2023

The records for 2023 are given below. The first sighting of a free-flying butterfly of each species is indicated in bold type.

Neil J. Bourke (03/02/2023)

Small Tortoiseshell 1 at N 81049 15507 flying across the Naas Road, Newbridge, Co. Kildare. Mild, c.11C

Helen Cloney (03/02/2023)

Red Admiral 1 at S9040, Caim, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford.

Jesmond Harding (11/02/2023)

Marsh Fritillary larval nests 2 at N 68839 25640, Lullybeg, Co. Kildare. Mild, bright but not sunny, c.10C.

Sean Geraty (13/02/2022)

Peacock 1 at O 04630 35297 at 3:50 pm at Edmundsbury, Lucan, Co. Dublin. Breezy, c.9C.

Helen Cloney (17/02/2023)

Small Tortoiseshell 1 at S9040, Caim, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford.

Sean Geraty (22/02/2023)

Peacock 1 at O 12655 34757, Phoenix Park, Co. Dublin. Sunny, 11C.

Joan Smyth (01/03/2023)

Small Tortoiseshell 1 at O 263379, Sutton Dinghy Club, Dublin 13. Sunny, 8C.

Sean Geraty (07/03/2023)

Red Admiral 1 at O 04630 35297 at 11:15 pm at Edmundsbury, Lucan, Co. Dublin. Sunny, 3C.

Pat Wyse (16/03/2023)

Brimstone 1 on the track at N 69039 25659, Lullybeg, Co. Kildare. Brief sunny spell, 13C.

Ian Whitehouse (16/03/2023)

Comma 1 at O215181, Knocksink Wood, Enniskerry, Co. Wicklow. Sunny, 13C

Padraig Punch (17/03/2023)

Tortoiseshell at 1 pm feeding on hyacinths and primulas in my garden at V94K5C1 Patrickswell, Limerick. Cloudy but a few clear breaks, 14 Celsius.

Con O’Donnell (22/03/2023)

Small Tortoiseshell 1 at C648408 Eleven Ballyboes, Greencastle, Co. Donegal. 12 C sunny and breezy.

Jonathan Shackleton (22/03/2023)

Red Admiral 1 at N6782,  Killyconny Bog (SAC), Mullagh, Co. Cavan.

Philip Strickland (23/03/2023)

Small Tortoiseshell 1, Comma 1 at O 03433 35543, Liffey bridge, Lucan, Co. Dublin. Sunny, breezy, c.9C.

Pat Wyse (23/03/2023)

Brimstone 9 between 11:30 am and 2 pm from  N 69196 26023 to N 68735 26192, Lullymore, Co. Kildare. Sunny, breezy, c.11C.

Jim Fitzharris (25/03/2023)

Comma 3, active in a sheltered glade, at O 1865 2438, at Fernhill Gardens, Stepaside, Co. Dublin. Mild, calm, sunny, 15°C.

Joan and Frank Smyth (25/03/2023)

Peacock 1, at O 268372, Red Rock, Sutton, Dublin 13. Part cloudy, 12C.

Geraldine Nee (26/03/2023)

Brimstone 1 at M083 677 Tourmakeady Woods, Co. Mayo. Sunny, light breeze, 12 Celsius.

Small Tortoiseshell 2 at M152 794 Ballintubber, Co. Mayo. Sunny, light breeze, 12 Celsius.

Jesmond Harding (27/03/2023)

Brimstone male 1 at N 68857 25652, Lullybeg, Co. Kildare. Intermittent sunshine, calm, c.12C.

Maurice Simms (27/03/2023)

Small Tortoiseshell 2, flying, at H330984, in the garden at Combermore, Lifford, Co. Donegal. Sunny, 12C approx.

Con O’Donnell (30/03/2023)

Small Tortoiseshell 2, Peacock 1 at C 6744 at Port Kill, Inishowen Head, Co Donegal. Sunny and 15-16 C.

Small Tortoiseshell 2, at C 648408 at Eleven Ballyboes, Greencastle, Co Donegal.

Jim Fitzharris (30/03/2023)

Speckled Wood 1 at O 120267, Knocklyon, Co. Dublin. Mild, breezy; sunny; 15°C.

Ian Stevenson (30/03/2023)

Peacock 1 at O 0530, Corkagh Park, CO. Dublin.

Maurice Simms and Akke Simms (31/03/2023)

Peacock 1, Small Tortoiseshell 1 at H 330984, in the garden at Combermore, Lifford, Co. Donegal. Cloudy.

Green-veined White 1 at  O 1133, Inchicore, Co. Dublin.

Frank Smyth (01/04/2023)

Small Tortoiseshell 1 at O 268372, Red Rock, Sutton, Dublin 13. Part cloudy, 11C.

Jesmond Harding (02/04/2023)

Holly Blue 1, Small Tortoiseshell 1, Peacock 1 at O 24110 43866, Portmarnock, Co. Dublin. Sunny, calm, c.12C.

Geraldine Nee (02/04/2023)

Small Tortoiseshell 1 basking in the sun at M189 839 Belcarra, Co, Mayo. Sunny, light breeze, 14 Celsius.

Peacock 2 at M175 817, Cloonconragh Bog, Co. Mayo. Also Oak Eggar Moth Caterpillars 2 on gorse and Common Heath Moth (male) 1 – wasn’t expecting to see one of them quite so soon!

Joan and Frank Smyth (02/04/2023)

Small Tortoiseshell 3 at O 268372, Red Rock, Sutton, Dublin 13. Sunny, calm 11C.

Jim Fitzharris (02/04/2023)

Small Tortoiseshell 3 at O 122 344, Phoenix Park, Co. Dublin. Mild, breezy; sunny; 16°C.

Frank Smyth (06/042023)

Red Admiral 1, Small Tortoiseshell 1 at O 268372, Red Rock, Sutton, Dublin 13. Part cloudy, 11C.

Jesmond Harding (06/04/2023)

Small Tortoiseshell 1 in my garden at N 92070 42461, Mulhussey, Co. Meath. Sunny, calm, c. 11C.

Maurice Simms (06/04/2023)

Speckled Wood 3 at G 673974, Eden Rosbeg, Co. Donegal. Sunny, 13C.

Luke Geraty (06/04/2023)

Comma 1 at N 95721 38351, Carton, Co. Kildare. Sunny.

Helen Cloney (06/04/2023)

Holly Blue 3, Comma 2 at S9040, Caim, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford.

Maurice Simms (07/04/2023)

Small Tortoiseshell 1, Peacock 2, Speckled Wood 4 at G 691959,688/9/958/9, near Mass House at Sheskinmore Reserve, Rosbeg, Co. Donegal. Sunny 14C.

Peacock 1 at G 804999, Cleangort, Gweebarra, Co. Donegal. Sunny 15C.

Peacock 1, Speckled Wood 1 at G 696989, Pound Cottage, Portnoo, Co. Donegal. Sunny 16C.

Akke Simms (07/04/2023)

Small Tortoiseshell 1 at G 704986, Doon Road Portnoo, Co. Donegal. Sunny 16C.

Meadhbh Walsh (07/04/2023)

Holly Blue 1 in the front garden at S 58110 01509, Patrick St, Tramore, Co. Waterford. Warm weather and a light breeze.

Jesmond Harding (07/04/2023)

Holly Blue 1, Small Tortoiseshell 2, Peacock 1, Comma 2, Speckled Wood 2 between N 91875 42697 and N 91482 41911, Mulhussey, Co. Meath. Sunny, 11C.

Eamonn Mc Glinchey (07/04/2023)

Small Tortoiseshell 4, Peacock 4 at C 030145, Glendowan, Churchill, Co. Donegal. Sunny, 13C.

Note: Early and late in the flight season most butterflies will be found close to hedges, tree lines, and walls as long as there are nectar sources present. Warm, sheltered places with abundant direct sunshine should be checked for butterflies. Most species avoid open areas at this time of the year. Please check out-buildings for butterflies and moths that have spent the colder months indoors. These should be released.

Frank Smyth (08/04/2023)

Small Tortoiseshell 1 at O274370, Carrickbrack, Howth, Co. Dublin. Breezy, sunny 12C.

Small Tortoiseshell 3, Peacock 1, Speckled Wood 1 at O 268372, Red Rock, Sutton, Dublin 13 Sunny, 12C.

Stephen Franck (08/04/2023)

Peacock 1 at O 30039 10568, Three Trouts Path, near Greystones, Co. Wicklow.

Geraldine Nee (08/04/2023)

Common Heath 1 (male) at M 177 821, Clogher Bog, Co, Mayo. Overcast, breezy, Circa 8 Celsius.

Jim Fitzharris (08/04/2023)

Holly Blue 2 females at T 126 056, Churchtown, Co. Wexford. Mild, breezy; bright; 15°C

Peacock 1 at S 937 076, Reahouse, Co. Wexford. Mild, breezy; sunny; 16°C.

Jim Fitzharris (08/04/2023)

Holly Blue 1 male (my first and only one in the garden so far) at O 120 267, Knocklyon, Co. Dublin. Warm, calm; sunny; 17°C.

Ethna Diver (10/04/2023)

Holly Blue 1, Small Tortoiseshell 1 at C213084, Knockbrack, Co. Donegal.

Eamonn Mc Glinchey (10/04/2023)

Peacock 2 at C 144174, Keenaghan, Kilmacrennan, Co. Donegal. Intermittent sunshine, 14C.

Orange-tip 1 on the roadside at C 140083, Letterleague, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal. Sunny, 13C.

Geraldine Nee (10/04/2023)

Speckled Wood 1 basking in the sun at L 839 633, Bundorragha, Co, Mayo. A mix of heavy showers and sunshine, Warm in sun.

Jesmond Harding (13/04/2023)

Brimstone 1 at N 75040 33086 and Small Tortoiseshell 2 at N 76308 34350, Timahoe Bog north, Co. Kildare. Sunny followed by a hail shower.

Luke Geraty (14/04/2023)

Orange-tip 1 at N 95721 38351, Carton, Co. Kildare. Sunny.

Frank Smyth (14/04/2023)

Small Tortoiseshell 2, Peacock 1 at O 268372, Red Rock, Sutton, Dublin 13 Sunny, 12C.

Holly Blue 1, Peacock 2, Speckled Wood 4 at O 284366, Ceannchor Road, Cliff Path, Howth, Co. Dublin Sunny, 12C.

Niall Dollard (14/04/2023)

Red Admiral 1, Peacock 2, Comma 1 at S 49598 35054, Aghaviller, Co. Kilkenny. Partly cloudy, 12° C, light northwest breeze.

Jesmond Harding (14/04/2023)

Small Tortoiseshell 1 at O 08917 27582, The Square, Tallaght, Co. Dublin. Sunny.

Comma 1, Speckled Wood 1 at N 91467 42324, Walshe’s Lane, Mulhussey, Co. Meath. Sunny, c.11C.

Frank and Joan Smyth (16/04/2023)

Holly Blue 1 at O 266326, St Fintan’s Park, Sutton, Dublin 13. Sunny, SE breeze, 16C

Frank Smyth (16/04/2023)

Small White 2, Holly Blue 1, Red Admiral 2 One appeared to be laying, Small Tortoiseshell 4, Peacock 10, Comma 1, Speckled Wood 2 at O 268372, Red Rock, Sutton, Dublin 13. Sunny, breezy, 16C.

Robert Aldwell (16/04/2023)

Peacock 1, Speckled Wood 1, at O 2178128665 Rockfield Park, Blackrock, Co. Dublin intermittent sun and 16-18 C.

Holly Blue 2 in a sheltered area flying around Ivy and Holly at O 2168428863 Rockfield Park Blackrock, Co. Dublin.

Eamonn Mc Glinchey (16/04/2023)

Orange-tip 1 at C 199 281, Milford, Co. Donegal.

Maurice Simms (16/04/2023)

Peacock 1 at G 965846, Ardnamona Wood, Lough Eske, Co. Donegal. Short glimpses of the sun. 15C.

Geraldine Nee (16/04/2023)

Speckled Wood 1 at G239046, Drummin Woods, Foxford, Co. Mayo.

Helen Cloney (16/04/2023)

Holly Blue 5, Peacock 3, Comma 2, Speckled Wood 1 at S9040, Caim, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford.

Maurice Simms (17/04/2023)

Small Tortoiseshell 6, Peacock 4, Speckled Wood 4 at H 330984,H 324/326/983, Combermore and adjoining fields at Townparks, Lifford, Co. Donegal. Short sunny periods 16/17C.

Eamonn Mc Glinchey (17/04/2023)

Orange-tip 1, Holly Blue 4, Peacock 2 at C 138175, Legnahoorey, Kilmacrennan, Co. Donegal. Sunny spells, 16C.

Green Hairstreak 7, Holly Blue 4, Peacock 8, Speckled Wood 3t C187 202, Ballyare Wood, Ramelton, Co. Donegal. Overcast, 18C.

Frank Smyth (18/04/2023)

Small White 1, Small Tortoiseshell 6, Peacock 7, Comma 2, One egg found, Speckled Wood 5 at O 268372, Red Rock, Sutton Dublin 13. Sunny, breezy, 13C.

Ethna Diver (18/04/2023)

Holly Blue 5, Speckled Wood 1, at C213084, Knockbrack, Co. Donegal

Green-veined White 3, Peacock 3, Speckled Wood 1, at C266099, Mongorry, Co. Donegal.

Pat Wyse (19/04/2023)

Brimstone 7, Orange-tip 3, Small Tortoiseshell 6, Peacock 4, Speckled Wood 3 at N69528-26032-N68756-26070, Lullymore, Co. Kildare. Sunny 13C.

Ethna Diver (20/04/2023)

Holly Blue 4, Small Tortoiseshell 1, Peacock 2 at 213084, Knockbrack, Co. Donegal

Orange Tip 1, Speckled Wood 1, at C114196, Kilmacrennan, Co. Donegal.

Holly Blue 8, Peacock 3, Speckled Wood 2 at C119186, Ballyare Woods, Co. Donegal.

Robert Aldwell (20/04/2023)

Holly Blue 2, Comma 1, Speckled Wood 3 at O 218286 Rockfield Park, Blackrock, Co. Dublin. Sunny, 11 C, cold east wind.

Sean and Luke Geraty (20/04/2023)

Green-veined White 1, Peacock 2, Comma 1 at O31269 07786, Kilcoole beach, Co. Wicklow. Sunny, breezy, c.12C.

Brimstone 8, Holly Blue 4, Small Tortoiseshell 9, Comma 1, Speckled Wood 2 at N69512 26032, Lullymore Bog West, Co. Kildare. Sunny, c.14C.

Coilin MacLochlainn (20/04/2023)

Green-veined White 3, Orange-tip 6, Holly Blue 2, Peacock 50+, Red Admiral 1, Speckled Wood 5 at O 1020, along Dodder River and Glenasmole Reservoir, Glenasmole Upper, Co. Dublin. Calm, warm and sunny.

Maurice Simms (20/04/2023)

Small Tortoiseshell 1, Peacock 3, ( on Dandelions) Speckled Wood 1, at G 696986, Pound Cottage, Lackagh, Portnoo, Co. Donegal. Sunny, 13/14C.

Con O’Donnell (20/04/2023)

Green-veined White 1, Orange Tip 1, Small Tortoiseshell 1, Peacock 3 at C 648408 Eleven Ballyboes Greencastle, Co Donegal

Green-veined White 7, Orange-tip 2, Speckled Wood 3 at C 6341Ballymacarthur, Greencastle, Co Donegal.

Green-veined White 3, Orange-tip 2, Peacock 3, Speckled Wood 5 at C 6140 at Carnagarve, Moville, Co Donegal.

Green-veined white 3, Peacock 4, Speckled Wood 5 at C 6744 Portkill, Inishowen Head, Co Donegal.

Eleanor Hort (20/04/2023)

Green-veined White 2, Small Tortoiseshell 3 at G 67288925 Meentashesk, Carrick, Co. Donegal.

Helen Cloney (20/04/2023)

Green-veined White 1, Holly Blue 7, Peacock 4, Comma 2, Speckled Wood 2 at S9040, Caim, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford.

Jim Fitzharris (20/04/2023)

Orange-tip 1 male, Holly Blue 2, Small Tortoiseshell 1, Peacock 3, Comma 2, Speckled Wood 2 at O 114 278, Dodder Linear Park, Co. Dublin. Mild, breezy; sunny; 18°C (sheltered areas).

