[ Contents ]

News and Comments

 

 

  • 2008 Records »»» 

  • Small Tortoiseshell parasite in Britain  »»»

  • Nomads of the Wind (Review)  »»»

  • Monarchs in the News: Latest Migration 2008 »»»

  • Feileachán 2007 Part A (revised)  

    •

  • Feileachán 2007 Part B (revised) »»»

    •

  • Essex Skipper in Co Wexford »»»  

  • Hibernating Butterflies »»»

  • Feeding a Butterfly (video) »»»

  • Butterfly Survey 2008 & Record Sheets  »»» 

  • Wood White Species found in Ireland »»»

  • Book Release:
    The State of Butterflies in Britain and Ireland     »»»

  • Web Sites of Interest »»» 

  • Butterfly Conservation Europe »»»

________________________________________________________________________

Butterfly Records 2008

Link to Phenology page for further 2008-2007 information »»»

 

Ethna Diver: Holly Blue, Carrblagh Gardens, N of Port Salton(C24), 6/5[new 10 k records]

Con O'Donnell: Holly Blue(1), Glentoran(B81), nr Errigal, Donegal, 14/5 [new 10 k records]

Sue & John Shiels: Green Hairstreak, Aught(C42), SE Inishowen, Donegal, 14/5

Deirdre Hardiman: Green Hairstreak(7), Orange Tip(10+), Green-veined White(20+), Small White(6), Tyrrellspass Bog, Co. Westmeath, 11/5;
Orange Tiip(10+), Green-veined White(10), Speckled Wood(3), Bog Meadow, Enniskerry, Co Wicklow, 13/5;
Green Hairstreak(8), Orange Tip(3), off Military Rd, Co. Wicklow, 13/5;
Small Blue(15+), Common Blue(20+), Holly Blue(2), Small White(4), Wood White(1), Large White(1), Small Tortoiseshell(2), Speckled Wood(10+), Ballast Pit, Skerries, Co.Dublin, 14/5

Sean Geraty: Small Blue(1), Wood White(1), Common Blue(10), Raven NNR, Wexford, 13/5 

Ken Bond: Painted Lady(1), Holly Blue(3), Tomies Wood, Killarney NP, Kerry, 11/5; 
Green Hairstreak(1), Gerah Bridge, Moll's Gap-Kenmare, 11/5;
Holly Blue(4), Large White(1), Derreen House, Lauragh, 12/5, 11/5
Holly Blue(2), Reen, nr Adrigole, W Cork, 12/5:
Green Hairstreak(1), Uragh Wood, Kerry, 13/5;
Red Admiral(1), Glebe, NE of Gearagh, W. Cork, 13/5

Dermot Breen: Dingy Skipper, Small Blue, Sheskinmore, Donegal, 12/5

Tom Tarpey: Holly Blue(1), Common Blue(4), Speckled Wood(7), Green-veined White(12), Orange Tip(3), Large White(1), Castletroy Limerick, 11/5;
Clouded Yellow(1), Common Blue(3), Peacock(3), Speckled Wood(2), Green-veined White(6), Gooig Bog, Castleconell, Limerick, 11/5

Geoff Hunt: Holly Blue(1), Orange Tip, Small White, Large White, Speckled Wood, Castle Houston, nr Askeaton, Limerick, 10/5

Faith & Christian Wilson: Long-tailed Blue Lampides boeticus(1), discovered in domestic compost bin. It would appear to have travelled from Kenya (by air freight) with mange-tout. Glenealy, Wicklow, 11/5.
[Photographs by Guy Padfield »»»  »»»

David Nash: Green Hairstreak, [in 10 km squares: O 00, O 10, O 11, T 09 & N 90], Co Wicklow, 11/5

Fred Walsh: Clouded Yellow(4 + mating pair), Small Copper(3), Peacock(3), Green-veined White(12), Speckled Wood(5), Holly Blue(10), Common Blue(x100), The Raven NNR, Wexford, 11/5 [also Cinnabar Moth(3), Emperor Moth(1)]

Kevin Hannan: Wood White(11 - Leptidea sinapis), Small White(2), Orange Tip(1), Speckled Wood(10), Peacock(3), Common Blue(2), Clooncoose, Kilnaboy, Clare, 11/5

Tony Miller: Painted Lady(1), south side of the Sheeps Head peninsula, W Cork, 10/5

Anneke Vrieling: Orange Tip(16m), Small Tortoiseshell(1), Green-veined White(1), Peacock(2), Speckled Wood(2), Abbeyfeale, Limerick, 28/4-6/5

David Nash: Wood White(1), Cloughjordan, Tipperary, 7/5; Brimstones scatterd through Offaly & Tipperary, 7/5

Frank Smyth: Small Tortoiseshell(1), Speckled Wood(18), Holly Blue(15), Green-veined White(15), Orange Tip(1), Peacock(5), Clouded Yellow(1), Common Blue(40+), Red Admiral(1), Wood White(2), Raven NNR, Wexford, 7/5

Brian Danaher: Orange Tip(2), Cahore, Wexford, 5/5; Common Blue(2), Speckled Wood(1), Deansgrange, Dublin, 7/5

Bob Aldwell: Holly Blue(16), Orange Tip(2), Speckled Wood(1), Rock Park, Blacrock, 6/5;
Holly Blue: Blackrock Church(3); Tobernea Monkstown (4); Temple Crescent(3), Haddington Road(1), Dublin, 6/5

Ethna Diver: Holly Blue(1), Letterkenny golf club, 5/5; Holly Blue(4), Peacock(6), Speckled Wood(6), Green veined White(1), Orange Tip(2), Duntally Wood, Creeslough, 5/5; [also HB by Neil Doherty from latter location]

Deirdre Hardiman: Small Copper(4), Orange Tip(20+), Peacock(2), Small Tortoiseshell(2), Green-veined White(12+), Disused Sandpit, Russellstown, Co. Wicklow, 4/5

Geoff Hunt: Orange Tip(3), Green-veined White(2), Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell, Carrigkerry, Limerick, 26/4;
Holly Blue(2), Orange Tip(6), Small Tortoiseshell(2), Green-veiend White(3), Small White(2), Peacock(1), Kilcolman, Bog, Cork, 3/5 [with Mike Hirst];
Small White, Green-veiened White, Orange Tip, Shronowen Bog, nr Listowel, Kerry, 4/5
Orange Tip, Small White, Large White, Green-veined White, Kerry Head, 4/5

Brian Hodkinson: Large White(1), Speckled Wood(2), Reboge, Limerick, 5/5

Ralph & Liz Sheppard: Green Hairstreak(6), Kilrean, nr Glenties, Donegal, 5/5. Peacock widespread. Holly Blue(2), Glenlough, 1/5; Holly Blue(1), Ardnamona, Donegal, 2/5

Fred Walsh: Small Copper(3), Wall Bown(1), Green-veined White(12), Ballyteigue, Wexford, 4/5

Frank Smyth: Small Copper(1), Inver; Green Hairstreak(1), Keadue Lower; Holly Blue(14), Ardnamona; Holly Blue(3), Knader Wood, Dongeal, 30/4;
Marsh Fritillary(4L, new site),St. John's Point; Marsh Fritillary(10L, new 10k square G87), Eaney Water, nr Inver, Donegal; 2/5

Tom Tarpey: Holly Blue(1m), Orange Tip, Speckled Wood, Castletroy, 4/5 [First HB record for this square]; square (R65). 

