[ Contents ] [ PhenologyArchives ]

Oscar Merne: Small Tortoiseshell(1), Ardmore Point, Wicklow, 19/12/06

Dorothy Smallwood: Small Tortoiseshell(1), Lackan, Caim, Enniscorthy, Wexford, 18/12

David Cooke: Peacock(1), Kilbrittain, Cork, 18/12

Derek Scott: Small Tortoiseshell(1), Dursey Island, Cork, 16/12

Frank Smyth: Red Admiral(1 adult + 15 eggs + 4 larval tents), Needles, Howth, Dublin, 8/12

Bob Aldwell: Red Admiral(1), Blackrock, Dublin, 5/12

Bob Aldwell: Red Admiral(1), Blackrock, Dublin, 2/12

Con O'Donnell: Peacock(1), Greencastle, Donegal, 27/11

Bob Aldwell: Peacock(1), Seapoint, Dublin, 26/11

Angus Tyner: Red Admiral(1), Cronykeery, Ashford, Wicklow, 26/11

Tom Kelly: Red Admiral(1), Sunday's Well, Cork City, 20/11

Ken Bond: Red Admiral(2), Cork City (Sunday's Well), 16/11

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Bob Aldwell & Frank Smyth: Purple Hairstreak eggs at Glen of the the Downs(5), Glenmalure(1) & Ballygannon Wood(1), Wicklow, c.1/11;
Red Admiral eggs(30+, mostly green but some darkening) and first instar larvae(10+), cliff path, nr Ceanncorr Road, Howth, 14/11

Chris Wilson: Red Admiral(1), Wexford Wildlife Reserve, 13/11; Small Tortoiseshell, 9/11.

Bob Aldwell: Red Admiral(1), Rochestown Avenue, Dun Laoighre, 10/11

Sean Geraty: Red Admiral(1), flying in a private garden, Lucan, Dublin. Weather windy and cold.  11/11

Ken Bond: Red Admiral(1), Killarney National Park, Kerry, 5/11; Red Admiral(1), Speckled Wood(1), Distillery Fields, Cork City, 7/11 [Latest SpW report of 2005 was on 15/12].

Sean Geraty: Clouded Yellow(1), North Slubs, Wexford, 4/11. [Also report from Chris Wilson on 4/11 that CY were still to be seen in the south-east].

David Cooke: Clouded Yellow, Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell, Painted Lady, Dursey Island, Cork - one of each on 4/11 & 5/11, except for Painted Lady seen on 4/11 only.

Enda Flynn: Red Admiral(1), Riverstown,  Louth, 4/11

David Nash: Red Admiral(1), Donnybrook, Dublin, 4/11

Frank Smyth: Red Admiral(7), Howth Head, Dublin, 3/11
[Female observed egg laying on both 3/11 & 4/11]

Bob Aldwell: Red Admiral(1), Monkstown; Holly Blue, Blackrock, Dublin, 1/11

David Cooke: Red Admiral(3), Kilmoney, nr Carrigaline, Cork, 2/11

Frank Smyth: Red Admiral(2), Red Rock area; Red Admiral(3), Peacock(1), The Needles, Howth; Red Admiral(1), garden Sutton, Dublin, 1/11

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Kevin Hannan: Clouded Yellow(1), Newmarket-on-Fergus, Clare, 29/10; Red Admiral(3), Peacock(1), Newmarket-on-Fergus, Clare, 1/11.  

Bob Aldwell: Holly Blue(1), Seapoint Avenue, Monkstown; Red Admiral(1), Newtownpark, Avenue, Blackrock, Dublin, 29/10; 
Red Admiral(1), Newtownpark Avenue; Holly Blue(3), Monkstown; Red Admiral(1), Rock's Park, Blackrock, Dublin, 30/10. 

Brian Danaher: Painted Lady(2), Sea Road, Newcastel, Wicklow, 24/10

Bob Aldwell: Holly Blue(1), Brighton Vale, Monkstown; Red Admiral(1), Rock's Park, Blackrock, Dublin, 26/10

Bob Aldwell: Holly Blue - (1), Newtownpark Avenue; (5 - 3+m), Brighton Vale, Monkstown; (2m + 1f), Seapoint, Dublin, 24/10. [Also seen 2 Listrodomus parasitoids which emerged from pupa - rarely seen in autumn]

Frank Smyth: Red Admiral(16), Needles, Howth, Dublin, 21/10 [On ivy, pristine condition]; 
Red Admiral(8), Painted Lady(3), Peacock(1), Speckled Wood(1), Red Rock, Howth, 22/10.

Brian Danaher: Red Admiral(1), Shanganagh Park , Shankill, Dublin, 23/6 [6.10 a.m.]

Kevin Hannan: Green-veined White(1), Small Copper(1), Red Admiral(2), Painted Lady(1), Plassey [R598 577], Limerick, Temperature 18^oC, 15/10;
Small Copper(1), Red Admiral(2), near Newmarket-on-Fergus [R397 665], Clare, 22/10

Bob Aldwell: Holly Blue(2), Seapoint Avenue, Blackrock; 
Holly Blue(1), Red Admiral(1), Brighton vale Bridge, Blackrock. 
Balmy & calm with a temperature of at least 16 degrees and short intervals of warm sunshine and cloudy periods. Dublin, 21/10

Andrew Malcolm: Clouded Yellow(4), Red Admiral(4), Ram Head, nr Ardmore, Waterford, 20/10 

Ken Bond: Red Admiral(3), Buckroney Fen, nr Brittas bay, Wicklow, 13/10;
Painted Lady(1), Buckroney Fen, nr Brittas bay, Wicklow, 14/10; 
Marsh Fritillary (3 larval spinnings, in grass or heather (Calluna)), Lissofin, nr Tulla, Co Clare, 15/10; 
Holly Blue(2) & Red Admiral(3), UCC campus, Cork, 20/10

David Cooke:  Red Admiral(2), Murragh, Dunmanway, West Cork, 20/10

Con O'Donnell: Small White(1+), Greencastle, Donegal, 12/10 & 14/10 ;
Small Tortoiseshell(1), Red Admiral(1), Greencastle,  Donegal, c.19/10. 
[per Bob Aldwell]

Brian Danaher:  Red Admiral(2), Shanganagh Park, Shankill, Dublin, 19/10

Kate Hennessey: Red Admiral(1), Goodwin Gardens, Kells, Kilkenny, 14/10

Deirdre Hardiman: Red Admiral(3 fresh), Knockadrina Woods, Kilkenny, 13/10

Bob Aldwell: Clouded Yellow(2-3, fresh), Small Copper(1), Kilmichael Dunes, Wexford, 13/10
[Temp. ~16 deg.]

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Paul Walsh: Painted Lady(2), Red Admiral(5), 10/10. Clouded Yellow(2), Painted Lady(15), Red Admiral(20), 9/10. Red Admiral(1), 7/10. Red Admiral(1), 5/10. Red Admiral(3), 4/10. Painted Lady(3), Red Admiral(9), 3/10. Clouded Yellow(2), Red Admiral(9), 2/10. Red Admiral(2), 1/10. Red Admiral(1), 27/9. Clouded Yellow(3), Red Admiral(1), 24/9. Painted Lady(3), Red Admiral(4), 17/9. Painted Lady(2), Red Admiral(2), 16/9. Red Admiral(1), 15/9, At Brownstown ,Head Waterford.
Red Admiral, Dunmore East, Waterford, 7/10
Monarch(1), Mizen Head, Cork, 1/10 [fide Birds of Ireland News Service phoneline]

Ken Bond: Holly Blue(2), Red Admiral(2), University College Cork, 9/10

Bob Aldwell: Holly Blue(1), Seapoint Avenue, Monkstown, Dublin, 9/10
^Note: First of third generation reported this year.

Ken Bond: Marsh Fritillary (79 larval webs), Knockbrack, North Cork, [this is close to (ca. 1500 m from) the Knockacullata and Knuttery sites already surveyed], 28/9;
Clouded Yellow (5, incl. 1 ab helice) Ballagh, near Tacumshin, Co. Wexford, 4/10; 
Small Copper (2), Ballagh, near Tacumshin, Co. Wexford, 4/10

Deirdre Hardiman: Red Admiral(1), Leeson St. Dublin, 4/10

Kevin Hannan: Speckled Wood(c.20), Coolorta, Burren, Clare, 1/10; Small Tortoiseshell(1), Red Admiral(1), Grand Canal, Limerick, 3/10

Frank Smyth: Red Admiral(5), Speckled Wood(3), Painted Lady(1), Ceanncor Rd;
Red Admiral(5), Small Copper(1), Red Rock. Howth, Co. Dublin, 2/10

Breffni Martin: Clouded Yellow(2), Cape Clear Island, Cork, 30/9; Clouded Yellow(1), Galley Head, Cork, 1/10; Clouded Yellow("several"), around Ballycotton, Cork, 1/10

Bob Aldwell: Clouded Yellow(1), Red Admiral(1), Speckled Wood(3), Small White(2), Irishtown, Dublin, 29/9

Kevin Hannan: Small Copper(1), Clouded Yellow(1), Small Tortoiseshell(4), Green-veined White(1), Farranfore, Co Kerry, 24/9; 
Red Admiral(1), Speckled Wood(1), Small tortoiseshell(6), University of Limerick, Limerick, 27/9

Con & Máire Breen: Clouded Yellow, Inis Meáin, Aran Islands, Galway, 21/9

Bob Aldwell: Small Tortoiseshell(4), Painted Lady(2), Speckled Wood(2), Large White(1), Red Admiral(1), Small White(1), [HBHM(1)], Killiney, Dublin, 19/9

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Ken Bond:

• Marsh Fritillary larval webs: 
  (7), Knockbrack, nr Killavullen, Cork, 3/9; 
  (20), Cloghanegleragh, nr Lyracrumpane, N. Kerry, 7/9; 
  (35), Lough Labe, Bricklieve Mts, Sligo, 9/9.
  (154), Knuttery, Cork & (45), Knockacullata, Cork, 22/9 [with E Sweeney]
  Note:The latter two colonies are on damp, unimproved grassland, largly dominated by Molinia. Most webs occur where the sward is relatively low, and where there is a mixture of vegetation types, e.g. with a mixture of heather and/or Sphagnum)

• Brown Hairstreak(1), Clooncoose, Burren, Clare, 29/8

• Silver-washed Fritillary(2), Dromore Wood, Clare, 29/8

• Painted Lady(2), Cork City, 3/9

• Clouded Yellow(1), Killavullen, North Cork, 3/9; (1), Cork City, 6/9; (2), Muckross, Kerry, 7/9; (1), Knuttery Bridge, nr Killavullen, N Cork, 14/9

• Red Admiral(1), Caslteblagh Wood, nr Ballyhooley, N Cork, 25/9

• Small Copper, Painted Lady (6), Peacock (3), Small tortoiseshell (2), Brimstone (3), Cloonalin Bridge, Roscommon [M85], 9/9

• Common Blue, Peacock (3), Small Tortoiseshell (3), Red Admiral (3), Lough Labe, Bricklieve Mts, Sligo, 9/9

• Small Copper, Speckled Wood, Red Admiral (2), Small tortoiseshell (2), Kesh Corann, Bricklieve Mts, Sligo, 10/9.

• Marsh Fritillary(21 larval webs), Small Tortoiseshell(18) (nearly all on DB Scabious flowers),  Green-veined White (2); Clouded Yellow(1, form helice), Bunnow Marsh, nr Ennis, Clare, 15/9 
  Note: This is the site to which MFwebs were translocated in autumn 2004; the density of webs is about the same as before translocation.

• Green-veined White, Small Tortoiseshell(4); Red Admiral(2), Small Copper, Lough Availe, Sligo [G71], 17/9 

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Summary Report of Visit to Donegal by Bob Aldwell September 9-12 Sept 2006 

Highlights of Visit

• 10 Flying Species seen (CY, GVW, LW, MB, P, RA, SC, SWF, SpW, SmT)

• 4 Clouded Yellows seen at Inver Dunes (G87) on September 9

• Marsh Fritillary site at Sheskinmore (G69) extended westwards by 500 metres

• 50+ Marsh Fritillary webs seen at Glashagh (B82) in 5m2 

• 170+ Marsh Fritillary webs seen at Cruit Island inside an hour

• Large Painted Lady caterpillar seen at Glashagh

• 6 + Meadow Browns seen at St John’s Point (G76) on Sept 9

 The weather was unusually warm during this visit with daytime highs of 21 –22 degrees but sunshine was limited and there was a strong southerly wind and occasional showers.

September 09 – mainly bright with hazy sunshine and strong southerly winds: afternoon high of about 20 degrees  - Visited Donegal Bay.

• Salthill Gardens (G87) –in walled garden saw: LW 2, P 6, RA 4, SWF 1, SmT 1, SpW 1

• Doorin Point (G87) – at low coastal cliffs at G 8091 7320 saw 1 SmT

• Buncronan Port (G87) – along low sheltered coastal stretch at G8252 7647 saw: GVW 1, P 1, SmT 1

• Inver Dunes (G87) – along sheltered coastal dunes at G8207 7728 saw: CY 4, P 2.

• Kilmacreddan (G77) – along old disused railway at G7943 7643 saw: GVW 3

• St John’s Point (G76) – in valley in limestone pavement at G7062 6906 saw: MB 6, P 4

 September 10 – weather cloudy and rain until mid-morning then cloudy but then dry with temperature up to 20 degrees – visited the Rosses

• Glashagh (B82) – checked dunes at B8004 2952 and found one large PL larva and another abandoned PL larval tent on creeping thistles

• Glashagh (B82) – checked near-part of MF area in fen at B8045 2974 and counted: 50+ MF larval webs in a sample area of about 5m2. Colony very strong at present.

• Magheraclogher (B82) – in dune habitat at B8009 2470 saw: MB1. Weather too cloudy for most butterflies to fly

• Cruit Island (B72) – checked MF area for about one hour and counted MF webs as follows: at B7368 2011:20+ webs; at BB7381 2005: 26 webs; at B7386 2000: 33 webs; at B7380 2005: 70+ webs and at B7364 2006:  20+ webs. Weather too cloudy for flying butterflies.

September 11 – weather cloudy in morning but sunny from about 4 pm with temperature high of 21 degrees at 5 pm. – visited Naran-Portnoo, Sheskinmore and Dooey, Lettermacaward.

• Portnoo (G79) – near Post Office at G702 993 saw 1LW flying strongly

• Sheskinmore (G69) – at G6949 9546 saw: 5 MF larval webs

• Sheskinmore (G69) – at G6953 9546 saw: 15 MF webs

• Sheskinmore (G69) – at G6938 9548 saw: 6 MF webs

• Sheskinmore (G69) – at G6937 9553 saw: 8 MF webs

• Sheskinmore (G69) – at G6930 9553 saw: one MF web

• Sheskinmore (G69) – at G6895 9560 nectaring on DB Scabious saw: GVW 1, MB 6, P 1

• Sheskinmore (G69) – at G6890 9580 nectaring on ragworth saw: one SC

• Dooey (B70) – in dunes at B7552 0292 saw: GVW 3, MB 4, SC 1.

