PAINTED LADY MIGRATION

PAINTED LADY MIGRATION

As you will see below this has been a very exceptional year for Painted Ladies [Vanessa cardui] with an extremely successful breeding season in the Atlas Mountains in North Africa. There is also an associated influx of Large Whites, Red Admirals, Clouded Yellows and Silver Y's across Europe

If you see any Painted Lady movements e.g. a number coming in from the sea, please let us know.

Information requested is: name of recorder, date, location with County, and if possible numbers arriving per hour (counted over e.g. a fifteen minute period x4) and the direction of movement (e.g. north-north-west).

David Nash
The Dublin Naturalists' Field Club
35 Nutley Park
Dublin 4
dnfc@eircom.net or Submit Records »»»

Sightings »»»
News of what is happening »»»
What to look out for on thistle »»»
PAINTED LADY REPORTS from around the country

Dursey Island Bulletin (Derek Scott, 31^stMay '09)　 »»»
Donegal Report I (Bob Aldwell, 3^rd June '08)　 »»»
Donegal Repot II (Bob Aldwell, 21^st June '09) »»»
Donegal Report III (Bob Aldwell, 31^st July '09) »»»

November 2009

Frank Smyth: Painted Lady(3), Ceannchor Rd. Howth, Dublin, 5/11
Tony Murray: Painted Lady(1), Rosslare Harbour, Wexford, 5/11.
Bob Aldwell: Painted Lady(2), Sorrento Park, Dalkey, Dublin, 3/11;
Painted Lady(2), Torca Rd, Dalkey, Dublin, 3/11.
Frank Smyth: Painted Lady(1), Ceannchor/The Needles, Howth, Dublin, 3/11.
Paul Walsh: Painted Lady(1), Brownstown Head, Waterford, 1/11

October 2009

Paul Walsh: Painted Lady(3), Brownstown Head, Waterford, 31/10
Freddie Walsh: Painted Lady(14), The Raven, Wexford, 31/10.
Bob Aldwell: Painted Lady(3), Sorrento Drive, beside Dalkey Dart Station, Dublin, 31/10;
Painted Lady(2), basking at Sorrento Park, Dalkey, Dublin, 31/10;
Painted Lady larva (2nd instar in web), below Vico Road, Dalkey, Dublin, 31/10;
Painted Lady(1+) on ivy on sunny cliff, Dalkey Quarry, Dublin, 31/10;
Painted Lady(1), Ardeeven Road, Dalkey, Dublin, 31/10.
Frank Smyth: Painted Lady(9), Cliff Path, Howth, Dublin, 31/10;
Painted Lady(6), Ceannchor Road, Howth, Dublin, 31/10;
Painted Lady(3), towards the Baily, Howth, Dublin. 31/10.
Freddie Walsh: Painted Lady(3), Ballyharty, Wexford, 26/10.
Freddie Walsh: Painted Lady(3), Raven, Wexford, 17/10.
DNFC: Painted Lady larva(final instar) on creeping thistle, below Vico Rd, Dalkey, Dubllin, 17/10
John Lynch: Painted Lady(1), Baltimore, Cork, W (H3), 9/10.
Danny Gillespie: Painted Lady(1), Dactan, Kilcar, Donegal, 6/10
Bob Aldwell: Painted Lady larvae(10), Dun Laoire, Dublin, 5/10
Helen Cloney: Painted Lady(1), Caim, Wexford, 4/10
Joanna O'Kane: Painted Lady(1), Ballindrait, Donegal, 4/10
Anne Barton: Painted Lady(1), Rosbeg Donegal, 4/10
Joe Devlin: Painted Lady(2), Ballagan Point, Louth, 4/10.

26 September

Jesmond Harding: Painted Lady(2), Lullybeg, Kildare, 26/9

20 September

Brian Danaher: Painted Lady(1), Shankill, Dublin (H21), 20/9

19 September

Jill Crosher: Painted Lady(1), Clogher Head, Kerry N, 19/9
D Hardiman & D Nash: Painted Lady(1), Carney Commons, Tipperary, 19/9

15 September

Breffni Martin: Painted Lady(4), Carlingford, Louth, 15/9

13 September

Roger Hale: Painted Lady (30+), Newbliss Co. Monaghan and Cootehill, Co. Cavan, 1-13/9
Geoff Hunt: Painted Lady(2), Ballybunion, Kerry, 13/9
D Hardiman & D Nash: Painted Lady(1), Bunduff, Sligo, 13/9

12 September

Bob Aldwell: Painted Lady(1), Alma Rd, Monkstown, Dublin; Painted Lady(6), Killiney, Dublin, 12/9
Painted Lady(3), in garden, Blackrock, Dublin. 12/9
Paul Walsh: Painted Lady(57), Brownstown Head, Waterford, 12/9
Tom Tarpey: Painted Lady(10), Mizen Head, Cork
Derek Scott: Painted Lady(50), Dursey Island, Cork
John J Cahill, Bernie Sheridan & John Power: Painted Lady(2), Newport East, Waterford 12/9; Painted Lady(3), Callisco Bay, Waterford; Painted Lady(5), Ballymacart, Waterford 12/9; Painted Lady(12), Helvic Head, Waterford, 12/9
Geoff Hunt: Painted Lady(2), Ballynacourty wood, Kilfinnane, Limerick;
Painted Lady(2), Fiddown, Kilkenny.
Freddie Walsh: Painted Lady(40), Ballyteigue, Wexford, 12/9

11 September

Bernie Sheridan & John Power: Painted Lady(4), Mizen Head, W Cork
Con O'Donnell: Painted Lady(13), on cliff nr castle at Greencastle, Donegal
Deirdre Hardiman: Painted Lady (1, very faded), N of Glenmunder river, Ballyman Glen, Dublin, 11/9