Fred Walsh: Clouded Yellow(4), Common Blue(30m + 4f), Painted Lady(1), Small Tortoishell(1), Peacock(5), Speckled Wood(10), Small Copper(4), Green-veined White(3m + 1f), Orange Tip(8m + 2f), Holly Blue(5), Small White(1), The Raven NNR, Wexford, 4/5

DNFC: Wall Brown(10+), Small Tortoiseshell(3+), Peacock(2), Orange Tip(2+), Green-veined White(4+), Speckled Wood(3), Holly Blue(1), Corballis-Donabate, Dublin, 4/5

Brian Danaher: Orange Tip(1), Deansgrange. 1/5; Holly Blue(1), Shankill, Dublin, 4/5

Craig Ayres: Holly Blue(1), Inver, Lettermore, Donegal, 26/4

Niam Lennon: Brimstone(2), Clonmacnoise, Offaly, 27/4

Enda Flynn: Holly Blue(2), Riverstown, Louth, 27/4

Adrian Phelan: Large White(1), Speckled Wood(1), Holly Blue(3), Gormanstown, Dublin, 23/4

Michael Quirke: Speckled Wood, Green-veined White, Orange tip, Holly Blue, Peacock, Murroe, Limerick, 26/4

Richard McCafferty: Small Tortoiseshell(6), Peacock(2), Green-veined White(3), Orange Tip(3), Speckled Wood(1), Glenties, Donegal, 23/4 (c.18 degrees)

Frank Smyth & Bob Aldwell: Clouded Yellow(1), Green-veined White(4), Holly Blue(4), Orange Tip(1), Peacock(12+), Small Tortoiseshell(3), Speckled Wood(4), Raven NNR, Wexford, 23/4 [14-16 degrees]

Frank Smyth: Wall Brown(2), Holly Blue(7), Speckled Wood(23), Small Tortoiseshell(4), Peacock(3), Small White(1), The Needles to Baily, 21/4; Small Tortoiseshell(12), Peacock(6), Red Rock, Howth, Dublin 21/4

Joan Smyth: Large White(1), Sutton, Dublin, 21/4

Donegal (via Bob Aldwell): Peacock(1), Greencastle, (Con O'Donnell), 14/4:
Peacock(3), Gweebara Bridge, Lettermacaward (R McCafferty), 14/4;
Small Tortoiseshell(3), Tory Island (Sandy Alcorn), 16/4

Wexford Records (Chris Wilson & AMW): Comma(1), The Raven, 31/3; Small White(1), Holly Blue(1), North Slob Polder, 3/4;
Peacock(1), Holly Blue(1), Oilgate (W. Warham), 3/4; Green-veined White(1), The Raven, 10/4; Orange Tip(2), Peacock(1), Fardistown (J. Goodwin), 12/4; Peacock(3), Holly Blue(1), The Raven, 16/4

Brian Hodkinson: Peacock(1), Reboge, Limerick City, 15/4

Ken Bond: Speckled Wood(1), Orange Tip(1 m), Small Tortoiseshell(2), Sunday's Well, Cork City, 15/4 Monkstown, Dublin, 9/4

Helen Cloney: Red Admiral(1), Caim, Wexford, 3/4

Ken Bond: Brimstone(1 m), Bealkelly Wood, nr Tuamgraney & also Boleynagoagh South, nr Mountshannon, Clare, 2/4; 
Peacock(1), Blackrock Point, L. Derg (nr Whitegate), Clare, 2/4;
Holly Blue(1), UCC at Distillery Fields, Cork City, 2/4 [Mark Wilson]

Frank Smyth: Holly Blue(1), Small White(1), Small Tortoiseshell(9), The Needles, Howth, 7/4; 
Speckled Wood(12), Peacock(1), Red Admiral(1) [vigorous flight - ?freshly arrived migrant with Swallow, Sand Martin and Chiffchaff?], Peacock(4), the Needles area, Howth, 4/4; 
Small Tortoiseshell(c.20), Ceannchor Area of Howth, Dublin, 3/4

David Cooke: Small White, Kilbrittain, Cork, 7/4; Small Tortoiseshell, Dursey Island, 4/4 & 6/4

Waterford Wildlife: Orange Tip(4), Small Tortoiseshell(2), Knockderry, Waterford, 4/4

Bob Aldwell: Holly Blue(1), Sorrento Park, Dalkey, 4/4; Speckled Wood(1), Blackrock, Dublin, 4/4

Ralph Sheppard: Brimstone(1), Derrymore, Mayo, 3/4

Bob Aldwell: Holly Blue(1), Alma Road, Monkstown; Holly Blue(2), Brighton Vale, Monkstown, Dublin, 3/4  [Temperature c. 17 degrees, 14.30-14.45 h].

Frank Smyth & Bob Aldwell: Small Tortoiseshell(2), Green-veined White(1), Red Admiral(1), Raven, Wexford, 2/4 [15 degrees, V. cloudy]

«««

Brian Hodkinson: Small Tortoiseshell(1), Reboge/Corbally, Limerick, 1/4

Maurice Simms: Small Tortoiseshell(1), Lifford, Donegal, 31/3 

Irish Park: Small Tortoiseshell(1), Blackrock, Dublin, 31/3

Richard McCafferty:  Small Tortoiseshell(1), Glenties, Donegal, 29/3 

Kevin Hannan: Brimstone(1), Limerick City, 29/3

Tom Kelly: Holly Blue(1), Lough Hyne, West Cork, 23/3

Fred Walsh: Peacock(2), Red Admiral(1), Comma(1), Clouded Yellow(1), Raven, Wexford, 27/3

Frank Smyth: Speckled Wood(2), Small Tortoiseshell(1), Baily, 25/3
Small Tortoiseshell(4), Speckled Wood(2), Peacock(1), Ceannchor Road,  26/3; Small Tortoiseshell(2), Red Rock, 26/3
Small Tortoiseshell(8), Red Rock, 27/3; Small Tortoiseshell(2), Peacock(2), Speckled Wood(1), Ceannchor Road, Howth, 27/3

John Lovatt: Marsh Fritillary(28 larval nests), Mount Allen, Roscommon, 26/3

Fred Walsh: Comma(2), Peacock(1), Small Tortoishell(1), the Raven, Wexford, 26/3/08

Frank Smyth: Small Tortoiseshell(1), Speckled Wood(1), Lion's Head, Howth, Dublin 18/3

Angus Tyner: Small Tortoiseshell(1), 17/3; Small Tortoiseshell(1), Speckled Wood(1), Cronykeery, Ashford, Wicklow, 18/3 

[First records of Speckled Wood in 2007 were from Wexford on 3/2 & Cork City, 28/3]

Frank Smyth: Small Tortoiseshell(2), Ceannchor Road, Howth; Peacock(1), Red Rock, Howth, 17/3

Frank Smyth: Marsh Fritillary (c. 150 larvae, 10 mm length, in 4 groups, probably from 1 web), Kildoney Point, Donegal, 1/3