September 12 – cloudy in morning, then sunny from midday with heavy shower in afternoon and high of 22 degrees. Visited Teelin, Kilbeg and Glencolumbkille

• Teelin (G57) – in vegetable garden at G5853 7685 saw: approx 20 small LW larvae

• Doonan (G57) in sheltered flower garden at G5964 7584 saw: P 6, RA 1, SmT 2, SpW 1

• Arragil, nr Carrick (G57) – at back of cottage of Jas Gillespie at G5891 7812 there is a extensive area of wet marshy ground with lots of DBS. Seems a good potential MF site for checking in the flying period. Saw: P 6+, SpW 1

• Glencolumbkille (G58) – disturbed ground at edge of dunes and beside football pitch at
  G5281 saw: SmT 3, nectaring on yellow compositae.

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General Comments on Donegal

Early September 2006 was exceptionally warm with daytime temperatures often reaching 20 degrees and nighttime lows usually above 10 degrees.  There were also good periods of sunshine on several days. The result was that at favourable sites many butterfly species have been reported flying later in the year than usual and in greater numbers than expected in September. However, such favourable sites are well sheltered and with plentiful sources of nectar such as walled gardens and some dune systems. Green-veined Whites, Large Whites, Peacocks, Red Admirals, Small Tortoiseshells and Speckled Woods have been especially noticeable. Meadow Browns, Small Coppers and Wall Browns have also been reported in a few localities.

The star turn has been the Clouded Yellow, which is a rare migrant visitor to Donegal. The 1974 An Foras Forbartha Provisional Atlas of Irish Butterflies shows just a single record for Donegal prior to that date. Undoubtedly in 1975/76 and especially in 1992 Clouded Yellows were present in Donegal but went unrecorded. This is the second year that the CY has been recorded in Donegal during the current survey (1998-2006) and coincides with the widespread occurrences of the Clouded Yellow in Britain and Ireland. The usual pattern of sightings in these islands is for a small number of the migrant generation to be seen in May/June/early July and if the weather is warm, followed by a much larger native-born generation in late August/September. This native generation will try to breed but usually in Ireland only in sheltered localities in the far south will a few second native generation of CYs be seen in October or even November.
In 2000 two records of the migrant CY generation were reported in Donegal –June 19 at Rosnowlagh and June 29 at Lough Eske. The first 2000 Donegal native generation CY was seen at Glencolumkille on August 13 and the latest one at Murvagh on September 30.  The CY was noted on Tory Island on August 23 and again on Sept 5. An interesting record was an inland sighting of a CY at Letterkenny on Sept 25, 2000. There were no 2000 CY records from east Donegal or Inishowen. Overall the CY was recorded in Donegal on ten 10km squares in 2000.
2006 again had just two sightings of Donegal migrant generation CYs – on June 30 at Lisfannan and on July 17 at Rosnowlagh (very faded specimen). The first 2006 Donegal native generation sighting came from Danny Gillespie at Tawny, Kilcar. From September 2 onwards records came regularly from west Inishowen, with the CY so far recorded on four 10km squares there – C31 (Blanket Nook), C32 (Lisfannan), C33 (Linsfort) and C34 (Lenan) and from east Fanad at Ray (C22) and Rathmullan (C32). Meantime further September Donegal sightings came from the south of the county nr Ballintra (G96) and Inver Dunes (G87). So far the Clouded Yellow has been recorded in Donegal on eight 10km squares in 2006.
What of the future? 3 eggs I got from a dying female in Wicklow on July 7, produced butterflies on August 14, which indicates the time taken for a generation to emerge in Ireland in high summer. In cooler conditions it could take up to 8 weeks and that requires no really cold, wet weather, which would kill the larval stages. Sightings from other Donegal localities may be expected up to early October but any after that will require continued warm weather.

September Painted Ladies in Donegal were few in number, usually occurring in ones and twos.

Remarks on Marsh Fritillary: This year the Devil's-bit Scabious (DBS) is particularly lush in most of Donegal and as it is still in full flower is especially easy to pick out from a distance. At Sheskinmore it is very evident that areas with lots of DBS on dry sandy ground and little other vegetation does not have MFs. The same applies at Magheraclogher and probably more generally. The sites favoured by MFs have lots of tufty grass and sometimes other vegetation such as clover and heather as well as the essential plentiful DBS. Indeed the winter MF larval webs are often attached to grass, or vegetation other than leaves of Devilsbit Scabious. It is to be noted that the larval webs, which remain throughout the winter, are low down close to ground level and are more easily visible when damp after rain. 

Bob Aldwell  17/09/06

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IAN RIPPEY: Butterfly species seen each day from 3rd-10th September

• Brimstone(c.5m); Small White(1f), Green-veined White(12) [?3rd generation], Brown Hairstreak(2), Common Blue(1m), Red Admiral(1), Painted Lady(1+), Small Tortoiseshell(3), Peacock(12-15), Speckled Wood(15-20), Meadow Brown(4). 
  Newtown, Gort [M4302], South-east Galway, 3/9

• Small White(1), Brown Hairstreak(1) on heather, Common Blue(1m), Red Admiral(1 m), Small Tortoiseshell(3-5), Peacock(1), Speckled Wood(c.6).
  Knockaunatook, Gort [M4202], SE Galway 3/9

• Purple Hairstreak(1 @ c.6.10 pm), Speckled Wood(1). Garryland Wood, Gort [M4303], SE Galway, 3/9 

• Common Blue(1f fresh), Painted Lady(1), Small Tortoiseshell(6), Silverwashed Fritillary(1m v.worn), Speckled Wood(1), Small White(1), Green-veined White(4 fresh), Small Copper(1 faded), Common Blue(c.15 mainly fresh), Painted Lady(1), Small Tortoiseshell(6), Peacock(2-3), Meadow Brown(c.25 faded), Small Heath(1 fair).
  Ballymore, Ballinderreen, SE Galway, 4/9

• Peacock(1), Meadow Brown(2). Ballyeighter, Logh, Boston, Clare, 4/9

• Green-veined White(2-3), Common Blue(1), Small Tortoiseshell(1), Speckled Wood(2-3). Rockvale Bridge, Boston [R386986], Clare 5/9

• Brown Hairstreak(2 - 1f), Common Blue(3-4m), Red Admiral(1), Painted Lady(1), Small Tortoiseshell(c.20 - many on mint), Peacock(4-6), Speckled Wood(1-2), Grayling(1-2). Meadow Brown(2-3), Kilcorkan, Boston, Clare, 5/9 

• Small White(2), Green-veined White(1), Small Tortoiseshell(1). Burren Holistic Centre, Clare, 5/9 

• Brimstone(5m + 5f), Green-veined White(1-2), Brown Hairstreak(c.5), Small Tortoiseshell(c.12), Peacock(c.12), Meadow Brown(1), Grayling(1).
  Ballyeighter Wood , Clare, 5/9 

• Green-veined White(3-4), Speckled Wood(3-4). Lough Cullaunyheeda, Clare, 5/9 

• Green-veined White(1), Painted Lady(1), Small Tortoiseshell(1), Speckled Wood(1).
  Ardaun Lough, Kilkishen, Clare, 5/9 

• Clouded Yellow(2), Green-veined White(c.10), Common Blue(1), Speckled Wood(5-6).  Enagh West, Kilmurry, Clare, 5/9

• Small Tortoiseshell(c.9) Mainly on Water Mint by lake. Killarney Golf Centre, [V928908], North Kerry, 6/9

• Small Copper(1), Speckled Wood(c.8). Lough Nambrackdarrig, S Kerry, 6/9 

• Small Tortoiseshell(c.6), Small White(1). Cromane Lower, Killorgin, S Kerry, 6/9 

• Clouded Yellow(c.15, 2 "helice"), Common Blue(3m), Small Tortoiseshell(c.8), Meadow Brown(c.8). Rossbehy Dunes, S Kerry, 6/9

• Small Tortoiseshell(2), Small White(2+), Speckled Wood(2-3). nr L. Caragh, S Kerry, 6/9 

• Purple Hairstreak(c.18), Gortnagan Beg, L. Caragh, [V7188],  S Kerry 6/9 
  [5.15-6.00 pm, breezy and then cloudy evening].

• Peacock(1), Speckled Wood(2). Gortnagan Beg, L. Caragh, S Kerry, 6/9 

• Clouded Yellow(3 good condition), Waterville Dunes, S Kerry, 7/9

• Red Admiral(1), Speckled Wood(2-3). Emlaghdreenagh, S Kerry, 7/9 

• Speckled Wood(5), Muingydowda, Waterville,S Kerry, 7/9

• Clouded Yellow(2) on Purple Loosestrife, Large White(1m), Green-veined White(2), Small Tortoiseshell(1). Kildreelig, S Kerry, 7/9 

• Clouded Yellow(1), Speckled Wood(1). Emlaghdreenagh, S Kerry, 7/9 

• Clouded Yellow(1), Roadside nr Waterville, S Kerry, 7/9

• Clouded Yellow(2-3), Small Tortoiseshell(c.6). 1 km. W. of Caherdaniel, S Kerry, 7/9 

• Clouded Yellow(7), Common Blue(1), Small Tortoiseshell(1), Peacock(1-2), Speckled Wood(10). Derrynane Dunes, S Kerry, 7/9

• Clouded Yellow(3-4), Common Blue(1m), Red Admiral(1), Small Tortoiseshell(2), Peacock(3-4), Speckled Wood(2-3), Gatekeeper(3m faded). Derrynane Bay, S Kerry, 7/9

• Small Tortoiseshell(1), Caherdaniel Village, S Kerry, 7/9

• Clouded Yellow(1), Skehanagh Derreens, S Kerry, 7/9

• Clouded Yellow(1), Small Tortoiseshell(1), Peacock(1), Speckled Wood(1). Derreennamucklagh, Sneem, S Kerry, 7/9 

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• Clouded Yellow(5-6, 1-2 "helice"), Common Blue(1m, 1f),, Red Admiral(1-3), Small Tortoiseshell(2), Peacock(1), Speckled Wood(3-4), Grayling(c.5), Meadow Brown(1 faded), Gatekeeper(2-3, m +f). Derreenrickard Lake, S Kerry, 7/96 

• Clouded Yellow(c.5), Large White(1), Small White(1-2), Common Blue(1-3), Red Admiral(2), Small Tortoieshell(c.20)< Peacock(12). Fields & scrub, Kenmare, S Kerry, 7/9, [mainly on Buddleja!]

• Small Tortoiseshell(2-3), Speckled Wood(1). Derrynid, Kenmare, S Kerry, 7/9 

• Grayling(2-3). On heathy rocks near lake, Lough Inchiquin, S Kerry, 7/9 

• Purple Hairstreak(2+) [7.15-7.20 pm], Speckled Wood(2). Feorus Bridge, Kenmare, S Kerry, 7/9 

• Small Tortoiseshell(2), Peacock(1). Beeniskey, Killarney, N Kerry, 8/9 

• Clouded Yellow(2), Small Tortoiseshell(1). Inch Dunes N, S Kerry, 8/9

• Clouded Yellow(c.8, 1 "helice"), Red Admiral(1 flying towards sea), Painted Lady(1) on Sea Rocket, Small Tortoiseshell(4), Peacock(1), Meadow Brown(2). Inch Dunes, S Kerry, 8/9 

• Clouded Yellow(1), Red Admiral(1). Tullig, Inch, S Kerry, 8/9

• Green-veined White(1), Small Tortoiseshell(20), Peacock(4). Curraduff Bridge, Camp, S Kerry, 8/9 

• Clouded Yellow(3, 1 faded), Small Tortoiseshell(2) on Sea Holly, Peacock(1) on Sea Rocket, Meadow Brown(1-2). Castlegregory Dunes, S Kerry, 8/9 

• Small White(1), Lisnagree, Castlegregory, S Kerry, 8/9

• Speckled Wood(1), Ballyseedy, Tralee, N Kerry, 8/9

• Clouded Yellow(2, small faded male, other larger and brighter), Small White(1), Green-veined White(2-3), Common Blue(2m), Painted Lady(1), Small Tortoiseshell(c.15), Speckled Wood(c.8). Dohyle Lough, Rathkeale, Limerick, 9/9 

• Small Tortoiseshell(1), Glenbane East, Askeaton, Limerick, 9/9

• Clouded Yellow(5, some faded, rest bright), Small White(1), Common Blue(4), Red Admiral(1), Painted Lady(1), Small Tortoiseshell(1), Peacock(1). Aughinish E., Barrigone Limerick, 9/9 

• Clouded Yellow(3), Common Blue(1), Read Admiral(1), Painted Lady(3), Small Tortoiseshell(15). Aughinish W., Barrigone, Limerick, 9/9

• Clouded Yellow(1), Common Blue(3m), Red Admiral(1), Small Tortoiseshell(3-5), Speckled Wood(c.6), Craggs. Barrigone R2948 Limerick, 9/9

• Red Admiral(1), Mounttrenchard, Foynes, Limerick, 9/9

• Clouded Yellow(2), Small White(3), Common Blue(4), Small Tortoiseshell(3), Meadow Brown(3-4, several in good condition). Ardaneer, Foynes,Limerick, 9/9 

• Speckled Wood(1), Newton, Askeaton, Limerick, 9/9

• Green-veined White(1), Roadside at Mongan Bog, Offaly, 10/9

• Clouded Yellow(1), Large White(1), Common Blue(1), Small Tortoiseshell(2-3), Speckled Wood(c.6), Meadow Brown(c.4). Esker at Bunthulla, [N0231], Offaly, 10/9

• Large White(1), Small White(1), Common Blue(1), Small Tortoiseshell(1), Speckled Wood(1). End of Bunthulla Esker, [N027313], Offaly, 10/9 

• Small White(1), Small Copper(2 faded), Common Blue(4), Small Tortoiseshell(3), Speckled Wood(2-3). Clorhane [M9827], Offaly, 10/9

• Common Blue(1), Painted Lady(1), Small Tortoiseshell(6). Blackwater Railway [N0329], Offaly, 10/9

• Small White(1), Red Admiral(1), Painted Lady(1), Speckled Wood(1). East end of Mongan Bog [N037303], Offaly, 10/9 

• Common Blue(2), Speckled Wood(1), Meadow Brown(1-2), Small Heath(1-3).
  Castlesampson Esker [M9440], Roscommon, 10/9

• Green-veined White(1), Common Blue(3-4), Red Admiral(2), Painted Lady(1), Small Tortoiseshell(c.15), Peacock(1), Speckled Wood(5), Wall Brown(1m, faded), Meadow Brown(8), Small Heath(1). Breeole, Taghmaconnell [M8641], Roscommon, 10/9 

• Small White(2-3), Small Tortoiseshell(2), Speckled Wood(2-3). St. Johns Wood, L. Ree [M9956], Roscommon, 10/9

Ian Rippey 18th Sept '06

«««

Adrian Phelan: Red Admiral(12),Small Tortoiseshell(6) Painted Lady(1), National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin, Dublin, 16/9