10 September

Breffni Martin: Painted Lady(200), Cooley Point, near Carlingford, Louth
Geoff Hunt: Painted Lady(1), Newcastlewest, Limerick
Paul Walsh: Painted Lady(1), Cork Airport Business Park, Cork
Derek Scott: Painted Lady(3), Dursey Island, Cork
Freddie Walsh: Painted Lady(25), Raven, Wexford, 10/9

9 September

Bob Aldwell: Painted Lady(2), Newtownpark Avenue, Blackrock, Dublin
Geoff Hunt: Painted Lady(2), Newcastle West, Limerick
Derek Scott: Painted Lady(1), Dursey Island, Cork

5 September

David Nash: Painted Lady, National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin, Dublin
Jesmond Harding: Painted Lady(10), Lullybeg, Kildare (H19)
Freddie Walsh: Painted Lady(70), Raven, Wexford, 5/9

23 August

Deirdre Hardiman: PL(2), Airfield House & Farm, Dundrum, Dublin, 23/8

22 August

Bob Aldwell: PL(30+), Killiney, Dublin
DNFC: PL(3+), Sutton, Dublin
Joe Devlin: Ballagan Point(7); Slieve Foye(1), Louth
John Power & Bernie Sheridan:
Painted Lady(1), Dunhill, Waterford, 22/8;
Painted Lady(10), Ballyvooney Cove Waterford, 22/8;
Deirdre Hardiman: Painted Lady(2), garden in Donnybrook, Dublin, 22/8

21 August

Colm Dunne: Painted Lady(6), Dunboyne garden, Meath, 21/8

17 August

Tomás & Frances Barrett: Hillside Grove(2), Dunmore Road, Waterford (H6), 17/8
Freddie Walsh: Painted Lady(35), Ballyteigue, Wexford, 17/8

13 August

Bob Aldwell & Frank Smyth: The Raven NNR(50+), Wexford; Crossabeg(9), Wexford; Caim(2), Wexford [garden of H Cloney]
David Nash: Edgeworthstown(1); Dring(1); Canal nr Keenagh(30+); Cashel Quarry(15); nr Barley Cove(1), Longford

12 August

Jesmond Harding: Gortlecka(15), Clare; Ballyeighter Woods(15), Clare

»»»

8 August

Ian Rippey: Carney Commons(c.150), Tipperary(N)
Dermot McLaughlin: Culdaff(5); Tremone(2); Redford(2), Donegal
Boyd Bryce: Inch Island(x100), Donegal
Ian McCambridge: Stranorlar(1), Donegal
John Joe Cahill, Jim Dowdall, Bernie Sheridan & John Power: Rinnamore Green Road & adjacent meadows(6), Clare
Chris Wilson: Polder(12), North Slob, Wexford
Helen Cloney reports 12 Painted Lady on 8th Aug in her garden at Caim, Co.Wexford and surrounding areas.

7 August

Anne & Jim Toland: Inishtrahull(1), Donegal
Ethna Diver: Knockbrack(4), Donegal
Freddie Walsh: The Raven(50), Wexford

6 August

Ethna Diver: Cleengort(1), Donegal
Maurice Simms: Sheskinmore(1), Donegal
Richard McCafferty: Glenties(10), Donegal
Tony Murray & Sarah Stapleton: Ballyteige(2), Wexford
Kevin Hannan: Plassey UL(2), Clare, ; between Mullaghmore and Coolarta(5), Clare

5 August

Jill Crosher: Ballyferriter(1), Kerry
Bob Aldwell: Killiney coast, south towards Shankill(2), Dublin
Deirdre Hardiman: The Scalp(3), Dublin
Alan McGuire & Chris Wilson: Laken(8), Wexford

4 August

George McDermott: Buncrana(2), Donegal

31 July

Richard McCafferty: Glenties(1), Donegal
Nuala Browne reports > 50 Painted Lady in her garden on buddleias at Crossabeg Co.Wexford, from about end of July.

29 July

Frank Smyth: Kildoney(3 in pristine condition), Donegal
Chris Wilson: The Raven(2), Wexford
Chris Wilson: The Raven(2), Wexford

»»»

28 July

Frank Smyth: Rossknowlagh(2), Donegal

27 July

Ian Rippey: nr Newtown(1), W of Gort, Galway

26 July

D Nash & D Hardiman: Donnybrook(1), Dublin

24 July

Ian McCambridge: Horn Head Bridge(3), Dunfanaghy, Donegal

23 July

Adrian Phelan: Grangegorman(1), Dublin City, Dublin

22 July

Danny Gillespie: Muckros(6+), Donegal
Chris Wilson: Raven(3), Wexford

21 July

Con O'Donnell: Dunlewey(1), Donegal

19 July

Paul Walsh: Brownstown Head(1), Waterford

18 July

Ethna Diver: PL(3), Knockbrack, Letterkenny, Donegal

15 July

Deirdre Hardiman: PL on Buddleia in garden, Donnybrook, Dublin
Chris Wilson: PL(2), Raven, Wexford

14 July

Tom Tarpey: PL(6), S of Bloody Foreland, Co. Donegal, 14/7

13 July

Deirdre Hardiman: PL(3), The Raven, Wexford

12 July

Bob Aldwell: 6 larvae half-grown on creeping thistle and 1 on Burdock (only half the size of most of those on the thistles), Salthill, Dun Laoghaire, Dublin
Freddie Walsh: Painted Lady larvae on thistle, The Burrow, Ballyteigue, Wexford, 12/7

9 July

Ian McCambridge: Dunfanaghy, nr St Michael's GAA pitch, hundreds of larvae on thistles.
Paul Walsh: Curraghmore / Curraghtaggart area(3), near Portlaw, Waterford (H6)
Tony Murray & Sarah Stapleton: Painted Lady(4), Great Saltee Island, Co. Wexford, 9/7
Chris Wilson: Raven(14), Wexford

8 July

Declan Skeehan: Maugherow(6+ larvae), Sligo [In rough pasture near the beach].
Paul Walsh: Mount Melleray / Monalour area(15), near Knockmealdown Mountains, Waterford (H6)

5 July

Geoff Hunt: Ardrageen Bridge(2), Cappagh, Co Limerick;
Lough Agoule(6), Ballingarry, Co Limerick.