Brian Hodkinson: Peacock(1), Reboge, Limerick City, 2/3

Rodney Daunt: Red Admiral(1), Fountainstown, Cork, 2/3

Frank Smyth: Small Tortoiseshell(1), The Needles, Howth, Dublin, 28/2; Small Tortoiseshell(1), Shelmartin, Howth, 27/2;
Red Admiral(1), Small Tortoiseshell(1), Red Rock, 7/2

Paddy Tubbritt: Small Tortoiseshell(1), Boatsrand, Waterford City, 12/2

John Northridge: Peacock(1), Clooney, nr Portnoo, Donegal, 12/2

«««

Bob Aldwell: Small Tortoiseshell(2), Blackrock, Dublin, 13/2 [Feeding on Alexanders and Winter Heliotrope]

George McDermott: Small Tortoiseshell(1), Westbrook House, Buncrana, Donegal, 11/2

Con O'Donnell: Small Tortoiseshell(1), Gleneely, Inishowen, Donegal, 11/2

Mike Quirke: Red Admiral(2), Rear Cross, Tipperary, 11/2 [One with torn wing]

Ken Bond: Red Admiral(2), Peacock(1), Sunday's Well, Cork, 11/2

Joe Duane: Small Tortoiseshell, Ballinasloe, Galway, 11/2 [On flowers in hanging basket]

Andrew Upton:  Small Tortoiseshell(1), Carlingford village, Louth, 9/2

Frank Smyth: Red Admiral(3), Red Rock Wood, Sutton, Dublin, 6/2 [Basking/energetically flying]

Joe Kelly: Red Admiral(1), Blackrock, Dublin, 27/1 & 30/1 [Temp. 15 and 5.8 degrees respectively]

Bob Aldwell: Red Admiral(1),Sorrento Park, Dalkey, Dublin, 28/1 [temperature 13 C]

Ken Bond: Small Tortoiseshell(1) and Red Admiral(1), Knocknaskagh, Nagles Mts, North Cork, 27/1
[Both were flying in bright sunshine and light winds; the temperature was about 10 C at 200 m, but the Red Admiral was flying actively at about 350m!]

Frank & Joan Smyth: Small Tortoiseshell(1), Sutton; Red Admiral(1 larva), Howth, Dublin, 24/1

Megan Mc Mahon: Small Tortoiseshell(1), Swords, Dublin, 12/01

Ciaran Cronin: Red Admiral(1), Patrick Street, CorkCity, 9/01

«««

 

 

Butterfly Records 2007

Oscar Merne: Red Admiral(1), Bray, Wicklow, 25/12

Frank Smyth: Red Admiral(1), Ceannchor Rd. Howth, Dublin, 19/12 
[Basking in sunshine, 9 °C, 12.30 h]

Niamh Lennon: Red Admiral(1), Westminster Road, Foxrock, Dublin, 10/12

Fred Walsh: Clouded Yellow(1), The Raven, Wexford, 1/12

Ken Bond: Red Admiral(1), Castleblagh Wood, nr Ballyhooley, North Cork, 25/11
[Flying on cloudy morning, temp about +12 °C]

Frank Smyth: Red Admiral(25+ eggs), Red Rock, Howth, Dublin, 23/11
Clouded Yellow(1), Red Admiral(several egg cases), The Raven, Wexford, 22/11
Red Admiral(1 adult  + 2 eggs), Needles/Baily, Howth, Dublin, 20/11
[Previous latest record for Clouded Yellow was Dursey Island 5 November 2006:- Derek Scott & David Cooke]

«««

David Cooke: Peacock(1), Currabinny Wood, Cork, 21/11

Martina Healy: Red Admiral(1), Mahanagh, Drumkeeran, Leitrim, 22/11

Frank Smyth: Red Admiral(3), Ceannchor Rd path to Baily Lighthouse, Howth, 11/10;
Red Admiral(4), between Ceannchor and Baily & Red Admiral(2), The Needles Howth, Dublin, 12/10
[At latter site, one nectaring on Hebe and another egg laying over a period of an hour (5 eggs seen). Temperature 11-12 °C]

Brian Danaher: Red Admiral(1), Deansgrange, 9/11; Small Tortoiseshell(1), Loughlinstown, Dublin, 10/11

Freddie Walsh: Clouded Yellow(4), Red Admiral(2), Raven NNR, Wexford, 10/11

Angus Tyner: Red Admiral(1), nr Ashford, Wicklow, 3/11 [In moth light trap]

Deirdre Hardiman: Holly Blue(1), Donnybrook, Dublin, 2/11

Bob Aldwell: Red Admiral(1 nectaring on ivy), White(1 ? Large), Sorrento Terrace, Dalkey;
Holly Blue(10), Brighton Valley and Seapoint Avenue, Monkstown, Dublin, 2/11 [temperature 16+ °C]

Kevin Hannan: Speckled Wood(1 fresh), Limerick City; Red Admiral(1), Drumline, Shannon Airport, Clare, 2/11

Geoff Hunt: Small Tortoiseshell(1), Newcastlewest, Limerick, 3/11

Angus Tyner: Red Admiral(1), nr Ashford, 2/11; 
Speckled Wood(1), Large White (larvae on brussels sprouts), nr Ashford, 24/10; 
Small Tortoiseshell(1), Rathnew, Wicklow, 30/10

Ken Bond: Red Admiral(1) on and around ivy, Ballyhoura Mts, N. Cork, 31/10;
Holly Blue(1), Cork City (Sundays Well), 31/10 (obs.: Mark Wilson);
Red Admiral(1), Cork City (Sundays Well), 1/11

«««

Bob Aldwell: Holly Blue in Dublin 
Oct 27, 13.00-13.30, Brightonvale/Seapoint Avenue, Sunny/wind S/SE, 17 °C, 8+ (incl. 1 mated pair);
Oct 28, 12.15-12.45, Brightonvale, Sunny/wind SW/W, 14 °C, 5 (at least 2 females), 1 egg laying;
Oct 29, 13.15-13.45, Brightonvale/Seapoint Avenue, intermittent sun/wind W/NW, 12 °C, 2 settled on ivy - 1 in sheltered spot, 1 exposed;
Oct 30, 14.00-14.30, Brightonvale, intermittent sun, SW wind, 15 degrees, one male, Oct, 31, Cloudy,14 °C, none seen.

Ralph & Liz Sheppard: Small Tortoiseshell larvae transplanted from a silage field produced adults which were seen mainly on dandelions, 23/9(33), 25/9(33), 26/9(50), 27/9(84), 28/9(76), 1/10(92), 4/10(84), ... 24/10(6), 25/10(4), Carnone (H238990), Donegal; Painted Lady(1), Carnone, 25-27/9

Ken Bond: Marsh Fritillary(2 vacated larval nests), Coom, between Carrignavar and Ballyhooley, Cork, 28/10 [New 10 km square north of Cork City]

Geoff Hunt: Red Admiral(3), Curragh Chase, Limerick, 28/10

Paul Walsh: Red Admiral(39), Ardmore Head (X1977), also 9 Helvick Head (X3189), 9 at four other sites between Ardmore and Helvick, and 12 Brownstown Head (X69), all Co Waterford, 4/10. Red Admiral(16), Brownstown Head,  5/10, also 13 there on 6/10, 8 on 7/10, 1 8/10, 18 9/10, 10 10/10, 2 13/10, 5 14/10, 2 20/10, 1 21/10 & 9 24/10. Red Admiral(1), Dunmore East (X6899) & 1, Ballymacaw (X6499), 6/10. No other migrants, just Small Tortoiseshell(1), Paulsworth (X2180), 4/10  & Speckled Wood(1), Brownstown Head, 5/10. [All Co Waterford]