Frank Smyth (21/04/2023)

Holly Blue 2, Peacock 2, Comma 2, Speckled Wood 7 at O 268372, Red Rock, Sutton, Dublin 13. Sunny, breezy, 12C.

Ciarán Flynn (21/04/2023)

Orange-tip 1, Holly Blue 1, Speckled Wood 1 at J 177 066, Rathcor, Co. Louth. Sunny, breezy.

Geraldine Nee (21/04/2023)

Orange-tip 3 at M190841, Belcarra, Co. Mayo.

Specked Wood 4 at N172227 and Small Tortoiseshell 1 at N170227, Tarraun Wetlands, Co. Offaly.

The weather was quite cold – a few warm spells which is when I made the sightings.

Also found the larval case of a Coleophora betulella* in nearby Noggusduff Bog – apparently not many records of these for Ireland!

* A birch-feeding micro-moth mainly known from County Clare.

Craig Ayers (22/04/2023)

Green-veined White 6, Orange-tip 10, Holly Blue 1, Small Tortoiseshell 4, Peacock 1, Speckled Wood 4, at G 849831, Lettermore, Inver, Co. Donegal.

Very warm in local sheltered areas for a couple of days with the temperature of up to 19 C on the southside of the Bluestack Mountains. Frequent mating of Green-veined Whites and Orange-tips observed in damp fields rich in Cuckoo Flower.

Maurice Simms and Dennis Hawke (23/04/2023)

Small Tortoiseshell 1 at G 870932, beside the Owengarve River (on Pussy Willow) near Glen of Glenties, Co. Donegal. Short sunny intervals approx. 11/12C.

Eamonn Mc Glinchey (23/04/2023)

Green-veined White 1, Holly Blue 2, Speckled Wood 1 at C 152 114, Kirkstown Rd, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal.

Maurice Simms (25/04/2023)

Small Tortoiseshell 6, Peacock 1, Speckled Wood 11, at H 330984,329983,324982/3,322983, Combermore and adjoining lands at Townparks, Lifford, Co. Donegal. Sunny periods.

Robert Aldwell (25/04/2023)

Holly Blue 2 at O 215281 Fleurville Road, Blackrock Co Dublin sunny with a cool breeze and 9-10 C.

Pat O’Donnell (25/04/2023}

Green-veined White 6, Orange-tip 9, Holly Blue 2, Peacock 20, Speckled Wood 6 at B 916189 Dunlewey, Gweedore, Co. Donegal.

Frank Smyth (26/04/2023)

Holly Blue 3 at O266326, St. Fintan’s Park, Sutton, Dublin 13. Sunny, S.E. breeze, 13C

Small Tortoiseshell 3, Peacock 3, Comma 1 plus 3 eggs, Speckled Wood 3 at O 268372, Red Rock, Sutton, Dublin 13.

Anthony Mooney (26/04/2023)

Small White 4, Orange-tip 2, Holly Blue 2, Small Tortoiseshell 2, Peacock 1, Comma 1, Speckled Wood 2. at N 9134 Bryanstown, Maynooth, Co Kildare. In warm local sunny sheltered areas 16-18 C.

Geraldine Nee (26/04/2023)

Green Veined White 1 at M189840, Belcarra.

Orange-tip 9 (4 Male, 5 Female), Small Tortoiseshell 1, Peacock 2, Small Tortoiseshell 1, Speckled Wood 1 between M211825 and M243834 on the Croagh Patrick Heritage Trail between Belcarra and Balla, Co. Mayo. Sunny, warm 16C, occasional showers.

Eamonn Mc Glinchey (26/04/2023)

Green Hairstreak 4, Peacock 2 at C 299 105, Dooish Hill, Newtowncunningham, Co. Donegal.

Con O’Donnell (28/04/2023)

Small White 2, Orange-tip 2, Peacock 1, Speckled Wood 1 at C 648408 Eleven Ballyboes, Greencastle. Co Donegal.

Green-veined White 5, Orange-tip 4, Small Tortoiseshell 2, Peacock 1, Speckled Wood 1 at C 6341 Ballymacarthur, Greencastle, Co Donegal.

Maurice Simms (28/04/2023)

Green-veined White 5, Speckled Wood 13, at H 330984, Combermore, Lifford, Co. Donegal. Sunny periods.

Con O’Donnell (29/04/2023)

Large White 1, Green-veined White 3, Orange-tip 2, Small Tortoiseshell 1, Speckled Wood 3 at C 606385 at Breda Glen River Walk, Moville, Co Donegal.

Con O’Donnell (30/04/2023)

Large White 1, Green-veined White 18, Orange-tip 2, Peacock 7, at B 8920 Upper Dunlewey, Gweedore, Co. Donegal. Breezy at 12/13 C

Geraldine Nee (01/05/2023)

Small Tortoiseshell 1, Peacock 1, at F975016 on Western Way, near Furnace Newport, Co. Mayo. Warm, 14C.

Frank Smyth (02/05/2023)

Orange Tip 3, Holly Blue 1, Peacock 2, Speckled Wood 3 at O 237411, Baldoyle Race Park, Dublin 13. Mainly sunny, stiff S/W wind, C16.

This site is being engulfed by gorse, bramble, and buddleia which will damage this important Cryptic Wood White site in North Co. Dublin.

George Mc Dermott (02/05/2023)

Green-veined White 5, Orange-tip 10, Green Hairstreak 1, Small Tortoiseshell 5, Peacock 6, Drinker Moth larva 1 at C432306, Meenyanly, Buncrana, Co. Donegal. 15C, cloudy.

The Small Tortoiseshells were chasing each other over a nettle patch on a sheltered roadside. Green Hairstreaks were busy defending a sunny Bilberry patch from passing Peacock butterflies.

John Lovatt (02/05/2023)

Holly Blue 1, Peacock 3, Comma 1, Speckled Wood 2 at O 22217 50009, Newbridge Park, Donabate, Co. Dublin.

Eamonn McGlinchey (02/05/2023)

Small Tortoiseshell 1, Peacock 1, Wall Brown 4 at C 156 432, Sessiagh, Fanad, Co. Donegal. Overcast, 18C.

Frank Smyth (03/05/2023)

Holly Blue 1, Red Admiral 1, Peacock 1, Speckled Wood 6, Wall Brown 2 at O 291316, Lion’s Head to Baily area, Cliff Path, Howth, Co. Dublin. Hazy sunshine, 16C.

Jesmond Harding (03/05/2023)

Brimstone 15, Green-veined White 3, Peacock 1, Narrow-bordered Bee Hawkmoth 1, Four-spotted Chaser c.10, Hairy Dragonfly 4, Large Red Damselfly 1 along the track between N 68797 25636 and N 69198 25691, Lullybeg/Lullymore, Co. Kildare. Sunny, c.18C.

Brimstone 6, Small Tortoiseshell 2, Speckled Wood 1 at and around N 68552 25708, Lullybeg Reserve, Lullybeg, Co. Kildare. Weather as above.

John Lovatt (03/05/2023)

Holly Blue in my garden at O2290 5014, Donabate, Co. Dublin.

Maurice Simms (03/05/2023)

Green-veined White 4, Peacock 2, Speckled Wood 9 at H 330984, Combermore, Lifford, Co. Donegal. Hazy sunshine.

Robert Adwell (05/05/2023)

Red Admiral 1 at O 2626 Dalkey Hill, Co Dublin. Butterfly basking on rock in evening sunshine.

Con O’Donnell (06/05/2023)

Large White 1, Small White 2, Green-veined White 2, Orange-tip 2, Small Tortoiseshell 1, Speckled Wood 1 at C 648408, Eleven Ballyboes, Green Castle, Co. Donegal.

Green-veined White 11, Small Tortoiseshell 3, Peacock 1, Speckled Wood 2 at C 6744, Port Kill, Inishowen Head, Co. Donegal.

Robert Aldwell (07/05/2023)

Orange-tip 1, Holly Blue 5, Red Admiral 1, Speckled Wood 2 at O 217285 Rockfield Park, Blackrock, Co. Dublin. Red Admiral was large female flying around a large patch of nettles, stopping occasionally apparently to lay.

Holly Blue 1, Red Admiral 1, At O 220286 in Blackrock, Co. Dublin. In my garden, Red Admiral was flying around testing various vegetation among which were a few nettles.

Jesmond Harding (07/05/2023)

Large White 1, Green-veined White 2, Holly Blue 2, Speckled Wood 1 in my garden at N 92070 42461, Mulhussey, Co. Meath. Sunny, light breeze c.18C.

John Lovatt (07/05/2023)

Green-veined White 2, Red Admiral 2 at X 7397, Hook Head, Co. Wexford.

Jim Fitzharris (07/05/2023)

Green-veined White 2, Red Admiral 2 at X 948 973. Great Saltee, Co. Wexford. Mild, breezy; sunny; 16°C

Jim Fitzharris (08/05/2023)

Common Blue 1 male at T 307 836, Brittas Bay, Co. Wicklow. Mild, breezy; sunny; 16°C.

Con O’Donnell (08/05/2023)

Green-veined White 8, Orange-tip 6 at C 6543 Shore Path, Greencastle, Co. Donegal.

Green-veined White 6, Orange-tip 2 at C 6743 Carrowhugh, Greencastle, Co. Donegal.

Alex and Jesmond Harding (08/05/2023)

Green-veined White 1, Orange-tip 2, Peacock 2, Comma 1, Speckled Wood 1 between O 21792 17922 and O 21190 18260, Knocksink Wood, Enniskerry, Co. Wicklow. Warm sunshine at times, but bright when overcast. Calm, c. 18C.

Alex and Jesmond Harding (09/05/2023)

Cryptic Wood White 1, Green-veined White 1, Orange-tip 2, Holly Blue 2, Small Copper 1, Peacock 1, Speckled Wood 1 at N 91486 41834, Ballymagillin, Co. Meath. Sunny, calm, c.16C. The Small Copper was a male who chased the Peacock away from his territory.

Michael Gray (09/05/2023)

Green-veined White (male) 1, Orange-tip (male) 1, Holly Blue 8, Painted Lady 1, Small Tortoiseshell 4, Peacock 4, Comma 1, Speckled Wood 4 at O 156260, Marlay Park, Rathfarnham, Dublin 16.

This return represents an extensive butterfly exploration of about 75% of Marlay Park in good conditions; warm, no wind, and intermittent sunshine. Disappointing to only come up with 24 butterflies given the conditions and downright shocking to only see the 2 whites mentioned in my record in the whole of the park.

Robert Aldwell (09/05/2023)

Cryptic Wood White 2, Holly Blue 1 at O 199305 Booterstown, Co. Dublin.

Ciarán Flynn (09/05/2023)

Orange-tip 1, White sp. 3, Speckled Wood 2, Silver Y 1, Hummingbird Hawkmoth 1 at J 122 074, Rockmarshall, Co. Louth. Sunny spells, light winds, c.16C.

Luke and Sean Geraty (09/05/2023)

Dingy Skipper 1, Brimstone 10, Orange-tip 5, Holly Blue 1, Speckled Wood 5, Narrow-bordered Bee Hawkmoth 2 at 53.2849799, -6.9510877, Lullymore, Co. Kildare. Warm with thundery afternoon showers.

Shirley O’ Neill (09/05/2023)

Comma 2 at R5860, Parteen, Co. Clare.

Ethna Diver (09/05/2023)

Green-veined White 14, Orange-tip 5, Peacock 2, at C236047, Mongorry, Co. Donegal.

Ethna Diver (10/05/23)

Green-veined white 12, Orange Tip 1, Holly Blue 1, Red Admiral 1, Speckled Wood 5, at C213084, Knockbrack, Co. Donegal.

Jim Fitzharris (10/05/2023)

Large White 1, Orange-tip 3 males. Holly Blue 3 at O 142 296, Dodder, Rathfarnham, Co. Dublin. Mild, calm; sunny; 17°C.

Con O’Donnell (11/05/2023)

Green-veined White 2, Green Hairstreak 10+ at C 6342 Balleeghan, Greencastle, Co. Donegal.

Green-veined White 15, Orange-tip 7, Peacock 2,at C 6342 also Silver Y 1 Ballymacarthur, Greencastle, Co. Donegal.

Large White 1, Green-veined White 3, Cryptic Wood White 5, Peacock 1 at C 6743 Carrowhugh, Greencastle, Co. Donegal.

Large White 2, Green-veined White 6, Orange-tip 2, Red Admiral 2, Small Tortoiseshell 6, Peacock 7, Hummingbird Hawkmoth 2 and Silver Y 1 at C 6743 Greencastle Shore Path, Greencastle, Co. Donegal.

Ethna Diver (12/05/2023)

Green-veined White 14, Holly Blue 6, Peacock 1, Speckled Wood 2, at C050281, Glenveagh, Co. Donegal.

Green-veined White 6, Orange Tip 4, Green Hairstreak 4, Peacock 4, Speckled Wood 3, at C033232, Derrylahan, Co. Donegal.

Maurice Simms (12/05/2023)

Green-veined White 1, Green Hairstreak 1 at G697985, Lackagh, Portnoo, Co. Donegal. Sunny, 15C.

Green-veined White 1, Orange-tip 1 at G696986, Pound Cottage, Lackagh, Portnoo, Co. Donegal. Sunny 16C.

Dingy Skipper 1, Green-veined White 10, Orange-tip 1, Holly Blue 4, Peacock 1, Speckled Wood 5 at G798/9/ 994/5, and G 800/1/2/994/5, Cleengort Lane, Gweebarra, Co. Donegal. Sunny, 15C.

Green-veined White 5. Peacock 1 at G787988, Mullinamin, Gweebarra, Co. Donegal. Sunny 15C.

Dingy Skipper 2, Green Hairstreak 6 at G 703/4 /988/9, near Still Lough, Lackagh and Narin, Portnoo, Co Donegal. Sunny, 16C.

Grace Meenan (12/05/2023)

Small Tortoiseshell 1, Peacock 1 feeding on dandelions in an old graveyard at B 8546, West Town Tory Island, Co Donegal.

Jim Fitzharris (12/05/2023)

Cryptic Wood White 1, Large White 2, Small White 1, Green-veined White 6, Holly Blue 6, Small Tortoiseshell 1, Peacock 3, Comma 1, Speckled Wood 4 at O 120 262, Knocklyon Wilderness Park, Co. Dublin. Mild, calm, sunny; 18°C.

Frank and Joan Smyth (13/05/2023)

Dingy Skipper 18, Cryptic Wood White 4, Green-veined White 16, Orange-tip 5, Peacock 2, Speckled Wood 1 at G 897732, Murvagh, Co, Donegal. Sunny, 21C.

Burrenbeo Trust/Butterfly Conservation Ireland Walk (13/05/2023)

Dingy Skipper c.10, Wood White c.15, Green-veined White c.15, Orange-tip 5, Small Copper 3, Holly Blue 1, Red Admiral 1, Peacock 2, Pearl-bordered Fritillary c.4 (males), Wall Brown 1 (male), Speckled Wood 3, Common Carpet 1, Speckled Yellow 4,  Brown Silver-lines 3, Pyrausta purpuralis 1: Odonata: Large Red Damselfly 1, Hairy Dragonfly c.20; Hymenoptera: Common Carder Bee c.5. Shrill Carder Bee 1, Red-tailed Bumblebee 1 between R 27247 95432 and R 28569 95279, Clooncoose Valley, Co. Clare. Mainly sunny, light breeze, c.18C.

Maurice Simms (13/05/2023)

Dingy Skipper 5, Green-veined White 3, Orange-tip 4, Small Copper 2, Small Blue 4, Peacock 2 at G 688/9/90/958/9/60 Sheskinmore Reserve, Rosbeg, Co. Donegal. Sunny 17C.

Con O’Donnell (13/05/2023}

Cryptic Wood White 6, Green-veined White 11, Orange-tip 7, Small Tortoiseshell 2, Peacock 6, Speckled Wood 2 at C 6245/46 Kinnagoe Bay-Mossy Glen,.Inishowen, Co. Donegal. Includes one of two known sites for Cryptic Wood White in northwest Inishowen.

Green-veined White 30+, Orange-tip 12, Peacock 3, Speckled Wood 1 at C 6345 Glennagiveny, Inishowen, Co. Donegal.

Large White, Small White 5, Green-veined White 3, Small Tortoiseshell 1, Peacock 2 at C 5535 Redcastle, near Redcastle Co. Donegal.

Katy Duff (13/05/2023)

Holly Blue 1, Red Admiral 1 in my garden at O 22042835 Blackrock, Co Dublin.