Frank Smyth: Small Tortoiseshell(16), Painted Lady(7), Red Admiral(6), Small White(3), Speckled Wood(8), Clouded Yellow(2 - one egg-laying on birds's-foot-trefoil), Large White(1), Peacock(1), Grayling(1), Holly Blue(1) [the latter two quite worn], Red Rock, Howth, 15/9

Paul Walsh: Red Admiral(1), Boreenmanna Road, Cork City. 13/9;
Painted Lady(1), Boreenmanna Road, Cork City,12/9; 
Clouded Yellow(5), Painted Lady(6), Red Admiral(3), Small Tortoiseshell(1), Speckled Wood(8), Small White(1), Brownstown Hd, Waterford, 10/9;
Clouded Yellow(1), nr Crookhaven, Cork; 
Red Admiral(1), Galley Head, Cork.9/9;
Clouded Yellow(5), Red Admiral(9), Painted Lady(1), Peacock(1), Small Tortoiseshell(21), Speckled Wood(4), Crookhaven/Mizen Head area, Cork, 8/9;

Clouded Yellow(1), Red Admiral(3), Small Tortoiseshell(10), Baltimore; 
Clouded Yellow(1), Lag Bridge (W062291); 
Clouded Yellow(8), Small Tortoiseshell(8), Common Blue(1), Speckled Wood(1), Turk Head peninsula; 
Clouded Yellow(1), Toormore; 
Clouded Yellow(1), Goleen;
Clouded Yellow(9), Red Admiral(1), Small Tortoiseshell(27), Speckled Wood(5), Crookhaven/Mizen Head area.
Co.Cork, 7/9;

Clouded Yellow(3), Red Admiral(2), Small Tortoiseshell(14), Sm White(1), Baltimore; 
Red Admiral(1), Small Tortoiseshell(12), Peacock(1), Green-veined White(1), Lough Ine; 
Clouded Yellow(3), Small Tortoiseshell(5), Meadow Brown(1), Tragumna area;  
Clouded Yellow(12, including 1 'helice'), Small Tortoiseshell(21), Small White(3), Toehead  Bay; 
Clouded Yellow(4) along Skibbereen-Baltimore road.
Co.Cork, 6/9;

Red Admiral(1), Speckled Wood(4), Common Blue(1), Small White(1), Brownstown Hd, Waterford, 3/9;
Clouded Yellow(1), nr Youghal bridge, Waterford, 2/9; 
Clouded Yellow(2), Small Tortoiseshell(51), Helvick Hd, Waterford, 2/9;
Clouded Yellow(4), Inchydoney Isd, Cork, 1/9.

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Brian Danaher: Red Admiral(1), Large White(2), Speckled Wood(1), Deansgrange, Dublin, 12/9

Kevin Hannan: Brown Hairstreak(5), Red Admiral(1), Peacock(3), Small Tortoiseshell(many), Wall Brown(2), Large White(1), Green-veined White(6). Speckled Wood(many), Brimstone(2), Clouded Yellow(1), [Humming-bird Hawkmoth(2)]; Green Road (r2795), The Burren, Clare, 9/9;
Clouded Yellow(2), Green-veined White(10), nr Killorglin, Kerry, 10/9;
Red Admiral, Green-veined White(many), Small White(many), Limerick, 11/9

Deirdre Hardiman: Red Admiral(3), Painted Lady(1), Small Tortoiseshell(10+), Small White(4+), Common Blue(2), Speckled Wood(2), Bog Meadow, Enniskerry, Wicklow, 5/9;
Speckled Wood(10+), Common Blue(1), Milford, Carlow; Red Admiral(2), Speckled Wood(4), Small White(2), Warrington, Kilkenny. 9/9;
Clouded Yellow(2), Small Tortoiseshell(1), Speckled Wood(10), Green-veined White(1), Small White(15+), Peacock(1), Knockadrinna, Kilkenny; Small Tortoiseshell(1), Small White(2), Dunnamaggin, Kilkenny. 10/9

Liam Feeney: Clouded Yellow(6), Small White(7), Common Blue(3), Holly Blue(2), Red Admiral(10), Painted Lady(1), Small Tortoiseshell(15), Peacock(1), Speckled Wood(20), Meadow brown(2), Donabate, Co.Dublin, 8/9

Cóilín MacLochlainn: Red Admiral(1), Speckled Wood [many], Kilteel Wood, [N 9818 2170], Kildare; Holly Blue(1), Rathfarnham, Dublin. 5/9
Clouded Yellow(1), Hellfire Club, Rathfarnham, Dublin (f. Eoin MacLochlainn), 8/9
Red Admiral(2), Speckled Wood(20+) and Common Blue(1 outside the wood), Devil's Glen, Co Wicklow; Holly Blue(1), Dundrum, Dublin. 9/9; 

Eamonn McGlinchey: nr Letterkenny, Donegal, Marsh Fritillary larval web, 9/9 

Frank Smyth: Small Tortoiseshells(24), Rosnowlagh, Donegal,  9/ 9

Ethna Diver: Peacock(60+), Red Admirals( 50+), Silver-washed Fritillaries(24), Small Tortoiseshells(10), Glenveagh Gardens, Donegal, 8/9

Dermot MacLaughlin & Paddy MacCrossan: Clouded Yellow(5), Blanket Nook, Netwowncunningham, 2/5; Clouded Yellow(4), Lisfannan, Donegal, 4/9

«««

Paul Kelly: Clouded Yellow(4), Tachumshin Lake, Wexford, 4/9

Dermot McLaughlin: Clouded Yellows(4), Lisfannan, Donegal, 4/9

Niall T. Keogh, Noel Keogh, Hugh Delaney and Eanna O'Flynn: Clouded Yellows(6+), Tacumshin Lake, Co. Wexford, 3/9

Don Hodgers: Holly Blue(1); Red Admiral(1); Peacock(3); Small White(4); Speckled Wood(2); Small Tortoiseshell (3+). Mill St, Dundalk, Co Louth, 31/8
Clouded Yellow(1); Painted Lady(4); Small Tortoiseshell very numerous; Common Blue(1), Speckled Wood(3); Whites common. Ganderstown Beach, Co Louth, 3/9

Inishowen Wildlife Club members: Clouded Yellows(5), Blanket Nook, Donegal, 2/9 

Kevin Hannan: Small Copper(2), Common Blue(2), Small White(1), near The Bridges of Ross, Clare, 25/8; 
Clouded Yellow(2), Small White(8), Green-veined White(1), Large White(2), Common Blue(3), Speckled Wood(50+), Grand Canal, Limerick, 2/9 

Paul Walsh: Clouded Yellow(2), Red Admiral(1), Small Tortoiseshell(8), Green-veined White(1), Inchydoney Isd, Cork, 29/8;
Red Admiral(1), Small Tortoiseshell(25), Dunmore East, Waterford, 28/8;
Clouded Yellow(1), Red Admiral(3), Small Tortoiseshell(1), Common Blue(3), Small Copper(1), Speckled Wood(3), Brownstown Hd, Waterford, 26/8;
Red Admiral(2), Brownstown Hd, Waterford, 19/8;
Clouded Yellow(3), Painted Lady(1), Red Admiral(5),  Rathmoylan, Waterford, 13/8;
Clouded Yellow(6), Painted Lady(7), Red Admiral(10), Brownstown Hd, Waterford, 12/8;

Ken Bond: Brimstone(1), Cragard, near Barefield, Clare, 28/8/06
Silver-washed Fritillary(2), Dromore Wood, Clare, 29/8/06
Brown Hairstreak(1), Clooncoose, Burren, 29/8/06
Marsh Fritillary(4 larval webs), Cragard North, near Barefield; Marsh Fritillary(2 larval webs), Bunnow Marsh, near Ennis. Clare 28/8/06.

«««

Summary Report of Visit to Donegal By Bob Aldwell and Frank Smyth 
24-27 August 2006

The weather was very broken with substantial rainfall and limited sunshine. It was also rather windy although temperatures rose to about 17 degrees, except on August 25. Significant numbers of butterflies were only seen at three exceptionally well-sheltered sites.

Butterfly Highlights, Inishowen

• 12 Flying species (CB, G, GVW, LW, MB, PL, P, RA, SC, SmT, SW, SpW)

• Second generation CBs on dunes in Inishowen

• LWs widespread as adults and larvae

• PLs and RAs widespread but numbers appeared low

• Peacocks widespread with moderate numbers

• SCs only seen as singles at two sites near Greencastle

August 24: Mainly cloudy-bright with occasional light showers and short sunny periods, temperature of 16-17 degrees. Met Con O’Donnell at Moville. 

• nr Muff (C42) –  at C482 268 rough ground near the Foyle Estuary  and a garden adjoining the main road – saw 6 LW and batch of young larvae on nasturtiums, 2 SpW. Local householder said RAs were plentiful.

• Three Trees (C52) – at C501 290 in garden with flowers and many nasturtiums – 6 LW with two batches of large larvae, 2 SW, 1 RA, 1 P.

• Moville (C63) – visited HB site nr river to check for SWF. No butterflies seen in cloudy conditions.

• Greencastle (C64) – at C652 402 in and around ruined castle – 12 LW, 3 SW, 4 RA, 4 PL, 2 P, 2 SpW. 

• Greencastle (C64) – at C658 405 in sheltered edge of field adjoining the Golf Course – 6 RA larvae

• Ballyboes (C64) - at C647 407 in Con O’Donnell’s garden on nasturtiums – LW larvae batch and 3 SW larvae (final instar). 

August 25: Rain all day – I gave talk on Donegal Butterfly Survey at Dunree Fort, Buncrana. Thanks to the good organisation of Dermot McLaughlin and the members of the Inishowen Wildlife Club, there was an attendance of forty-five. 

August 26: Rain in morning with clearance at midday. Some sunny periods with temperatures up to 16 degrees but also heavy showers and windy. 
Met Karl King, Paddy McCrossan, George McDermott and Dermot McLauglin in Culdaff. 

• Binion (C34) – at C361 482 in low dunes saw a CB and RA. 
  Dunes eroded by land buggies and weather was still rather cloudy and the vegetation was wet after all the rain. 1 CB and 1 RA - Lots of bird’sfoot trefoil - River in spate, so unable to cross it to area of unspoilt dunes and rocky cliffs, which looked to be promising habitat for G and WB.

• Doagh Isle (C44) – at C412 497 on sheltered nettles near football pitch 2 RA larvae

• Doagh Isle (C45) – at C408 500- having entered dune area between Golf Course and low rocky cliffs with rough pasture saw: 7 CB, 4 G, 10 MB, 1 RA.

• Pollan Bay (C35) - at C398 514 in low dunes saw: 1 CB, 1 MB.

• Pollan Bay (C45) – at C400 517 in sheltered grassy area with knapweed and ragworth and some bare stony patches we saw: 2 CB, 1 RA, 1 G, 12 MB.

• Doagh Isle (C45) – at C422 578 on sheltered flowery cliff: 6+LW, 15 CB, 3RA. 6MB

August 27: Sunny to start but torrential downpours from 10.30 –12.30. Gradual brightening in afternoon and up to 17 degrees in the most sheltered spots.

• Carrowtrasna (C64) – at C671 415 in a small rocky quarry face adjoining Foyle Estuary, close to where Con O’Donnell some years ago had seen a WB we saw: 1 LW, 1 PL (faded) and 2 P. A couple of sightings of medium sized brown butterflies could not be identified in the few minutes before the heavy rain.

• Kinnegoe Bay (C64) – at C628 460 in low dunes and rocky cliffs adjoining strand there is good habitat and shelter. Weather was warm but light showers with sunny intervals. We saw 1 LW, 2 GVW, 1 PL, 2 P and 2 SpW (along adjoining hedge. Surprisingly few butterflies considering the amount of bird’s foot trefoil and devil’s bit scabious.

• Carrowtrasna (C64) – at C674 417 in well sheltered corner of a field close to the estuary shore there was plenty of knapweed and lots of butterflies: 3 LW, 6+ SW, 1 SC, 2 PL, 1 SmT, 6+ P, 2 SpW.

• Carrowtrasna (C64) – at C673 415 on grassy area with flowers and rock outcrops we saw: 1 LW, 1 SC.

«««

Other Donegal Butterfly Records in last ten days of August 

George McDermott: Peacock(25+),  Small Tortoiseshell(25+), Red Admiral(10+), Painted Lady(5+), Swan Park butterfly garden, Buncrana (C33), with comparable numbers on most buddleias around Buncrana, 17/8

Maurice Simms: SWF(widespread) and Wall Brown, Portnoo area, 18-21/8.
MF webs(3), with 50-100 black shiny larvae in each. Meadow Brown(120) and Small Copper(seen singly), [ no PLs], (G69/G79), Sheskinmore, 20/8

Paddy McCrossan: Peacock (100+), Red Admiral(50+),  Ballyargus (C53) on 19/8

Eamonn McGlinchey: Small Tortoiseshell (20+), Red Admiral (1), Peacocks (40+ at two sites), near Letterkenny, (C11), Donegal, 21/8.

Sandy Alcorn: Wall Brown (1), Kilult,(B93), Donegal, 21/8.

Pol Cormacain: Wall Brown (widespreads), Glaise Chu (B83), Donegal, last week of August.

Ethna Diver: Peacock (large numbers), LW (many), RA (few) in her garden, Donegal, (C20), mid-August

Danny Gillespie: Clouded Yellow(1), Tawny, Kilcar (G67), Donegal, 27/8
[first report of a 2006 late summer Donegal Clouded Yellow].

Comments
The small numbers of PLs and CYs up to now appears to reflect the relatively poor weather conditions in August. However, as temperatures have remained high there still may be some more of each if early September is warm and sunny.  

Bob Aldwell   1 Sept 2006

«««

Liam Feeney: Large White(1), Small White(2), Green-veined White(1), Holly Blue(2), Common Blue(5), Small Tortoiseshell(30), Peacock(10), Red Admiral(15), Painted Lady(20), Speckled Wood(1), Wall Brown(2), Meadow Brown(1), Ringlet(1), Small Heath(1), brown field site, nr Donabate, Dublin, 27/8

Paul & Andrea Kelly: Clouded Yellow(1f), Ardcath, Meath, 27/8.

Sean Geraty: Clouded Yellow(2), Red Admiral(1), Phoenix Park, Dublin; Purple Hairstreak(3+), Phoenix Park, Dublin, 17 & 20 July

Don Hodgers & Enda Flynn: Holy Blue(15+), Small Copper(4), Grayling(2), Wall Brown(1), Painted Lady(2), Common Blue(3), Peacock, Small White, Meadow Brown, Howth (Bottle Quay-Glenaveena), Dublin, 26/8; Purple Hairstreak(6) [6-7.30 pm], Clara Lara Nature Reserve, Wicklow, 26/8; 
Clouded Yellow(1), Painted Lady(7), Wall Brown(2), Small Tortoiseshell(100's), Peacock (50+), Meadow Brown, 'Whites', Common Blues(many), Clogher Head, Louth, 27/8.