Niall T Keogh & Brian Porter: Painted Lady(2), Red Admiral(c.20), Ballycotton, Cork, 23/10
One Hummingbird Hawkmoth at Ballcotton on 23/10 [Also one at Howth Head, Frank Smyth on 24/10]

Holly Blue Report
On 20 October I was in Sorrento Park, Dalkey. The weather was sunny but with a cool SE breeze and 14 degrees. In one sheltered area I saw a HB. When it settled on an ivy leaf and opened its wings, the black wing tips clearly showed it to be a female. Having warmed up, it then began to flutter about and landed on a sprig of unopened ivy buds. It coiled its body around and attempted to lay. In a period of about five minutes it repeated this action twice more on two other sprigs, before flying off. I collected one of the sprigs but could not find an egg. However on returning home, I carefully examined the sprig using a lense and discovered an egg at the base of one of the buds. I have since found three other HB eggs and a small caterpillar along a warm hedge at Seapoint. Again all the eggs are on young unopened ivy buds.
Bob Aldwell

Ken Bond: Holly Blue(2), Red Admiral(2), University Campus, Cork, 19/10; Red Admiral(1), Curraghbinny Wood, Ringaskiddy, Cork, 21/10

Frank Smyth: Holly Blue(1), Red Admiral(3), Ceannchor Road, Howth, Dublin, 19/10

«««

Bob Aldwell: Holly Blue(11), Monkstown-Seapoint, Dublin, 19/10

Bob Aldwell & Frank Smyth: Red Admiral(41), Speckled Wood(9 very worn), on ivy in woods; Clouded Yellow(4), Common Blue(2), in dunes, Raven, Wexford, 18/10

Bob Aldwell: Details and Summary of Visit to Donegal, September 15 – October 15

The relatively mild weather resulted in some butterflies continuing to fly throughout this period

  • Small Tortoiseshells were especially noticeable...

  • just a few Peacocks... 

  • Painted Ladies were rare..... 

  • Red Admirals were widespread but mostly singles..... [read more]

Bob Aldwell: Holly Blue(4), Monkstown, Dublin, 16/10

Geoff Hunt: Small Tortoiseshell(1), Gooig, Limerick, 13/10; Red Admiral(1), Newcastle West, Limerick, 14/10

Frank Smyth: Wall Brown(1 fresh adult basking, probably female). Red Admiral(1), Small Tortoiseshell(1), Lion's Head, Howth, 15/10.

Ken Bond: Marsh Fritillary(6 larval webs some with active larvae), bog east of Horse & Jockey(S15), Tipperary, c.14/10.

Bob Aldwell: Holly Blue(mating pair, 3rd generation), Monkstown, Dublin, 14/10 [First report of 3rd generation mating pair from Ireland]

Freddie Walsh: Clouded Yellow(15, 1 mating pair, 1 form helice), Common Blue(3), Red Admiral(20), Speckled Wood(6), Painted Lady(1), The Raven, Wexford, 12/10 

Frank Smyth: Small Tortoiseshell(12+), Green-veined White(1), Red Admiral(1), Speckled Wood(1), Murvagh, Donegal, 10/10 [temperature 17+ degrees]

Richard McCafferty: Small Tortoiseshell(5+), Red Admiral(1), Glenties, Donegal, 10/10 [temperature 19 degrees] 

Brian Danaher: Speckled Wood(1), Shankill, Dublin, 7/10

Geoff Hunt: Small Tortoiseshell(1), Red Admiral(1), Lough Gur, Limcerick, 5/10; Small Tortoiseshell(1), Gortnadroma, Ballyhahill, Limerick, 6/10

Freddie Walsh: Red Admiral(14), Speckled Wood(7), Small Tortoiseshell(1), Clouded Yellow(16), The Raven, Wexford, 6/10.

Frank Smyth: Small Copper(3), Speckled Wood(7), Green-veined White(1), Small Tortoiseshell(2), Murvagh; Knader Wood, Large White(1), Knader Wood, Donegal, 28/9;
Small Tortoiseshell(5), Green-veined White(2), Rossnowlagh Lower, Donegal, 1/10

Bob Aldwell: Painted Lady(3, very fresh), Large White(2), Red Admiral(1), Small Tortoiseshell(1), Speckled Wood(2), Sorrento Park, Dalkey; Red Admiral(1), Seapoint, Dublin, 22/9

 «««

DNFC: Speckled Wood, Small Tortoiseshell, Large White, Small White, Painted Lady, Howth, Dublin, 22/9

Details of Visit to Donegal by Bob Aldwell 6-10 September 2007
The weather was mainly calm due to the presence of a blocking anticyclone off the west coast. This however enabled occasional weak frontal systems to impinge onto the northwest coast. The result was a good deal of cloud each morning but Sept 07 and 10 were beautiful sunny days with temperatures of over 20 degrees C on Sept 07 and up to 17 to 20 degrees on the other days....Besides the 11 flying species seen....  [read more]

Brian Danaher: Red Admiral(1), Small Tortoiseshell(1), Large White(1), back garden, Shankill, Co Dublin, 15/9

David Dillon: Small Tortoiseshell(60+), mostly nectaring on Valerian (Centranthus), between Causeway on North Bull Island and Sutton Cross, Dublin, 10/9

Cathy McMahon: Small Tortoiseshell(c.25) seen "coming from the sea and heading inland" at Portmarnock, Dublin (c. 13.30-14.00 h), 10/9 

DNFC: Painted Lady(2), Red Admiral(1), Sutton Stand, Dublin, 8/9

Ian Rippey's Report on Purple Hairstreak for 2-9 September, 2007
 Ian Rippey's Report on Purple Hairstreak for 2-9 September, 2007
[Six new sites and 5 new 10 km records]
Kerry: 3 (1 male identified at SE edge of wood, 2 others seen near roadside) in late afternoon at Graigues Wood near Lough Isknagahiny, a small lake east of Lough Curraun east of Waterville (V5964) on Tuesday 4th September (this seems to be the most westerly known site in Ireland though there are 1 or 2 potential sites even further  west, e.g. the wood on Valentia Island or the wood at Kells some miles east); Probably 4 between 5 pm & 5.30 pm (around 3 separate oak trees near the bridge just west of Lord Brandons Cottage west of Upper Lake, Killarney (V8882), on Wednesday 5th September; I saw a possible one along the river valley to the south-west a little later.

Waterford: 1 or 2 (1 was seen twice, but not far apart so it may have been the same one) at Glenribeen (S0700), 1 in Glenmore at both Coolishall (W994996) and 1 further north at R997001, all from about 5.15 pm onwards in the Lismore-Cappoquin area of the Blackwater Valley, on Thursday 6th September.

Wicklow: 1 at in Tomnafinnoge Wood near Shillelagh (T02137006) at about 12.50 pm (in dull weather) on Sunday 9th September.