4 July

Aynia Brennan: Magheramore(3) garden, Wicklow
Paul Walsh: North Comeragh hills(3), Waterford; Brownstown Head(4) Waterford.
John A Power: Ballyscanlon(5), Waterford

»»»

3 July

Chris Wilson: Raven(22), Wexford

2 July

Frank Smyth: Carrickfad Painted Lady site, Rossnowlagh, Donegal
On 2 July the plants at centre of laying area had turned brown from being eaten by the larvae! A few small larvae were still on most plants but would starve if they dont move on. Plants at the fringe contained small numbers of larvae on each plant and these were doing ok, as were some which had migrated to the odd nettle among the thistles. In general the larvae were from 0.5" to 1"long .There were some globe(spear) thistles nearby also and most of these supported one or two larvae per plant.These larvae were generally much larger than the ones on creeping thistle and quite a few were ready to pupate with evidence that some pupation had already occurred. While its clear that the dense laying pattern has resulted in starvation for hugh numbers of larvae there should still be several hundreds that will come through to adult stage from late July to mid August. The thistles are spreading throughout the field so I hope the owner doesn't cut them for a while

1 July

Deirdre Hardiman: PL(3), Barnaslingan Wood, Dublin

28 June

Freddie Walsh: Raven(3), Wexford (H12)
Joseph Devlin: Slieve Foye Woods(3), Louth (H31)
Paul Walsh: nr Kilmacthomas(4), Waterford (H6)

27 June

David Nash: Carraig(2), Tipperary, N; Carney Commons(1), Tipperary, N
Freddie Walsh: Ballyteigue(2), Wexfrod
Paul Walsh: Ballylinch/Briska(3) area, near Lemybrien, Waterford (H6)

25 June

Deirdre Hardiman: Russelstown(2), Wicklow

24 June

Paul Walsh: PL(1), Tobernahulla / Knockaniska near Araglin, Waterford; also (2) on Tipperarry side of county boundary.

23 June

Aoife Byrne: Raynaskeeha(2), Lickey Valley, Waterford
Jesmond Harding: Lullybeg(1), Kildare
Adrian Phelan: Painted Lady(1), Ireland's Eye, Dublin

21 June

Brian Hodkinson: PL(1), Reboge- canal area - Limerick
Tom Cuffe: PL(3), Anglingham, Galway
Freddie Walsh: PL(5), The Raven, Wexford
Albert Nolan: PL(1), Cullaun Bridge, nr Rearcross, Limerick.
Paul Walsh: PL(1), Kilmoylin near Kilmacthomas, Waterford

»»»

20 June

Geoff Hunt: PL(4), Ballyagran, Limerick
Freddie Walsh: PL(8), Ballyteigue Burrows, Wexford
Paul Walsh: Painted Lady(5), Mahon bridge / Kilrossanty area Waterford
& Painted Lady(2), Brownstown Head, Waterfrod, 20/6

19 June

John A Power: PL(5), Mount Stewart, Dungarvan, Waterford
Freddie Walsh: PL(5), Hook Head, Wexford

18 June

Angus Tyner: Can count about 15-20 PL on 20 minute walk around fields, nr Ashford, Wicklow

16 June

Jesmond Harding: Philipstown(4), Kildare; Dunshane Common(19), Kildare
Brian Danaher: front garden(1), Shankill, Dublin

»»»

15 June

Ralph Sheppard: Barnes Lower (South of Lough Salt)(1), Donegal
Faith Wilson:Upper Lough Dan(10) near the Inchavore River, Wicklow
Aoife Byrne: Ballyclamper(2), Stradbally, Waterford, 15/06

14 June

David Cooke: Dursey Island(6), W Cork
Paul Walshe: Davmore to Ballykilmurry(14), near Kilrossanty, Waterford (H6)
Kevin Hannan: Commons North(2), The Burren, Clare
Geoff Hunt: Great Saltee(9), Wexford, 14/6
Roy Thompson: Pollardstown Fen(7), Kildare

»»»

13 June

Chris Wilson: Polder(12), North Slob, Wexford, 13/6
Brian Danaher: Shankill(1), Dublin
Roger McNaughton: "Commons"(1), Two mile house, Kildare (H19)
Paul Walshe: Knockaderry Reservoir(2), Waterford (H6); nr Slievenamone(15), Kill, Waterford (H6)
Geoff Hunt: Lady's Island(1),Wexford (H12)

12 June

Joe Duane: New Inn(4), Galway, 12/6; Duneeda(6), Ballinalsoe
Paul Walshe: Newport(4), Waterford (H6)

11 June

Paul Walsh: Cork Airport Business Park(3), Cork, Mid (H4)
Colin Barton: Bottlehill Landfill Site(2), Cork

»»»

10 June

Paul Walsh: Garrynagree / Scordaun area(62), Drum Hills; Ram Head(27); Ardmore Village(3), Waterford(H6)
Fintan Ryan: Inistioge, Woodstock Garden(41), Kilkenny(H11),
[Sunny afternoon about 16.00 h, temp 17°C wind calm. On flowers in garden]
Robert Northridge: Portora(1), Fermanagh

8 June

Paul Walsh: Cork Airport Business Park(2), Cork, Mid (H4)
Ralph Sheppard: Dooey(3) (Gweebarra), Co Donegal
Frank Smyth: Rowantree Hill(3), Donegal; Butler's Bridge(8), Cavan
Carrickfad PL site: There were several other concentrations of thistle adjacent to the favoured area which had no eggs so it seems that the laying frenzy is very localised. There were a few nettles among the thistles but only a few eggs to each plant.
To estimate the number of eggs in total I took 3 small leaves from random plants each about 3" long. I counted the eggs later and got a total of 316 from the 3 leaves. Taking a conservative 12 leaves per plant and a minimum of 100 plants it comes to over a 125,000 eggs - probably 200,000 would be a truer total. About 15% of the eggs were already turning black and a few had actually hatched so it looks as if it will be a successful breeding operation provided the thistles aren't cut . I'll keep an eye on them over the summer .