Cóilín MacLochlainn: Purple Hairstreak(7), Ballygannon Wood, Rathdrum, [7.00pm], 22/8

Brian Danaher: Clouded Yellow(2), Small Tortoiseshell(1), Kilcoole, Wicklow, 20/8

David Nash: Clouded Yellow(10+, 1 'helice'), Grayling, Small Copper, Meadow Brown, Small White, Green-veined White, Large White, Painted Lady, Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Common Blue, Ballinoulart, Wexford, 20/8; Clouded Yellow(4+) plus same species at Roney Point, Wexford, 20/8; Clouded Yellow(2+), Holly Blue(1), Red Admiral(1), Peacock, plus same species, Tara Hill, Wexford, 20/8

Breffni Martin: Clouded Yellow(2), Bellurgan, Co.Louth; Clouded Yellow(1), Whitestown Beach, Co.Louth, 16/8; 
Clouded Yellow(2), Rathcor, Co.Louth, 17/8; 
Clouded Yellow(1), Whitestown Beach, Co.Louth; Painted Lady, Meadow Brown, Wall, Small Copper, Common Blue, Peacock, Large White, Small White, Belurgan, Co.Louth, 21/8

«««

Cóilín MacLochlainn
Purple Hairstreak(24+), Vale of Clara Nature Reserve, Wicklow, 5/8
["1000s were almost certainly present in this very large oakwood (partially mixed) as they were seen in every suitable tree examined. Dead calm, warm evening, all records between 6:30-8:30pm".];
Purple Hairstreak(6), Oldbridge, Lough Dan, Wicklow, 20/8 [7.30pm]; 
Purple Hairstreak(3), Laragh Woods, Wicklow, 20/8 [8.15pm]

Don Hodgers: Clouded Yellow(3-4), Painted Lady(4), Small Copper(7), Red Admiral(2), Small Tortoiseshell(10), Peacock(2), Meadow Brown(2), Common Blue(many), Whites(many), Seapoint, Termonfeckin, Louth, 20/8

Deirdre Hardiman: Clouded Yellow(2), Dunnamaggin, Kilkenny, 19/8

Don Hodgers & Enda Flynn: Clouded Yellow(8+), Wall Brown(2), Small Copper(2), Painted Lady(1), Red Admira(1), Peacock, Common Blue, Small Tortoise-shell, Meadow Brown, Small White, Large White, Rathcor, Louth, 14/8

Bob Aldwell: Clouded Yellow(4), Painted Lady, Wall Brown, Common Blue, Speckled Wood, Irishtown Park, Dublin, 18/8

Shane Lombard: Clouded Yellow(1), Waterstown Park, Dublin, 18/8

Jim Goodwin: Essex Skipper (10) 5/8; Essex Skipper(3), 7/8; Essex Skipper(1), 8/8; Essex Skipper(2),18/8. Co Wexford, 

Frank Smyth: Clouded Yellow(4), Red Rock, Howth, Dublin, 17/8

David Nash: Clouded Yellow(6+), The Raven, Kilmuckridge & Morriscastle, Wexford, 13/8;
Small Tortoiseshell (3 adults, 50++ pupae, 50++ caterpillars), Peacock (c.50 larvae), in field with large clumps of well chewed nettles, Ardcroney, Tipperary, 12/8

Frank Smyth: Common Blue(50), Holly Blue(30), Small Copper(6), Large White(7), Green-veined White(1), Painted Lady(15), Red Admiral(7), Speckled Wood(20), Grayling(2), Small Tortoiseshell(1), Meadow Brown(5), Peacock(14), Red Rock, Howth, Dublin, 14/8; Wall Brown(2), Painted Lady(12), Red Admiral(5), Small Tortoiseshell(1), Peacock(8), Large White(3), Small White(1), Meadow BrownI2), Common Blue(1), Holly Blue(14), Speckled Wood(14), Ceanncor Road/Bailey Cliff Walk, Howth, Dublin, 16/8

Josephine O’Donnell: Red Admiral ( 5), on buddleia at her parents’ garden at Crolly (B81), many other RAs around Gweedore district (B82/B92), Donegal, 16/8

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Summary Report of Visit to Donegal by Bob Aldwell August 12-14, 2006

These three days found unfavourable weather conditions with high pressure anchored to the west of Ireland and low pressure stuck in the North Sea and near-Continent. The result in such circumstances is a continual flow of clouds driven by a cold northerly wind with occasional showers and temperatures struggling to reach 15 degrees C. In such conditions, despite the earlier warm weather, butterflies are only likely to be found in Donegal in the most sheltered situations and on south-facing slopes.

Butterfly Highlights

• 14 flying species (CB, G, GVW, LW, MB, PL, P, RA, R, SWF, SC, SW, SpW, WB)

• 12+ Small Coppers seen at Inver Dunes (G87) on August 14

• 20+ Peacocks at Inver Dunes on August 14

• 11 flying species (CB, G, GVW, LW, MB, PL, P, RA, SC, SW, WB) seen at St John’s Point on August 14

• 20 + Speckled Woods seen at Gweebarra Estuary/Cleengort Lane on August 12

August 12: Gweebarra Estuary – Doochary – Crolly (with Frank Smyth)
Cloudy with a series of light showers throughout the afternoon and temperatures 12-15 degrees. The objective of the day was to check a number of west Donegal sites for Purple Hairstreaks.

• Gweebarra Estuary (G79/G89) – This is an area with a number of old oak trees, some of which are well sheltered and catch the evening sun (G7998 9937). Some of the lower branches are within easy reach and can be checked for PH eggs. Despite the promising location no eggs were found and the weather was probably too cold to enable flight by PH adults. This site therefore remains a possible PH location although the failure to find eggs is discouraging.  There are however lots more oaks in this general district. There is also significant bird’s-foot trefoil present at the edge of the estuary, which holds out hope for CB and DS being present there. 
  Butterflies seen were: GVW 2, MB 4, R 8, SWF 1, SpW 20+.
  

• Doochary – Lough Barra road (B80/B90) – this road follows the valley of the Owenwee River and has strips of residual old woodland including oaks and holly. It was hoped to find either PH adults or eggs but none were found. However there was no sunshine and drizzle threatened so together with unseasonably cool temperatures conditions were far from ideal for flying butterflies. This is also a SWF district but these days with heavy sheep grazing there are few nectar sources remaining. 
  No butterflies were seen.
  

• Derrynamansher (B82) – there is a sheltered low south-facing cliff  (B8266 2079) with stunted oaks, which are easy to examine for PH eggs. 
  There are a considerable numbers of old oaks in this district especially at nearby Crolly.
  A heavy rain shower just before we arrived further knocked the temperature and removed any chance of flying butterflies. No eggs were found. 

«««

August 13: Ballyneary – Glencolumkille – Malinbeg – Teelin (with Maurice Simms). Cloudy with occasional drizzle and temperature of about 14 degrees. 
Because of poor weather conditions no butterflies were seen. 

• Ballyneary (G68) – checking nasturtiums in a garden at (G610 841) for LW larvae. None found.

• Glencolumkille (G58) – checked estuary habitat at G525 852 suitable for G, SB, WB but the weather was damp and no butterflies were seen.

• Malinbeg (G47) - checked fields and cliff area at (G4890 7983 and G4899 7991) – vegetation much reduced since visit in late July with most thistles gone to seed and remaining meadow cut. No butterflies seen and only empty tents of PL larvae. Noted sorrel in banks and there is potential for Small Copper.

• Malinbeg  (G48) - checked nettles near pier at (G4932 8001) found one 2^nd instar RA larva.

• Oughig (G48) – checked thistles on cliff near car park at (G4929 8271) and saw two old PL larval tents

• Teelin (G57) – Checked cabbages in garden at G 5852 7685 no LW or SW larvae.

• Derries (G89) – checked nettles at G8017 9280 and found two RA larvae.

August 14: Glenties – Doorian – St John’s Point – Inver. Dunes cloudy with some drizzle but a little warmer at coast with temperatures of about 15 degrees.

• Glenties (G89) - checked vegetable garden of Francie McLoone at Naran Rd, Glenties at (G8147 9465) for Small White. No signs of larvae on cabbages, turnips or nasturtiums.

• Doorian (89) - visited organic farm of Thomas Becht at Doorian at (G8321 9278). In cloudy conditions saw one GVW and one SpW settled on vegetation.

• Went to St John’s Point where the vegetation was in excellent condition with swathes of knapweed mingling with freshly flowering Devil’s-bit Scabious. Although there was no sun and occasional drizzle there were lots of different butterflies in the areas well sheltered from the northerly wind. 
  In the course of a couple of hours I saw: CB1, G1, GVW 3, LW 2, MB 4+, Pl 1, P 4+, RA 2 and one small larva, SC 1, SW1, WB 3. 
  I walked along the south facing slopes at about G7063 6894 and saw one group of 1st instar Marsh Fritillary larvae. I did not check for MF larvae in their usual area due to the number of flying  butterflies. 
  I was disappointed not to see any Clouded Yellows as this is suitable site for them.

• Inver Dunes (G87) – I checked along the beach-facing eroding dunes. The weather was a little warmer and there was even a hint of sunshine.  Again the vegetation was in very good condition. 
  In all I saw: G 1, LW 1, PL 2, P 20+, RA 1, R 1, SC 12, SW 8. Inver is one of the good Donegal SC sites and there also are often many SmTs. 
  The absence of any Tortoiseshells at Inver or St John’s Point suggests that they are in the process of producing a second 2006 generation, at these warm locations. The Grayling is welcome as this is the only known site for the species on 10km square G87. No signs of hoped for Wall Browns.

The large migrant butterfly invasion in early June, followed by the warm weather in July enabled many butterflies to breed successfully and their offspring are beginning to appear. Given reasonable weather over the next few weeks exceptionally large numbers of butterflies are likely to be seen. Already unusually large numbers of Common Blues, Green-veined Whites and Large Whites have been reported in some areas and Red Admirals are making their appearance together with large numbers of Peacocks. Painted Ladies should soon become increasingly noticeable once more and the chances are good of the scarce Clouded Yellow appearing again.

Bob Aldwell 16/08/06

«««

Sean Geraty: Clouded Yellow(1) in the dunes, the Raven Nature Reserve, Wexford, 2/8;
Clouded Yellow(1), on grassland near the 15 acres area, Phoenix Park, Dublin, 14/8 

Ken Bond: Silver-washed Fritillary(6), Muckross, Killarney, Kerry, 13/8; 
Marsh Fritillary(53 larval webs), Cloghanelgeragh, nr Lyracurmpane, N Kerry, 13/8

Anne Kilmer: Silver-washed Fritillary(1), Clouded Yellow(2+), Peacock(10), Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell(1), Green-veined White, Speckled Wood, Square M06, Mayo, c.12/6
[First record of SWF from this 10 km square. Anne also reports a blackbird who specialises in butterfly snacks]

Paddy McCrossan: Peacock ( 26), Speckled Wood ( 20+), Small Tortoiseshell ( 10+), nr Muff (C42), Donegal, 5/8;
Green-veined White (100+), LargeWhite (100+), Small Tortoiseshell (8), Speckled Wood ( 5), Inch Lake, Donegal, 12/8 

Maurice Simms: Red Admiral on buddleia in his garden, Portnoo (G69), Donegal, 12/8 

Butterfly Conservation Meeting, L. Corrib & L. Carra area: records 5-6 August
(18 species seen and a new site for Purple Hairstreak nr Spiddal)

• Silver-washed Fritillary(7), Red Admiral(1), Painted Lady(1), Large Whtie(1), Buddleja bush nr Roscahill Wood, Galway, 5/8;
  Brown Hairstreak(20), Silver-washed Fritillary(15+), Brimstone(2), Small Copper(4), Peacock(5+), Meadow Brown(30+), Ringlet(20+), Speckled Wood(5), Green-veined White(3+), Grayling(1), Small Heath(2+), nr Corranelistrum, Galway, 5/8; 
  Meadow Brown(2+),  Speckled Wood(1), Purple Hairstreak(4+), Spidéal Thiar, Galway, 5/8;

• Silver-washed Fritillary(15+), Small Copper(5), Meadow Brown, Ringlet, Peacock(10+), Green-veined White, Speckled Wood, Painted Lady(1), Red Admiral(1), Brimstone(2), Ballykine Wood, nr Clonbur, 6/8;  
  Small Copper(5), Peacock(10), Meadow Brown(20+), Ringlet(10+), Painted Lady(3), Green-veined White(5), Speckled Wood(5), Drumsheel Lower, nr Cong, Mayo, 6/8; 
  Wall Brown(4), Peacock(10), Meadow Brown(50), Ringlet(3), Small Heath(6), Large White(1), Small White(1), Common Blue(1), Speckled Wood,(5), Painted Lady(5), Grayling(1), Small Coppr(6), Gortatober, Glencorrib, Mayo, 6/8; 
  Brimstone(15), Meadow Brown(6), Small Heath(6), Peacock(4), Keel Bridge, Partry, Mayo, 6/8; 
  Purple Hairstreak(2+), Silver-washed Fritillary(6), Meadow Brown, Ringlet, Brimstone(2), Speckled Wood, Green-veined White, Derrymore Bridge, nr Partry, Mayo, 6/8.

Dermot & Danny McLaughlin: Green-veined White (1000+), Tortoiseshell (25), Peacock ( 10+), Large White (numerous), Inch Lake, (C32), Donegal, 6/8 

George McDermott: Grayling (3), Five Fingers Strand (C45), Donegal, 5/8 

Ken Bond: Butterfly records 27 July-9 August 2006
(More “important” species & locations only, plus migrants)

• Marsh Fritillary: (7 larval webs), Ballydoogan Bog, near Loughrea, Galway 27/7; 
  (2 larval webs), Annaghmore, S. of Glenamaddy, Galway 27/7; 
  (1 larval web), Ardagh Bog, Roscommon [M79] 27/7; 
  (10 larval webs), Cloonreleagh near Mount Bellew Bridge, Galway, 6/8; 
  (90 larval webs), Ballydoogan Bog, Galway, 7/8.

• Clouded Yellow, Small Copper (3), Painted Lady (2), Red Admiral, Knockakeo: E. Cork, 5/8/06

• Small Copper: Listrolin, Kilkenny, 5/8

• Painted Lady: Cloonacullin Bog, near Banagher, Offaly, 6/8

• Wall Brown: 4 on limestone wall by Dublin-Galway rail line, Ardnaglug, Roscommon, 6/8

• Small Copper (3), Silver-washed Fritillary (2), Peacock (12): Ballydoogan Bog, Galway, 7/8

• Silver-washed Fritillary, Red Admiral: Kilkeeran, Partry, Mayo, 9/8 

«««

Brian Nelson: Galway,  4-8 August 2006

    Portumna, 4th-7th August 

• Peacock - present at most sites in small numbers. 

• Silver-washed Fritillary - aggregations of small numbers of adults frequent on brambles in forest park and on wooded lanes widely in area. 