Ian Rippey

Chris Wilson: Gatekeeper(4), Ringlet(1), 3/8; 
Common Blue(19), Peacock(3), Speckled Wood(7), Meadow Brown(4), Small Heath(2), 9/8; 
Common Blue(15), Large White(3), Peacock(3), Gatekeeper(3), Meadow Brown(3), 15/8; 
Large White(4), Common Blue(20), Holly Blue(1), Speckled Wood(15), 24/8; 
Common Blue(11), Speckled Wood(16), Gatekeeper(1), 28/8; 
Common Blue(1), Small White(1), Small Tortoiseshell(13), Speckled Wood(24), Meadow Brown(1), Small Heath(1), 3/9; 
Small Tortoiseshell(6), Small Copper(1), Red Admiral(8), Clouded Yellow(1), Common Blue(1), Peacock(1), Speckled Wood(8), 5/9.
All the Raven, Co.Wexford

«««

Frank Smyth: Grayling(10-12, mostly f), Common Blue(100+), Small Tortoiseshell(2), Meadow Brown(4), Small White(2), Large White(1), Painted Lady(1), North Bull Island, Dublin, 4/9

Bob Aldwell: Grayling(12+), North Bull Island, Dublin, 31/8

Ken Bond: Purple Hairstreaks(2), Galway's Bridge, Killarney National Park, 30.8.07;
Marsh Fritillary  larval webs(6), Cragard North, near Crusheen, Co Clare, 9.8.07  & Marsh Fritillary, larval webs(23), north of Lissycasey [R26], Clare, 26.8.07;
Gatekeeper(5), Killeady [W56], Co Cork, 26.7.07, Gatekeeper 3, Reenreagh, Seven Heads [W53], Co Cork, 30.7.07, Gatekeeper(1), Inniscarra Lake [W47], Co Cork, 31.7.07, Gatekeeper(2), Bunskellig [V65], West Cork, 1.8.07, Gatekeeper(5), Lauragh [V75], Kerry, 2.8.07;
Grayling(3), Bunskellig (quarry), West Cork, 1.8.07
Grayling(2), Lauragh [V75], Kerry, 2.8.07;
Holly Blue(3) (incl. mating pair), Magheranenagh [R88], N. Tipperary, 4.8.07

David Nash: Small White(3+), Merrion Strand, Dublin, 29/8

Frank Smyth:  Wall Brown(1), Large White(2), Small White(3 - 2 egg laying), Small Tortoiseshell(3), Holly Blue(25), Speckled Wood(14), Meadow Brown(2), Peacock(2), Red Admiral(1), Common Blue(1), Painted Lady(3), Small Copper(1), Howth, Dublin, 29/8; Red Admirals(2+1) egg laying at Ceannchor Road, Howth, 16 & 25/8, respectively.

Faith White: Large White, Speckled Wood, Peacock, Tortoiseshell, Crookedwood, Westmeath, c.31/8; Common Blue, Crookedwood, Westmeath, 23/8 [1st 10 km record].

Brian Danaher: Small Tortoiseshell(3), Speckled Wood(1), Holly Blue(1), Ardgillan Castle & Park, Dublin, 30/7

David Nash: Brimstone(1f), Cameron Island, Lough Derg; Brimstone(2m), Carney Common, Borrisokane, Tipperary, 26/8

Freddie Walsh: Clouded Yellow(3), Meadow Browns(x100), Common Blues(x100), Grayling(30), Small Heath(1), Wall Browns(5), Small Coppers(10), Small Tortoishell(50), Peacock(1), Painted Lady(40), Large Whites(3), Speckled Woods(2), Ballyteigue Burrows, Wexford, 25/8

DNFC: Grayling, Meadow Brown, Holly Blue, Common Blue, Large White, Small White, Small Tortoiseshell, Red Admiral, Peacock, north-east corner of Howth, Dublin, 25/8

Brian Danaher: Large White(1), Peacock(1), Cabinteely, Dublin, 24/8

Coilin MacLochlainn: Purple Hairstreak(6+), two sightings between 6pm - 7.30pm, sunny sheltered sites at southfacing side of Killiney Hill, Co.Dublin, 22/8; 
Red Admiral, Speckled Wood, Fernhill, Stepaside, Co.Dublin and Glencree/Powerscourt, Co.Wicklow, 23/8

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Paul Walsh: Red Admiral(1), Wall Brown(1), Green-veined White(1), Meadow Brown(1) Ram Head, Waterford, 25/7;
Painted Lady, Red Admiral(1), Brownstown Head, Waterford, 28/7;
Red Admiral(11), Peacock(1), Small Tortoiseshell(3), Ringlet(1), Meadow Brown(1), Green-veined White(2), nr Carrowgarriff Forest, Waterford, 28/7
Red Admiral(6), Meadow Brown(3), Brownstown Head, Waterford, 29/7;
Red Admiral(6), Peacock(1), Small Copper(8), Common Blue(6), Meadow Brown(5), Speckled Wood(3), Green-veined White(4), Brownstown Head, Waterford, 4/8;
Red Admiral(3), Mine Head, Waterford, 12/8; Red Admiral(1), Kilmurrin Cove, Waterford, 13/8;
Red Admiral(2), Small Tortoiseshell(2), Common Blue(1), Speckled Wood(1), Brownstown Head, Waterford, 19/8

Tony Murray: Clouded Yellow(1), Tacumshin, Wexford, 22/8

Adrian Phelan: Purple Hairstreak(3), Speckled Wood(2), Dargle Valley, near Enniskerry, Wicklow, 19/8

Fred Walsh: Small Copper(1), Gatekeeper(5) Speckled wood(5), Peacock(1), Small Tortoiseshell(1), Ballyconnigar Wood, Wexford, 19/8;
Common Blue(50+), Small Copper(5), Green-veined White(10), Large White(4), Small Tortoiseshell(20), Peacock(12), Red Admiral(4), Painted Lady(7), Speckled Wood(15), Gatekeeper(6), Grayling(1), the Raven, Wexford, 19/8

Bob Aldwell  & Frank Smith: Common Blue(20+), Green-veined White(1), Large White(1), Painted Lady(1), Red Admiral(1), Peacock(6), Small Tortoiseshell(5), Grayling(1), Meadow Brown(6+), Speckled Wood(1), the Raven [T1132 2678], Co.Wexford, 17/8; 
Gatekeeper(1), Small White(2), Green-veined White(2), Peackock(4), Red Admiral(3), Small Copper(1), Silver-washed Fritillary(1), Small Tortoiseshell(2), the Raven [T1104 2593], Co.Wexford, 17/8; 
Further along track Green-veined White, Holly Blue(1), Red Admiral(2-3), Silver-washed Fritillary(2), Speckled Wood(several), the Raven [T1104 2593], Co.Wexford, 17/8; 
Clouded Yellow(1), Common blue(100+), Grayling(1), Gatekeeper(3), Green-veined White(2), Meadow Brown(5), Painted Lady(1), Small Heath(1), Small Tortoiseshell(2), the Raven [T1130 2523], Co.Wexford,  17/8

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Sean Geraty: Small Copper(1), harbour at Sandycove, Dublin, 12/8; Meadow Brown(30+), Small Tortoiseshell(2), Holly Blue(3), Phoenix Park, Dublin, 15/8; 
Meadow Brown(70), all resting or feeding on Ragwort, Phoenix Park, Dublin, 16/8

Stiof MacAmhalghaidh: Red Admiral(2), Painted Lady(1), 8/8; Red Admiral(1), Painted Lady(1), 11/8; Red Admiral(3), Glendalough, Waterford, 15/8

Coilin MacLochlainn: Purple Hairstreak(45), Devils Glen[T2898 & T2499], near Ashford, Co. Wicklow, 12/8
Twenty very active Purple Hairstreak were seen on/around the crown of a tall oak tree during a brief sunny spell, groups of five-eight on other tall oaks. There were showers with sunny spells between sightings.