»»»

7 June

Robert Northridge: Sheskinmore(1), Donegal, 7/6; Rosbeg(2), Donegal , 7/6; Dooey Strand(1), Donegal, 7/6; Lettermacaward(1), Donegal, 7/6; Aughros Point(8), Donegal, 7/6
Paul Walsh: Kilsheelan(6), Tipperary S (H7) S22 [also 2 Painted Ladies on Co Waterford side of river near Kilsheelan]

6 June

Paul Walsh: Brownstown Head(1), Red Admiral(1), Waterford (H6); Dunhill Castle(3), Waterford; near Castlecraddockbog(6), Waterford;
Near Kill village(3), Waterford; Kilsheelan(6), Tipperary S (H7) (S4603)
Mary Toomey: I heard you are collating painted lady records. I was in Sligo at the weekend and saw quite a few on Saturday 6th June. I walked around a small headland in the vicinity of Knocklane, immediately north of Yellow Strand and saw 20+ on the walk. I started at G 575 447, walked towards the tip of the head at G 558 442 and continued south past the head to G 576 445.
I saw another two painted ladies on the same day at Lisadell Strand
G618 438.

»»»

5 June

Aynia Brennan: Magheramore(7), Wicklow, 5/6
Tom Tarpey: Barrigone(10), Askeaton, Limerick, 5/6
Paul Walsh: Kilclooney Forest (Comeragh foothills)(4), Waterford (H6)

4 June

Aynia Brennan: Magheramore(3), Wicklow
Faith Wilson:Ballymoon Esker(many), Carlow
Tom Tarpey: Painted Ladies(5) at Dromcolliher, Limerick,
Paul Walsh: PL(4), Toor North & Clashbrack areas, Drum Hills, Waterford; [PL 3 settled, 1 flying SW]; PL(11), Brownstown Head, Waterford [all PLs settled]
Eileen Morrison: Enniscrone(1), Sligo
Ralph Sheppard: PL (1), Cloncarney, Co Donegal
Geoff Hunt: Abbeyfeale(6), Limerick; Knocknagoshel(4), Kerry N (H2); Meenlietrim(4), Kerry N (H2); Abbeyfeale(4), Limerick (H08)

3 June

Senior Room, Kilroe N.S.: Headford, Galway -"At 2.30 pm we counted 1500 (2 minutes x 30) flying north to south in the school yard"
Patrick McGurn: PL(2), Fermanagh/Cavan border townland of Cullentra,
Cavan
Robert Northridge: Inishmurray(12), Sligo.
Aynia Brennan: Magheramore(1), Wicklow
Joe Duane: Cranberry bog(9), Roscommon (H25); Gortnasharvoge(6), Roscommon; Gortnasharvoge(6), Roscommon
Niall T. Keogh: Killoughter(2), Wicklow
Ralph Sheppard: PL (1) at each of the following sites – Drumboarty, Drumboarty Bridge, Leagan Hill, Lough Eske Estate, Oughtadoony. Co Donegal
Margaret Thuillier: PL (2), Kinsale, Cork, W.
Jim Wilson: no further passage of Painted Ladies

»»»

2 June

Frank & Joan Smyth: Field at Rossnowlagh(300), south of Donegal, laying eggs all over thistles -" like Christmas trees".
Andrew Byrne: Corbally(40), Rinnashark Harbour, Waterford (H6)
Ger Heneghan: Shrule(72), Mayo (border with Galway).
Aisling Nic an tSithigh: It appears the peak was Sunday afternoon, nos have calmed down now.　
Seem to be 2 sizes and the smaller ones are less vivid in markings. But its like being in a butterfly garden, the birds aren’t chasing them, when you walk through the grass/meadow at all, they just erupt.
Loads of small groups of 4-5 chasing each other, and strangely some of them are flying around at night ie after 11pm , even in the moonlight this morning at 2am.
I‘m not used to seeing butterflies flying in Ireland at night. They’re not choosy regarding types of flower seem to be landing on everything, but mainly on anything purple or Parseach Bui (Brassica) also favourite of Green Veined Whites. Also have 3 green Veined Whites in garden and a number of Small Heath on the cliff top over Dunquin pier in the grasses.
Martine Greenlee: 2 km south-west of Cork Airport, 40 butterflies in 5 minutes (c.450 per hour) flying through　garden in a East-North East direction today at approx 2.30pm.
Two days ago (31st May) I had　noticed a steady stream of mixed painted ladies and whites of some　sort travelling in an almost due North direction.
Jim Wilson: Cobh, Cork.　 All are moving fairly low.　 Scanned directly above for a while and could only see one or two passing at heights above 20 metres. .
15.35 - 15.50h　 647 moving north;　　17.00 - 17.15h 113 moving north;　　18.55 - 19.10h 7 moving north.
The corridor being scanned is about 100 m wide and my house is about 500 m from the sea. Not sure if you can extrapolate but going on my first count that would be 25,000 per km of coastline assume landfall is uniform. Not one Painted lady was seen flying in a southerly direction on any of the three counts.
Sean Breen: Dundrum (223 in 15 minutes), Tipperary @ 5 pm. i.e. 892 per hour funnelling through a gap of 10 metres travelling NNE. [Reinforcements arriving?]. per C Wilson.
Robert Wheeldon: Nenagh(8), Tipperary N (H10), also Red Admiral(2)
Richard McCafferty: Drumnasillagh garden, Glenties - throughout the day; 6 flying around and feeding; 3 at lunchtime; Letterkenny in the late morning, 4 in car parks & 1 on Glenties Road, Donegal.
Geoff Hunt:　 Rathkeale(4), R34,　 Limerick.　
Áine Fenner: Gurteen(1), Ballymahon, Longford: 31st May - 2nd June.
Geoff Hunt: PL (4), Rathkeale, Limerick;
PL(3), Grange, Limerick
Neil Warnock: Ashton's Callow(96), Tipperary N (H10)
Tom Tarpey: Monaleen, Limerick: 60/hour eastwards/northeastwards in late afternoon again in calm conditions
Paul Walsh: Brownstown Waterford(10) & Red Admiral(2) -: PL numbers even further reduced from 31/5, and no directed movement at all.
Elaine O'Riordan: They seemed to be all over! Thinking about it now, the largest numbers were from the Galway side of Claregalway to Tuam. They were flying around the fields and hedges and across the road in front of me (in a west – east direction mostly). I noticed that some of them were stopping on the road surface at times but it’s a busy road. I suspect mortality was high. I know that several of them hit my windscreen fairly hard. I was actually at a little village called Sylaun, near Belclare, and when I was walking around, there were lots of them fluttering around the fields and hedges too. Numbers are difficult to estimate. They seemed to be going about in twos and threes and I was on the move. But over the whole trip I must have seen at least a couple of hundred.
I also saw several in Crosshaven, Co Cork on Friday/Saturday last. They seemed to be coming in from the sea.