Eamonn Mc Glinchey (15/05/2023)

Orange-tip 1, Green Hairstreak 22, Peacock 1 at B932187, Poisoned Glen, Dunlewey, Co. Donegal. Cool 12 deg. A few short sunny spells.

Maurice Simms (15/05/2023)

Dingy Skipper 1, Small Copper 1 at G 682954, Tramore Sand Dunes, Rosbeg, Co. Donegal. Sunny spells, 15C.

Green-veined White 1, Wall Brown 1, at G 697996 along the path behind Portnoo Pier, Lackagh, Portnoo, Co. Donegal. Sunny, breezy 14C.

Green-veined White 1, Wall Brown 1, Speckled Wood 1 at G 667971, on the New Line, near Kiltourish Lake, Rosbeg, Co, Donegal Sunny periods 14C.

Dingy Skippers 3, Green-veined White 1, Wall Brown 2, at G 667971, in the small valley running down to the edge of Kiltourish Lake, Rosbeg, Co. Donegal. Sunny 15C.

Jesmond Harding (16/05/2023)

Dingy Skipper 8, Brimstone 1, Painted Lady 1, Marsh Fritillary 2 males, Narrow-bordered Bee Hawkmoth 1, Burnet Companion 17, Mother Shipton 4 at and around N 68401 25633, Lullybeg Reserve, Co. Kildare. Intermittent sunshine, 14C.

Frank Smyth (16/05/2023}

Cryptic Wood White 6, Green-veined White 10, Orange-tip 3, Speckled Wood 1 at G 871684, Lower Rossnowlagh, Co. Donegal. Sunny, very breezy,15C .

Green-veined White 3, Orange Tip 1, Green Hairstreak 10, Small Heath 1 at G 838648, near Creevy Pier, Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal. Sunny, 16C.

Jane and Jesmond Harding (17/05/2023)

Dingy Skipper 3, Cryptic Wood White 5, Small White 1, Green-veined White 2, Orange-tip c.10,  Common Blue 1, Peacock 1, Small Heath 1, Cinnabar 6, Burnet Companion c.20, Mother Shipton 3 at N 95996 10357, Native Woodland Trust Blessington Reserve, Co. Wicklow. Intermittent sunshine, calm, c. 17C.

This is an interesting site. It holds undisturbed grassland, marsh, scrub and woodland growing in a disused sand pit immediately south of the N81.

Bob Nealon (17/05/2023)

Narrow-bordered Bee Hawk-moth 1 at N783661 Jamestown Bog, Bohermeen, Co. Meath. Sunny, wind easterly, c.12C.

Jim Fitzharris (17/05/2023)

Dingy Skipper 6, Brimstone 8, Holly Blue 1 at N 693 261, Lullymore, Co. Kildare. Warm, calm, sunny; 20°C.

Dingy Skipper 2, Cryptic Wood White 1, Brimstone 4, Marsh Fritillary 1 at N 683 251, Lullymore to Lullybeg track, Co. Kildare. Warm, calm, sunny; 20°C.

Dingy Skipper 3, Cryptic Wood White 1, Marsh Fritillary 2 at N 681 235, Lullybeg, Co. Kildare. Warm, calm, sunny; 20°C.

Daniel Hogan (18/05/2023)

Narrow-bordered Bee Hawkmoth 1 at N 38109 43220, near Lough Ennell, Co. Westmeath.

Paul Mapplebeck (18/05/2023)

Cryptic Wood White 1, Large White 1, Small White 1, Common Blue males 4, Peacock 1, Marsh Fritillary 1, Common Heath 6, Drinker Moth larva 1 (dead) at O 24213 37767, Bull Island, Co. Dublin.

John Lovatt (18/05/2023)

Cryptic Wood White 2, Common Blue 2 at O 24856 52586, Portrane Burrow, Co. Dublin.

Sean and Luke Geraty (18/05/2023)

Dingy Skipper 20, Brimstone 5, Peacock 1 at  N 69280 26075, Lullymore, Co. Kildare.

Brimstone 1, Marsh Fritillary 1, Narrow-bordered Bee Hawkmoth 4 at N 68668 25649, Lullybeg, Co. Kildare.

Brimstone 3, Orange-tip 1, Marsh Fritillary 2 along the track running east to west from Lullymore to Lullybeg at N 68956 25643, Co. Kildare.

Cuckoo and Great-spotted Woodpecker heard calling and drumming respectively.

Anthony Mooney (18/05/2023)

Red Admiral 1 at N 760265 Allenwood, Co. Kildare.

Geraldine Nee (19/05/2023)

Green-veined White 2, Peacock 1 at L841633 and Green Hairstreak 3 at L841634, Bundorragha Co. Mayo. Sunny, light breeze 18 Celsius.

Jim Fitzharris (19/05/2023)

Small Copper 2, Common Blue 1 at V 949 916, Castlerosse, Killarney, Co. Kerry. Mild, breezy, sunny; 17°C.

Jim Fitzharris (20/05/2023)

Small Copper 1, Common Blue 1, Holly Blue 1 at V 965 861, Muckross, Killarney, Co. Kerry. Mild, calm, overcast; 17°C.

Tricha Donoghue (20/05/2023)

Cinnabar 1 at M 40892 17190, Killeenmunterlane, North Kilcolgan, Co. Galway.

Con O’Donnell (20/05/2023)

Large White 2, Small White 5, Orange-tip 1, Peacock 2, Speckled Wood 2, Hummingbird Hawkmoth 3 at C 6540, Greencastle Shore Path, Inishowen, Co. Donegal.

Cryptic Wood White 11, Hummingbird Hawkmoth 1 at C 6743, Carrowhugh, Greencastle, Co. Donegal.

John Lovatt (21/05/2023)

Cryptic Wood White 4 along the road east of Lough Sheelin at N 4406 8195, Lough Sheelin, Co. Westmeath.

Jesmond Harding (22/05/2023)

Dingy Skipper 4, Brimstone 5, Marsh Fritillary 38, Narrow-bordered Bee Hawkmoth 2  at and around N 68401 25633, Lullybeg Reserve, Co. Kildare. Intermittent sunshine, 16C.

Con O’Donnell (22/05/2023)

Small White 1, Green-veined White 14, Orange-tip 2, Small Copper 1, Peacock 1 at C 6743, Port Kill, Inishowen Head, Co. Donegal.

Cryptic Wood White 9, Small White 1, Speckled Wood 3 at C 6743 Carrowhugh, Greencastle, Co. Donegal.

Frank Smyth (22/05/2023)

Small White 1, Green-veined White 1, Orange-tip 2, Holly Blue 4, Peacock 6, Speckled Wood 1 at O 268372, Red Rock, Sutton, Dublin 13. Sunny, strong SW breeze.

Naomi Steele (23/05/2023)

Cinnabar 1  at 53.064061,-6.225239, the national school playground, Roundwood, Co. Wicklow.

John Lovatt (23/05/2023)

Small Blue male 1, Common Blue 5 at O 24856 52586, Portrane Burrow, Co. Dublin.

Sinead Morrissey (23/05/2023)

Cinnabar moth 1 at N 90522 16398, domestic garden, Broadfield, Naas, Co. Kildare.

John Lovatt (25/05/2023)

Small Blue 4 (male 1, female 3), Common Blue 41 plus (mostly male), Small Heath 1 between 10:30 and 11 am at O 24856 52586, Portrane Burrow, Co. Dublin.

Bob Aldwell and Frank Smyth (25/05/2023)

Cryptic Wood White 15, Green-veined White 2, Orange Tip 1, Holly Blue 4, Peacock 1 at O 237411, Baldoyle Race Park, Dublin 13. Sunny, 17C.

Green-veined White 1, Small Blue 14, Common Blue 6 at O 260397, Burrow Beach, Sutton, Dublin 13.

Eamonn mc Glinchey (26/05/2023)

Green Hairstreak 35 at C 061235, Losset, Churchill, Co. Donegal. Nearly all were on or around holly bushes.

Frank Smyth (26/05/2023)

Small White 1, Common Blue 7, Holly Blue 6, Small Tortoiseshell 1, Peacock 6, Small Heath 1 at O 268372, Red Rock, Sutton, Dublin 13. Sunny, 17C.

Jesmond Harding (26/05/2023)

Cryptic Wood White 1, Large White 5, Green-veined White 2, Peacock 1, Speckled Wood 8; Odonata: Four-spotted Chaser 1 at N 32443 23722, Charleville Forest, Tullamore, Co. Offaly. Sunny, c.15C.

Con O’Donnell (26/05/2023)

Large White 2, Small White 1, Green-veined White 8, Orange-tip 2, Red Admiral 1, Peacock 2 at C 6540 Greencastle Shore Path Greencastle, Co Donegal. Also Hummingbird Hawkmoth 1 . Temperature at times 16 C.

Cryptic Wood White 14, Green-veined White 3, Small Copper 1, Small Tortoiseshell 1, Speckled Wood 1 at C 6743 Carrowhugh, Greencastle, Co. Donegal.

Green-veined White 20+, Small Copper 1, Small Tortoiseshell 1, Small Heath 1 at C 6744 Port Kill, Inishowen Head, Co Donegal. One batch of dark larvae in a web on nettles.

Maurice Simms (26/05/2023)

Large White 1, Green-veined White 1, Peacock1, (faded) Speckled Wood 1 at H 330984, Combermore, Lifford, Co. Donegal.

Jim Fitzharris (26/05/2023)

Cryptic Wood White 4, Green-veined White 1, Common Blue 10, Peacock 1 at O 122 263, Knocklyon Wilderness Park, Co. Dublin. Warm, calm, sunny; 20°C.

Orange-tip 1 male, Common Blue 1, Holly Blue 1, Painted Lady 1, Peacock 1 at O 120 259, Woodstown, Knocklyon, Co. Dublin. Warm, calm, sunny; 20°C.

Frank Smyth (27/05/2023)

Small White 1, Common Blue 5, Holly Blue 9, Speckled Wood 4, Wall Brown 2 at O 291316, between Lions Head and Baily Lighthouse, Cliff Walk, Howth, Co. Dublin. Sunny, 17C.

BCI Biodiversity Week Event (27/05/2023)

Dingy Skipper 4, Brimstone 2,  Green-veined White 1, Common Blue 4, Marsh Fritillary 99, Speckled Wood 1, Small Heath 2-3, Narrow-bordered Bee Hawkmoth c.5, Burnet Companion 20 plus, Mother Shipton c.5; Odonata: Large Red Damselfly c.7, Blue-tailed Damselfly c.7, Azure and Variable Damselflies present identified one of each, Four-spotted Chaser c.10, Hairy Dragonfly c.5 at and around N 68653 25669, Lullybeg reserve, Co. Kildare. Warm, sunny spells, calm, c.18C.

Robert Aldwell (27/05/2023)

Small Tortoiseshell larvae 1 batch of first instar larvae in a large bed of nettles at O 217286 Rockfield Park, Blackrock, Co. Dublin.

Jim Fitzharris (27/05/2023)

Small Copper 2, Small Blue 4 at S 924 076, Blackstone, the Cull, Co. Wexford. Warm, breezy, sunny; 20°C.

The patch of suitable habitat here for Small Blue is tiny but they do also occur at Ballyteigue nearby.

Common Blue 10, Small Heath 8 at S 954 049, Ballyteigue Burrow, Co. Wexford. Warm, breezy, sunny; 20°C.

Cryptic Wood White 1, Large White 1, Small Copper 1, Marsh Fritillary 1 at S 857 497, Clorouguebeg, Kiltealy, Co. Wexford. Hot, calm, sunny; 22°C

This is my first sighting of Marsh Fritillary in Wexford – they have been seen at a few sites in the northwest of the county.

Adrian Riley (27/05/2023)

Dingy Skipper 5, Small Blue 12+ at M 141 080, east of the R477, Fanore, Co. Clare.

Maurice Simms (28/05/2023)

Wall Brown 2 at B 710074 near Maghery, Croghy Head, Co. Donegal. Hazy sunshine,14C.

Daniel Hogan (28/05/2023)

Marsh Fritillary at 53.235238,-7.682005, Finnamore Lakes, Co. Offaly.

Sean, Luke and Joe Geraty (28/05/2023)

Dingy Skipper 12 plus, Wood White 12 plus, Brimstone 2, Common Blue 25 plus, Pearl-bordered Fritillary 5, Speckled Wood 4, Wall Brown 6 between 10:30 and 1:30 in and around R30417 94497, Gortlecka, Co. Clare.  Sunny, gentle breeze, 16C.

Adrian Riley (28/05/2023)

Small Heath 15 minimum at R 265 935, Parknabinnia, Co. Clare.

Frank Smyth (29/05/2023)

Holly Blue 3, Red Admiral 1 in my garden at O 266326, St. Fintan’s Park, Sutton 13. Sunny, 17C.

Eamonn Mc Glinchey (29/05/2023)

Green-veined White 4, Green Hairstreak 6 along track through bog west of Lough Salt at C117 273, Termon, Co. Donegal.

Con O’Donnell (29/05/2023)

Cryptic Wood White 24, Green-veined White 8, Orange-tip 5, Small Tortoiseshell 2, Peacock 2, Speckled Wood 1 at C 6245, Kinnegoe Bay, Inishowen, Co Donegal. These figures for Cryptic Wood White are minimum from what I saw and countered. The area is sheltered from the north but suffers a lot from cold sea mist which reduces significantly the hours of sunshine.

Breege McGinty (29/05/2023)

Common Blue 1 at O2136, Clontarf, Co. Dublin.

Maurice Simms (29/05/2023)

Green-veined White 3, Speckled Wood 3, at H 330984, Combermore, Lifford, Co. Donegal. Sunny, 18C. Four batches of Small Tortoiseshell Larvae on Nettles along hedgerows at H 326983, Townparks, Lifford Co. Donegal. Sunny 18C.

Anne Rice (29/05/2023)

Cinnabar 1 in the garden at J1497, Kells, Co. Meath.

Helen Lawless (29/05/2023)

Red Admiral (worn) 1 at S 998 885, Rathgorragh, Rathdangan, Co. Wicklow. Sunny, warm, breezy.

Chris Ingram (29/05/2023)

Peacock 2 at B 8546 West Town, Tory Island, Co Donegal.

John Lovatt (29/05/2023)

Small White 1, Green-veined White 20 plus, Common Blue 2, Small Tortoiseshell 1, Wall Brown 25 plus at L5466, in Inishbofin Island, Co. Galway.

Anthony Mooney (29/05/2023)

Cryptic Wood White 2, Small Tortoiseshell larvae numerous – appear to be present on about 80% of nettle clumps in my fields, despite not many adults seen at N 9134 Bryanstown, Maynooth, Co. Kildare. So far this year Holly Blue and Orange-tip as well as the Small Tortoiseshell larvae seem to be doing well locally.

Adrian Riley (29/05/2023)

Pearl Bordered Fritillary 2 at R 385 969, south-east of Lough Bunny, Co. Clare.

Eamonn Mc Glinchey (30/05/2023)

Small Blue 3, Wall Brown 4, Small Heath 8 at B793 266 at Magheragallon, Derrybeg, Co. Donegal.

Eamonn Mc Glinchey (30/05/2023)

Cryptic Wood White 1, Small Copper 1, Small Blue 22, Peacock 1, Marsh Fritillary 25, Wall Brown 2, Small Heath 20, at B803 245, Magheraclogher, Bunbeg, Co. Donegal.

Con O’Donnell (30/05/2023)

Large White 1, Green-veined White 3, Orange-tip 1, Small Tortoiseshell 1, Speckled Wood 1 at C 648408 Eleven Ballyboes, Greencastle, Co Donegal

Cryptic Wood White 6 including mating pair, Green-veined White 3, Peacock 4, Speckled Wood 2 at C 6743 Carrowhugh, Greencastle, Co Donegal

Green-veined White 20+, Small Heath 3, Speckled Wood 1 at C 6743 Port Kill, Greencastle, Co. Donegal.

Susan Moore (30/05/2023)

Small Magpie 1 at S 18717 20151, Kilmacomma, Co. Waterford. Sunny, dry, 22C.

Zoe Shannon (30/05/2023)

Marsh Fritillary 1 on our farm at S 54622 81543, Chatsworth, Clogh, Co. Kilkenny.

Ethna Diver (30/05/23)

Green-veined White 14, Orange Tip 12, Small Copper 1 at G812579, Bundoran, Co. Donegal.

Danny Gillespie (30/05/2023)

Small Copper 6, Painted Lady 1, Small Heath 20+ at G 622745 Dactan, Kilcar Co. Donegal.