Stiof MacAmhalghaidh: Red Admiral(2), Painted Lady(1), [S23 16], Co.Wicklow, 8/8

George McDermott:Wall Brown(10+), Dark Green Fritillary(2), Grayling(6), Leenan Strand, Inishowen, Donegal, 7/8

Joe Devlin: Dark Green Fritillary(2), Silver-washed Fritillary(1), Holly Blue(1), Red Admiral(1), Speckled Wood(1), Ringlet(1), Slieve Foyne Woods, Carlingford, Louth, 7/8

Ian Rippey: Purple Hairstreak(1), Garryland Wood, SE Galway, 5/8;
Purple Hairstreak(1) at each of 5 new 10km square sites in Co.Kerry, 29th July-12th Aug '07. (details to follow).

Chris Wilson et al: Grayling(1), sand dunes, Inch, Kerry, 29/7; Holly Blue(3), Dingle Way, Inch, Kerry, 2/8; Holly Blue(5), Silver-washed Fritillary(19), Killarney National Park, Kerry, 3/8

Bob Aldwell: Purple Hairstreak(1 egg), Glen-of-the-Downs, Wicklow, 3/8;
Wall Brown(1), Meadow Brown(20+), Common Blue(6+), Small White(6), Large White(1), Holly Blue(1), Kilcoole, Wicklow, 3/8:
Holly Blue(4), Red Admiral(1), Speckled Wood(1), Blaclrock, Dublin, 3/8

Deirdre Hardiman: Brown Hairstreak(3) [R311 917], Red Admiral(1), Wood White(15+, three puddling together), Small White, Brimstone(8+), Peacock(5+), Meadow Brown(10+), Ringlet(6+), Small Heath(3), Speckled Wood(10+), Grayling(1), Silver-washed Fritillary(2), Lisduff, Clare, 2/8;
Purple Hairstreak(3), Speckled Wood(4), Ballyeighter Wood, Clare, 2/8

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Mike Quirke: Holly Blue(2), Murroe, Limerick, 31/7

David Dillon: Ringlet(69), Meadow Brown(40), Small Tortoiseshell(9), Speckled Wood(6), Large White(2), Small White(1), Green-veined White(5), Common Blue(7), Holly Blue(1), Red Admiral(1), Painted Lady(1), Peacock(1), Portmarnock, Dublin, 30/7 [From transect].

Bob Aldwell: Holly Blue(14), Blackrock/Booterstown, Dublin, 30/7;
Holly Blue(17), Dalkey, Dublin;  Holly Blue(6), Blackrock/ Monstown, Dublin; Red Admiral(1), Blackrock, Dublin; Peacock, Booterstown, Dublin, 31/7

Bob Aldwell: Highlights, Summary and Details of Visit to Donegal, July 2007

  • 13 flying butterfly species seen

  • Sixty+ Dark Green Fritillary seen at Sheskinmore on July 04

  • New 10km sq record for Dark Green Fritillary on G97 

  • Small Tortoiseshell laying on July 02

  • One Small Blue at Murvagh on July 01 and St John’s Point on July 02

  • New 10km sq record for Small White on H16...... [read more]

Tony Murray & Dave Daly: *Essex Skipper(2), grassland at Tacumsin[T00], Wexford, 30/7

 Deirdre Hardiman: 

  • Grayling(6-8), Small Heath(4), Meadow Brown(5), Ringlet(6+), Speckled Wood(2), Small White(2), Silver-washed Fritillary(3), beside Burren Holistic Centre, Clare, 27/7

  • Common Blue(3), Small Tortoiseshell(1), Peacock(2), Small White(3), Meadow Brown(3), Green-veined White(5), Toberaniddaun[R23 67], Clare, 29/7

  • Wood White(3), Silver-washed Fritillary(6), Small White(6), Speckled Wood(8), Meadow Brown(20+), Red Admiral(1), Green-veined White(2), Peacock(7), Ballynagard, Clare, 29/7

  • Silver-washed Fritillary(3), Brimstone(1), Meadow Brown(6), Speckled Wood(6+), Small White(4), roadside hedgerow, Ballyeighter[R34 93], Clare, 30/7

  • Brown Hairstreak (2, one nectaring on bramble), Common Blue(1), Peacock(3), Red Admiral(2), Brimstone(6+), Wood White(5+), Small White(6+), Large White(2), Speckled Wood(10+), Meadow Brown(30+), Ringlet(8), Burren Way [R364 958], SW of Lough Bunny, Clare, 30/7

  • Silver-washed Fritillary(2), Brimstone(2), Meadow Brown(5), Wood White(2), Boston [R37 98], Clare, 30/7

  • Wood White(2, one ovipositing on meadow vetchling), Silver-washed Fritillary(3), Brimstone(1), Meadow Brown(6+), Speckled Wood(6+), Small White(4), Ballyeighter, Clare, 30/7

  • Silver-washed Fritillary(2), Red Admiral(2), Peacock(3), Small Tortoiseshell(1), Small White(6+), Wood White(4+), Common Blue(1), Grayling(1), Speckled Wood(20+), Ringlet(3), Burren Way [R36 98], Kiltacky Beg, Clare, 30-31/7

  • Silver-washed Fritillary(4), Small White(4+), Brimstone(2), Green-veined White(2), Meadow Brown(10+), Speckled Wood(15+), Nooan [R26 90], Clare, 31/7

Ian Rippey: Brown Hairstreak(3 m), Newtown, west of Gort, Co.Galway, 29/7;
Purple Hairstreak(2, one male identified), west edge of Gortacarnaun Wood, east of Lough Cutra, SE Galway, 29/7; 
Purple Hairstreak(7-9, three males identified), seen in two parts of Ballyeighter Wood, Co.Clare, 30/8

Tom Shevlin: Gatekeeper(10-15), Raven Wood, Wexford, 28/7; 
*Essex Skipper(2-3), Lingstown, Tacumshin, Wexford, 29/7

Aidan Kelly: Holly Blue(2), Trinity College, Dublin, 27/7

Joe Duane: Holly Blue(1), Whinning Wood [N054 490], Westmeath, 26/7

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David Nash & Ashling McWilliam: Large Heath(1f, in quite good condition), Raheenmore Bog, Offaly, 23/7

David Cooke: Gatekeepers(many), Kilbrittain , Cork, 24/7; Gatekeeper(many), Peacocks(10), Small Tortoiseshells(2), Garrettstown, Cork; Gatekeeper(several), Coachford, Cork, 23/7

Chris Wilson, Jim Goodwin, Roy Watson & Frankie Tennant: 
*Essex Skipper(158), Fardystown [T02], Wexford, 24/7

Frankie Tennant: *Essex Skipper(2), grassland at South Slob[T03], Wexford, 24/7

Chris Wilson, Jim Goodwin & Roy Watson: Small Copper(3), grassland, Gardamus [T02], Wexford, 24/7