• Holly Blue(1) in Portumna (Dennis Weir) and also in forest park

• Common Blue(1 male) in forest park

• Brimstone(1) in forest park (Maurice Hughes)

• Meadow Brown, Ringlet and Green-veined White all numerous & Large White

    Oughterard area, 7th-8th August 

• Silver-washed Fritillary present in many sites in small numbers

• Brown Hairstreak 1 seen in a small clump of hawthorn and blackthorn on the limestone pavement at Corranellistrum M195408 (Brad Robson and Matthew Tickner)

• Peacock - present at most sites in small numbers

• Small Tortoiseshell one seen only on L. Corrib shore

• Small Copper

• Common Blue

• Large White

• Small Heath, Meadow Brown, Ringlet and Green-veined White all numerous

    Ower, Lough Corrib, 7th-8th August 

    A small patch of dry, rough grassland with abundant knapweed between the esker 
    ridge and the bog to the north had 11 species: 

• Common Blue (5), Small Heath (2), Meadow Brown (15), Ringlet (1), Red Admiral (1), Painted Lady (1), Small Copper (2), Green-veined White (10), Large White (1), Speckled Wood (1).

«««

David Cooke: Clouded Yellow(2), Dunderrow, Kinsale, 8/8; 
Clouded Yellow(1), Skanagore, nr Innishshannon, Cork, 8/8; 
Clouded Yellow(1 helice) Garretstown Wood, nr Kinsale, 9/8. 
Many Peacock, Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell & Gatekeeper at the three sites 8-9/8

Paul Walsh: Clouded Yellow(1), Painted Lady(4), Crosshaven (Cork), 8/8; 
Painted Lady(8), Red Admiral(12), Common Blue(3), Small Copper(1), Speckled Wood(1), Meadow Brown(3), Green-veined White(1+), Brownstown Hd, Waterford, 7/8; 
Painted Lady(1), Brownstown Hd, Waterford, 6/8. 
Clouded Yellow(1), Small Tortoiseshell(1), Corballymore, (Waterford, X6399), 5/8; 
Painted Lady(2), Red Admiral(7),Common Blue(1), Small Copper(1), Meadow Brown(8), Brownstown Hd, Waterford, 5/8; 
Peacock(10), Small Tortoiseshell(1), Small White(1), Belle Lake, Waterford, 5/8;  
Painted Lady(2), inside Skinner UV moth-trap, Brownstown Hd, (Waterford, X69), overnight 4/8.

Brian Danaher: Brimstone, Green-veined White, Large White, Peacock, Meadow Brown, Ringlet, Painted Lady, Annaghdown, Lough Corrib, Galway, 4-6/8

Kevin Hannan: Clouded Yellow(1+), Red Admiral(1), Peacock(20+), Common Blue, Small White, Speckled Wood, Large White(3), Green-veined White(3), Small Copper(2 mating), Painted Lady(1), Meadow Brown(4), Ringlet(1), Small White, Small Tortoiseshell(10+), nr University of Limerick, 7/8

Adrian Phelan: Silver-washed Fritillary(1), Holly Blue(1), Meadow Brown(3), Speckled Wood(2), Small White(5), Ballycuggeran, Killaloe, Clare, 4/8;  Peacock(20), Painted Lady(5), Holly Blue(5), Common Blue(1), Meadow Brown(3), Small White, Large White, National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin, Dublin, 7/8

Freddie Walsh: Clouded Yellow(50, helice 8), Grayling(12), Meadow Brown(100+ faded), Small Copper(4), Common Blue(60), Green-veined White(20 ), Large White(10), Small Tortoiseshell(8), Peacock(6), Painted Lady(60), Dark Green Fritillary(1 faded), Wall Brown(4), Ballyteigue Burrows, Wexford, 7/8

D Hardiman & D Nash: Small Copper(1), Purple Hairstreak(4), Peacock(2), Small Tortoiseshell(1), Small White(2), Large White(1), Green-veined White(30+), Speckled Wood(6), Meadow Brown(4), Ringlet(3), Glenmalure, Wicklow, 7/8

Adrian Phelan: Peacock(20), Painted Lady(5), Small Tortoiseshell(1), Holly Blue(5), Common Blue(1), Meadow Brown(3), Whites (numerous), National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin, Dublin, 7/8
Silver-washed Fritillary(1), Holly Blue(1), Meadow Brown(3), Speckled Wood(2), Small White(5), Ballycuggeran near Killaloe, Co Clare, 4/8

«««

Angus Tyner: Common Blue(1), Holly Blue(2), Kilcroney, Ashford, Wicklow, 5/8

D Hardiman & D Nash: Wicklow, Clare and Galway, 3rd August & 24th-30th July.

• Purple Hairstreak(4), Holly Blue(6), Peacock(2), Speckled Wood(1), Green-veined White(8), Glen of the Downs; 
  Purple Hairstreak(6), Holly Blue(30+), Common Blue(1), Silver-washed Fritillary(2), Red Admiral(2), Peacock(6), Green-veined White(5), Small White(1), Meadow Brown(6), Speckled Wood(30+), Dargle Valley, Enniskerry.
  Warm sunny day, Wicklow, 3/8

• Small Copper(2), Red Admiral(1), Peacock(1), Green-veined White(10+), Speckled Wood(10+), Meadow Brown(6), Clooniff, Moycullen;
  Silver-washed Fritillary(3), Small Copper(1), Large White(1), Small White(1), Ballyquirke Lake, Moycullen. 
  Occasional sunshine but mainly wet & windy, Galway, 30/7

• Common Blue(1), Silver-washed Fritillary(2), Peacock(1), Green-veined White(5), Meadow Brown(10), Ringlet(10+), Humming-bird Hawk Moth(2), Magpie Moth(2), Clooncoose. Occasional sunshine but mainly cloudy & windy, Clare, 29/7.
  
  Peacock(5), Small Copper(4), Silver-washed Fritillary(10), Holly Blue(1), Small Tortoiseshell(2), Red Admiral(1), Meadow Brown(50+), Ringlet(50+), Green-veined White(20), Large White(1). Warm sunny day, Ballynagard, Clare, 25/7
  
  Peacock(5), Small Tortoiseshell(1), Silver-washed Fritillary(3), Wood White(4), Small White(3), Green-veined White(2), Grayling(2), Meadow Brown(20+), Ringlet(20+), Ballyeighter, Clare, 24/7

Paul Walsh: Painted Lady(1), Ram Hd. and Red Admiral(1), Ardmore Hd. Co.Waterford, 2/8;
Painted Lady(13), Red Admiral(4), Small Tortoiseshell(1), Peacock(2), Common Blue(5), Small Copper(5), Speckled Wood(1), Ringlet(3), Meadow Brown (51), Green-veined White(2+), Small White(5+), Brownstown Hd. Co.Waterford, 30/7;
Peacock(4), Speckled Wood(4), Meadow Brown(2), Green-veined White(15+), Belle Lake, Co.Waterford, 30/7;
Painted Lady(8), Red Admiral(3), Small Copper(3), Common Blue(2), Ringlet(1), Meadow Brown(33), Green-veined White(3+), Brownstown Hd. Co.Waterford, 29/7.

Angus Tyner: Peacock(c.50), Painted Lady(4), Red Admiral(4), Small Tortoiseshell(4), Meadow Brown(5), Large White(4+), Small White(3+), Green-veined White(1+), Kilcroney, Ashford, Wicklow, 2/8; Clouded Yellow, Kilcroney, Ashford, Wicklow, 29/7. 

Kevin Hannan: Painted Lady, Small copper(1), many Meadow Brown, Green-veined White, Speckled Wood and Small white, Doonass [R653-619], Co.Clare 27/7;
Silver-washed Fritillerys(2), pathway to UL by the Shannon [R598-578]; Red Admirals(3), Peacocks(2)  Small Copper(1), many Green-veined White, Speckled Wood and Small white, nearby meadow, Limerick, 30/7

David Dillon: Red Admiral(35), Painted Lady(52), Peacock(80); Green-veined White(17), Speckled Wood(12), Small White(9), Large White(1), Common Blue(1male), Holly Blue(2). Meadow Brown(many) & Ringlet (few), Turvey, Donabate, Dublin, 30/7

«««

Bob Aldwell: Summary Report of Visit to Donegal, July 22- July 28, 2006
* New 10km sq records

Butterfly Highlights

• 14 flying species (CB, DGF, G, GVW, LW, MB, PL, P, RA, R, SWF, SmT, SW, SpW)

• Grayling seen on G57 at Kilbeg and in large numbers at Bunbeg and Glashagh(B82)

• Large numbers of SW in field with cabbages at Mullaghdoo (B72)

• Small Tortoiseshells in fair numbers and on two new 10km squares.

• Large numbers of PL larvae at Malinbeg (G47).

• Six new 10km sq records 

 July 22–warm but rather cloudy, deteriorating to rain in late afternoon – Pettigoe area (With Frank Smyth)

• nr Pettigoe (H16) – in field with many thistles/ragworth (at H1119 6753); GVW 12+, MB, RA (worn), *SmT 1, but no signs of PL larvae.

• Lettercran Rd (H17) – on thistles nr roadside (at H1345 7022); GVW 1,  SmT 1.

• Sth of Grousehall (H17) – in small garden (at H1478 7306); MB 1, R1, SmT 1.
  Weather deteriorated and attempts to check for PH at Ardnamona abandoned due to rain.

 July 23– Cloudy bright and warm – North Donegal Bay and Glencolumbkille District.

• Kilbeg (G57) – nr pier on fresh nettles (at G5968 7550); GVW 1, RA –L 6+

• Kilbeg (G57)- rocky overhang along road (at G5970 7562); *G 1, MB 1, RA 1, R 2. Meet with Andrew White from Armagh, who also had seen Graylings at a nearby site.

• Malinbeg (G47) – disturbed ground near cliff top (at G4920 7904); GVW 1, MB 1, PL–L 2, RA –L 4.

• Malinbeg (G48) – roadside verges (at G4922 8267); *R 2.

 July 24– Bright early but occasional heavy showers in afternoon - Meenaveale – Curraghamoan – Creggan - Derries

• Meenaveale (G99) – small overgrown former kitchen garden (at G9025 9569); GVW 10+, MB,  R, SmT 4

• Meenaveale (G99) – nr deserted house  (at G9134 9616); GVW 4, R 2, SmT 2

• Meenaleenaghan (G99) – vegetated roadside quarry (at G9255 9654); P-L 400, R 10+

• Meenanarwa (G99) – at edge of conifer forestry (at 9370 9750); MB 2, R 10+

• Curraghamoan (H19) – on large buddleia (at H1121 9626); MB 2, R 10+, SmT 6. Spoke to Michael Gallagher, who told me Buddleia was taken from slip in Clonmany.

• Creggan (H19) –on buddleia in Veronica McCormick’s garden (at 1199 9590); HBHM 1

• Derries (G89) – in garden (at G8018 9281); GVW 10+, MB 1, RA-L 1, R 10+, SmT1

July 25 – mainly bright, warm and sunny but clouded over at 19.20 at Gweebarra. 

Doochary - Lough Barra - Letterbrick - Cloghan – Stranorlar – Drumkeen - Cloghroe –Steeple – Gweebarra Bridge

• Doochary-Lough Barra road (B90) - roadside (at B9006 0952); GVW 2, MB 2, R 3, Vainly searched for SWF. Habitat and weather marginal, a few brambles only nectar sources.

• Letterbrick (C00) – Lovely roadside garden of Cynthia Cox (at C0118 0113); GVW 2, RA-L 4, R 1. Cynthia said 2 RA were present earlier in the day.

• Nr Ballybotemple (H09) – on buddleias in roadside garden (at H0553 9712); SmT 10.

• Curraghamoan (H19) – large buddleia, close to house of Michael Gallagher (at H1121 9626); GVW 4, RA 1, R, SmT 10+. See also July 24.

• Cloghroe (C10) – in conifer clearing (at C1404 0062); GVW 2, MB 1, R 10+. Cinnebar larvae 100+ on Ragworth.

• Steeple (H19) – in wide path in coniferous wood (at H1811 9876); GVW 4, R 6+, SpW 1

• Steeple (H19) – along track (at H1810 9846); GVW 1, R 1, SpW 1.

• Cleengort Lane (G79) – along lane (at G7991 9939) observing three oaks for PH at 19.15. Sun only lasted for about five minutes. One possible PH sighting on middle oak but I could not get a certain viewing and sun then went behind clouds; GVW 1, SWF 3, SpW 2. 

 July 26 – Warm and sunny with occasional cloud and one shower - Meeaneary –Glencolumbkille – Glen Head - Malinbeg.

• Meenaneary (G68)– on buddleia in garden (at G6068 8385); GVW 1, RA 1, R 1, SmT 6

• Glen Head side of Estuary (G58) –near edge of estuary (at G5240 8527); GVW 1, MB 1, P 1. Along this side of estuary habitat has good potential for G, SB and WB

• South side of Glen Head (G58) – on blanket bog and along cliff edge below Glen Head (at G5211 8595) with cross-leafed heath and bird’sfoot trefoil, CB 1, GVW 1, MB 4,    R 1.

• nr Glen Head (G58) – roadside pit with nettles (at G5218 8595); RA –L 6.

• Malinbeg (G47) – nr cliff top (at G4921 7983); GVW 2, PL –L 1, RA 1, *SmT 1

• Malinbeg (G47) – in grazed fields (at G4890 7983); MB 1, PL 1, SmT 1

• Malinbeg (G47) – in field nr national monument with nettles & thistles (at G4899 7991); MB 1, PL 1 and 10++ L, RA 1, SmT 1.

• Malinbeg (G47) – on vegetated cliff-side (at G4926 7985); *CB 1, G 1

July 27 – warm with intermittent sunshine, mostly at the coast –The Rosses - Gweebarra Bridge - Glenties.

• Port an Chaisleain (B71) – small area of dunes and adjoining low granite hillsides with wild flowers (at B7139 1699); CB 4, MB 3, R 2.

• Port an Chaisleain (B71) – vegetated low cliff with yellow flowering wild crucifers and nettles (at B7136 1697); RA-L 4, SW 6.

• Machaire Chlochair (B72) – machair with eroding dunes (at B7979 2481); CB 2, B 6+, MB 3, SmT 1.

• Machaire Chlochair (B72) – machair with eroding dunes (at B7984 2498); G 6+, MB 4.

• Machaire Chlochair (B72) – machair with eroding dunes (at B7989 2500); DGF 1, G 3,    MB 3, PL 1.

• Machaire Chlochair (B72) – machair with damp area and pit with garden wastes with nettles (at B7996 2492); DGF 1, GVW 2, RA 1. Also female HBHM at lady’s bedstraw.

• Glashagh (B82) – eroding dunes with many thistles (at B8002 2949); DGF 1, G 10+,  PL 1.

• Brinlack (B83) – garden with buddleia (at 8339 3095); SmT 1.

• Mullaghdoo (B72) – in field with cabbages - lots of whites (at B7688 2059); GVW 1, LW 6+, *SW 10+, also many dozens of LW larvae on cabbages.

• Glenties (G89) – in garden of Francie McLoone of Naran Road on cabbages and turnips, (at G8147 9465); LW-L 6+.