»»»

1st June

Deirdre Hardiman: 300 per hour passing by nr Corranelistrum, north of Moycullen, Galway at 12.00h and still coming at a reduced rate more than 2 hours later.　 Moving in north-westerly direction along a corridor close to the shore of Lough Corrib, while earlier arrivals continue to nectar, etc.
Fiona Poole: Burrishoole Abbey(57), Newport, Mayo - 15 minute count.
Russell Poole: Lettermaghera(3), Newport, Mayo [West to East]
Geoff Hunt: PL (4), Kilmallock, Limerick
PL (4), Ardpatrick, Limerick
PL (12), Seefin Mountain, Limerick
John A Power: PL(20), Mount Stewart, Dungarvan, Waterford, 01/01
Aynia Brennan: Magheramore(2), Wicklow
Anthony Pickering: Spiddal to Galway & Castlebar (vis Headford and Ballinrobe), flying across the road all the way. 5 in home garden.
Brian Hodkinson: Ashfort (Van Veens Nursery)(5), Limerick (H08);
Reboge canal area (10), Red Admiral(1) [ same walk as previous 2 days but saw only 6 Painted Ladies.]
Jesmond Harding: Painted Lady(2), Lulybeg, Kildare, 1/6
Tommy Carey: Hundreds if not thousands of painted ladies flying headlong north to south on NE shore of Lough Corrib.
Ger Heneghan: Shrule(645), West Mayo [100's flying north-west to south-east, over 2 days]
Tom Cuffe: Crestwood(5), Galway
James Moran: Mayo, Grid Ref., M26, large number of painted lady butterflies in practically every field on the farm. ...at least 50-100 in the area. There were feeding on creeping buttercup.　
Richard McCafferty: Drumnasillagh my garden, Glenties. Morning and after lunchtime c. 20;
Glenmacannive, Glenties at lunchtime, 4 actively feeding etc.
Geoff Hunt: Killmallock(4), R62;　 Ardpatrick(8) R62; Seefin Mountain, Ballyhoura, Limerick, 20 crossed at 528 m.
Tom Tarpey: Barna,Galway: 300/hour eastwards in the late afternoon in flat calm conditions.
Paul Walsh: Fiddown to Mooncoin(15), Kilkenny - mostly settled, but 2 N, 3 S or SW.
Ken Bond: numerous specimens in E. Clare and E. Galway, including c.30 around top of Knockmaa, SW of Tuam, NE Galway
Kathryn Freeman: Killarney National Pk(29), Kerry
[All moving one after another southwards across West Meadow, Muckross, Killarney National Park - possibly came from L Leane to north, as similar behaviour noticed earlier that day, with 5 Painted Ladies moving southwards from direction of L Leane at nearby Castlelough V975 875. Several other sightings of 1 to 5 Painted Ladies throughout KNP from 31/5 to 2/6/09.]

»»»