Robert Aldwell (31/05/2023)

Cryptic Wood White 2, Green-veined White 1, Common Blue 1, Speckled Wood 2 at O 2626 2613 Dalkey Quarry, Co. Dublin.

Sandy Alcorn (31/05/2023)

Green Hairstreak 3 at B 883309 Derryconnor, Gortahork, Co. Donegal. On Whins which were almost gone over.

Con O’Donnell (31/05/3023)

Cryptic Wood White 5, Large White 1, Green-veined White 1, Peacock 4, Speckled Wood 5 at C 6743 Carrowhugh, Greencastle, Co. Donegal.

Large White 6, Small White 4, Green-veined White 3, Peacock 2, Speckled Wood 1 at C 6540 Greencastle Shore Path, Inishowen, Co. Donegal.

Jean Gormley (31/05/2023)

Cinnabar 1 in my garden at G90263 24851, Drumkeeran, Co. Leitrim.

Peter O’Regan (31/05/2023)

Cinnabar moth 12 at W 77466 69853 (51.880753, -8.3279860), industrial site Marino Point, Cobh, Co. Cork.

Jim Fitzharris (31/05/2023)

Dingy Skipper 4, Wood White 4, Small Copper 1, Pearl-bordered Fritillary 2 at M 300 005, Fahee North, the Burren, Co. Clare. Hot, breezy; sunny, 23°C.

Dingy Skipper 2, Wood White 2, Common Blue 1, Pearl-bordered Fritillary 2, Small Heath 2 at R 288 992, Carran, the Burren, Co. Clare. Hot, breezy, sunny; 23°C.

Brimstone 1, Common Blue 10, Pearl-bordered Fritillary 1, Wall Brown 1, Small Heath 2 at R 318 938, Gortlecka, the Burren, Co. Clare. Hot, breezy, sunny; 25°C.

Adrian Riley (31/05/2023)

Meadow Brown 1, Pearl Bordered Fritillary 6 at R 265 935, Parknabinnia, Co. Clare.

Marsh Fritillary 5 at R 297 941, Rinnamona Lough, Co. Clare.

Carla Franklin (01/06/2023)

Cinnabar moth 1 at N 5609, Mount Henry Drive, close to the golf course, Killenard, Co. Laois.

Maurice Simms (01/06/2023)

Green-veined White 16, Red Admiral 1, (on summit chasing PLs) Painted Lady 2, (on the summit) Small Tortoiseshell 2, Peacock 1, Speckled Wood 4 at H 304/5 976/7/8, 300976, 299974, 300976, on the walk up Croaghan Hill, from Gallows lane, Lifford, Co. Donegal. Sunny and warm. 20C.

Eamonn Mc Glinchey (01/06/2023)

Cryptic Wood White 1, Speckled Wood 3 at C253 376, Kilavee, Portsalon, Co. Donegal.

Adrian Riley (01/06/2023)

Pearl Bordered Fritillary 1 at R 297 941, south of Rinnamona Lough, Co. Clare.

Michael Gray (02/06/2023)

Common Blue 2, Holly Blue 1, Speckled Wood 7 at O 156260 Marlay Park, Rathfarnham, Dublin 16.

John Lovatt (02/02/2023)

Wall Brown 1, Small Heath 1 at  L 61277-58159, Cleggan, Co. Galway.

Eamonn Mc Glinchey (02/06/2023)

Orange-tip 10 at C110 048, Ballystrang, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal.

Ethna Diver (02/06/2023)

Green-veined White 6, Small Blue 1, Marsh Fritillary 14+, Small Heath 12+, Speckled Wood 2, at C081354 Ards, Creeslough, Co. Donegal.

Brian Mullins (02/06/2023)

Marsh Fritillary 1 (part of a long-term population) at G 82200 326082, Garvagh, Co. Leitrim.

Adrian Riley (02/06/2023)

Wood White 2 at M 166 055, Caherbullog, Co. Clare.

Common Blue 2 at M 166 056, Caherbullog, Co. Clare.

Jesmond Harding (03/06/2023)

Cryptic Wood 4, Speckled Wood 10, Meadow Brown 2 along Walshe’s Lane between N 91875 42697 and N 91482 41911, Mulhussey, Co. Meath. Sunny, 20C.

Luke, Sean and Joe Geraty (03/06/2023)

Common Blue 10, Marsh Fritillary 2, Meadow Brown 1 at N 6923, Lullymore West, Co. Kildare.

Brimstone 10, Marsh Fritillary 28; Odonata: Keeled Skimmer 1, Black-tailed Skimmer 2, Emperor Dragonfly 1 between 3 pm and 5:30 pm at/around N 69005 25653, along the Lullymore-Lullybeg track, Co. Kildare. Sunny, gentle breeze, 22C.

Maurice Simms (03/06/2023)

Small Tortoiseshell larvae 9 batches on nettles along south and west-facing hedges in fields recently cut for silage at Townparks , Lifford, Co. Donegal. Sunny, 20C.

Luke and Sean Geraty (04/06/2023)

Small Blue 12, Common Blue 5, Small Heath 1 at 9 am at O 25029 52384, Portrane, Co. Dublin. Sunny, 16C.

Luke, Sean, and Joe Geraty (04/06/2023)

Cryptic Wood White 2, Green Hairstreak 72, Speckled Wood 3, Large Heath 77 at 1230pm – 230pm at N 24848 30356, Clara Bog, Co. Offaly. Sunny, 22C.

Jesmond Harding (04/06/2023)

Dingy Skipper 1, Common Blue 4, Brimstone 2, Marsh Fritillary 39 (mostly females), Small Heath 13, Narrow-bordered Bee Hawkmoth 5 at 12:30-1:20, at and around N 68653 25669, Lullybeg reserve, Co. Kildare. Sunny but with a brisk breeze, c.17-18C.

Green Hairstreak 1 was seen on the track at c. 21 noon at N 69622 26039, Lullymore West, Co. Kildare.

Green-veined White 1, Meadow Brown 11, Yellow Shell 1 in the field at N 91508 41742, Ballymagillin, Co. Meath. Sunny, 21C.

Holly Blue 1, Speckled Wood c.8, Meadow Brown 2 along the lane between N 91439 42236 and N 91480 41872, Mulhussey, Co. Meath.

Maurice Simms (04/06/2023)

Green Hairstreak 5, Small Copper 1, Marsh Fritillary 31, Wall Brown 2, Small Heath 20 at B 736/7/8/200/1,728/9/198/9, 721200, 728201, 723203, 730192, in low ground running north from the graveyard to the sea halfway up Cruit Island and on the south side of the island, Co. Donegal, Sunny, cool northwest wind, 20C.

Pat Wyse (04/06/2023)

Cryptic Wood White 3, Common Blue 30 plus, Meadow Brown 1, Small Heath 3 at N 70570 27905, Derrybrennan, Co. Kildare. Sunny, 21C.

Sean Feehan (04/06/2023)

Small White 2, Large White 1, Holly Blue 2, Speckled Wood 2, Meadow Brown 1; Odonata: Beautiful Demoiselle 16, Hairy Dragonfly 1 between 11.30 am- 12.30 pm, between X2145497307 and X2266196861, Colligan Woods, Dungarvan, Co Waterford. Very warm.

Eamonn Mc Glinchey (04/06/2023)

Marsh Fritillary 3, Small Heath 2, Narrow-Bordered Bee Hawk Moth 2, C 250 429 at Drumnacraig, Fanad, Co. Donegal.

Wall Brown 3, C 242 448 at Doaghbeg, Fanad, Co. Donegal.

Eamonn Mc Glinchey (05/06/2023)

Green-veined White 3, Meadow Brown 2, at C 346 008, Porthall, Lifford, Co. Donegal.

Frank Smyth (05/06/2023)

Cryptic Wood White 8, Green-veined White 4, Orange-tip 3, Speckled Wood 1, Small Heath 11 at G 866683, Lr. Rossnowlagh, Co. Donegal.

Green-veined White 11, Orange-tip 2 ( female) Marsh Fritillary 9, Small Heath 7
at G 829638, Kildoney, Co. Donegal. 22C, sunny.

Michaela Dunphy (05/06/2023)

Cinnabar Moth at S 5712, home garden, Gracedieu Waterford City.

John Lovatt (05/06/2023)

Common Blue 4, Meadow Brown 9 at O 22217 50009, Newbridge Park, Donabate, Co. Dublin.

Bob Nealon (05/06/2023)

Marsh Fritillary 1 at N785660, Jamestown Bog, Bohermeen, Co. Meath. Chilly, cloudy with an easterly wind, 12C.

Jane and Jesmond Harding (06/06/2023)

Cryptic Wood White 4, Green-veined White 1, Common Blue 4, Peacock larval batch 1, Marsh Fritillary 2, Meadow Brown 5, Small Heath 11, Cinnabar 1 in and around N 88195 13024, Harristown Common, Co. Kildare.

Dingy Skipper 1, Cryptic Wood White 3, Common Blue 3, Speckled Wood 2, Meadow Brown 2, Small Heath c.12, Narrow-bordered Five-spot Burnet 1, Burnet Companion c.10, Cinnabar 4; Odonata: Emperor Dragonfly 2 males at N 95996 10357, Native Woodland Trust Blessington Reserve, Co. Wicklow. Sunny, breezy, c.18C.

Anthony Mooney (06/06/2023)

Cryptic Wood White 1, Large White 1, Small Copper 2, Common Blue 1, Holly Blue 1, Red Admiral larva 1 (2nd Inst), Speckled Wood 3, Meadow Brown 12 at N 9134, Bryanstown, Maynooth, Co. Kildare.

Melissa Ronan (06/06/2023)

Narrow-bordered Five-spot Burnet 2 at L8210, Inishmore Island, Co. Galway.

Eleanor Hort (06-09/06/2023)

Green-veined White 8+, Red Admiral 1, Peacock 1 at G 6728925 Meentashesk, Carrick, Co Donegal.

Angelyn Rowan (06/06/2023)

Cinnabar 1 at W 0428, Cape Clear Island, Co. Cork.

Sean Feehan (06/06/2023)

Green Hairstreak 6, Marsh Fritillary 3 (including a mating pair) at S0553405378, Lismore, Co. Waterford. Warm, but very windy. This is usually a good site for these butterflies, at the foot of Knockmealdown Mountains, though the bog/ heath was burnt quite extensively very early in summer. Planted trees are also encroaching on the bog.

Maurice Simms (07/06/2023)

Green-veined White 2, Red Admiral 1, Speckled Wood 2, at H 330984, Combermore, Lifford, Co. Donegal. Sunny, 20C.

Maurice Simms (07/06/2023)

Green Hairstreak 1, Small Blue 10, Common Blue 6, Marsh Fritillary 3, Small Heath 6, Cinnabar moth 1 on the walk between Tramore dunes and Carrickalahagh at G 681955/6 to G 682947/8. Cloudy 18C.

Bob Nealon (07/06/2023)

Marsh Fritillary 1 at N782661, Jamestown Bog, Bohermeen, Co. Meath. Chilly, cloudy with an easterly wind, 12C.

Jim Fitzharris (07/06/2023)

Cryptic Wood White 1, Green Hairstreak 9, Speckled Wood 3, Large Heath 29 at N 249 304, Clara Bog, Co. Offaly. Hot, breezy, sunny; 22°C.

Maurice Simms (08/06/2023)

Common Blue 1, Small Tortoiseshell 1 Speckled Wood 1, at G 694989 at and near the old Quarry, Lackagh, Portnoo, Co. Donegal. Hazy Sun, 18C.

Dingy Skipper 2, (one on Common Bird’s-foot-trefoil, rather faded), Green-veined White 1, Small Copper 1, Wall Brown 1 at B 774001, Cor Point, Lettermacaward, Co. Donegal. Sunny, 21C. Sheltered from the north-east breeze.

Mary McGarry (09/06/2023)

Grace Meenan (11/06/2023)

Red Admiral 3 at B 9546, Tory Island, Co. Donegal.

Maurice Simms (11/06/2023)

Green-veined White 7, Red Admiral 5, Meadow Brown 2, Ringlet 1, Small Heath 17 on Walk from Assarnacally Waterfall, Maghera, near Ardara up the steep path to the top of Waterfall, across the bog and back via Granny’s Glen, G 669901, 664891, 660891, 641893, 658904. Sunny 20C.

Louise Davis (11/06/2023)

Cinnabar moth 1 at N 95108 24834, Bishopscourt, Straffan, Co. Kildare.

Jan Fischer (12/06/2023)

Cinnabar 1 at G940139, Arigna, Co. Roscommon.

Eamonn mc Glinchey (12/06/2023)

Small Heath 4, Large Heath 1 at C038 154 along the road at the back of Gartan Lake, Co. Donegal.

Large Heath 1 at C027 142, Gartan, Churchill, Co. Donegal.

Jesmond Harding (13/06/2023)

Common Blue 3, Small Tortoiseshell 3, Marsh Fritillary 21, Meadow Brown 6, Ringlet 9, Small Heath 21, Narrow-bordered Bee Hawkmoth 1; Odonata: Beautiful Demoiselle 2, Emperor Dragonfly 1 male, Four-spotted Chaser 2 between 9:53 and 10:35 at and around N 68653 25669, Lullybeg reserve, Co. Kildare. Hazy Sunshine but with a gentle breeze, c.19-20C.

Darragh Hogg (13/06/2023)

Comma 1 at SG089828, Bohernabreena, Co. Dublin.

Robert Aldwell (13/06/2023)

Peacock larvae, some 200 half grown in three main groups at O 217286, Rockfield Park, Blackrock, Co. Dublin.

Annie Flynn (13/06/2023)

Comma larva 1 in a garden at O 02370 26522, Rathcoole, Co. Dublin.

Dennis Hawke (13/06/2023)

Red Admiral 2, Speckled Wood 3, at C196406, Croaghan, Tamney, Fanad, Co. Donegal. Sunny 21/23 C.

Bob Aldwell and Frank Smyth (14/06/2023)

Common Blue 6, Red Admiral 5 and 2 eggs, Speckled Wood 1, Meadow Brown 5, Ringlet 1, Small Heath 1, Narrow-bordered Five-spot Burnet 1 at O 268372, Red Rock, Sutton, Dublin 13. Sunny, 20C.

Maurice Simms (14/06/2023)

Red Admiral 1, (at 8.15 am), Speckled Wood 6, at H330984, Combermore, Lifford, Co. Donegal. Sunny, 15/ 23C.

Green-veined White 3, Speckled Wood 21, Meadow Brown 1 at H 304977/8, 300976, on the walk up Croaghan Hill, from Gallows Lane, near Lifford, Co. Donegal. Sunny, fresh east breeze, 21C.

Eamonn McGlinchey (14/06/2023)

Meadow Brown 10, Small Heath 2 at C258 195, near Shellfield, Ramelton, Co. Donegal.

Susie Whyte (14/06/2023)

Cinnabar 1 at  N 46 70, Castlevaragh Hotel, Castlepollard, Co. Westmeath.

Con O’Donnell (15/06/2023)

Large White 1, Small White 4, Green-veined White 2, Red Admiral 3, Small Tortoiseshell 1, Speckled Wood 2, Meadow Brown 2 at C 6540, Greencastle Shore Path, Co. Donegal.

Cryptic Wood White 4, Green-veined White 3, Red Admiral 1, Small Tortoiseshell 2 (pristine), Peacock 1, Speckled Wood 3, Meadow Brown 3 and Hummingbird Hawkmoth 1 at C 6743, Carrowhugh, Greencastle, Co. Donegal.

Green-veined White 5, Small Tortoiseshell 2, Peacock 3, Meadow Brown 3, Ringlet 1, Small Heath 3 at C 6743, Port Kill, Inishowen Head, Co. Donegal.

Arwen Finch (15/06/2023)

Cinnabar 1 at T 26092 93600, Tanglewood Farm, Glenealey, Co. Wicklow. The farm contains natural meadow grassland and mature native hedgerows and borders deciduous woodland.

Maurice Simms (15/06/2023)

Small Blue 7, Common Blue 3, Red Admiral 1, Small Tortoiseshell 3, Meadow Brown 16, Small Heath 4, G627397/9, 628408/10, on the walk on Rosses Point, Co. Sligo, from RNLI Station to Dead Man’s Point, and along dunes behind the first beach, Co. Sligo. Sunny approx. 25C.

Con O’Donnell (16/06/2023)

Large White 5, Small White 4, Green-veined White 4, Red Admiral 1, Small Tortoiseshell 1, Speckled Wood 1 at C 6540, Greencastle Shore Walk, Co. Donegal.