• Cleengort Lane (G79) –roadside on brambles (at G7990 9949); SWF 6, R 2, SpW 2

• Cleengort Lane (G89) – on brambles (at G8003 9947); SWF 1.

Summary of Main Butterfly Highlights in Donegal in July 2006
July 2006 was exceptionally warm and sunny and followed on from what had been a unusually good June with hundreds of Marsh Fritillaries at Cruit (B71/B72) and Glashagh (B 82/B83) and a huge influx of migrants to Donegal in the first week of June. Major items in July were:

• Thousands of Dark Green Fritillaries, Common Blues and Ringlets on Doagh Isle (C45) on July 15 reported by Paddy McCrossan

• One very faded Clouded Yellow at Rossnowlagh Lr (G86) on July 17 reported by Frank Smyth, which followed on that seen at Lisfannon (C32) on June 30 by Terry Tedstone.

• Seventy+ Silver-washed Fritillaries at Cleengort Lane (G79/G89) on July 28 and sixteen  SWF at Lough Eske (G98) on July 26 all reported by Ethna Diver.  Single SWF at Steeple Wood (H19) on July 16 reported by Stuart Dunlop and at Carnowen (H29) on July 15 seen  by Ralph Sheppard, each of which are new 10km records for this species.

• Several Ringlets were seen on Tory Island (B84) on July 13 by Sandy Alcorn and are a new 10km square record for R.

• Common Blues and Ringlets at Glen Lough River Valley (G59) on July 13 reported by Frank Smyth and are new 10km square records for CB and R.

• Four possible/probable sightings of Purple Hairstreaks at Ardnamona (G98) on the evening of July 26 by Frank Smyth. PH remains to be confirmed in Donegal but it seems only a matter of time before a satisfactory sighting is obtained at Ardnamona or Gweebarra Bridge.

 Bob Aldwell, 31/07/06

«««

David Cooke: Clouded Yellow(1), Gatekeeper(many), Red Admiral(2), Small Tortoiseshell(4), Peacock(5), Common Blue(2), Green-veined White & Small white (many), Ringlet & Meadow Brown (many), Russel Hill, near Brinny, Co.Cork, 24/7;
Peacock(20+), Red Admiral(2), Small Tortoiseshell(2), Holly Blue(1), Speckled Wood(4), Small White & Green-veined White, Currabinny Wood, Carrigaline, Cork, 25/7

Kevin Hannan: Silver-washed Fritillary(3), Peacock(2), Small Tortoiseshell(1), Ringlet & Meadow Brown (abundant), Small Whites & Green-veined (abundant), Curragh Chase, Limerick, 23/7;
Small Copper(1), Small Whites (many), Green-veined White (many), Shannon Fields [R597-580], Limerick city, 24/7;
Silver-washed Fritillary(9), Green-veined White(2), Small White(1), Meadow Brown(4), Cratloe [R495 608], Co.CLare, 25/7;
Grayling(7), Dark Green Fritillary(30-40), Small Heath(100+), Common Blue(10+), Wood White(1), Small White(6), Ringlet & Meadow Brown (abundant), Green-veined White(6), Brimstone(2, both with damaged wings), the Burren [R280 952], Co.Clare, 25/7

Paul Walsh: Butterfllly records, Co.Waterford, 1-23 July 2006

Clouded Yellow(1), Painted Lady(1), Red Admiral(2), Small Tortoiseshell(2), Ringlet(2), Meadow Brown(2), Small White(12+), Goish Bridge (X1388) near Aglish, 23/7.
Painted Lady(1), Red Admiral(1), Brownstown Head (X6298), 23/7.
Painted Lady(2), Red Admiral(3), Ringlet(7), Small Tortoiseshell(2), Gatekeeper(3), Small Heath(1), near Kilmeaden Pools (S5107), 22/7.
Gatekeeper(4), Ringlet(1), Meadow Brown(9), Coolrattin near Knockaderry Reservoir (S40), 22/7.
Red Admiral(2), Ballinaspick (X0394) near Tallow, 19/7.
Red Admiral(3), Killahaly Wood (X0894) near Cappoquin, 19/7.
Red Admiral(1), Silver-washed Fritillary(2), Speckled Wood(1), Small Tortoiseshell(1), Meadow Brown(1), Ballyrafter Wood (X0599) near Lismore, 19/7.
Red Admiral(2), Silver-washed Fritillary(4+), Lowry Bridge/Whitestown (S4114), 16/7.
Silver-washed Fritillary(1), Ringlet(2), Common Blue(1), Meadow Brown(1), Curraghtaggart (S212),16/7.
Red Admiral(2), Painted Lady(1), Brownstown Head, 16/7.
Red Admiral(1), Silver-washed Fritillary(5), Ringlet(24), Meadow Brown(8), Speckled Wood(1), Portlaw/Curraghmore (S41),15/7.
Painted Lady(2), Small Tortoiseshell(1), Ringlet(4), Ardmore Head (X1977), 13/7.
Red Admiral(1), Hacketstown (X2782) near Mine Head, 13/7.
Red Admiral(5), Meadow Brown(12), Ringlet(1), Small Tortoiseshell(3), Kilmeaden Pools (S5107), 9/7.
Ringlet(7), Meadow Brown(5), Common Blue(1), Ballyshunnock Reservoir (S4509), 9/7.
Red Admiral(1), Brownstown Head, 8/7.
Red Admiral(2), Small Tortoiseshell(2), Meadow Brown(17), Speckled Wood(4), Ringlet(20), Small Heath(1), near Kilclooney Forest (S30/S31), 2/7.
Red Admiral(9), Meadow Brown(6), Brownstown Head, 1/7.

«««

William Brush: Holly Blue (female, laying eggs on ivy), nr Emyvale, Monaghan, 22/7

Ken Bond: Red Admiral(2), Painted Lady(2), Silver-washed Fritillary(1), Holly Blue(2), Peacock(2 - fresh brood), Curraghbinny, Cork, 20/7

Kevin Hannan: Wood White(1), Limerick City, 20/7 
[This is 3rd site report for Wood White in past 10 days - also Westmeath & Clare - indicating a second brood emergence]

David Nash: Large Heath(1), Annagh, Birr, Tipperary, 17/7; 
Green Hairstreak(2-3, in good condition), Brimstone(1), Annagh, Tipperary, 17/7; 
Brimstone(1), Moneygall, Offaly, 18/7

Ken Bond: 

• Holly Blue: (1), Dublin City (Bachelor’s Walk), 13/7;

• Small Blue: (2 larvae), in quarry, Blackwater Head, Wexford, 15/7;

• Common Blue: (3) near Abbeyleix, Laois, 17/7;

• Painted Lady: (1), Greystones (Rathdown), Wicklow, 13/7; 
  (1), Ballyvaldon, Wexford, 15/7; 
  (2), Ballyconnigar Wood, Wexford, 16/7

• Red Admiral: (1), Cahore Point, Wexford, 15/7;
  (7), Ballyvaldon, Wexford, 15/7; 
  (2), Ballyconnigar Wood, Wexford, 16/7;  
  (4), Ballymackesy Wood, Clonroche, Wexford, 16/7; 
  (1), Pass of the Plumes, Laois, 17/7

• Dark-green Fritillary: (12), Cahore Point, Wexford, 15/7; 
  Many [10+], Sheep’s Head, West Cork, 16/7 (per Pat Whelan)

• Silver-washed Fritillary: (2), Killarney Nat. Pk, Kerry, 16/7 (per Pat Whelan);   
  (4), Ballymackesy Wood, Clonroche, Wexford, 16/7/06;   
  (3), near Abbeyleix, Laois, 17/7; 
  (1), near Camross, Laois, 17/7

• Gatekeeper: (8), Ballyconnigar Wood [T13], Wexford, 16/7

Deirdre Hardiman: Red admiral(1), Small Tortoiseshell(2), Small White(7), Herbert Park, Dublin,18/7; 
Holly Blue(2), Small White(1), RHK (IMMA), Dublin, 18/7; 
Grayling(15+), Small Tortoiseshell(2), Red Admiral(4), Painted Lady(1), Small White(4), Meadow Brown(40+), Ringlet(10+), Humming-bird Hawk Moth(2), Bray Head (South),19/7; Painted Lady larvae (numerous), cliff walk Donabate to Portrane, 21/7

David Dillon: Holly Blue(4), Portmarnock, Dublin, 18/7;  
Red Admiral(1), Common Blue(1), Meadow Brown(25), Ringlet(c.40), Knock Pond, Balrothery, Dublin, 13/7

David Cooke: Gatekeeper, Ballyfeard, Cork,15/7; 
Clouded Yellow(1), Silver-washed Fritillary(3), Small Tortoiseshell(5), Painted Lady(5), Small Copper(1), Knoppoge Wood, near Kilbrittain, Cork, 17/7

Fred Walsh: Silver-washed fritillary(10), Meadow Brown(30), Ringlet(30), Small Heath(1), laneway near Waterford Airport(S627065), 16/7; 
Dark-green fritillary(2), Painted Lady(2), numerous Meadow Brown and Ringlet, Ballagh(T0206), Wexford, 15/7;
Silver-washed Fritillary(40), numerous Meadow Brown and Ringlet, Castlemorris Wood(S4935), Kilkenny, 16/7

«««

Deirdre Hardiman: 

• Common Blue(4), Small Tortoiseshell(2), Red Admiral(1), Wood White(4), Green-veined White(2), Meadow Brown(30+), Ringlet(20+), Tyrrelspass, Westmeath, 13/7; 

• Small Tortoiseshell(1), Green-veined White(3), Meadow Brown(6), Ringlet(3), Ballynacally, Clare,14/7;
  Silver-washed Fritillary(6), Small Tortoiseshell(2), Green-veined White(10+), Meadow Brown(10+), Ringlet(4), Speckled Wood(6), Ballynagard (R278620), Clare, 14/7; 
  Silver-washed Fritillary(1), Meadow Brown and Ringlet(plentiful), Green-veined White(8), Ballyduneen (R157627), Clare, 14/7;

• Silver-washed Fritillary(20+), Red Admiral(1), Small Tortoiseshell(2), Small White(1), Meadow Brown, Ringlet and Speckled Wood(plentiful), Thomastown (S595401), Kilkenny, 16/7; 
  Silver-washed Fritillary(10+), Meadow Brown and Ringlet(plentiful), Speckled Wood(10+), Green-veined white(6, two seen puddling), Glenfane Woods (S613450), Kilkenny, 16/7

Kevin Hannan: Silver-washed Fritillary(10), Kildysert(R2456), Clare, 13/7

Ken Bond: Common Blue(2 sites adults & larvae), Small Blue(larvae - Dog's Head & Kilmurvey), Inishmore, Aran Islands, Galway, 5/7; Silver-washed Fritillary(1), nr Minane Bridge, Cork, 9/7; Gatekeeper(1), Grayling, Robert's Head, Cork, 9/7; Red Admiral(6), Painted Lady(1), Gortigrenane, Cork, 9/7

Angus Tyner: Silver-washed Fritillary(3), Speckled Wood(3), Bolger's Cottate,Upper Lake Glendalough; Ringlet(20), Meadow Brown(10), Speckled Wood(2), Upper Lake Carpark, Glenddalough, Wicklow, 11/7

Deirdre Hardiman: Ringlet(8), Meadow Brown(10+), Small Tortoiseshell(15+), Bog Meadow, Wicklow, 10/7; Small Tortoideshell(1), roof garden, Sandyford, Dublin. Small White(1), Dundrum, Dublin. Small Tortoiseshell(2), Nutley Park, Dublin. 11/7    

David Nash: Holly Blue(1), Nutley Park, Donnybrook, Dublin, 10/4

Kevin Hannan: Silver-washed Fritillary(21), Meadow Brown(many), Ringlet(many), Wood White(2), Red Admiral(3), Speckled Wood(2), Maughan Fort, Newmarket-on-Fergus, Clare, 9/7

David Dillon: Ringlet(613++), Meadow Brown(110++), Common Blue(2), Clouded Yellow(1), Large White(1), Sluice Marsh, Portmarnock, Dublin, 7/7

Bob Aldwell: Meadow Brown(50+), Ringlet(50+), Speckled Wood(6), Small White(4), Common Blue(2), Painted Lady(2), Small Tortoiseshell(2), Ringsend/Irishtown, 5/7; Clouded Yellow(1f v faded), Common Blue(1), Meadow Brown(6), Small Tortoiseshell(2), Kilcoole, Wicklow, 7/7

Tony Murray: Painted Ladies(2), Great Skellig, Kerry, 2/7; Clouded Yellow(2), Red Admiral(1), Painted Lady(1), Dark Green Fritillary(numerous), Ballyteige NNR, Wexford, 4/7

D Hardiman & D Nash: Meadow Brown(10+), Ringlet(10+), Small Blue(8 & larva 1), Common Blue(1), Skerries, Co.Dublin; Small White(1), Donnybrook, Dublin, 2/7

Fred Walsh: Clouded Yellow(2), Ringlet(20), Meadow Brown(8), Old Railway Station, Kilinick, Co.Wexford, 1/7

DNFC: Small White, Large White, Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Common Blue, Speckled Wood, Red Admiral(larvae), Painted Lady(1 larva), Clouded Yellow(1 ovipositing on white clover), Irishtown Nature Park, Dublin, 1/7

Deirdre Hardiman: Speckled Wood(10+), Meadow Brown(6+), Ringlet(3), Large White(1), Small Heath(10+), Small Blue(4, mostly ragged but one female very fresh), Island Golf Club, Donabate, Co.Dublin, 1/7

Terry Tedstone: Clouded Yellow(1), Lisfannon(C32), Donegal, 30/6

David Cooke: Clouded Yellow(1), Green Hairstreak(8), Common Blue(7), Small Tortoiseshell(4), Grayling(2), Green-veined White(2), Meadow Brown(5), Painted Lady(1), Red Admiral(1), Dursey Island, Cork, 23-26/6; Clouded Yellow(1), Hilltown, Carrigaline, Cork, 28/6

Dermot Breen: Large Heath(3), Glenveagh (C02), 27/6; Large Heath(10+), Glenveagh Park(B91), Donegal, 26/6

Aisling nic an tSithigh: Small Blue(mostly tattered), Common Blue(many), Clouded Yellow(1), Inismeain, Co.Galway 21-25/6 

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David Nash: Large Heath(10+), Wood White(1), Peacock(larvae), Small Heath, Common Blue, Mongan's Bog,Offaly, 25/6; 
Large Heath(10+), Wood White(1), Meadow Brown, Speckled Wood, Annagh Bog, N. Tipperary, 25/6; 
Large Heath(10+), Wood White(2), Ringlet(5), Meadow Brown(2), Speckled Wood(5), Small Tortoiseshell(1), Peacock(larvae), Sharavogue Bog, Offaly, 25/6

Paul Walsh: Clouded Yellow(1), Small Heath(2), Speckled Wood(5+), Bohadoon area (S2402), nr Monavullagh Mountains, 25/6; 
Ringlet(2), Small Heath(1), Meadow Brown(2), Common Blue(3), disused quarry (X1482) nr Clashmore, 25/6; 
Red Admiral(3), Painted Lady(3), Small Heath(1), Common Blue(14), Small Copper(1), Small Tortoiseshell(1), Speckled Wood(4), Brownstown Head (X69), 17/6; 
Painted Lady(4), Red Admiral(1), Killone (S5004), nr Knockaderry, 17/6; 
Red Admiral (1), Grallagh (X1683), 16/6. Red Admiral (1), Ram Head (X2076), 14/6. 
All Co Wateford.