31st May

Geoff Hunt: PL (3), Listowel, Kerry N [q984343],
PL (6), Listowel, Kerry N [r043333] 31/05;
PL (100), Ballybunion [q858406], Kerry N,
PL (200), Ballybunion [q857395], Kerry N,
PL (6), Athea, Limerick,
PL (30), Newcastle West, Limerick,
Tom Cuffe: 200 PL, Anglinham, Galway
[Large numbers in one particular field with Buttercups settling for a few seconds then appeared to fly out over the Corrib North West. 200 + and could have been similar numbers in the next two adjoining fields with similar vegetation.]
Brian Hodkinson: Reboge(69), Limerick[H08]
Aynia Brennan: Magheramore(15), Wicklow[H21]
Brian Danaher: Shanaganah Park(10), Shankill, Dublin
Joseph Kennedy: 2 PL, Laois
Deirdre Hardiman: c10 acre Meadow taken over by Painted Lady & Silver Y, Oakfield, Co Galway.
Don Hodgers: Clogher Head(6), Louth
Robert & Hannah Northridge: 701 PL, Bunglass to Malingbeg [G57]
[11.30 to 16.00h; One Man's Pass - 40 per minute]
10 PL, West End of Malinbeg Beach [G470]; 17 PL, Kilcar [G67]; 5 PL, Dunkineely [G77];
" Painted ladies were touching down on the boat and taking off again in their hundreds" Teelin to Bunglass Boat (Slieve League)
Freddie Walsh: Ballyteigue Burrows(300), Wexford
Jesmond Harding: Portmarnock sand dunes(4), Dublin
Noel Raftery: Kevinsfort garden (3), Kilmacowen garden (2) and Carrowmore roadside (2), Sligo, [G674358, G662311 and G666329 respectively]
Marilyn Farrell:　 "we had an explosion of Painted Lady butterflies.　 There were literally thousands of them flying about Lispole and Annascaul. ....... my garden in Glen Minard, it felt like it was snowing butterflies." 31/5
Aisling Nic an tSithigh: 1000s thousands painted ladies in Dunquin, average 1 per 18 inches in garden, Kerry, 31/5
Farmer just told they're "ar nos socraid " i.e. like a funeral coming from Skelligs through Dunquin, he never saw anything like it in his 65 years.
Russell Poole: Moynish Island(35), Clew Bay, Mayo [Awash with Painted Ladies. Approx 35 every 15 minute- NW to SE or N to E]
Coilin Mac Lochlainn: Kilruddery ( c.20), Wicklow; Broadlough, Wicklow (scarce).　
A. N. Mac Lochlainn: Inishbofin (many), Mayo
Michael Hirst: Kilcolman NNR(c.10) in afternoon.　 No discernible pattern - just scattered individuals far & wide.
Declan Feeney: Maghery(183), Donegal, W (H35)
Painted Ladies sighted in an approx 1 hour at one spot. This was after only seeing 9 the day before. Total number for the day was possible over 1000.
Julie Kendall: Mountain View B&B (4), Meens, Newmarket, Cork
Richard McCafferty: Stranaglough/Meenalargan 1km north of Glenties 11 am - 12.00 pm 　20+ flying　 in all directions. Drumnasillagh garden, Glenties; 12.00 - 2:30 pm, 　25+ feeding on shrubs etc. Between 6.00 pm and 7.00 pm, 14 feeding on the same sq metre of Cotoneaster while others were feeding elsewhere..On the road beteen Glenties and Mountcharles 2:30 pm and 3.00pm, c.7 flying in all directions.　
Geoff Hunt: Newcastle west garden, 30 PL passed over in 20 minutes;
3 PL Athea, Limerick; 6 PL Nr. Listowel, Kerry; 8 PL Liselton , Kerry; 200 came in off of the sea at Ballybunion.　
John Lynch: Bell Bar Clondrohid, Cork ITM: at 14.00h　I counted 126 per minute crossing the 150 m stretch of roadway.
I continued on my transect for the next hour and continually PLs flew in groups between trees in the woodland heading in a westerly direction. The whole area was alive with then.
I returned back to the car park after an hour and did 3 counts which averaged at 113 per minute heading west.
Tony Nagle had 98 per minute at a site near the N22 County boundary at 12,00hrs;
I estimate at over 6,000 per hour were passing this one inland point of 150m of roadway.
I was out with two other field workers
Tony Nagle and Harry Hussey since 09.00hrs in the Coolea and Ballymakeera area and on a broad front we were seeing from counts of 50 to 100 per minute in upland areas and lower numbers at lower elevations.
Ger O'Donnell: Inishbofin Island, Galway. -　 spectacular.. c.100 gathered on large yellow plants (?'sea cabbage') growing in a disturbed new house, also several Red Admirals ....there was a steady movement of Painted ladies flying past from the south....impossible to count.
Tom Tarpey: Loughrea,Galway: 50/hour northwards in the afternoon in light southerly airflow.
Paul Walsh: BrownstownHead (25), Waterford; Portlaw/ Curraghmore area(94).
[Mostly directed movement of PLs (91 W or NW, 1 E), in period 09.35-12. 40 h, although direction (and observations) generally constrained somewhat by well-wooded habitat. Included two brief sample counts: 25 NW across a 150-m length of the River Clodiagh at Portlaw town, 12.00-12.05 (300/hr); 31 WNW (1 ESE) along (following line of) a 20-m-wide conifer forest track just south of Portlaw, all at or below treetop level, 1213-1233 (93/hr).]
Road from Ballyshunnock Reservoir east to Tramore Backstrand: 22 heading between W & N (mainly NW) along/across road, seen while driving, 12.40-13.20 BST.
Helen Cloney: Caim, Wexford:- 100++ nectaring on Oilseed rape and other yellow flowers.
Ken Bond: numerous specimens observed in flight and close-up on journey Dublin-Johnstown-Thurles-Tipperary-Kilfinnane, 31/5
Geoff Hunt: Grouse Lodge(6), Limerick (H08)
Martin Smith: Went to Kindrum, Fanad, Donegal at the weekend 30th and 31st May ‘09. Largest invasion of painted ladies I've ever seen throughout the dunes - in the hundreds. One sheltered hollow had a dozen.

»»»