Cryptic Wood White 3, Green-veined White 2, Peacock 2, Speckled Wood 1, Meadow Brown 3, Ringlet 1 at C 6743, Carrowhugh, Greencastle, Co. Donegal.

Con O’Donnell (16/06/2023)

Green-veined White 2, Small Tortoiseshell 1, Speckled Wood 1, Meadow Brown 2 at C 606385 Breda Glen River Walk, Moville, Co. Donegal.

Alice Naughton (17/06/2023)

Cinnabar 1 at M 62226 90857, Roosky, Ballaghaderreen, Co. Roscommon.

Helen Lawless (17/06/2023)

Narrow five-spot burnet moth 1 at S 997 888, in a meadow at Rathgorragh Lower, Co. Wicklow.

Padraic O’Dowd (17/06/2023)

Cinnabar 1 at 53.52551° N, 6.88495° W, Monkstown, Co. Meath.

Sonya Hayes (18/06/2023)

Cinnabar 1 in a garden at  X 25 93, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford.

George Mc Dermott (18/06/2023)

Small Tortoiseshell larvae final instar x 30, Small Tortoiseshell chrysalis greenish gold 1 and light beige with gold 1,  Peacock larvae 2 batches, both on original nettle patch at  C432306, Meenyanly, Co. Donegal.

Green-veined White 2, Small Tortoiseshell final Instar x 30, Peacock larvae early stages one batch, Speckled Wood 5,Meadow Brown 35+ Ringlet 15, Silver Y moth 3 at C360318, Aghilly, Buncrana, Co. Donegal.

Helen Lawless (18/06/2023)

Narrow-bordered Five-spot Burnet in heathland at O 106 037, Carrigeenduff, Laragh, Co. Wicklow.

Siobhan O’Keeffe (19/06/2023)

Cinnabar moth 1  in the garden at W 47145 76307, Aghabullogue, Co. Cork.

Grace Meenan (19/06/2023)

Common Blue 10+ at B 8447 near the Light House on Tory Island, Co. Donegal.

Red Admiral 3 at B 8545 in the Old Grave Yard on Tory Island, Co. Donegal.

Eamonn McGlinchey (19/06/2023)

Small Blue 3, Common Blue 10, Red Admiral 1, Small Tortoiseshell 10, Dark Green Fritillary 3, Speckled Wood 2, Grayling 1, Meadow Brown 12, Ringlet 4, Small Heath 2 at B799 257, Magheraclogher, Bunbeg, Co. Donegal. Warm but breezy.

Ethna Diver (19/06/2023)

Common Blue 6, Dark Green Fritillary 3, Small Tortoiseshell 2, Meadow Brown 1 at B891331, Magheraroarty, Co. Donegal.

Maurice Simms (19/06/2023)

Common Blue 10, Small Tortoiseshell 2, Meadow Brown 10 at G632413 and G629413, Lower Rosses Point, Sligo, Co. Sligo Cloudy with sunny spells.
18/19C.

Con O’Donnell (20/06/2023)

Green-veined White 3, Small Copper 1, Common Blue 2, Red Admiral 4, Painted Lady 2, Small Tortoiseshell 4 plus, Meadow Brown 18, Ringlet 13, Small Heath 2 at C 6743, Port Kill, Inishowen Head, Co Donegal. 20 C but unsettled.

Maura Barker (20/06/2023)

Cinnabar 1 at O 0142, Dunboyne, Co. Meath.

Pat Wyse (21/06/2023)

Common Blue 8, Small Tortoiseshell 2, Silver-washed Fritillary 1, Meadow Brown 9, Ringlet 50 plus from N 69480 26039 to N 68822 25621, Lullymore, Co. Kildare. Sunny, 21C.

Ethna Diver (21/06/2023)

Large White larvae 20+ on Nasturtium, Small Tortoiseshell 3, Meadow Brown 4, at G821583, Bundoran, Co. Donegal.

Jane and Jesmond Harding (21/06/2023)

Red Admiral 1, Small Tortoiseshell 2, Meadow Brown c.10, Ringlet c.50, Small Heath 3, Narrow-bordered Five-spot Burnet c. 8 at N 95996 10357, Native Woodland Trust Blessington Reserve, Co. Wicklow. Sunny, c.20C.

Frank Smyth (22/06/2023)

Small White 1, Common Blue 3, Red Admiral 2 ( 1 laying), Peacock 1, Speckled Wood 2, Meadow Brown 24, Ringlet 17, Small Heath 2 at O 268372, Red Rock, Sutton, Dublin 13. Sunny, 19 C.

Jesmond Harding (22/06/2023)

Orange-tip 1 (male, large specimen), Small Tortoiseshell 3, Dark Green Fritillary 1 (pristine male on white Common Spotted Orchid), Marsh Fritillary 2 (faded females), Meadow Brown 26, Ringlet  361, Small Heath 9, Common Heath moths c.10; Odonata: Banded Demoiselle 2, Beautiful Demoiselle 1, Blue-tailed Damselfly 1, Four-spotted Chaser 3, Common Hawker 1, Brown Hawker 3, Black-tailed Skimmer male 1, Common Darter 1, Emperor Dragonfly 1 at and around N 68653 25669, Lullybeg Reserve, Co. Kildare. Sunny and hot, 22-25C.

Red Admiral 1, Small Tortoiseshell c.10, Silver-washed Fritillary 1, Meadow Brown c.15, Ringlet c.25, Small Heath 3 between N 68719 26144 and N 68750 25832, Lullybeg, Co. Kildare.

Marsh Fritillary 1, Small Heath 2; Odonata: Black-tailed Skimmer 3, Emperor Dragonfly 4 between N 68793 25640 and N 69121 25669, Lullymore-Lullybeg track, Co. Kildare.

Paul Mapplebeck (22/06/2023)

Common Blue 4, Meadow Brown 12 plus, Ringlet 4, Small Heath 4, Thistle Ermine 1, Twin-spot Plume 1,  Anania fuscalis 1, Narrow-bordered Bee Hawkmoth larva 1, Yellow-tail larva 1 at and near O 24106 37653, Bull Island, Co. Dublin.

Maurice Simms (22/06/2023)

Small Blue 1, Common Blue 18, Small Tortoiseshell 6, Dark Green Fritillary 153, Meadow Brown 28, Ringlet 5, Small Heath 3 at G 702/6 951, 697953/4 691954, 681947,679948,683949, 687952/6 on the walk through Sheskinmore Reserve from Mc Glinchey’s entrance to Carrickalahagh and circular route along Dunes on south side towards the hill and back. Sunny and warm, 23/24C.

Michael Gray (29/06/2023)

Comma 1 at O 156260, Marlay Park, Rathfarnham, Dublin 16.

Michael Gray (29/06/2023)

Red Admiral 7, Small Tortoiseshell 9, Peacock larvae 6 batches, Ringlet 32, Meadow Brown 42, Speckled Woods 36 seen during a hike from the Blue light Pub to the end of Kilmashogue Lane, mid-point reference O 17508 23352, Ticknock, Co. Dublin.

Jesmond Harding (29/06/2023)

Brimstone 1 (new male), Green-veined White 1, Red Admiral 2, Small Tortoiseshell c.10, Comma 1, Silver-washed Fritillary 4, Meadow Brown c.20, Ringlet c.50 between N 68752 26028 and N 68766 25739, Lullybeg, Co. Kildare.

Silver-washed Fritillary 1, Marsh Fritillary larval nest 1, Meadow Brown 32, Ringlet 303, Small Heath 1; Odonata: Emperor Dragonfly 2, Black-tailed Skimmer 1, Common Hawker 1, Brown Hawker 3 at and around N 68392 25637, Lullybeg Reserve, Co. Kildare. Brief sunny spells, 17-18C, Beaufort Scale 3 westerly wind.

Brimstone 1 (new female) at N 69055 25654, Lullybeg, Co. Kildare.

Small Tortoiseshell 1, Comma 1, Meadow Brown 16, Ringlet 1 at N 92077 42494 in my garden at  Mulhussey, Co. Meath. Weather as above.

Felicity Laws (29/06/2023)

Dark Green Fritillary 1 at V 95067 32760, The Butter Road, Ballydehob, West Cork, Co. Cork.

Grayling 1 at V 83693 37932, Seefin, West Cork.

Maurice Simms (29/06/2023)

Green-veined White 3, Common Blue 5, Dark Green Fritillary 16, Meadow Brown 20, Ringlet 19, at G684964, 689960, 687959 Sheskinmore Reserve, Rosbeg, Co. Donegal. Cloudy/bright.

Jim Fitzharris (29/06/2023)

Cryptic Wood White1, Small Tortoiseshell 4, Speckled Wood 1, Meadow Brown 10, Ringlet 50, Small Heath 2 at N 957 102, Burgage (Native Woodland Trust), Co. Wicklow. Warm, breezy; sunny; 20°C. Given the early season this year, I suspect that this was an early second-brood individual.

Editor’s Note: The Cryptic Wood White is considered to be single-brooded in Ireland. Captive breeding supports this view to date, although an individual seen in September 2020 suggests that it can be double-brooded.

Comma 1 at O 011 146, Three Castles, Poulaphouca, Co. Wicklow. Warm, breezy, sunny; 20°C.

Ciarán Lenoach (29/06/2023)

Six-spot Burnet moth 7 at V 64977 92837, on sea holly, sand dunes at Rossbeigh, Co. Kerry.

Jesmond Harding (01/07/2023)

Small Tortoiseshell 1, Silver-washed Fritillary 2, Dark Green Fritillary 1, Meadow Brown 38, Ringlet 288, Small Heath 1 at and around N 68392 25637, Lullybeg Reserve, Co. Kildare. Very brief sunny spells, 17-18C, wind westerly, Beaufort Scale 4.

Felicity Laws (01/07/2023)

Six-spot Burnet moth 1 in my garden at V 95896 42880, Durrus East, West Cork, Co. Cork.

Paul Dooley (02/07/2023)

Garden Tiger 1 at M 40160 68601, Ballindine, Co. Mayo.

Maurice Simms (02/07/2023)

Meadow Brown 27, Ringlet 1 at G 733999, Castlegoland, Portnoo, Co. Donegal. Sunny 17C.

Jim Fitzharris (02/07/2023)

Red Admiral 2, Small Tortoiseshell 2, Comma 5, Speckled Wood 2, Meadow Brown 10, Ringlet 6 at O 120 261, Knocklyon Wilderness Park, Co. Dublin. Warm, breezy, sunny; 20°C.

Jim Fitzharris (03/07/2023)

Silver-washed Fritillary 2, Speckled Wood 1, Meadow Brown 4, Ringlet 2 at T 118 974, Wicklow Gap Road, Co. Wicklow. Mild, breezy, sunny; 18°C.

Meadow Brown 1, Small Heath 2 at T 097 985, Wicklow Gap, Co. Wicklow. Mild, breezy, sunny; 16°C.

Silver-washed Fritillary 1 at T 094 962, Glendalough, Co. Wicklow. Mild, windy, sunny; 18°C.

Frank Smyth (03/07/2023)

Large White 1, Red Admiral 2, Comma ( hutchinsoni form ) 1, Meadow Brown 22, Ringlet 4 at O 268372, Red Rock, Sutton, Dublin 13. Some sun and squalls, 13C.

Con O’Donnell (03/07023)

Red Admiral 1, Small Tortoiseshell 7, Speckled Wood 1, Meadow Brown 13, Ringlet 7,  Hummingbird Hawkmoth 2 at C 6744, Port Kill, Inishowen Head, Co. Donegal.

Common Blue 2, Red Admiral 1, Small Tortoiseshell 7, Meadow Brown 5, Ringlet 6,  Hummingbird Hawkmoth 1 at C 6743, Carrowhugh, Greencastle, Co. Donegal.

Red Admiral 2, Small Tortoiseshell 6, Meadow Brown 4, Ringlet 2 at C 6540, Greencastle Shore Path, Co. Donegal.

Sean Geraty (03/07/2023)

Purple Hairstreak 7, Red Admiral 1, Small Tortoiseshell 1, Comma 1, Speckled Wood 2, Meadow Brown abundant at O1043435730, Oldtown Wood, Phoenix Park, Co. Dublin.

Jesmond Harding (04/07/2023)

Small White 5, Green-veined White 3, Red Admiral 1, Small Tortoiseshell c.10, Comma 10-12 (including one egg-laying female laying on the upper leaves of nettles, including on some small plants), Meadow Brown c.90, Ringlet 2 N 91875 42697 and N 91482 41911, Mulhussey, Co. Meath.

Philip Strickland (04/07/2023)

Holly Blue 2, Small Tortoiseshell numerous, Comma 13 at and around O 02157 36511, St. Catherine’s Park, Lucan, Co. Dublin.

Frank Smyth (04/07/2023)

Green-veined White 2 females, Common Blue 1, Red Admiral 3, Small Tortoiseshell 5, Comma 4, Meadow Brown circa 70, Ringlet 14 at O 268372, Red Rock, Sutton, Dublin 12. Sunny, 16C.

Sean Geraty (04/07/2023)

Purple Hairstreak 19, Comma 2 at O1043435730, Oldtown Wood, Phoenix Park, Co. Dublin.

Red Admiral 1, Comma 1, Silver-washed Fritillary 4 at O 09871 35308, Furry Glen, Phoenix Park, Co. Dublin. Gentle breeze, warm.

Charlie Hardy (04/07/2023)

Comma 1 at 5:30 pm at 53°22’30″N 6°13’58″W, Marino Institute Football pitch, Co. Dublin.

John Leinster (04/07/2023)

Holly Blue 1 at R 86 78, Ballygraigue Estate, Tyone, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary.

Pat Wyse (04/07/2023)

Small Skipper 2, Small Tortoiseshell 2, Meadow Brown 5, Ringlet 7 at N 74998 32915, Timahoe Bog, Co. Kildare. 20C.

Luke and Sean Geraty (05/07/2023)

Purple Hairstreak 19 at 7:30 pm at O 10434 35730, Oldtown Wood, Phoenix Park, Co. Dublin. Breezy and overcast.

Maurice Simms (05/07/2023)

Green-veined White 1, Silver-washed Fritillary 1, Ringlet 3 at G 673974, Eden, Rosbeg, Co. Donegal. Sunny periods.

Silver-washed Fritillary 5, Ringlet 2 at G 799994, 800994, 804995, Cleengort Gweebarra, Co. Donegal. Bright/cloudy.

Ringlet 5 at G 696986, Pound Cottage, Lackagh, Portnoo, Co. Donegal. Sunny, Fresh west wind 15C.

Maurice Simms and Hugh Frazer (05/07/2023)

Small Tortoiseshell 3, Silver-washed Fritillary 4, Meadow Brown 1, Speckled Wood 1 at G 792982, Mulnamin, Gweebarra, Co. Donegal. Sunny 15C.

Jim Fitzharris (06/07/2023)

Holly Blue 1 at O 153 313, Rathgar, Co. Dublin. Mild, calm, overcast; 18°C.

Daniel Hogan (07/07/2023)

Silver-washed Fritillary 7 at N 45223 55925, Slevin’s Lough, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath.

Janice Kavanagh (07/07/2023)

Meadow Brown 1 on lavender plant at 11:30 am at O 15832 37363, Hardiman Road, Drumcondra, Co. Dublin. Sunny, 18C.

Sean Geraty (07/07/2023)

Large White 5, Purple Hairstreak 3, Red Admiral 1, Small Tortoiseshell 13, Comma 4, Meadow Brown 3 late morning at O 01984 35811, St Catherines Park Lucan, Co. Dublin. Sunny spells, strong breeze, 20C.

Noel Maguire (07/07/2023)

Comma light at Butterfield Crescent, Rathfarnham, D14X722.
Sunny, 19 Celsius.

Sean and Joe Geraty (07/07/2023)

Small Skipper 1 at  N 74960 32910, Timahoe Bog, Co. Kildare. Breezy and overcast.

Jim Fitzharris (07/07/2023)

Large White 3, Small White 1, Green-veined White 3, Holly Blue 1 female, Red Admiral 15, Painted Lady 5, Small Tortoiseshell 3, Peacock 1, Comma 4, Silver-washed Fritillary 15, Speckled Wood 4, Gatekeeper 12, Meadow Brown 40, Ringlet 20, Small Heath 2 between T 112 267 and T 114 239 Raven Wood, Co. Wexford. Warm to hot, breezy; overcast then sunny; 20-25°C.