Fred & Margaret Walsh: Comma(3), Clouded Yellow(5), Grayling(1), the Raven, Wexford, 23/7

Deirdre Hardiman: Holly Blue(2), Small White(1), garden in Donnybrook, Dublin, 16/7; Holly Blue(1), Small Tortoiseshell(1), garden in Donnybrook, Dublin, 23/7

Chris & Ann Wilson: Red Admiral(26), clearing in wood, Raven, Wexford, 23/7

Paul Walsh: Red Admiral(1), Small Tortoiseshell(1), Dooega [L6798], Achill Island, Co Mayo, 18/7; Red Admiral(8), Small Copper(5), Small Tortoiseshell(1), Ringlet(3), Meadow Brown(5), Speckled Wood(1), Green-veined White(3), Brownstown Head [X69], Waterford, 22/7

C Wilson, B Aldwell, D Nash & D Hardiman: *Essex Skipper(20+), Peacock(1), Green-veined White(6+), Ringlet(10+), Speckled Wood(1+), Mayglass[T02], Wexford, 22/7

B Aldwell, D Nash, D Hardiman: Holly Blue(1), Large White(2), Ferrycarrig, Wexford, 22/7; Comma(1), Silver-washed Fritillary(10), Red Admiral(10), Peacock[2 adults and many 2nd instar larvae], Green-veined White(10), Ringlet(10), Meadow Brown(10), Gatekeeper((15+), Speckled Wood(1), the Raven, Wexford, 22/7/07;
Gatekeeper(1), Ringlet(1), Ballyconnigar, Blackwater, Wexford, 22/7

Jesmond Harding: Dark Green Fritillary(3), Small Tortoiseshell(10+),  Meadow Brown(20+), Ringlet(20+), Small Heath(5+), Green-veined White(5+), Bettystown/Mornington Co. Meath, 19/7; Green-veined White(1), Dark Green Fritillary(5), Grayling(3), Small Heath(3), Meadow Brown(15+), Ringlet(10+), Mullaghmore, Co. Clare 22/7; 
Silver-washed Fritillary(1), Marsh Fritillary larval nest(1), Ballydoogan Bog Co. Galway 22/7

Geoff Hunt: Silver-washed Fritillary, Holly Blue, Meadow Brown, Ringlet, Large White, Speckled Wood, Killarney, Kerry,14/7;  
Silver-washed Fritillary, Holly Blue, Meadow Brown, Ringlet, Speckled Wood, Green-veined White, Ballyseedy, Kerry, 21/7

Ken Bond: Marsh Fritillary [W79, new record] &  Small Heath, Coolnakilla, on the Glenville-Fermoy road, Co. Cork mid-June; 
Silver-Washed Fritillary(1), Ross River valley [W69, new record], near Kilavullen, N. Cork, 2/7; 
Dark Green Fritillary(several), Carran and southwards to Coolorta (Burren), 14-15/7; 
Holly Blue(1 f), Sundays Well, Cork City, 18/7; 
Red Admiral(1), near Killavullen, North Cork, 2/7 & Red Admiral(2), Sundays Well,  Cork City, 21/7

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Brian Danaher: Red Admiral, garden in Shankill, Co Dublin, 21/7

Chris Wilson & Jim Goodwin: *Essex Skipper(3), grassland, Mayglass [T02], Wexford, 19/7

Jim Goodwin & Roy Watson: *Essex Skipper(1), Gardamus [T02], Wexford, 19/7

Joe Devlin: Silver-washed Fritillary(6), Slieve Foy Woods, Carlingford, Co Louth, 19/7

Chris Wilson: Large white(13), Green-veined White(21), Common Blue(11), Holly Blue(1), Red Admiral(2), Peacock(3), Silver-washed Fritillary(11), Speckled Wood(1), Gatekeeper(11), Meadow Brown(8), Small Heath(11), Ringlet(41), the Raven, Co Wexford, 18/7;
Clouded Yellow(1), Polder, North Slob, Wexford; Small Copper(1), garden, Ballinamorragh, Wexford, 19/7

*Chris Wilson, Ann Wilson, Jim Goodwin, Roy Watson:  Essex Skipper(38), Mayglass [T02],
Wexford, 18.07.07

Jim Goodwin: Holly Blue(1), in garden, Mayglass, Wexford, 17/7

Bob Aldwell: Holly Blue(13), St Stephens Green, Dublin; Holly Blue(6), Merrion Sq. Dublin; Holly Blue(1), Ailesbury Rd. Dublin; Holly Blue(2), Newtownpark Ave, Dublin. 16/7

Brian Danaher: Meadow Brown(10), Speckled Wood(1), Small White(3), Small Tortoiseshell(6), Shanganagh Park, Dublin, 15/7

Adrian Phelan: Silver-washed Fritillary(4), Ringlet(20+), Meadow Brown(5), Furry Glen, Phoenix Park, Dublin, 14/7

Paul Walsh: Red Admiral(1), Camphire (X0692), Co Waterford, 27/6;
Red Admiral(3), Brownstown Head (X6298), 29/6;
Small Heath(1), Ringlet(8), Meadow Brown(2), nr Kilclooney Forest (S3410), Co Waterford, 1/7;
Red Admiral(1), Small Tortoiseshell(3), Ringlet(1), Meadown Brown(4), south of Lismore(c.X0597), Co Waterford, 7/7;
Small Tortoiseshell(11), Ringlet(1), Meadow Brown(3), Speckled Wood(1), east of Lismore (c.X0698), Co Waterford, 7/7;
Silver-washed Fritillary(1), Small Tortoiseshell(3), Ringlet(7), Meadown Brown(1), Knocknacreha/Kilbrack (c.S3216), nr Rathgormuck, Co Waterford, 8/7;
Red Admiral(1), Brownstown Head (X5298), Co Waterford, 8/7;
Ringlet(18), Meadow Brown(3), Speckled Wood(1), east of Mount Melleray (S10), Co Waterford 11/7

David Cooke: Silver Washed Fritillary(3), Painted Lady(1), Red Admiral(1), Knoppoge Wood near Kilbrittain, Co Cork, 10/7; Red Admiral(1), Holly Blue(2), Douglas, Cork, 10/7

Cape Clear Bird Observatory (Steve Wing): PL(24), RA(33), SmT(13), LW(7), SmW(11), GvW(1), OT(12), SpW(29), WB(1), CB(1), SH(12), MB(3), R(5), DGF(1), GH(4), Cape Clear Island, Cork [June count]

«««

Bob Aldwell: Holly Blue(7), Blackrock/Monstown, Dublin 7/7;
Red Admiral(1 adult + 2 larvae), Blackrock, 8/7

Brian O'Connor: Small Tortoiseshell, Meadow brown, Ringlet, Clonegal, Wexford, 1/7

Adrian Phelan: Dark Green Fritillary(2), Ringlet(4), Meadow Brown(4), Grayling(2), Common Blue(3), Small Heath(8), Small Tortoiseshell(1), Monaleen (near Kilnaboy)[R282923], Burren, Clare, 30/6;
Dark Green Fritillary(5), Silver-washed Fritillary(2), Ringlet(3), Meadow Brown(2), Small Heath(6), Common Blue(5), Clooncoose Area[R279949], Burren, Clare, 30/6

Kevin Hannan: Brimstone(1), North Circular Road, Limerick city, 25/6;
Weather windy and showery, Small White(1), Common Blue(11), Speckled Wood(2), Ringlet (widespread), Meadow Brown(50+), Dark Green Fratillery(widespread), Pearl Bordered Fratlllery(1), Small Heath(30+). Cloncoose, the Burren, Clare, 30/6.