Kevin Hannan: Painted Lady(1), Meadow Brown(20+), Ringlet(8), Smithstown, Shannon; Wood White(3), Dark Green Fritillary(27), Small Heath(2), Speckled Wood(20+), Common Blue (numerous), Burren, Co.Clare, 22/6

Steve Christmas: Clouded Yellow(1), Lady's Island Lake, Wexford, 21/6

Ian Rippey: Butterfly observations  in Republic of Ireland, 12-18 June 2006 

Species seen (22): Dingy Skipper (Erynnis tages), Wood White (Leptidea sinapis), Real's Wood White (Leptidea reali), Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni), Large White (Pieris brassicae), Small White (Pieris rapae), Green-veined White (Pieris napi), Orange-tip (Anthocharis cardamines), Green Hairstreak (Callophrys rubi), Small Blue (Cupido minimus), Common Blue (Polyommatus icarus), Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta), Painted Lady (Cynthia cardui), Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae), Peacock (Inachis io), Pearl-bordered Fritillary (Boloria selene), Marsh Fritillary (Eurodryas aurinia), Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria), Wall Brown (Lasiommata megera), Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina), Small Heath (Coenonympha pamphilus), Large Heath (Coenonympha tullia)

Small Copper, Holly Blue, Dark Green Fritillary, Grayling and Ringlet might have been expected, but it may have been too late for the first 2 and too early for the last 2.

Number of butterfly species seen in each vice county, 12-18 June 2006 

• Cavan: Real's Wood White (1).

• Clare: Dingy Skipper, Wood White, Brimstone, Large White, Small White, Green-veined White, Orange-tip, Green Hairstreak, Small Blue, Common Blue, Red Admiral, Painted Lady, Small Tortoiseshell, Pearl-bordered Fritillary, Marsh Fritillary, Speckled Wood, Wall Brown, Meadow Brown, Small Heath, Large Heath.
  Co.Clare: 20 species recorded.

• East Mayo: Dingy Skipper, ?Large White, Orange-tip, Common Blue, Red Admiral, Painted Lady, Marsh Fritillary, Speckled Wood,  Meadow Brown, Small Heath (9-10). 
  West Mayo: Speckled Wood, Large Heath (2). 
  Co.Mayo: 10-11 species recorded.

• Longford: Real's Wood White, Speckled Wood, Meadow Brown, Large Heath (4).

• Meath: Large Heath (1).

• South-east Galway: Dingy Skipper, Wood White, Real's Wood White (presumed), Brimstone, Small White, Orange-tip, Small Blue, Common Blue, Peacock, Painted Lady, Marsh Fritillary, Speckled Wood, Meadow Brown, Small Heath (14). 
  West Galway: Dingy Skipper, Small White, Green-veined White, Orange-tip (larva only), Common Blue, Peacock (larvae only), Marsh Fritillary, Speckled Wood, Small Heath, Large Heath (10 species, 2 as larvae, 8 adults). 
  Co.Galway: 16 species recorded.

• Westmeath: Large Heath (1).

                                                                                                                            Ian Rippey

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Niall T Keogh & Noel Keogh: Common Blue(6m+1f), Red Admiral(1 fresh), Painted Lady(1 faded, 1 fresh), Speckled Wood(1), Kilcoole, Wicklow, 17/6

Geoff Hunt:Clouded Yellow, Painted Lady, Common Blue, Small White, Speckled Wood, Rathekeale, Limerick, 15/6; 
Painted Lady, Small White, Red Admiral, Griston Bog, Ballylander, Limerick; Clouded Yellow, Painted Lady, Red Admiral, Wood White, Orange Tip, Green-veined White, Large White, Small White, Speckled Wood, Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Common Blue, Tullig, Abbeyfeale. Limerick, 17/6

David Cooke: Clouded Yellow(1), Red Admiral(2), Wall Brown(1), Green-veined White(2), Green Hairstreak(21), Dursey Island, Cork, 16/6; Clouded Yellow(1), E side of Dursey, 17/6

Kevin Hannan: Marsh Fritillary(20+), Small Heaths(40-50), Common Blue(14), Speckled Wood(5), Brimstone(5), Wood White(2), Rinroe Pond, Burren, Clare, 14/6; 
Brimstone(12), Painted Lady(3), Peacock(4), Red Admiral(1), Common Blue(3), Wood White(3), R315944, Clare, 14/6; 
Marsh Fritillary(13), Common Blue(20+), Small Heath(11), Speckled Wood(1), R292945, Clare, 14/6;  
Small Blue(1), Small Heath(8), Dingy Skipper(2), Wood White(6), (R165-2985), Caher Upper, Clare, 14/6; 
Meadow Brown(1), R686601, Limerick, 16/6; 
Large Heath(2), Painted Lady(2), R696631,Limerick 16/6 

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Summary Report of Visit to Donegal by Bob Aldwell, June 13-15 2006

• June 13
  1) Crohyboyle, B7837 1374, cloudy, checking for DS. Plentiful BFT. Saw GH1 on BFT
  2) Aranmore, B6825 1518 – cloudy but bright. Checking for MF. Plentiful DBS and flowers such as Buttercups, BFT and Marsh Th. Saw SC 1, SH 6, SpW 1, WB 2.
  3) Aranmore, B6727 1631 – former MF site. Lots of DBS but no flowers for adults. SH3
  4) Aranmore, B6731 1443 – sunny but windy – RA 1 and a flying white (GVW or SW).
  5) Aranmore, B6840 1544 – sunny – small area of dune habitat with BFT and KV – CB 1
  6) Cruit Island, B7378 2016 – cloudy-bright – saw MF 202 in 15 mins, attracted to sea pinks with up to ten MF on a bunch. DBS dried up. Saw mating pair of SH and one SB.

• June 14
  1) Meenagowan, B7910 0028 – cloudy but warm - checking for WW – plentiful meadow vetchling and purple vetches – GVW 1.
  2) Glashagh, B8048/57 2970/82 – cloudy but warm - MF 28, SH 6, GVW 1.
  3) Glashagh, B8039/43 3007/23 – MF 344, PL 1, SH 6. MF Widely spread across site.
  4) Dunlewey, B9294 1911 – checking for MF on a former 1km MF site – none seen. 

• June 15
  1) Altadush, C0261 0889, cloudy, checking for GH. Saw 4 OT eggs  and 4 OT larvae .
  2) Glenree, C1089 3410, cloudy but warm. No signs of MF. Saw SH 20+ and GVW 1.

Other recent new Donegal 10km sq records
Alison and Maurice Simms: B60 -  at Dunmore Head on June 11: CB, PL, RA 
Sandy Alcorn: B73 – Innishsirrer Island on June 7: PL and RA 
Con O’Donnell: C64 – Greencastle about June 11: WB 

                                                                                                   Bob Aldwell

David Cooke: Small Heath(2), Meadow Brown(2), Small Copper(1), Painted Lady(4), Red admiral(2), Large White(3), Speckled Wood(6), Garrettstown wood near Kinsale, Co.Cork, 15/6

Frank Smyth: Clouded Yellow(1), Red Admiral, Painted Lady, Howth Station, Dublin, 15/6

Caroline Mhic Daeid & Rory Hodd: Clouded Yellow(1), roadside, nr Glan Lough, W of Sneem; Clouded Yellow(1), roadside, crossroads E of L. Yganavan; Clouded Yellow(1), roadside, bank of R. Laune, Killorglin. Kerry, 14/6

«««

Ken Bond:Wood White(4 'reali'), Carrigeanon, Boggeragh Mts, Cork, 370 metres, 14/6; 
Wood White(1), Meadow Brown, Kenmare, Kerry, 14/6; 
Large Heath(3), Gerah Bridge, NW Kenmare, 14/6 & Shannera Lower(4), Kerry,14/6; 
Clouded Yellow(1), Shronahirree More, N of Glencar, Kerry, 14/6  & Mossy Bed(1) nr Nad, Cork, 15/6; 
Painted Lady(2), Kenmare, Kerry, 14/6 & Mossy Bed(1), nr Nad, Cork, 15/6; 
Small Heath(1), Gortugullane (N slope of Mangerton & Kenmare(1), Kerry 14/6

Deirdre Hardiman: 4-13 June 2006

• Co.Galway
  Green Hairstreak(10+), Small White(2), Wall Brown(4), Green-veined White(4), Poolagh, Galway [M205383], 4/6; 
  Marsh Fritillary (3), Peacock(1), Speckled Wood(4), Large White(1), Green-veined White(2), Oakfield, Galway [M173407], 4/6; 
  Marsh Fritillary(8+), Common Blue(1), Orange Tip(3), Moyascragh, Galway [M197385], 5/6; 
  Small Blue(1), Common Blue(9), Dingy Skipper(3), Corranellistrum, Galway, 5/6; 
  Green-veined White(4), Small White(2), Peacock(2), Clooniff, Galway, 6/6;

• Co.Limerick
  Small Blue(4), Common Blue(50+), Dingy Skipper(6+), Small White(4), Peacock(1), Small Heath(6), Speckled Wood(3), Aughinish, Limerick, 7/6;

• Co.Clare
  Wood White(1), Peacock(1), Knockans Upper. Wood White(3), Peacock(1), Glenro. Dingy Skipper(5), Small Heath(3), Wood White(2), Ballyeighter. Co. Clare, 8/6;
  Brimstone(5), Small Heath(3), Peacock(2), Dingy skipper(10+), Common Blue(8), Speckled Wood(2), Gortlecka, Clare,8/6;
  Small Heath(2), Common Blue(8), Wood White(4), Speckled Wood(1), Coolorta, Clare, 9/6;
  Red Admiral(1), Creevagh, Clare, 13/6;
  Painted Lady(1), Meadow Brown(3), Speckled Wood(3), Peacock(1), Cloonaherna, Clare, 13/6;
  Pearl-bordered Fritillary(7)[four ragged, one very fresh], Speckled Wood(3), Wood White(10+), Common Blue(2), Clooncoose, Clare, 13/6.

«««

Colm Ronayne: Clouded Yellow(1), Skerries, Dublin, 11/6

Con O'Donnell: Dark Green Fritillary(6+), Greencastle Golf Links, Donegal, 11/6

Paul Hillis: Brimstone (1 m), shore of Lough Derg, Tipperary, 10/6; Painted Lady(4) and Meadow Brown(2) Lough Funshunagh, Roscommon, 11/6

Frank Smyth: Marsh Fritillary(4 at new site), Small Copper, Common Blue, Small Heath, Green-veined White, S of Rock Hill, nr Ballintra, Donegal, 11/6

Paul Walsh: Clouded Yellow(1), Painted Lady(7), Wood White(2+), Speckled Wood, Gortnalaght Wood (S31: S3303), nr Lemybrien, Waterford,11/6; 
Painted Lady (3), Red Admiral(1) & Wood White (1), among others, Ballygarran/Lissahane (S40), Waterford, 11/6; 
Painted Lady(4), Red Admiral(2), Common Blue(9), Small Copper(5), Speckled Wood(7), Small White(1+), Brownstown Head (X69), Waterford, 11/6.

Noel Keogh: Clouded Yellow(1), Lingstown, "High Car Park" & (1), Paradise Quarry Pond, Tacumshim Lake area. Wexford, 11/6

Kevin Hannan: Small Heath(1), Common Blue(many), Small White(many), Wood White(4), Painted Lady(3), Dingy Skipper(1), Burren (R39), 11/6

Geoff Hunt: Painted Lady(2), Red Admiral(1), Speckled Wood(6), Common Blue(15), Small White(3), Large White(1), Westfields, Limerick City, 10/6; 
Large Heath(1), Painted Lady(1), Common Blue(3), Castleconnell Bog, Limerick, 10/6

Freddie Walsh: Clouded Yellow(1), Red Admiral(1), Painted Lady(3), Small Copper(2), Meadow Brown(6), Common Blue, Small Heath, Ballytiegue Burrow, Kilmore Quay, Wexford, 10/6

Tom Ennis: Peacock(c.5), Red Admiral(c.5), Painted Lady(1), Clouded Yellow(1), Great Saltee, Wexford, 10/6

Ethna Diver: Painted Lady(6), Bundoran, Donegal, 10/6

Bob Aldwell: Painted Lady(2), Small Whites(6), Common Blue(2), Green-veined White(1), Orange Tip(1), Kilcoole, Wicklow, 10/6; 
Marsh Fritillary two new 10 km square records (G86  & H28) for Donegal - At Kildoney Point(G86), there were also Small Heath, Large White, Painted Lady, Red Admiral and Green-veined White [Frank Smyth]. Large Whites may also be part of migrant influx to the north-west.

Sandy Alcorn:Painted Lady(many), Red Admiral(many), Inishmeane(B72) and Inishirrer(B73) Islands, West Donegal, 7/6; 
Painted Lady(15+), Red Admiral(20+), Inishbofin Island(B83), Donegal, 9/6 

«««

Ken Bond: 3-9th June 2006

• Dingy Skipper: 10, Clorhane, Offaly, 5/6; 2, Ardnacloon, Co Roscommon, 5/6; 3, Ballynamona Bog, Co Roscommon, 5/6; 2, Clooncoose (Burren), Clare, 8/6

• Wood White (presumed sinapis): 7, Newtown (Burren), 8/6; 3, Poulnabrone (Burren), Clare, 8/6; 1, Clooncoose (Burren), Clare, 8/6

• Wood White (probably reali): 1, Heatherside, Ballyhoura Mts, Co Cork, 3/6; 2, Lisardon Wood (NW of Thurles), 4/6; 3, Tipperary, 4/6; 1, south of Templemore, Co Tipperary, 4/6; 6, Clorhane, Offaly, 5/6;  3, Moore, Co Roscommon, 5/6; 2, Ardnacloon [M94], Co Roscommon, 5/6; 4 (F ovipositing on Lath. pratensis), Ballynamona Bog [M94], Roscommon, 5/6; 1, Eskerbeg, Co Roscommon, 5/6; 1, Lough Fergus [M86], Co Roscommon, 6/6; 4, Lough O’Flynn [M57], Co Roscommon, 6/6

• Wood White (sinapis or reali?): 1, Kilrush Wood, Clare, 9/6 (first recent record of Leptidea from this area and from non-limestone part of Clare).