Essex Skipper 5, Meadow Brown 1 at T 053 225, Ferrybank, Co. Wexford. Mild, breezy, sunny; 20°C.

Maurice Simms (07/07/2023)

Green-veined White 21, Common Blue 2, Dark Green Fritillary 15, Meadow Brown 30, Ringlet 5 at G 684964, 686960, 691960, 687952, 681950, Sheskinmore Reserve, Rosbeg, Co. Donegal. Fresh southeast wind 22C.

Glenn Carney (07/07/2023)

Comma (seemingly one over several days) in my wild garden at O 15601 26875, Ballinteer, Co. Dublin. Mixed weather sun and rain.

Note: The garden is kept wild with several sq meters of nettles and long grass. Several moths and butterflies are present over different times of the year. Currently have several hundred caterpillars of different species.

Frank Smyth (08/07/2023)

Small White 1, Holly Blue 3, Comma 1, Meadow Brown 2 in my garden at O 266326, St. Fintan’s Park, Sutton, Dublin 13. Sunny, 18C

Small White 2, Green-veined White 3, Red Admiral 3 ( one laying), Small Tortoiseshell 4, Comma 5 ( one laying), Lots of Meadow Brown and Ringlet at O 268372, Red Rock, Sutton, Dublin 13. Sunny 20C.

Jesmond Harding (08/07/2023)

Brimstone 3, Holly Blue 1, Small Tortoiseshell 2, Silver-washed Fritillary 1, Meadow Brown 38, Ringlet 104 at and around  N 68392 25637, Lullybeg Reserve, Co. Kildare. Sunny spells, 20C, wind southerly, Beaufort Scale 4.

Stephen Bolger, Sean and Luke Geraty (08/07/2023)

Large White 6, Small White 2, Green-veined White 3, Common Blue 1, Holly Blue 1, Red Admiral 61, Small Tortoiseshell 9, Peacock 2, Comma 6, Silver-washed Fritillary 25, Dark Green Fritillary 1, Speckled Wood 6, Gatekeeper 29, Meadow Brown abundant, Ringlet abundant, Small Heath 20, Hummingbird hawkmoth 1 at T 11200 25422, Raven Wood Nature Reserve, Co. Wexford. Sunny, breezy, 22C.

Con O’Donnell (08/07/2023)

Green-veined White 8, Common Blue 2, Small Tortoiseshell 3, Grayling 2, Meadow Brown 9, Ringlet 4 at C 6640 Warren Bay, Northeast of Golf Course, Greencastle, Co Donegal.

Green-veined White 3, Small Copper 1, Small Tortoiseshell 4, Meadow Brown 6, Ringlet 4 at C 6743, Carrowhugh, Greencastle, Co Donegal Warm 21 C

Green-veined White 14, Small Tortoiseshell 30 + ( counted Small Tortoiseshell 15 on one clump of bramble) Dark Green Fritillary 3, Meadow Brown 40 +, Ringlet 11 at Port Kill, Inishowen Head, Co Donegal.

Maurice Simms (08/07/2023)

Speckled Wood 1, Silver-washed Fritillary 1,( on hebes ) Meadow Brown 2, Ringlet 2, at G 696986, Pound Cottage. Lackagh, Portnoo, Co. Donegal. Sunny spells 22C.

This is the earliest Silver-washed Fritillary I have seen here at the Cottage.

Green-veined White 8, Common Blue 2, Small Tortoiseshell 2, Dark Green Fritillary 2, Silver-washed Fritillary 1, Meadow Brown 8, Ringlet 6 at G 692988 to 688988, Slate Quarry Road, Lackagh, Portnoo, Co. Donegal. Sunny Spells, 22C.

Michael Gray (08/07/2023)

Holly Blue 5, Red Admiral 3, Small Tortoiseshell 2, Comma 1, Meadow Brown 1 at O 156 272, Rathfarnham, Co. Dublin.

Pat Leonard (08/07/2023)

Comma 1 in the back garden on Hydrangea at N 97508 33887, The Avenue, Castletown, Celbridge, Co. Kildare. Sunny spells with light showers, light breeze, 19 Celsius.

Jim Fitzharris (08/07/2023)

Essex Skipper 15, Common Blue 1 male, Small Tortoiseshell 1, Dark Green Fritillary 10, Meadow Brown 25, Ringlet 5 at S 924 078, Blackstone, the Cull, Co. Wexford. Hot, windy, sunny; 22°C

Essex Skipper 20, Green-veined White 2, Red Admiral 1, Small Tortoiseshell 2, Meadow Brown 20, Ringlet 5 at T 062 064, Tacumshin, Co. Wexford. Hot, windy, sunny; 22°C.

Charlie Hardy (09/07/2023)

Painted Lady 1, Ringlet 30 plus at S9293, Glen of Imaal, Co. Wicklow.

Felicity Laws (09/07/2023)

Holly Blue 1 at V 95880 42843, Durrus East, West Cork, Co. Cork.

Maurice Simms (09/07/2023)

Meadow Brown 18, Small Tortoiseshell 1 at G 653985, 645986, 639978, Dawros Head, Rosbeg, Co. Donegal. Bright spells with thundershower, 15C.

Jim Fitzharris (09/07/2023)

Essex Skipper 10, Meadow Brown 6 at T 100 052, Ring Marsh, Lady’s Island Lake, Co. Wexford. Hot, windy, sunny; 22°C.

Holly Blue 1 female at O 120 267, Knocklyon, Co. Dublin. Warm, calm, sunny; 19°C.

Ciarán Lenoach (09/07/2022)

Cinnabar moth 1 at O 23715 37569, sand dunes at Bull Island, Co. Dublin.

Seán Heffernan (11/07/2023)

Cinnabar larvae several in my garden at S 68780 06985, Woodstown, Waterford City area, Co. Waterford.

Ciarán Flynn (11/07/2023)

Comma 1 at J 177 066, Rathcor, Co. Louth.

Michael Gray (11/07/2023)

Green-veined White 1,  Holly Blue 6, Red Admiral 2, Painted Lady 1, Small Tortoiseshell 6, Comma 1 ( a different one from the 08/07 ) at O 156 272, Rathfarnham, Co. Dublin.

Sean O’ Driscoll (11/07/2023)

Comma 1 in my garden at N 44903 07089, Mountmellick, Co. Laois.

Jim Fitzharris (11/07/2023)

Small Skipper 2, Green-veined White 1, Small Tortoiseshell 2, Silver-washed Fritillary 1, Meadow Brown 20, Ringlet 6 at N 751 330, Drehid, Co. Kildare. Hot, breezy, sunny; 24°C (out of the wind).

Small Skipper 2 at N 7487 3258, Drehid, Co. Kildare. Hot, breezy, sunny; 24°C (out of the wind).

Frank Smyth (12/07/2023)

Small White 1, Green-veined White 3, Red Admiral 5, (one laying). Comma 2, Meadow Brown 6, Ringlet 15, Small Heath 1 at O 268372, Red Rock, Sutton, Dublin 13. Mainly cloudy, 18C.

Holly Blue 1, Red Admiral 1, Small Tortoiseshell 1, Comma 1 (laying 1 egg) in my garden at Saint Fintan’s Park, Sutton, Dublin 13. Sunny, 21C.

Con O’Donnell (12/07/2023)

Large White 5, Small White 2, Green-veined White 2, Common Blue 4, Red Admiral 3, Painted Lady 3, Small Tortoiseshell, Dark Green Fritillary 3 Grayling 7, Meadow Brown 20,+, Ringlet ’12+ at C 408 489, Doagh Isle, Co. Donegal. Windy and 17C.

John Lovatt (12/07/2023)

Green-veined White 1, Holly Blue 1, Red Admiral 1, Peacock 1, Small Tortoiseshell 2 on Buddleia at O 18122 46917, Bridge Street, Swords, Co. Dublin. Sunny, SW wind, c.18C.

Helen Cloney (12/07/2023)

Holly Blue 5, Red Admiral 12, Painted Lady 4, Small Tortoiseshell 5, Comma 3 in her garden at S 899409, Caim, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford.

Karen Van Dorp (12/07/2023)

Comma 5 hutchinsoni, one attacking a Silver-washed Fritillary along the White Trail at R 35474 86704, Dromore Wood, Co. Clare. Sunny. This is the first year they have been recorded in Dromore Wood.

Frank Smyth (13/07/2023).

Large White 1, Green-veined White 2, Holly Blue 2, Red Admiral 21, Small Tortoiseshell 4, Comma 2, Speckled Wood, 3, Meadow Brown 1, Ringlet 3 At O 237411, Baldoyle Race Park, Dublin 13. Mainly sunny, 18C.

Michael Gray (13/07/2023)

Large White 4, Small White 4, Green Veined White 8, Holly Blue 3, Red Admiral 17, Painted Lady 1, Small Tortoiseshell 33, Peacock 4, Comma 21(excluding Comma 2 in my nearby garden; most of the Commas were males and they were all the light hutchinsoni form), Silver-washed Fritillary (male) 1 Ringlet 8, Speckled Wood 3, Meadow Brown 54 at and around O 156260, Marlay Park, Rathfarnham, Dublin 16.

Fintan Cronin (13/07/2023)

Comma 1 in my garden at O 2428, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin.

Maurice Simms (13/07/2023)

Green-veined White 1, Silver-washed Fritillary 2, Meadow Brown 2, Ringlet 3, Small Heath 1 at G 696986, Pound Cottage, Lackagh, Portnoo, Co. Donegal. Sunny 18C.

Green-veined White 6, Small Copper 1, Common Blue 1, Peacock 3 ( all fresh), Meadow Brown 18, Ringlet 4 at G 679965, 679967 near Kiltourish Chapel, Rosbeg, Co. Donegal. Sunny 18C.

Green-veined White 4, Silver-washed Fritillary 1, Speckled Wood 1, Meadow Brown 13, Ringlet 3 at G 674971 in the small sheltered valley beside Kiltourish Lake, Rosbeg, Co. Donegal. Sunny 18C.

Jim Fitzharris (13/07/2023)

Purple Hairstreak 4 at O 220 177, Knocksink Bridge, Enniskerry, Co. Wicklow. Mild, breezy, overcast; 16°C.

Sharon Mc Griskin (14/07/2023)

Cinnabar larvae 13 plus on cultivated ragwort (silver foliage) at M451059, Kiltartan, Gort, Co-Galway.

Felicity Laws (15/07/2023)

Peacock 1 at V 95862 42896, Durrus East, West Cork, County Cork.

Holly Blue 1, Green-veined White 1, Speckled Wood 2, Meadow Brown 1, Ringlet 1; Odonata: Beautiful Demoiselle male 1 at V 95589 41669, Durrus East, West Cork, County Cork.

Felicity Laws (16/07/2023)

Dark Green Fritillary 1 at V 076726 025616, Barley Cove, West Cork, Co. Cork.

Debbie Chapman (16/07/2023)

Cinnabar larvae 5 plus on ragwort at V 76370 58095, Reenkilla, Lauragh, Co. Kerry.

Michael Gray (16/07/2023)

Large White 2, Small White 1, Green-veined White 10, Holly Blue 21, Red Admiral 10, Small Tortoiseshell 4, Peacock 1, Comma 3, Speckled Wood 1, Meadow Brown 4 at  O 165272, Ballinteer Stream Walk, Dublin 16.

Robert Donnelly (16/07/2023)

Essex Skipper 6 (photographs supplied) at  S 67212 30091, Dysartmoon, Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny. Sunny spells, 17C.

Maurice Simms and Dennis Hawke (16/07/2023)

Meadow Brown 12 at B772267, 758272,765275, Gola Island, Bunbeg, Co. Donegal. Sunny spells, Fresh north-west wind, 15C.

Frank Smyth (17/07/2023)

Small White 1, Holly Blue 3, Red Admiral 27, Small Tortoiseshell 7, Peacock 3, Comma 3, Speckled Wood 2, Meadow Brown 4 at O 237411, Baldoyle Race Park, Dublin 13. A mixture of sun and cloud, 19C.

Jesmond Harding (17/07/2023)

Small White 6, Green-veined White 5, Holly Blue 1, Red Admiral 1, Small Tortoiseshell 4, Peacock 2, Comma 2, Speckled Wood 4, Ringlet 1, Meadow Brown 39, Yellow Shell 1 between N 91985 42716 and N 91505 41828, Mulhussey, Co. Meath. Sunny intervals, 17C.

Sean Feehan (17/07/2023)

Large White 1, Small White 1, Green-veined White 1, Holly Blue 5, Red Admiral 27, Painted Lady 3, Peacock 3, Comma 1, Silver-washed Fritillary 9, Speckled Wood 1, Meadow Brown 1, Ringlet 1 from 2 -2.45 pm, between X2145497307 and X2266196861, Colligan Woods, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford. Warm sunny spells.

Maurice Simms (17/07/2023)

Green-veined White 8, Small Copper 1, see photo, Small Tortoiseshell 2, Peacock 1, Silver-washed Fritillary 2, Speckled Wood 2, Meadow Brown 7, Ringlet 2 from G 716972 to 711969, Kilclooney Lane, Portnoo, Co. Donegal. Sunny spells 17C.

Green-veined White 1, Small Tortoiseshell 2, Peacock 1, Silver-washed fritillary 1, Ringlet 2 at G696986, Pound Cottage, Lackagh, Portnoo, Co. Donegal. Sunny periods 17C.

Green-veined White 1, Peacock 1, Silver-washed Fritillary 10, Speckled Wood 6, Ringlet 3 at G799994, 800994, Cleengort Lane, Gweebarra, Co. Donegal. Sunny Spells 17C.

Sean Feehan (18/07/2023)

Purple Hairstreak 6 at 5.30 pm at S0554101902, Lismore, Co. Waterford. Cloudy with sunny spells

Frank Smyth (18/07/2023)

Large White 1, Small White 3, Holly Blue 1, Red Admiral 8 (2 laying), Comma 2, Meadow Brown 17 at O 268372, Red Rock, Dublin 13, Mainly cloudy with sunny spells, 19C.

Michael Gray (18/07/2023)

Large White 2, Red Admiral 30 plus, Painted Lady 4 (all pristine), Small Tortoiseshell 11 plus 2 batches of small Tortoiseshell larvae, Peacock 8, Comma 4 (light and dark forms), Meadow Brown 1 at S 935 367, Davidstown, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford. A decidedly breezy day.

Jesmond Harding (19/07/2023)

Green-veined White 1, Holly Blue 1, Red Admiral 1, Small Tortoiseshell 1, Peacock 10, Silver-washed Fritillary 12, Meadow Brown 31, Ringlet 136; Odonata: Brown Hawker 2, Common Hawker 1, Emperor Dragonfly 1, Common Darter 3, Beautiful Demoiselle male 1, Blue-tailed Damselfly 1, Common Blue Damselfly 1 at and around N 68392 25637, Lullybeg Reserve, Co. Kildare. Very brief sunshine, rain shower, 17-19C, wind northerly, Beaufort Scale 1.

Frank Smyth (19/07/2023)

Large White 1, Holly Blue 1, Comma 2 in my garden at O 266326, St. Fintan’s Park, Sutton, Dublin 13. Sunny, 17C.

Con  O’Donnell (19/07/2023)

Large  White 1, Small  White 3, Green-veined White 3, Red  Admiral 2, Small Tortoiseshell 14,  Peacock 2, Speckled Wood 1, Meadow Brown 2,  Ringlet 1 at    C 648408,  Eleven Ballyboes,  Greencastle,  Co. Donegal. 22 C  at 12.30.

Michael Gray (19/07/2023)

Essex Skipper 8, Cryptic Wood White 2, Large White 26, Small White 12, Green-veined White 12, Common Blue 6, Holly Blue 2, Red Admiral 76, Painted Lady 22 (magnetized to Wild Thyme), Small Tortoiseshell 8, Peacock 31, Comma 6, Silver-washed Fritillary 9, Dark Green Fritillary 2, Speckled Wood 5, Gatekeeper 39, Meadow Brown 20, Ringlet 20, Small Heath 9, Silver Y abundant seen during my exploration of the Raven Nature Reserve from 10.00 am to 18.00 pm, covering about half the open sand dunes, all the wood down to the southern point, T 113 262, Raven Nature Reserve, Co. Wexford. A mixture of sun and cloud, 50/50.

Note: The species that Michael may have missed are the Small Copper, Wall Brown and Grayling. However, none of these are common here and the Wall Brown might be lost from the area.

John Lovatt (19/07/2023)

Hummingbird Hawkmoth 1 at O 18122 46917, Bridge Street, Swords, Co. Dublin.