Bob Aldwell: Holly Blue(2), Blackrock, Dublin, 29/6

David Cooke: Dark Green Fritillary(1), Green Hairstreak(2), Dursey Island, west Cork, 23/6,
Dark Green Fritillary(2), Green Hairstreak(4), Dursey Island, west Cork, 27/6

Deirdre Hardiman: Large Heath(5), Small Tortoiseshell(10+), Common Blue(3), Meadow Brown(numerous), Speckled Wood(2), Ringlet(numerous), Girley Bog & hedgerow, Drewstown, Co.Meath, 27/6

Joe Duane: Large Heath(3), Meadow Brown(1), Lenafin bog, Co Galway, 25/6

Frank Smyth: Holly Blue(1 f, 2nd brood) sheltering in a clump of nettles, Howth, Dublin, 25/6;

Paul Walsh: Painted Lady(1), Red Admiral(1), Ringlet(3), Brownstown Head [X69], 
Co Waterford, 24/6;
Painted Lady(1), Red Admiral(5), Small Tortoiseshell(6), Meadow Brown(1), 
Mothel area [S31], Co Waterford, 24/6;
Painted Lady(1), Speckled Wood(1), Ballydurn area [S4011], nr Kilmacthomas, 
Co Waterford, 24/6;
Red Admiral(3), Small Heath(2), Ringlet(4), Speckled Wood(7), Meadow Brown(3),
Gatekeeper(1), Barranastook forest [c.X1690], Drum Hills, Co Waterford, 23/6/07;
Red Admiral(3), Small Tortoiseshell(6), Ringlet(1), Speckled Wood(1), Meadow
Brown(3), Coolatoor / Aughanorrick area [c.X1693], Co Waterford, 23/6.

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Frank Smyth: Grayling(1), Red Admiral(many), Small Tortoiseshell(many), Painted Lady, Meadow Brown, Ringlet, Large White, Small White, Small Heath and Speckled Wood, Lion's Head, Howth, Dublin, 24/6

Geoff Hunt: Meadow Brown, Green-veined White, Small Tortoiseshell, Beal, Co Kerry, 17/06; Speckled Wood, Meadow Brown, Ringlet and Painted Lady. Ashford, Co Limerick 23/6; 
Green Hairstreak(3), Small Tortoiseshell(6), Ringlet(2), Meadow Brown(3), Large White(2), Dysert Marshes near Lixnaw, Co Kerry, 24/6

Geoff Hunt & pupils of Rathkeale NS: Meadow Brown, Ringlet, Curragh Chase[R412492], Co. Limerick, 23/6

Eileen Morrison: Weather sunny/overcast, breezy. Common Blue(1), Speckled Wood(8), Painted Lady(1), Ringlet(1), Small Tortoiseshell(10), Culmore, Foxford, Mayo, 21/6

Sean Geraty: Meadow Brown(39), Ringlet(2), Common Blue(1), Phoenix Park, Dublin, 18/6

IPCC: Large Heath(large population), bog at Mountallen, Co.Roscommon, c18/6; Marsh Fritillary, wet grassland at Mountallen, Co.Roscommon, c18/6

Ian Rippey, Summary of Visit to RoI, 11th-17th June, 2007:
During 11th to 17th June 2007, I recorded Lepidoptera from a number of counties in the Irish Republic (Roscommon, Sligo, Mayo, Galway and Clare).

Weather was warm for the first two days (though there were also brief periods of rain or showers) but it then became cooler so that by Friday 15th it was rather cool (the only day when I did not see any Butterflies, etc), it then warmed up and brightened up slightly. The total number of Butterfly species (17-20, but probably 18) is about the lowest I have seen in June in ROI in recent years...[read more]

Freddie Walsh: Dark Green Fritillary(12), Small Heath(100+),  Common Blue(60), Ringlet(1), Small Copper(2), Small Tortoishell(1),  Meadow Brown(6), Ballyteigue Burrows, Wexford, 17/6

Frank Smyth: Red Admiral(7), Painted Lady(2), Ringlet(2), Speckled Wood(4), Small Tortoiseshell(4), Small Heath(2), Red Admiral larvae(4), Ceannchor Rd Howth, Co Dublin, 16/6; 
Red Admiral(8, two ovipositing), Painted Lady(3), Dark Green Fritillary(1), Meadow Brown(4), Small Heath(7), Small Tortoiseshell(2), Speckled wood(2), Red Admiral larvae and eggs. Also large clump of near full grown Peacock larvae, Baily area, Howth, Co Dublin, 17/6

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Paul Walsh: Co.Waterford Records, 5/6 –17/6:
Silver-washed Fritillary(1), Common Blue(3), Speckled Wood(1), nr Cappoquin X0899, 5/6/07;
Wood White(2), Speckled Wood(2), Rathgormuck area, 6/6;
Wood White(7), Speckled Wood(6), Glen, nr Kilmacthomas, 7/6;
Small Tortoiseshell(2), Wood White(7), Orange-tip(1m), Ballinlough, nr Kill, 8/6;
Small Tortoiseshell(6), Wood White(3), Orange-tip(1m), Speckled Wood(16), 
Meadown Brown(5), Newport/Ballynatray area, 9/6;
Painted Lady(1), Common Blue(6), Wood White(2), Speckled Wood(2), 
Ardmore & Ram Heads, 9/6;Painted Lady(1), Wood White(1), Speckled Wood(3), Caheruane/Crinalisk, nr Kill, 10/6;
Painted Lady(1), nr Toor Cross Rds, Drum Hills, 13/6; 
Common Blue(10), Speckled Wood(2), Brownstown Head, 5/6; Painted Lady(1), Brownstown Head, 6/6; Red Admiral(2), Small Tortoiseshell(1), Brownstown Head, 8/6; Red Admiral(1), Brownstown Head, 17/6;
Red Admiral(1), Painted Lady(2), Speckled Wood(7), Meadow Brown(4), Tower Hill, nr Portlaw, 17/6

Joe Devlin: Painted Lady(19), Red Admiral(9), Small Tortoiseshell(14), Large White(2), Small White(2), between Ballagan Point and Cooley Point, Louth, 17/6

Bob Aldwell, Summary and Details of Visit, 8th–13th June, 2007
The weather was exceptionally warm and sunny in early June. A warm very settled spell up to June 11 gave way to more broken weather thereafter. 
Following on the exceptionally fine April and reasonably dry May the result has been that most butterflies have been flying in Donegal in unusually large numbers at least two weeks ahead of their usual flight periods.

Highlights:

  • 20 flying butterfly species seen. 

  • 200+ MF at main colony on Cruit Island. 

  • 200 + SB at centre of Cruit island. 

  • 50+ MF at Glashagh (B82/83). 

  • New MF colony at Maheraclogher (B82).

  • New LH colony and 10km sq record on G67. 

  • New WW colony and 10km sq record on G67. 

  • Painted Ladies begin to arrive....[