• Orange-tip: Ova & female on Hesperis matronalis, Sugarloaf Hill [esker], Co Roscommon, 5/6; Ova on Cardamine pratensis & Hesperis matronalis, Buncrowey, Co Sligo, 6/6; Ovum on H. matronalis, Calf Island lane [L82], Co Galway, 7/6

• Brimstone: 6, (ova on Buckthorn leaves; 2 females ovipositing), Clorhane, Offaly, 5/6; 1, Sugarloaf Hill, Co Roscommon, 5/6; 1, Ardnacloon, Co Roscommon, 5/6

• Green Hairstreak: 1, Moore [M93], Co Roscommon, 5/6; 1, Erriff Bridge, Mayo, 7/6; 1, Derrintin Plantation (Erriff valley), Mayo, 7/6

• Small Blue: 14, Tory Hill (near Croom), Co Limerick, 3/6; 2, Newtown (Burren), 8/6; 14, Lahinch, Co Clare, 9/6

• Common Blue: 3, Clorhane, Offaly, 5/6; 2, Eskerbeg, Co Roscommon, 5/6; 2, Clooncoose (Burren), Clare, 8/6; 3, Lahinch, Co Clare, 9/6

• Small Copper: 1, Clorhane, Offaly, 5/6; 1, Ballynamona Bog, Co Roscommon, 5/6; 2, Owengarve River Bridge, Mayo, 6/6

• Peacock: 1, Clorhane, Offaly, 5/6: 1, Moore [M93], Co Roscommon, 5/6: 1, Lough Fergus [M86], Co Roscommon, 6/6; 1, Clooncoose (Burren), Clare, 8/6

• Small Heath: 6, Clorhane, Offaly, 5/6;2, Lough Fergus [M86], Co Roscommon, 6/6;3, Lough O’Flynn [M57], Co Roscommon, 6/6; 1, Aughrus More, Co Galway [L55], 7/6; 1, Clooncoose (Burren), Clare, 8/6; 3, Lahinch, Co Clare, 9/6

• Painted Lady: 1, Sugarloaf Hill, Co Roscommon, 5/6; 1, Kilrush Wood, Clare, 9/6

• Marsh Fritillary: 1, Ardnacloon, Co Roscommon, 5/6; 63 (over about 250m transect in about 60 min, nectaring mainly on Cirsium dissectum, 1 on Potentilla erecta), Lough O’Flynn [M57], Co Roscommon, 6/6

• Red Admiral: 1, Drumalough [M68], Co Roscommon, 6/6; 1, Erriff Bridge, Mayo, 7/6; 1, Poulnabrone (Burren), 8/6; 1, S. of Miltown Malbay [R07], Clare, 9/6

• Wall Brown: 1, Lettergesh, Co Galway [L76], 7/6; 1, Tullymore, Co Galway, 7/6; 1, Courhoor Lough [L55], 7/6; 1, Boolard, Co Galway [L65], 7/6; 1, Lahinch, Co Clare, 9/6

• Pearl-bordered Fritillary [at last, my first!]: 1, Carran (Burren), Clare, 8/6; 2, Newtown (Burren), 8/6; 1, Clooncoose (Burren), Clare, 8/6

«««

Brian Nelson, Maurice Hughes, Ken Bond, Bob & Liz Gomes, Stephen & Gail Jeffcoate:
Burren 6-9th June 2006

• Presumed sinapis Wood White: were everywhere in Burren, the commonest butterfly and more abundant than we had seen before. Eggs and larvae were found and the amazing ‘antler-bashing’ display seen. 

• Presumed reali Wood Whites: at the Roscommon sites. Negative at east Clare sites visited.

• Pearl-bordered Fritillary: seen at east end of Clooncoose, above Newtown Castle at Ballyvaughan, west of Slieve Carran NR, near Poulnabrone dolmen and at Carran field centre.

• Small Blue: near Black Head, west of Slieve Carran NR, Castlesampson, above Newtown Castle at Ballyvaghan

• Dingy Skipper: at most sites visited including the Roscommon sites

• Marsh Fritillary: Caher valley and Commons South

• Small Heath and Common Blue: both widespread but in low numbers

• Wall Brown: just in 2 sites including one chasing off a Pearl-bordered Fritillary at east end Clooncoose

• Painted Lady: singles at Castlesampson, Killeglan grassland, Caher valley

• Red Admiral: Black Head, Killeglan grassland, Poulnabrone

• Orange Tip: a couple, Caher valley. 

• Brimstone: east end Clooncoose and one other place 

• Large White and Small White noted, no Green-veined White or Small Tortoiseshell seen. 

David Nash: Dingy Skipper(3+), Painted Lady(2), Meadow Brown(2), Esker Hills, W of Tyrellpass, 9/6

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Marsh Fritillary & Migants in Donegal

• Bob Aldwell (8/6/06) has received further reports of numerous Painted Lady & Red Admiral in Donegal from Maurice Simms(nr Lifford), Frank Smyth (L. Mourne) and Josephine O'Donnell for Gortahork.

• Frank Smyth also reports new site for Marsh Fritillary from nr Castlefinn.

David Nash: Painted Lady(2), Red Admiral(2), nr Edenderry, 8/6

Emmet Johnston: Painted Lady & Red Admiral ("by the dozen"), Ininshtrahull Island, Donegal, 7/6

Bob Aldwell: Wood White(6), Orange Tip, Peacock, Speckled Wood, Dalkey Quarry, Dublin, 6/6

Kevin Hannan:Wall Brown(12), Common Blue(20+), nr Dunbeg golf clubhouse, Clare, 4/6; 
Peacock(1), Red Admiral(1), Large White(4), Green-veined White(2), Carrrigaholt, Clare, 4/6; Small White(4), Painted Lady(1), Poulasherry, Clare, 4/6;
Red Admiral(1), Kilbaha, Clare, 4/6; 
Common Blue(40), Marsh Fritillary(3), Peacok(2), Painted Lady(2), Large White(8), Speckled Wood(12), Wood White(30+), Green-veined White(10), Dingy Skipper(1), Wall Brown(6), Brimstone(30+), Kilnaboy-Boston Area, Burren, Clare, 5/6; 
Large Heath(16), Green Hairstreak(2), Common Blue(1), Speckled Wood(2), Green-veined White(1), Annaholty, Limerick/Tipperary, 6/6

Adrian Phelan: Pearl-bordered Fritillary(2), Marsh Fritillary(8), Common Blue(1), Small Heath(3), nr Kilnaboy, Burren, Clare, 5/6

Josephine O'Donnell: Wall Brown(1), Gortahork, Donegal, 5/6

George McDermott: Painted Lady(2), Buncrana, 1/6; Red Admiral(1), Peacock (laying eggs), Inch Island, Donegal, 5/6

Maurice Simms: Painted Lady(1), Aderwaal Glen; Painted Lady(4), Red Admiral(4), Crowey Head, nr Dungloe; Crohan's Hill, nr Lifford, Painted Lady(2), Red Admiral(3). Donegal, 3/6-5/6
[All in pristine condition indicating recent arrival - any more reports from elsewhere in country indicating direction of arrival?]

N T & N Keogh: Painted Lady(2), Red Admiral(1 faded/worn), Green-veined White(many), Great Saltee, Wexford, 4/6; 
Small Heath(2), Small Copper(2), Wall Brown(1), Carnsore, Wexford, 4/6

Emer Magee:Red Admiral(2), Croaghanirwore, Blue Stacks, Donegal, 2/6

Geoff Hunt & Shanagolden NS : Dingy Skipper, Small Blue, Common Blue, Speckled Wood, Small Heath, Wood White, Green-veined White, Aughinish Island, Limerick, 2/6

Geoff Hunt & Veroncia Santorum: Green Hairstreak(2), Carrigkerry Bog, West Limerick, 2/6 [first record from this area]

Freddie Walsh: Pearl-bordered Fritillary(4), Dingy Skipper(20+), numerous 'Small Whites', Peacock(6), Wall Brown(6), Clooncoose, Burren, Clare, 30/5; Green Hairstreak(12+), Common Blue(1), Shronowen Bog, Kerry, 31/5

«««

Summary Report of Visit to Donegal by Bob Aldwell and David Nash
May 26- June 1 2006  [* New 10km sq  records]

Butterfly Highlights 
1. 14 flying species  (DS, GH, GVW, LW, MF, OT, P, SB, SC, SH, SmT, SpW, SW, WB)
2. Dingy Skippers seen on four 10km sqs
3. Holly Blue and Wall Brown confirmed as present on Inishowen (new in 2006)
4. Large numbers of Marsh Fritillaries (200+) seen on Cruit Island on May 31.
5. Nine new 10km sq records 

• May 26 – Weather cloudy and windy.
  Kilmacreddan (G77) - three male OT settled on vegetation. Checked site as suitable for DS.
  Kilbeg (G57) Checked known DS site but no butterflies seen.

• May 27 – Sunny but very windy.
  South Donegal Butterfly Field Day – 19 attended
  
  1. Sheskinmore (G69/79) – Six flying butterfly species seen over wide area in sheltered
      nooks - DS 6, GVW 1, P 1, SB 3, SC 4, WB 2. Six MF larvae and one pupa were 
      seen in what is an exposed site. Checked 10km sq boundary by GPS and Maurice 
      Simms confirmed he had seen a MF larva earlier in May across the boundary on G79.
  2. Pound Lake (G69) – Sheltered rocky site – DS 2, GH 1, WB 4.
  3. Bonny Glen, Clooney (G79) – at sheltered edge of coniferous wood and turf track in
      blanket bog – GH 2, LW 1, P 1, SpW 2.
  4. Cleengort Lane  (G79/89) – GVW 2, SpW 1, OT egg 1.

• May 28 – Bright, windy with sun and clouds and occasional heavy showers.   
  Inishowen Butterfly Field Day – 17 attended.
  
  1. Burdooey (C42) – GVW 6+, OT 6+, (no GH despite plenty of gorse and also bilberry).
  2. Ballyargus (C53) – Sheltered wood edge with plentiful bilberry and gorse – *GH 
     10+. Over forty were reported at this site, earlier in May by the members of IWLC.
  3. Glenagivney and Kinnigoe Bay (C64) – Approach road from Greencastle passes 
      through districts with plentiful bilberry and wet bogs. Good potential sites for GH 
      and perhaps also LH.
  4. Moville (C63) – Mary Lorraine McHugh from Moville reported she had seen a blue 
      butterfly on May 10/11 in a wooded area with plentiful holly at the edge of Moville. 
      She described the butterfly as pale mauvish blue flying across a clearing at about 
      head height, close to the junction of two rivers. *HB

• May 29 – Some bright periods but very windy.
  1. Lenan Strand (C34) - (grassy hills with broken vegetation above strand). Two 
     *WBs. New 10km sq record for C34. Discovery of WB on Inishowen was made by 
      George McDermott earlier in May 2006 on nearby Lenan Head (C24).
  2. Doagh Isle (C45) - in company with Wildlife Conservation Ranger for Inishowen, 
      Emmett Johnston discovered 1 *GH on gorse in sheltered nook.
  3. Carndonagh Wood (C44) examined habitat at edge of wood. Lots of gorse and oak. 
      Saw 20+ GVW and 2 OT in sheltered damp meadow. Plenty of gorse but no GH seen
  4. A little north of Malin Town – sheltered roadside verge – GVW 4, SpW 2.
  5. Visited Moville HB site with Mary Lorraine McHugh – many holly bushes and good 
      shelter. NI reports show HB on adjoining 10km sq in NI.

• May 30 - Mainly cloudy with a few brief sunny periods.
  1. Inch Levels (C32) – sheltered embankment – GVW 1, OT 4, SmT 1, SW 1.
  2. nr Port Lough (C31)– damp rough bottoms with gorse and sorrel -  GVW 4, OT 2,   
     *SC 1.
  3. Along Tyrone border (H28) - blanket & cutaway bog – gorse, no bilberry. GVW 1,
      OT 2.
  4. nr Raws House (C29) – minor country road with hedges of gorse and willow -  OT 2.
  5. Falgarrow (G99)  - blanket and cutaway bog on north side of Bluestack Mts – OT  
     egg 1.
  There is some patchy gorse but no bilberry evident along the R253.

• May 31 – mainly cloudy but change to warm wind with a little hazy sun.
  1. St Johns Point – low limestone pavement cliffs with marshy fen bottoms –GVW 2, 
      MF 2, SB 5. Noted BF Trefoil below road at start of entry strand, which might have 
      potential for DS.
  2. Kilbeg - Martin Byrne’s entry driveway (G57) – DS 1. Also 3+ Narrow Bee Hawks.
  3. Kilbeg – hillside behind Martin Byrne’s property (G67) – *DS 1, GH 1, WB 2.
  4. Kilmacreddan (G77) – roadside verge with BF Trefoil – no DS but Burnet companions
     noted.
  5. Kilmacreddan – along disused railway line – *DS 6+.

• June 1- Cloudy with cooler wind, sometimes cloudy bright.
  1. Maghery -  dunes, one batch of SmT larvae noted in sheltered dune hollow.
  2. Derrydruel – GVW 2, OT 3. No MF seen in cloudy conditions.
  3. Cruit Island – dry and damp fen in area between cemetery and horse jumping area. 
     Although the weather was cloudy it was sheltered from the wind and a little milder. 
     On entering the main MF area it was soon evident that the biggest problem was to 
     avoid walking on adult MFs, which were sitting on the low vegetation with their 
     wings wide open. I counted 197 (and one large larva) on a single transect, through 
     the main colony. This in no way reflects actual numbers present, which was 
     certainly many times greater. Additionally I counted fifteen and two adult MF at 
     two small outliers of the main colony. It is to be stressed that based on the 
     evidence from the other Donegal MF colonies my visit occurred at the very start of 
     the emergence. I conservatively estimated larvae numbers in March at a minimum of
     20,000 and expect a major emergence there within the next week.

Bob Aldwell 3 June 2006

«««

Frank Smyth: Common Blue(2), Holly Blue(3), Peacock(5), Small Tortoiseshell(2), Speckled Wood(3), Large White(2), Small White(2), Green-veined White(1), Wall Brown(3), Bailey, 31/5; 
Small Heath(1), Small Copper(7), Common Blue(3), Holly Blue(3), Red Admiral(2), Peacock(8), Speckled Wood(4), Small Tortoiseshell(2), Large White(2), Small White(1), Green-veined White(2), Orange Tip(3), Wall Brown(1), Red Rock, Howth, Dublin,1/6

Deirdre Hardiman: Small Heath(4), Wall Brown(3), Small White(1), Green-veined White(8+) and Orange Tip (10+m, 2f), Portrane, Co Dublin, 1/6 

Ralph & Liz Sheppard: Green-veined White(10), Orange Tip(1), Lisnagra; Green-veined White(5), Vance's Point; Green-veined White(1), Drung; Small Copper(1), Green Hairstreak(2), Doon; Inishowen, Donegal, 28/5 

Ken Bond: Small Copper(3), Brimstone(2), Wood White(2), Dromore Wood, Clare, 28/5; Wood White, Brimstone(4), Peacock(1 worn), Lough Cullaunyheeda, Clare, 29/5; 
Wood White, Carran, The Burren, 29/5; 
Dingy Skipper(6), Wood White(4), Clooncose, The Burren, Clare, 29/5

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