30th May

Geoff Hunt: PL(2), Fiddown, Waterford
PL (6), Data Centre, Waterford
PL (8), Kilmeadon, [s505117], Waterford
PL (8), Kilmeadon, [s505115], Waterford
PL (2), Carrig-on-Suir, Tipperary S.
PL (4), Cahir, Tipperary S.
PL (2), Galtee Castle Wood, Limerick
PL (4), Ballygiblin, Tipperary
PL (6), Clonmel, Tipperary S.
PL (5), Bruree, Limerick
Kevin Deering: Painted Lady(5), Lislarry, Sligo. I saw them about 100 metres off shore out at sea flying north.
Robert Northridge: Enniskillen garden(1), Fermanagh
Tony Murray: Jamestown,　 Oylegate(8),　 Wexford
Fintan Ryan: South Carlow(1);
Brian Hodkinson: canal area, Reboge(89), Limerick [80 seen on half-hour walk]
Paul Walsh: Lemybrien/Mahon Bridge (785), Waterford
Minimum total 785 Painted Ladies (of which 510 flew N or NNW, 3 S or SE, the others off-passage) counted 0830-1415 in tetrads S30 G, H, L & M.Peak passage seemed to occur 1200-1300hrs BST, when a sample count north-west of Mahon Bridge village, looking east-west across a silage field (250 m wide at most) gave 375 North in 15 mins (12. 35-12. 50 h BST), equivalent to 1500/hr, at that particular point (probably for at least an hour).
Passage was fairly widespread and continuous from 11. 30 h onwards (many butterflies were resting/feeding before that, with hawthorn flowers among the many flowers being visited) but density of passage seemed to vary depending on exact location, of the order of 200-300/hr over a 100-200m wide band in places, and substantially less than this from some vantage points;
Brownstown Head(138) & Red Admiral(7), Waterford, Further checks around the head in the afternoon upped the Painted Lady totals to 138+, mainly feeding on thrift along the clifftops. Little obvious movement (5 flying strongly NW, 1 W), compared with movements inland in Waterford that morning, and no visible arrivals in off the sea in the hour or so I walked cliffs in late afternoon.
Mary Duggan: Brownstown Head(7), Waterford. Also Red Admiral(2)
Patrick Garvey: Glenamdday(7), Galway [half-hour walk]
Robert Northridge: Marlbank Loop, H1134, (7); Enniskillen, H1233, (1)
Michael O'Donnell: Garden(10), Cape Clear(21), West Cork [Eamonn]
Liz Sheppard: Raphoe(10), Donegal
Don Hodgers: Cooley Hills at Mullaghattin(5), Louth
[All the Painted Ladies were heading east into the breeze.];　 Moneycrookroe(2), Louth [also 18 Silver Y]
Kevin Hannan: nr Cratloe(40), Clare - > 40　 in ten minutes all heading　 west
[Lots of Painted ladies in and around suburbs　 of Limerick]
Tony Bryant: Tramore Burrow(415) Painted Ladies (+ 1 Rush Veneer and 60 Silver Y].
[The saltmarsh and its embankments produced one Small White, one Red Admiral and 237 Painted Ladies. As for　other migrants　there was one Diamond-back Moth and 141 Silver Y.]
Deirdre Hardiman: Rosscahill(20+), Galway [elsewhere too numerous to enumerate]
David Nash et al: Ballymena area(10+), Antrim
Sean Geraty: Lullymore Bog(26), Kildare
Robert Moss: Phibsborough(2), Tolka Valley, Ashtown(2), Aungier St Dubin 2(3), Dublin
Sean Breen: Dundrum(192), Tipperary　
[Note received on 1/6: Most seemed to be flying strongly in a NW direction. First noticed from approx 11.00am and continued steadily until 6.00pm approx. Very few sighted during Sunday morning.]
Jill Crosher: Ballyferriter(8), Kerry
Fintan Ryan: Borris Demesne(8), Carlow [10 minute count; flying to NW; 20 degrees]
Tom Cuffe: Anglingham(14), Galway
Melinda Lyons: Howth(4+), Dublin
Stuart Dunlop: Raphoe, Donegal - "A dozen spotted flying due north at 30 second intervals ... 20 miles to the north coast!"
Jenny Seawright: Gortnamona(10), Ballingeary, Macroom, W Cork(H3)
Jonathan Shackleton: Lakeview(4), Mullagh, Cavan　
Brian Danaher: Shankill(2), Dublin
George McDermott: Buncrana(20+), Donegal
Brian Nelson: Raferagh(5), Monaghan
Jim Wilson: Cobh Garden, 19 in an area of c.50 sq metres, Cork;
Seafront Cobh, 60+ per hour flying north.
Cobh_Cork Airport, steady stream flying mainly north over 15 mile front.
Brian Leonard: Moycullen(c.12 in excellent condition) in garden and along the Corrib
[In 35 years of observation I have never seen so many].
Jesmond Harding: Fahee North(15), Clare; Cuildooish(17), Ballindereen, Galway;
Ballyryan(4), Clare; Ballyteigue Meadows(10), Lisdoonvarna, Clare; Rinecaha(40),　
Clare (H9).
[Large number of Painted Lady Butterflies noted throughout Burren. Large numbers on Red Valerian growing on sea wall in Kinvarra. Elsewhere they were observed nectaring on Bloody Cranesbill, hawkbit, hawkweed and buttercup. Most appeared to have settled where found and courtship behaviour was observed.]
Mary Willis: Beltra(50+), south of Ballysadare Bay, Sligo (H28)
[May 30-June 3rd very large numbers amongst thistles (some nettles) in coastal fields grazed by sheep. Eggs were found. Feeding off silverweed, buttercup and Escallonia. Numbers dropped after 4 June, but the odd one is still around (11th June]
Martin Smith: Went to Kindrum, Fanad, Donegal at the weekend 30th and 31st May ‘09. Largest invasion of painted ladies I've ever seen throughout the dunes - in the hundreds. One sheltered hollow had a dozen.

»»»

Freddie Walsh: The Raven(65) & Red Admiral(3), Wexford
Áine Fenner: Painted Lady(1), Gurteen, Ballymahon, Longford
Michael Hirst: Kilcolman NNR, 13.30 h, 50 per 15 minute travelling low S to N with light S wind.
Rosalen Dwyer: Cherryfield Park(7) and nearby, Rathfarnham, Dublin
Richard McCafferty: 15-20 PL feeding on wild flowers or basking on the ground, 10.30am - 11;00am, Bonnyglen Wood, SW of Maas in West Donegal;
17-20 PL feeding on Cotoneasters or flying around, 12.00 - 2.00 pm, Drumnasillagh garden, Glenties;
9 PL feeding on wild flowers etc. at 2:30 pm, Glenmacannive, East of Glenties,Donegal;
c.10 PL, 3.00 - 5.00 pm, The Big Glen of Glenties, Donegal;
c.7 PL flying in all directions on the way between Glenties and Lough Eske after 7.00 pm.
Geoff Hunt: 2 PL at Fiddown, Co　Waterford; 6 PL at data centre Co.Waterford; 2PL at Carrig-on-Suir, Co Tipperary; 4 PL at Cahir Co Tipperary; 6 PL at Kmeadon, Co Waterford; 2 PL at Galtee Castle Wood, Kilbeheny r81, Co Limerick; 6 PL at Ballygiblin, Tipperary.
Maja Gawlikowska/ Tomasz Babiarz: 3 PL, Ballytegan, Wexford; 2 PL, Courtown, Wexford
Mike Maunsell: 55 PL, Centre for Biodiversity, Ballingrane, Clonmel, Tipperary.
A constant stream of Painted Lady butterflies observed between 11.30 h and 14.45 h, flying　 W/NW direction. 15 minute count.
Tom Tarpey: 20 PL/hour flying northwards in the morning, in light southerly airflow. Barna, Co.Galway