Felicity Laws (19/07/2023)

Hedge Brown/Gatekeeper 1 in my garden at V 95896 42880, Durrus East, West Cork, County Cork.

Maurice Simms (19/07/2023)

Green-veined White 9, Red Admiral 1, (on purple Buddleia), Small Tortoiseshell 1 (on Inula), Peacock 2, Speckled Wood, 24, Meadow Brown 1, Ringlet 1 at H 330984, Combermore garden and grounds, Lifford, Co. Donegal. Sunny periods, 18C.

Jim Fitzharris (19/07/2023)

Peacock 2, Grayling 1 at L 923 388, Ros Muc, Co. Galway. Mild, breezy, overcast; 17°C.

Green-veined White 1, Red Admiral 2, Peacock 2, Silver-washed Fritillary 6, Speckled Wood 2 at L 798 426, Cashel Bay, Co. Galway. Warm, calm, sunny; 20°C.

Michael Gray (20/07/2023)

Small White 4, Large White 3, Holly Blue 2, Red Admiral 25, Painted Lady 8, Peacock 2, Small Tortoiseshell 15 also vast numbers of Small tortoiseshell larvae batches, all small, Comma 1, Speckled Wood 1, Meadow Brown 4 in a field allowed to grow wild at S 937 442, Marshalltown, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford. Overcast but warm.

Essex Skipper 54, Small White 4, Large White 3, Painted Lady 2, Small Tortoiseshell 2 Peacock 3, Red Admiral 3 on a vacant site near business premises near Wexford town at T 049 180, Sinnottstown Lane, Wexford Town, Co. Wexford.

Felicity Laws (19/07/2023)

Red Admiral 1, Small Tortoiseshell 1, Peacock 1, Speckled Wood 1, Meadow Brown 1, Ringlet 1 in my garden at V 95896 42880, Durrus East, West Cork, County Cork.

Maurice Simms for Dennis Hawke (20/07/2023)

Small Tortoiseshell 6, Ringlet 3 at C 196406/7, Croaghan, Tamney Fanad, Co. Donegal.

John Lovatt (21/07/2023)

Holly Blue 2, Peacock 18, Comma 5 at O 22217 50009, Newbridge Park, Donabate, Co. Dublin.

Daniel Hogan (22/07/2023)

Six-spot Burnet 20 at N 21351 20649, Finnamore Lakes, Co. Offaly.

Marie Soffe (22/07/2023)

Speckled Wood 1 on Bracken near the beach at T 25080 69576, Askintinny Bay Beach, Oakdale, Co. Wicklow. Overcast, but with intermittent sunshine after rain.

Michael Gray (23/07/2023)

Large White 4, Small White 2, Holly Blue 1, Red Admiral 52, Painted Lady 2, Small Tortoiseshell 6, Peacock 8,  Comma 2, Meadow Brown 1 at S 935368, Davidstown, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford.

Lisa Fitzgerald (23/07/2023)

Large White 2, Painted Lady 4, Cinnabar moth caterpillar(hundreds) at S 53212 07548, in an old meadow that is lightly grazed, Loughdaheen, Co. Waterford.

Maurice Simms and Dennis Hawke (23/07/2023)

Peacock 2, Meadow Brown 8 at G 655907, 648906, 637894, Croaghacruppan and Meenacorrin, Maghera, Co. Donegal. Cloudy/Bright 15C.

Ruth Kelly (24/07/2023)

Six-spot Burnet moths uncountable at unused IDA site at M3871726268, near Oranmore, Co. Galway.

Frank Smyth (24/07/2023)

Small White 2, Green-veined White 1, Common Blue 7, Small Tortoiseshell 1, Peacock 1, Dark Green Fritillary 2, Silver-washed Fritillary 8, Speckled Wood 2, Meadow Brown 7, Small Heath 1 at G 897732, Murvagh, Co. Donegal. 19C, sunny.

Michael Gray (24/07/2023)

Essex Skipper 1, Large White 5, Green-veined White 8, Common Blue 8,  Red Admiral 11, Painted Lady 1, Small Tortoiseshell 3, Peacock 12, Comma 1, Silver-washed Fritillary 2, Speckled Wood 1, Meadow Brown 15, Ringlet 20 at S 854507, Ballycrystal area forest walk, foot of Mount Leinster, Co. Wexford. Mostly overcast with occasional sunshine lasting 2-3 minutes.

Con O’ Donnell (24/07/2023)

Large White 2, Small White 1, Green-veined White 4, Common Blue 1, Red Admiral 2, Small Tortoiseshell 9, Peacock 5, Speckled Wood 2, Meadow Brown 2, Ringlet 1 at C 648408, Eleven Ballyboes, Greencastle, Co Donegal.

Sean Feehan (24/07/2023)

Unidentified Whites 9, Green-veined Whites 3, Common Blue 2, Peacock 2, Meadow Brown 35 between O2155935791 and O22982236589, Bull Island, Co Dublin. Between 9 and 10 am; the intermittent sunshine, was tempered by the breeze and the very damp-looking sky.

Maurice Simms (24/07/2023)

Small Tortoiseshell 1, Peacock 14, Ringlet 1, at G 696986, Pound Cottage and adjoining Doon Road, Lackagh, Portnoo, Co. Donegal. Sunny spells.

Green-veined White 2, Peacock 1, Meadow Brown 3, at G 694989, 693988, the old Quarry and slate quarry road, Lackagh, Portnoo, Co. Donegal.
Sunny periods.

Green-veined White 1, Small Tortoiseshell 1, Peacock 1, Silver-washed Fritillary 1, Ringlet, 1, at G 673974, Eden, Rosbeg, Co. Donegal. Cloudy/ Bright.

Alex and Jesmond Harding (25/07/2023)

Brimstone 40, Green-veined White 9, Small Copper 1, Small Tortoiseshell 4, Peacock 37, Silver-washed Fritillary 20, Meadow Brown 21, Ringlet 59 at and around N 68392 25637, Lullybeg Reserve, Co. Kildare. Mainly sunny, 18C.

Holly Blue 2, Comma 1 at N 68724 26234 and N 68723 26141 respectively, Lullybeg, Co. Kildare. (A large Pine Marten was seen too!)

Michael Gray (25/07/2023)

Speckled Wood 1 at S 935368, Davidstown, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford.

Felicity Laws (25/07/2023)

Large White 2, Small Copper 1, Holly Blue 1, Red Admiral 1, Speckled Wood 1, Hedge Brown/Gatekeeper 4, Meadow Brown 1 at V 95067 32760, The Butter Road, Ballydehob, West Cork, Co. Cork.

Pat Wyse (25/07/2023)

Brimstone 42 (they were everywhere), Green-veined White 20 plus, Common Blue 1, Holly Blue 19, Red Admiral 30 plus, Painted Lady 3, Small Tortoiseshell 20 plus, Peacock 50 plus, Comma 3, Silver-washed Fritillary 3, Speckled Wood 30 plus, Meadow Brown 30 plus from N67993 21946 TO N68770 25589, Killyguire to Lullybeg, Co. Kildare. Sunny, c.18C. This is probably the highest number of butterflies I have seen in one day.

Jesmond Harding (25/07/2023)

Painted Lady 1, Small Tortoiseshell c.50, Peacock 2, Meadow Brown 2 at N 91506 42272, in a field adjoining Walshe’s Lane, Mulhussey, Co. Meath,

Comma 3 including a mating pair (barely visible in a hawthorn bush), Speckled Wood 2 at N 91456 42105, Walshe’s Lane, Mulhussey, Co. Meath.

Maurice Simms for Dennis Hawke (25/07/2023)

Red Admiral 1 at G 196406 at Croaghan, Tamney, Fanad, Co. Donegal.

Robert Donnelly (25/07/2023)

Essex Skipper 13, Large White 3, Small White 5, Green Veined White 4, Small Copper 1, Holly Blue 2, Red Admiral 4, Painted Lady 2, Small Tortoiseshell 4, Peacock 7, Silver-washed Fritillary 1, Meadow Brown 24, Ringlet 8 at S 67200 30200, Ballyknock South Kilkenny. Sunny light breeze, 17°C.

Sean Feehan (25/07/2023)

Large White 1, Green-veined White 3, Painted Lady 1, Meadow Brown 15, 8.15- 9 am, between O2155935791 and O22982236589 at Bull Island, Co. Dublin. Bouts of sunshine but temp 13/14 degrees.

Jim Fitzharris (25/07/2023)

Comma 1 at O 313 040, East Coast Nature Reserve, Co. Wicklow. Mild, breezy, overcast; 16°C.

Red Admiral 2, Small Tortoiseshell 2, Peacock 1, Comma 1 at O 301 040, Newcastle, Co. Wicklow. Warm, breezy, overcast; 18°C.

Michael Gray (27/07/2023)

Large White 6, Holly Blue 6, Red Admiral 3, Small Tortoiseshell 5, Comma 2 (light and dark forms) in my garden at O 156 272, Rathfarnham, Dublin 16.

Jesmond Harding (27/07/2023)

Large White 2, Small White 1, Green-veined White 2, Holly Blue 1, Red Admiral 1, Peacock 1, Speckled Wood 1, Meadow Brown 5, Silver Y 1 in my garden at N 92080 42492, Mulhussey, Maynooth, Co. Kildare. Sunny, c.16C.

Frank Smyth (27/07/2023)

Large White 1, Small White 2, Green-veined White 1, Holly Blue 4, Red Admiral 6, Peacock 2, Comma 1, (all but 5 Red Admiral and 1 Holly Blue were in my garden) at O 266326, St. Fintan’s Park, Sutton, Dublin 13. Occasional sunny spells, 22C.

Large White 4, Small White 3, Holly Blue 7, Red Admiral 4, Peacock 9, Comma 2, Speckled Wood 5, Meadow Brown 4, Ringlet 1 at O 268372, Red Rock, Sutton, Dublin 13. Short sunny intervals, 22C.

Barnie Johnston, Tom Kavanagh, John Lovatt, Garry White (27/07/2023)

Large White 2, Small White 1, Common Blue 1, Holly Blue 1, Red Admiral 7, Painted Lady 2,  Small Tortoiseshell 2, Peacock 15,  Comma 3, Meadow Brown 2, Speckled Wood 1 on Buddleia at O 2552, Portrane beach, Co. Dublin.

Ethna Diver (27/07/2023)

Green-veined White 5, Large White 2, Small White 8, Red Admiral 6, Peacock 10, Small Tortoiseshell 25, Speckled Wood 5, Meadow Brown 2 at C213084, Knockbrack, Co. Donegal.

Maurice Simms (28/07/2023)

Peacock 1, Silver-washed Fritillary 1 (faded and worn) on purple Buddleia, at G 696986, Pound Cottage, Lackagh, Portnoo, Co. Donegal.

Jesmond Harding (28/07/2023)

Small Skipper 34, Essex Skipper 1, Brimstone 4, Large White 1, Small White 6, Green-veined White 6, Small Copper 12, Common Blue 8, Red Admiral 9, Painted Lady 1, Small Tortoiseshell 8 (plus hundreds of larvae of a range of instars), Peacock 29, Comma 2, Speckled Wood 7, Meadow Brown 13, Ringlet 4, Shaded Broad-bar 8, Latticed Heath 2, Lesser Cream Wave c.5, Cinnabar larvae several, Small Purple-barred 2, Pyrausta purpuralis 1; Odonata: Blue-tailed Damselfly 3, Brown Hawker 1, Emperor Dragonfly 3, Common Darter 8, Black Darter 1 between N 75483 33524 and N 76942 34978, a distance of 2km along a linear embankment walk bounded in various places by woodland, fen, reed swamp, cutover bog, flooded cutover bog, in Timahoe Bog, Co. Kildare. Breezy: SW, Force 3-4 Beaufort Scale, mainly sunny, c.19C.

Frank Smyth (28/07/2023)

Large White 2, Small White 2, Green-veined White 3, Holly Blue 12, Red Admiral 14, Painted Lady 2, Peacock 38, Speckled Wood 4, Meadow Brown 1 at O 237411, Baldoyle Race Park, Dublin 13. 18C, sunny, breezy.

Con O’Donnell (28/07/2023)

Large White 4, Small White 3, Green-veined White 2, Red Admiral 8, Small Tortoiseshell 20+, Peacock 7, Speckled Wood 2, Meadow Brown 2, Ringlet 1 at C 648408 Eleven Ballyboes, Greencastle, Co. Donegal.

Jim Fitzharris (28/07/2023)

Large White 8, Green-veined White 2, Holly Blue 6, Red Admiral 12, Small Tortoiseshell 4, Peacock 14, Comma 5, Silver-washed Fritillary 1, Meadow Brown 2, Speckled Wood 1 between O 102 269 and O 113 278, Dodder Linear Park, Co. Dublin. Hot, breezy, sunny; 20°C.

John Lovatt (29/07/2023)

Large White 1, Red Admiral 5, Small Tortoiseshell 2, Peacock 21 plus, Hummingbird Hawkmoth 1, 10:20-10:40 am at O 18122 46917, Bridge Street, Swords, Co. Dublin.

Michael Gray (29/07/2023)

Large White 1, Small White 7,  Green-veined White 1, Red Admiral 2, Speckled Wood 1, Meadow Brown 6, Humming Bird Hawk Moth 1 at Q 859 410, Ballybunion, Co. Kerry.

Maurice Simms (29/07/2023)

Green-veined White 2, Small Copper 1, Small Tortoiseshell 1, Peacock 2, Dark Green Fritillary 1 (faded), Meadow Brown 18, Ringlet 1 at G684962, 687958, 690690, on the walk from Kiltourish gate entrance to Mass House, Sheskinmore Reserve, Rosbeg, Co. Donegal. Cloudy with a few bright periods, Gusty west wind 15C.

Sean Feehan (29/07/2023)

Green-veined White 3, Red Admiral 11, Painted Lady 1, Small Tortoiseshell 7, Speckled Wood 1, Wall Brown 7 between X1972477353 and X2012277290, Ardmore Cliff Walk, Co. Waterford. Blustery morning, bouts of sunshine coming and going through the clouds.

Ethna Diver (30/07/2023)

Green-veined White 4, Small White 8, Large White 15, Peacock 14, Small Tortoiseshell 20, Red Admiral 4, Speckled Wood 2 at C213084, Knockbrack, Co. Donegal.

Felicity Laws (31/07/2023)

Green-veined White 1, Hedge Brown/Gatekeeper 2 at V 98279 35171, near Ballydehob, West Cork, Co. Cork.

Jesmond Harding (01/08/2023)

Brimstone 4, Green-veined White 1, Small Copper 3, Common Blue 2, Red Admiral 2, Painted Lady 1, Silver-washed Fritillary 11, Peacock 30, Meadow Brown 27, Ringlet 12, Knotgrass larva (on birch) 1; Odonata: Blue-tailed Damselfly 1, Emperor Dragonfly 1, Brown Hawker 5, Common Darter c.10 at and around N 68392 25637, Lullybeg Reserve, Co. Kildare. Very light SW breeze, partly sunny, 17-18C.

Large White 3, Small White 2, Green-veined White 2, Small Copper 1, Holly Blue 2, Red Admiral 2, Peacock 6, Comma 1 (light form, small male) in my garden at N 92080 42492, Mulhussey, Maynooth, Co. Kildare. Sunny, c.19C.

Robert Aldwell (01/08/2023)

Large White 2, Small White 2, Holly Blue 3, Red Admiral 3, Peacock 5, Comma 1 in my garden at O 22082859 Blackrock, Co. Dublin. Mainly cloudy and calm with butterflies mostly during the short sunny periods, 18-20C.

Con O’Donnell (01/08/2023)

Green-veined White 11, Red Admiral 3, Small Tortoiseshell 8, Peacock 14, Meadow Brown 2, Ringlet 1 at C 6743, Port Kill, Inishowen Head, Co Donegal. A good number of butterflies considering the total absence of sun although the temperature still topped 18 C with a relative lack of wind.

Large White 4, Small White 3, Green-veined White 3, Red Admiral 2, Small Tortoiseshell 5, Peacock 3, Speckled Wood 1 at C 648408, Eleven Ballyboes, Greencastle, Co Donegal. 18- 20 C with occasional sun.

Maurice Simms (01/08/2023)

Large White 4, Small White 1, Green-veined White 4, Red Admiral 6, Small Tortoiseshell 7, Peacock 14, Speckled Wood 21, Ringlet 1 many on Buddleia Weyeriana at H330984, Combermore garden and grounds, Lifford, Co. Donegal. Sunny spells, 18 C.

