There is a track in Lullymore in northwest Kildare that runs in an east-west direction, about half of its length is open to the south while native woodland exists on its northern edge. The track was created by excavating marl and rises above the adjoining peat soils. The track holds a range of grasses, including Red Fescue, Cock’s-foot Grass, Sweet Vernal Grass, and Quaking Grass. Herbs include Common Knapweed, Rough Hawkbit, Common Dandelion, Common Bird’s-foot-trefoil, eye-bright, Common Dog-violet, Meadow Vetchling, and Devil’s-bit Scabious. Common Nettle occurs in different areas on both sides of the track. There are some areas of bare soil on the track created by vehicles.
The adjoining wood contains Bilberry, Bramble, Downy Birch, Grey Willow and Common Holly, with small amounts of Common Hawthorn. Broom and Bracken are present with the latter abundant in the shaded area on the southern edge of the track. Alder Buckthorn occurs near the southern edge of the track, on peat soil. The track leads to the Irish Peatland Conservation Council’s butterfly reserve.
The track is very popular with nature lovers. In spring and summer, many happy hours are spent in this space by nature lovers who can observe the large populations of insects that congregate here. From Hairy Dragonflies in May to Black Darters and Migrant Hawkers in late October, the track is a dragonfly haven throughout these months. And little wonder, given the large prey populations, warmth and perch points available.
Several butterflies visit the track and several breed on it. Dingy Skipper, Cryptic Wood White, Common Blue, Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Comma, Speckled Wood, Meadow Brown and Ringlet breed on the site, while Wall Brown, a suspected breeder, is sadly now rare.
Brimstone, Small White, Green-veined White, Orange-tip, Silver-washed Fritillary and Marsh Fritillary visit for food and mates. The sheltered site encourages butterflies from adjoining areas to congregate here during windy conditions. This makes the track a place of abundance and a pleasant place for people to watch nature.
However, over recent years the experience has become less than it used to be. Shade cast by overhanging branches from the wood and the scrub on the track’s southern edge and the denser, more shade-tolerant grasses are lessening the floral resources and darkening and cooling the track.
Butterfly Conservation Ireland’s work party have begun to reverse these changes on our workday on Saturday 9th November. Shading scrub and the shadow-casting overhanging branches were tackled and bramble, which favours semi-shade and has been swallowing up the herbs, was dealt with by our brush-cutter. Tough and inglorious the work might be, but the results are glorious. As usual, our tea and lunch breaks are not just welcome sustenance but great catch-up times, and happy times for sharing news and experiences. Sharing experiences with nature are great enhancement to appreciation.
We offer our heartfelt thanks to all our conservation workers for all the effort devoted to nature. We will have our next work party early in 2025.