»»»

29th May

Liam Lysaght: nr Waterford(10); 11 by Tony Bryan from Tramore area, Waterford
David Nash: Donnybrook(3), Dublin.
Niall Keogh: Sixmile Point(14); Kilcoole(1), Five mile Point Lane(2), Vartry Reservoir(1), Wicklow
Mary Duggan & Paul Walsh:　 Main road Youghal-Dungarvan-Waterford(11)[Flying W/NW 8.55-9.20 pm];
6 flying W/NW Cork-Youghal (7.55-8.30); Crosshaven(2); Cork Airport Business Park(1)　
Don Cotton: Coast of Sligo(5) [with J. Dunleavy]; Newport(1), Mayo [Sue Callaghan]; Oranmore(1), Galway [Michael Casey]
Eamonn O'Donnell: Cape Clear Isand(3), W Cork; Barnland(4),
Angus Tyner: nr rAshford, Wicklow -　 one every 2 minutes at 17.10 h.
Trevor Boyd:　 Ballymacormick(6), nr Bangor, Down [nectaring on Thrift]
Christian and Faith Wilson: Carrigmore(3), Kilnamanagh Beg(c.30) [in buttercup meadow];　 5 en route to Wicklow Head & c.20 on Head.
Tony Murray: Jamestown,　 Oylegate(4), Wexford
Freddie Walsh: Monamintra(3), Waterford
Stefanie Fleischer: Waterford(4), S60
Roberta Reeners: Cronroe(5), Ashford, Wicklow
Josephine O'Donnell: Beltony(7), Crolly, Donegal; and also at Mageraroarty Dunes(2) [on 1st.]
Maja Gawlikowska & Tomasz Babiarz: Ramstown(2), Gorey, Wexford; Arklow rd.(2), Gorey, Wexford;Coach Rd.(2), Gorey, Wexford (H12); The Galops(1), Gorey, Wexford; Ballytegan(3), Wexford
Ger O'Donnell:　 Moyard, Connemara, Galway - a number flying past.
Colin Barton: Bottlehill Landfill Site(3), Cork

»»»　

***

A short summary of what is going on from Tom Brereton (BC UK):

Phenomenal breeding season in the Atlas Mountains due to winter rain – eg estimated 150,000 pupae in a single field.
Mass dispersal north across Mediterranean from February.
UK: Small numbers of faded individuals reached UK April-mid May, widely scattered in one's and two's.
Breeding of African winter brood in Southern Europe Feb onwards.
Mainland Europe– waves/pulses of northerly migration across the whole of Europe from February onwards – Spain, France, Italy, Mediterranean Islands etc, in the preceding days and weeks, with arrivals in Northern France, Germany and the Netherlands the middle of last week.
Stable isotope work confirms that they those sampled are from the Atlas Mountains.
UK: 21st May first substantial arrival detected in the UK, at Portland Bill (~100).
The big NW movement occurred 24/25 May when at a guess 10-50 million arrived, mainly fresh individuals (those that have bred in southern Europe) plus first generation faded African insects. Big counts all over southern Britain (~50,000 counted), especially East Anglia.
Small numbers in Northern England but no large arrivals yet….should be any day
Some starting to settle to breed – eg in Cornwall., SW England
Also involved in the migration Large Whites, Red Admirals, Clouded Yellows and Silver Y's
Classic weather conditions for a large arrival over the Bank Holiday　 – low pressure over Northern France feeding warmer air to Southern/Eastern England. Warm, sunny with easterly winds over Eastern Britain allowing butterflies to migrate strongly NW with a favourable tail wind.
More are expected – Thursday and Friday this week looks good for another immigration!
Then we will have the offspring of this brood in July and August, so there should be huge numbers around – I wouldn't like to be a thistle in August!

»»»

　***

Some news from Constanti Stefanescu in Spain:

Yes, I was in Morocco by the end of March and was able to locate a massive emergence area of V. cardui, with an estimated number of 150000 pupae in a meadow of only 1,8 ha. I'm working on a MS with details on this source area, levels of parasitism, etc. I'll certainly send you the MS once ready. This was in the Souss valley, not very far from Agadir (south of the Atlas mountains).

Immediately after, Painted Ladies started to arrive in Catalonia and the whole of Spain. There has been massive waves of migrants since then, mainly coinciding with depressions crossing the Mediterranean area. I had never seen something similar, and certainly BMS counts will show this with all detail.

First migrants started to arrive in the first week of April. Since then, egg-laying has been a common phenomenon and now there are big larvae on thistles and mallows everywhere... the numbers are really spectacular! Some very fresh butterflies are becoming to be seen - so, local emergence has started already... and will continue for one month or so. In the Balearic Islands there are reports of huge concentrations of larvae, going for pupation ca. 2 weeks ago. So, there is NOW the first wave of local emergences in all this area (including Spain)... and these are the butterflies you're starting to notice moving to the north.

I expect huge numbers of migrants for the next 4 weeks or more - probably, all this is related to the abnormal rainy winter in north Africa, which attained levels unrecorded in the last 30 years

Butterfly Conservation Europe

»»»

***

What to look out for on thistle

Painted lady eggs on upper side of Thistle. Newly laid eggs are white/green in colour, changing to black prior to hatching.
Eggs may also be laid on many other foodplants including Common Nettle and Mallows.

Painted Lady caterpillar feeding in larval web on thistle and final instar caterpillar after leaving web

Painted Lady caterpillar feeding on thistle

J-shaped larva beginning to pupate and pupa with last moulted skin (exuvia) visible

Painted Lady butterfly nectaring

»»»

[ Up ] [ Contents ]