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Donegal Report July 2007

 

Donegal butterfly Survey Update July 2007

The weather was broken throughout the month but much of Donegal escaped the exceptional rainfall, which occurred further south and east.  Air temperatures were about average or a little above in south Donegal and soil temperatures remained above average. Rainfall was 30 to 40% above average but much of this came in the form of downpours. The result was that most butterflies did quite well especially in sheltered areas such as dunes and some woods. They continued to fly at earlier dates than usual and breeding was very successful. Taken in alphabetical order the following summarises the different species:

Summary Highlights

Common Blue: continued in fair numbers in dune areas with Frank Smyth reporting thirty-five at Murvagh (G87) on July 14. Inland records came from Richard McCafferty nr Glenties (G89) on July 14 and Con O’Donnell reported one at Dunlewey (B91).

Dark Green Fritillary: having appeared in mid-June there were good numbers at their favoured dune sites early in July. On July 04 at Sheskinmore (G69) Richard McCafferty and I counted at least sixty in an hour in only part of their usual area of occurrence. On July 10, Paddy McCrossan reported that The Inishowen Wildlife Club members stopped counting at forty at the dune site at Lagg (C45), while Frank Smyth reported dozens in the dunes and woods at Murvagh.

A rare inland male DGF was seen by me nectaring on thistles at Jackstown (B82) on July 28.

Frank Smyth & I saw a DGF nr Bell’s Isle at Murvagh (G97) on July 01, which is a new 10km square record.

Grayling: IWLC reported eight Grayling on July 10 at Lagg (C45) and thirteen there, on July 28. Frank Smyth recorded one at Kildoney (G86) on July 12 while Richard McCafferty and I saw two Grayling at Dooey (B70) on July 26.

Green-veined White: the second generation GVWs were on the wing from the beginning of the month and Frank Smyth and I saw 100+ hovering in a meadow at Salthill, Mountcharles (G87) on July 02. As usual the GVW was widespread and often numerous throughout the month.

Large White: the LW has had a good year and small numbers were widespread in July. Eggs and larvae were also easily found on brassicas and nasturtiums. The LW was found at last on inland mountainous 10km sq G99, with larvae seen on nasturtiums at Knockletteragh. 

Meadow Brown: MB was widespread throughout the month but numbers at times seemed less than usual and it often appeared less numerous than the Ringlet.

Painted Lady: the widespread immigration recorded in the first half of June continued to be recorded in small numbers in early July. For instance Richard McCafferty and I saw a worn specimen at Sheskinmore (G69) on July 04 and Frank Smyth recorded one at Malinbeg (G47) on July 06. Although I checked many thistles I only found larvae at just two sites. At Dooey (B70) on July 26 there were two young caterpillars and on the headland at Malinbeg (G47/G48) on July 27 there were dozens of young caterpillars spread out among the mainly spear thistles.

Peacock: there were exceptionally large numbers of Peacock larvae in late June and early July.

However, the broken weather slowed down the emergence of adults, which only began to appear in Donegal in the last week of July. I saw mainly single specimens on July 26 – 28, with three on the later date nr Crolly (B82).

Red Admiral: the small migration into Donegal during the first week of May was followed by widespread but single specimens in July, mostly in the last week of the month.

Ringlet: the Ringlet was widespread and numerous throughout the month.

Silver-washed Fritillary: SWF was first recorded on July 12 at Murvagh by Frank Smyth.

Thereafter it appeared in reasonable numbers at its known strongholds such as Cleengort Lane (G79/G89). It was recorded at new sites at Fintra Strand (G67), Derrynamansher (B82) and Glenmacannive (G89).

Small Copper: SC appeared in large numbers at dune sites in the last week of July as for instance at Lagg (C45), where Paddy McCrossan and George McDermott saw twenty-nine on July 28.

Small Heath: SH was reported in small numbers at dune sites in early July with up to fifteen recorded by Frank Smyth at Murvagh in mid month.

Small Tortoiseshell: SmT had an exceptionally good year with dozens reported during July at several sites, such as forty by Maurice Simms at Lifford. I saw a female laying beside the lighthouse wall at St John’s Point on the very early date of July 02. Large numbers of caterpillars at all instars were reported from Rossnowlagh (G86) by Frank Smyth and seen by Richard McCafferty and me at Dooey (B70) on July 26.

Small White: SW also had a good year in Donegal and was widely reported at all stages during July. Larval stages were recorded on cabbages at two new 10 km sqs at Carrick (G57) on July 27 and Pettigoe (H16) on July 01.

Speckled Wood: SpW was rather scarce throughout most of July but numbers began to increase in the last days of the month.

Wall Brown: the second generation Wall Brown began to appear in the last week of July with three recorded by Richard McCafferty and myself at Dooey (B70) on July 26.

