (G68) and which is anew 10km sq record for G68. The
Small White was seldom reported but this was certainly in large part due to
confusion with the ubiquitous GVW.
Speckled Wood
Speckled Woods continued to be reported here and there but in small numbers,
including four seen by Ralph and Liz Sheppard at Adderwal Glen (B80) on May 25.
The species continues to be reported from a sheltered scrubby valley at St
John’s Point (G76) with Frank Smyth recording two SpW on May 18 and Maurice
Simms and myself seeing three on May 25.
Wall Brown
Wall Browns were widespread within their mainly coastal sites during the period.
The largest number reported, were seen by Richard McCafferty and myself on May
23 at Cullion (G79) along the Gweebarra Estuary when at least ten were counted.
On May 18 eight WB were recorded at Ballyboe (B93) by Frank Smyth and myself.
Other records usually ones and twos were from: near Dooey (B70), Cruit Island
and Dunmore (B72), Ardbane (C04), Mevagh (C14), Muckros (G67), near Lough
Kiltoorish (G69), St John’s Point (G76), Still Lough (G79) and Cleengort Hill
(G89).
Bob Aldwell, June 02 2008