Bob Aldwell

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Details of Visit to Donegal by Bob Aldwell, 30th June-4th July 2007

Highlights
13 flying butterfly species seen
Sixty+ Dark Green Fritillary seen at Sheskinmore on July 04
New 10km sq record for Dark Green Fritillary on G97 
Small Tortoiseshell laying on July 02
One Small Blue at Murvagh on July 01 and St John’s Point on July 02
New 10km sq record for Small White on H16


Weather was broken throughout but with some sunshine except on July 03 and temperature highs of 17o to 20o C. 
With Frank Smyth until July 02 and with Richard McCafferty on July 04.

June 30 – nr Lough Shivagh – Rusheen – Meenasona – Pettigoe – Sessiaghkeelta  - 10km sqs H06, H16 and H17. Weather up to 20 degrees in sun but down to 15 degrees after downpour.

Nr Lough Shivagh – H0030 6717 – on rather exposed blanket bog – MB 3, R 2. No signs of SH.

SE of Lough Shivagh  - H0085 6705 – on sheltered disturbed ground – SmT 1, 2 lots of P larvae.

Rusheen – H0258 6696 – sheltered damp grass adjoining conifer wood – MB 5, R 1.

Pettigoe – H1089 6658 – sheltered area adjoining allotments – GVW 1, MB 40+, R 40+, P larvae, four lots with about 600 larvae, mostly about half grown.

N of Pettigoe – H1099 6804 – market garden – on cabbages LW  - L-10, SW L 1, poisoned!

Sessiaghkeelta – H1083 7078 – disturbed ground at edge of conifer wood – P–L 800+, RA– L 1.

 

July 01 – Murvagh – 10km sqs  G87, G97 – Weather fine in morning up to 19 degrees; torrential rain from 2pm for over four hours.

Murvagh- nr Bell’s Isle – G9002 7526 – overgrown dunes – CB 1 DGF 1(new 10km sq record).

Murvagh - G8947 7371  - south-facing dune with copious kidney vetch – CB 1, SB 1.

Murvagh – G8954 7361 – low dunes – CB 2, DGF 2.

Murvagh – G8958 7350 – low dunes and level areas, many wild flowers – CB 2, DGF 3, SmT1.

Murvagh – G8964 7325 – grassy area with bird’sfoot trefoil – DGF 3, R 10 + SH 1.

Murvagh Wood – G8965 7202 – sheltered lane adjoining wood – GVW 3+, SpW 1.

Murvagh Wood - G8978 7245 – Sheltered glade in wood with brambles – DGF 1, RA 1, SpW 2.

 

July 02 – St John’s Point – Salthill – 10km sqs G76, G87. Cloudy bright, 17 – 19 degrees

St John’s Point – G7039 6909 on disturbed ground on limestone pavement adjoining Lighthouse wall – SMT 3, one of which was laying on sheltered young nettles.

St John’s Point – G7058 6903 – in sheltered valley – CB 6, SB 1.

St John’s Point – in sheltered valley with low limestone cliffs and marshy bottom – CB 4, MB 2.

Salthill Gardens – G8645 7605 – LW 1, SmT 1, SW 1 also LW and SW larvae on cabbages

Salthill – G8618 7577 – in sheltered damp meadows – GVW 100+, R 10+ and one lot of P larvae

Nr Jack’s Quay – G6768 7656 – along sheltered  south-facing coastal inlet – PL 1, SmT 2.

 

July 03 – Derries – 10km sq G89

Rain most of day with short bright interval. 

Derries – G8018 9279 - in garden SmT 1.

 

July 04 – Sheskinmore – 10km sqs G69, G79. Damp in morning but bright in late afternoon.

Sheskinmore – G6998 9521 – nr bridge on wild thyme DGF 10+.

Sheskinmore – G6920 9548 – in low dunes CB 1, DGF 20+, R 1, SH 1.

Sheskinmore – G6969 9527 – in mixed dune and machair habitat – DGF 30+, MB 2

Sheskinmore – G7021 9531 – Cattle feed – Sheltered - PL 1, SmT 1 & two lots larvae, P 2 lots L.

Bob Aldwell

 

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Details of Visit to Donegal by Bob Aldwell, 24th July-28th July 2007

Highlights

14 flying butterfly species seen

New 10km sq for Large White on G99

New 10 km sq site for Small White on G57

New inland site for Dark Green Fritillary on B82

Two new sites for Silver-washed Fritillary

 

 

Weather was broken throughout with heavy downpours in the midweek and temperature highs of 17o-19o C. 
With Frank Smyth on July 24 and Richard McCafferty on parts of July 25, 26 and 28.

 

July 24 - Ardnamona and Gweebarra Estuary - 10km squares G79 and G98. Weather had been fine but a frontal system was arriving from southwest in late afternoon.

Ardnamona – G9615 8425 – arrived at about 4 pm to check for Purple Hairstreaks but weather, which had been fine was now starting to cloud over as the frontal system approached. Also bridge was under repair so access was difficult. No signs of PHs.

Gweebarra Estuary – G 7979 9945 – traveled to this more northerly site in hope of getting ahead of the front. Arrived about 5.30 when weak sunshine was still present but weather cooling (17 degrees) and wind rising. Clouds soon lowered temperature further. We saw 20+ Ringlets and 1 GVW and 1 SpW. No signs of PHs.

 

July 25 – Derries – Tullyard – Bracky Bridge – Loughros Point – 10km sqs G89, G79, G78, G69 – weather cloudy early, then brighter but heavy showers before becoming sunny but windy.

Derries – G8015 9279 – on disturbed ground three batches of SmT larvae at 1st, 2nd and 3rd instars.

Tullyard – G7997 9359 – along minor bog road - GVW 1, Smt 1.

Nr Brackey Bridge – G7288 8941 – sheltered area with trees nr river – GVW 6, R 2.

 

July 26 – Very heavy showers up to 3 pm, then warm and sunny

Carrick School – G5924 7878 – in vegetable plots – LW 1 with 50+ larvae and a batch of eggs.

Dooey – B7545 0313 – dunes with low south facing cliffs and varying amounts of grazing by cattle – G 2, GVW 10+, LW 1, MB 4, R 1, SC 2, SmT 1, SW 2, WB 3, also at least six batches of SmT larvae at varying degrees of development up to half grown.

Dooey – B7542 0256 – grazed dunes but cattle excluded in summer – MB 20+. SC 10+

Dooey – B7542 0267 – grazed dunes – MB 2, SC 1 and two 2nd instar PL larvae on thistles.

Cleengort Lane – G7998 9944 – sheltered minor road with scrubby hedges - SWF 1

Cleengort Lane – G9979 9945 – sheltered minor road and adjoining scrubby heath with old stunted oak trees – P 1, R 6+, SWF 1, SpW 6+. At about 5.30 weak sun but clouds closed in after twenty minutes – no PHs seen.

 

July 27 –  Fintra – Dactan – Carrick - Malinbeg – Glencolumbkille  - Braade - a few heavy showers early, then brighter with sunny spells but windy

Fintra – G6864 7655 – area of trees and brambles adjoining dunes and strand – GVW 20+, MB 2  P 1, SWF 2, SpW 6+.

Dactan – G6295 7452 - garden of Danny Gillespie – SW 1. LW larvae 20+

Carrick School – G5922 7870 – vegetable plot – LW 1, 6 single SW ova on young cabbage

Malinbeg – G4901 7991 – in field with old ruin PL larvae 20+ on spear thistles, one batch of half grown SmT larvae.

Malinbeg – G4888 8005 – on thistles in exposed pasture – PL larvae 2

Malinbeg – G4929 7992 – on rough ground nr small port – 4+ PL larvae on creeping thistles

Glencolumbkille – G5272 8507 - on dunes DGF (worn) 2, MB 3.

Glencolumbkille – G5266 8503 – on dunes - DGF 1, MB 1, SmT 1

Glencolumbkille – G5244 8504 – on dunes – DGF 1, MB 1, SC 3,

Braade – G5707 8457 – rough ground at roadside – GVW 3, SmT 1.

 

July 28 – Edenfinreagh – Knocklettragh – Doocharry - Crolly -nr Lough Kaol – Jackstown – Derrynamansher - 10km sqs G99, B80, B81, B82. Weather cloudy bright with temperature of 17 -19 degrees, sunny in late afternoon

Edenfinreagh – G9010 9467 – sheltered nr ruined house with stunted trees – GVW 1 SmT 1

Tangaveane  - G9043 9478 – sheltered track in conifer plantation – GVW 1, R 1

Nr Lough Ea – G9131 9549 – sheltered area with rough damp pasture – GVW 30+, R 2

Stracashel Valley – G9252 9652 – small revegatated damp quarry beside minor road – R 6.

NW of Clogher Nth and ruined Halfway Ho – G9367 9751 – old pits and edge of conifer wood - GVW 10+, MB 2, R 20 +, SmT 1.

Knockletteragh – G9472 9889 – in garden on nasturtiums – 4 big LW larvae

Bellanaboy – B873 073 – along roadside with trees and brambles – SWF 1

SW of Dernatanogy Bridge – B902 097 – along minor roadside – MB 6, R 6,  SpW 1.

Lough Barra Road - B8990 0940 – along roadside hedge – MB 1, P 2, SmT 2, R 2

NE of Lough Kaol  - B8470 1667 – on heathery hillside nr lake – GVW 1, R 2

Jackstown – B8240 1995 – on south-facing flowery low rocky cliffs – MB 1, P 2

Jackstown – B8264 2012 – sheltered scrub with abundant spear thistles – DGF 1, MB 1, LW 1, 

P 3, SpW 1

Derrynamansher – B8266 2102 – sheltered area nr river with small oaks, willows and privet –P 1

RA 1, SWF 6, SmT 1.

 

Bob Aldwell

 

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