Note: Maurice found 202 millilitres of rainfall in his rain gauge for July, the highest in over 40 years.

Pat Wyse (01/08/2023)

Large White 9 Small White 7, Green-veined White 1, Holly Blue 1, Red Admiral 50 plus, Painted Lady 3, Small Tortoiseshell 5, Peacock 50 plus, Silver-washed Fritillary 3 at N77994 18762, Baronstown, Newbridge, Co. Kildare.

Helen McQuillan (01/08/2023-02/08/2023)

Brown Hairstreak male 1 at 5 pm and 5:45 pm on successive days on Wild Carrot at  R3094, Knockauroe, Burren National Park, Co. Clare. Overcast, light breeze.

Felicity Laws (02/08/2023)

Small Copper 1, Hedge Brown/Gatekeeper male 1 in my garden at V 95862 42896, Durrus East, West Cork, Co. Cork.

Felicity Laws (03/08/2023)

Grayling 1 at V 00497 046988, Scart, West Cork, Co. Cork.

Jim Fitzharris (03/08/2023)

Large White 6, Green-veined White 1, Holly Blue 2, Red Admiral 10, Peacock 2, Comma 1 at O 301 040, Newcastle, Co. Wicklow. Warm, calm, bright overcast; 18°C.

Large White 3, Holly Blue 3, Red Admiral 1, Peacock 2, Comma 1, Meadow Brown 2, Speckled Wood 4 at O 313 040, East Coast Nature Reserve, Co. Wicklow. Warm, calm, bright overcast; 18°C.

Frank Smyth (04/08/2023)

Large White 2, Holly Blue 2, Red Admiral 2, Peacock 8, Comma 1, Meadow Brown 2 at O 268372, Red Rock, Sutton, Dublin 13. Sunny spells, 18C.

Felicity Laws (04/08/2023)

Small Tortoiseshell 1, Peacock 1, Silver-washed Fritillary female 1,  Meadow Brown 1 on Teasel,  in my garden at V 95862 42896, Durrus East, West Cork, Co. Cork.

Red Admiral 1, Speckled Wood 1, Hedge Brown/Gatekeepers 2 on Marjoram, Ringlet 1 at V 95880 42843, Durrus, West Cork, Co. Cork.

Jesmond Harding (04/08/2023)

Brimstone female 1, Common Blue 3, Peacock c.8, Comma dark form 1, Silver-washed Fritillary 1, Speckled Wood c.6, Meadow Brown c.6 at N 69327 26025, Lullymore West Co. Kildare. Overcast, mild.

Anthony Mooney (05/08/2023)

Large White 3, Small White 5, Green-veined White 1, Small Copper 5, Holly Blue 2, Red Admiral 15, Small Tortoiseshell 3, Peacock 6, Comma 2, Meadow Brown 1 at N 9134, Bryanstown, Maynooth, Co Kildare. The Holly Blue (second generation) has begun to reappear during the past week.

Maurice Simms (05/08/2023)

Large White 1, Green-veined White 4, Small Copper 2, Peacock 5, Speckled Wood 5, Meadow Brown 11 between G716972 and G 711969, at Kilclooney Lane, Portnoo, Co. Donegal. Sunny spells 15C.

Peacock 1, Wall Brown 2, Meadow Brown 4, at G674971, in a small valley on the south shore of Kiltourish Lake, Rosbeg, Co. Donegal. Sunny spells 16C.

Green-veined White 2, Peacock 1, Speckled Wood 1, Meadow Brown 1 at G677975 at the end of the New Line on the north side of Kiltourish Lake, Rosbeg, Co. Donegal. Sunny spells, 15C.

Con O’Donnell (05/08/2023)

Green-veined White 6, Red Admiral 2, Small Tortoiseshell 2, Peacock 17, Silver-washed Fritillary 2, Speckled Wood 7, Meadow Brown 1 at B 9118, Dunlewey, Gweedore, Co. Donegal. Temperature 16-18C.

Large White 6, Small White 4, Green-veined White 3, Small Copper 2, Red Admiral 4, Small Tortoiseshell 9, Peacock 5, Speckled Wood 5, Meadow Brown 1 at C 648408, Eleven Ballyboes, Greencastle, Co. Donegal.

Craig Ayers (05/08/2023)

Green-veined white 4, Small Tortoiseshell 2, Peacock 20+, Silver-washed Fritillary 6+ at G 849831, Lettermore, Inver, Co. Donegal. Also a Hummingbird Hawkmoth on Buddleia about a week ago.

Marie Soffe (05/08/2023)

Red Admiral 1 at O 20545 45691, Gainsborough Green, Yellow Walls, Malahide, Co. Dublin. It rained a lot during the day/evening. The butterfly was found after midnight in an upstairs room.

Note: The Red Admiral does enter buildings, but does this much less often than the Small Tortoiseshell, which routinely enters hibernation in occupied buildings.

Frank Smyth (06/08/2023)

Large White 1, Laying on Nasturtium, Holly Blue 3, Peacock 2, Comma 1, small dark male feeding on Eryngium variifolium (a sea holly), Speckled Wood 1 in my garden at O 266326, St. Fintan’s Park, Sutton, Dublin 13.

Large White 1, Small White 1, Green-veined White 2, Holly Blue 3, Red Admiral 3, ( 2 feeding on Japanese Spindle, a rambling shrub, which I hadn’t seen bloom in over 30 years !) Peacock 3, Comma 1 ( a dark female), Speckled Wood 2, Meadow Brown 2 at O 268322, Red Rock, Sutton, Dublin 13. Sunny spells and blustery, 19C.

Michael Gray (06/08/2023)

Large White 2, Small White 1 (one of two I have seen in my garden this year), Holly Blue 4, Red Admiral 4, Small Tortoiseshell 1 Peacock 2, Comma 2 (1 male, 1 female, both dark form) in my garden at O 156272, Rathfarnham, Dublin 16.

Note: It is interesting that we are now receiving more reports of the dark form of the Comma butterfly. The appearance of new dark Commas in early August suggests these are the result of eggs laid later in May or in June when the caterpillars developed when day length was declining, a major influence for the development of dark, overwintering Commas.

Robert Donnelly (06/08/2023)

Essex Skipper 2, Small White 3, Green Veined White 5, Small Copper 1, Common Blue 2, Red Admiral 6, Painted Lady 2, Small Tortoiseshell 6, Peacock 14, Meadow Brown 7, Comma 2 at S672302, Ballyknock, South Kilkenny. Weather, sunny spells, breezy, 18°C.

Bruce Carrick (06/08/2023)

Comma 1 in my garden at R 70757 73613, Boru Court, Ballina, Co. Tipperary. A Comma appeared in my garden last year, on 8 August.

Jim Fitzharris (06/08/2023)

Large White 2, Green-veined White 5, Small Copper 1, Red Admiral 1, Small Tortoiseshell 2, Peacock 3, Comma 1, Meadow Brown 1, Ringlet 1 at O 102 208, Bohernabreena, Co. Dublin. Warm, calm, sunny; 17°C.

 

Allan Hanratty (07/08/2023)

Burnet moth 30 near sand dunes at ‘the haven’ Baltray, Co. Louth.

Maurice Simms (06/08/2023)

Small Copper 4, Small Tortoiseshell 2, Peacock 7, Wall Brown 13, Meadow Brown 20+ at B778212, 780238, 783241, 789240, 789224, on a walk around Carrickfin Island, Co. Donegal. Sunny periods, 17C.

Note: Thirteen Wall Browns is a high count for this endangered butterfly. It does not appear to have declined in County Donegal.

Maurice Simms (07/08/2023)

Small Copper 1, Wall Brown 7, Meadow Brown 6 at G 679966, 678967, near the old Kiltourish Chapel, Kiltourish, Rosbeg, Co. Donegal.
Short sunny periods, 17C.

Zoe Leonard-Tierney (07/08/2023)

Silver-washed Fritillary female 1 at M 66202 46475,  Mountbellew Forest Park, County Galway. Warm and sunny with a very light breeze. Temp 18°C.

Elaine Brennan (08/08/2023)

Comma 1 at N 69108 34436, Carbury village, Co. Kildare. Sunny.

Maurice Simms (08/08/2023)

Peacock 32, Wall Brown 64, Grayling 4, Meadow Brown 6, at B 728201, 726199, 720/1/201/2, 729199, Cruit Island, Co. Donegal at rocky outcrops opposite the old graveyard halfway up the Island and on the south side along the rough path out to Aughnish Point.

Light north-west wind, Sunny 18C.

Eithne McIlroy (08/08/2023)

Six-spot Burnet 3 at C 03012 37531, Killahoey beach, Co. Donegal.

Brendan Shorte (08/08/2023)

Peacock c.20 on Buddleia at N 79676 15619, Newbridge, Co. Kildare. Sunny in the afternoon, 18C.

Con O’Donnell (08/08/2023)

Green-veined White 3, Small Copper 1, Red Admiral 2, Small Tortoiseshell 2, Peacock 5, Speckled Wood 1, Grayling 3, Meadow Brown 1 at C 6640 northeast of Golf Course and Sweet Melly’s Bridge, Greencastle, Co. Donegal.

Green-veined White 20+, Red Admiral 2, Small Tortoiseshell 4. Peacock 9, Meadow Brown 4, Ringlet 1, at C 6743, Port Kill, Inishowen Head, Co. Donegal.

Large White 2, Small White 1, Green-veined White 5, Small Copper 2, Red Admiral 1, Small Tortoiseshell 4, Peacock 11, Speckled Wood 7, Meadow Brown 6 at C 6743, Carrowhugh, Greencastle, Co. Donegal.

Eleanor Hort (08/08/2023}

Green-veined White 2, Red Admiral 4, Small Tortoiseshell 5, Peacock 4 at G 6728 8925, Meentashesk, Carrick, Co. Donegal. (I also had Painted Lady 2 on July 13 and July 17 with a single Painted Lady on a few other days in July.)

Michael Gray (09/08/2023)

Peacock 4 at Q 859410, Ballybunion, Co. Kerry.

Jesmond Harding (09/08/2023)

Brimstone 36, Large White 1, Green-veined White 4, Small Copper 1, Common Blue 4, Red Admiral 3, Small Tortoiseshell 8, Peacock 78, Silver-washed Fritillary 4, Speckled Wood 1, Meadow Brown 17, Ringlet 2 at and around N 68392 25637, Lullybeg Reserve, Co. Kildare. Overcast but bright, calm, 23C.

Brimstone c.55, Green-veined White 1, Common Blue 1, Red Admiral 1, Small Tortoiseshell 1, Peacock c.20, Silver-washed Fritillary 3, Meadow Brown c.5 between N 68816 25645 and N 68718 26161, Lullybeg, Co. Kildare.

Note: The Brimstone total of 91 for Lullybeg is an under-count.

Marie Soffe (09/08/2023)

Square-spot Rustic moth 1 at O 24449 39224, Sutton Park, Sutton, Dublin 13. Warm, humid evening, with no rain. The moth was on the wall of the porch.

Jim Fitzharris (09/08/2023)

Green-veined White 1, Peacock 3, Dark Green Fritillary 2, Speckled Wood, 1, Meadow Brown 1 between T 096 963 and T 111 964, Glendalough, Co. Wicklow. Warm, windy, sunny; 19°C.

Michael Gray (10/08/2023)

Green Veined White 13, Common Blue 2, Holly Blue 3, Silver Washed Fritillary 1 ( large Female ), Peacock 147, Small Tortoiseshell 3, Comma 8, Red Admiral 31, Speckled Wood 12, Meadow Brown 16, Ringlet 1 at O 175 234 (sample ref.) seen on a hike between The Blue light pub and the bottom of Kilmashogue lane, Kilmashogue,  Co. Dublin.

Maurice Simms (10/08/2023)

Wall Brown 4, Grayling 2, Meadow Brown 3 at G652929, 649929, Crockacoon, Loughros Point, Co.Donegal. Sunny, 23C.

Small Copper 1, Peacock 3, Wall Brown 14, at G668930, 665931, 671933, Trabane and Drumirrin, Loughros Point, Co. Donegal. Cloudy Bright, 23C.

Felicity Laws (10/08/2023)

Common Blue 2, Small Tortoiseshell 1, Peacock 1, Gatekeeper/Hedge Brown female 1 in my garden at V 95862 42896, Durrus East, West Cork, Co. Cork.

Una O’Leary (11/08/2023)

Comma 1 at W 62792 69654, Curaheen, Bishopstown, Cork City, Co. Cork. Sunny, cloudy, windy.

Jim Fitzharris (11/08/2023)

Brimstone 15, Small White 3, Large White 1, Green-veined White 12, Small Copper 1, Holly Blue 2, Red Admiral 4, Painted Lady 2, Small Tortoiseshell 6, Peacock 24, Silver-washed Fritillary 4, Speckled Wood 10, Meadow Brown 4 at S 700 992, Blackwood, Co. Kildare. Warm to hot, breezy, overcast to sunny; 17-20°C.

Maurice Simms (12/08/2023)

Large White 4, Small Copper 1, Small Tortoiseshell 1, Wall Brown 4, Meadow Brown 6 at G 697996 behind Portnoo Pier, Lackagh, Portnoo, Co. Donegal. Short bright periods between showers. Approx. 18C.

Frank Smyth (14/08/2023)

Large White 2, Common Blue 4, Holly Blue 6, Red Admiral 2 ( 1 laying), Speckled Wood 4, Meadow Brown 1 at O 268372, Red Rock, Sutton, Dublin 13. 18C, mainly cloudy.

Frank Smyth (15/08/2023)

Large White 1, Small White 8, Green-veined White 3, Holly Blue 6, Red Admiral 3, Peacock 5, Speckled Wood 2, Meadow Brown 2, at O 237411, Baldoyle Race Park, Dublin 13. Partly sunny, 20C.

Robert Aldwell (15/08/2023)

Holly Blue 2, Red Admiral 5, Peacock 1 in my garden at O 22082859 Blackrock, Co Dublin. Warm, calm, 20C.

Eamonn Delma (15/08/2023)

Comma 1 recently emerged at N 87514 34271, Baltreacy Lane, Donadea, Co. Kildare.

Maurice Simms (15/08/2023)

Small White 2, Red Admiral 4, Small Tortoiseshell 2, Peacock 11, Speckled Wood 7 at H 330984 in the garden at Combermore, Lifford, Co. Donegal.

Jim Fitzharris, Luke and Sean Geraty (15/08/2023)

Wood White 4, Small White 1, Large White 1, Green-veined White 4, Brown Hairstreak 3 females, Small Copper 1, Holly Blue 6, Red Admiral 3, Small Tortoiseshell 1, Peacock 5, Speckled Wood 40, Wall Brown 6, Meadow Brown 30 at M 366 025, Tulla (near Gort), Co. Clare. Warm, calm, bright overcast; 18°C.

Wood White 3, Brimstone 6, Brown Hairstreak 2 females and 1 male, Small Copper 1, Common Blue 2, Red Admiral 1, Small Tortoiseshell 4, Peacock 4, Speckled Wood 8, Grayling 5, Meadow Brown 20, Small Heath 1 at R 304 945, Gortlecka, Co. Clare. Hot, calm, sunny, 20-22°C.

Jim Fitzharris (15/08/2023)

Brimstone 2, Common Blue 1, Small Tortoiseshell 2, Peacock 1, Meadow Brown 4 at R 347 940, Ballyeighter, Co. Clare. Hot, calm, sunny, 20°C.

Felicity Laws (15/08/2023)

Common Blue 2 (male and female), Small Copper 1, Red Admiral 1, Small Tortoiseshell 1, Peacock 1, Speckled Wood 2 in my garden at V 95862 42896, Durrus East, West Cork, Co. Cork.

Maurice Simms (16/08/2023)

Small White 1, Green-veined White 1, Red Admiral 2, Small Tortoiseshell 1, Peacock 20, Speckled Wood 2 at C 122298, Glen, Co. Donegal. Sunny periods, 18C.

Jesmond Harding (16/08/2023)

Brimstone 23, Green-veined White 1, Common Blue 1, Red Admiral 11, Small Tortoiseshell 112, Peacock 96, Silver-washed Fritillary 3, Speckled Wood 1, Meadow Brown 21 at and around N 68392 25637, Lullybeg Reserve, Co. Kildare. Overcast but bright, calm, 19C.

Brimstone 16, Green-veined White 1, Small Copper 1, Common Blue 1, Red Admiral 3, Small Tortoiseshell c.30, Peacock c.40, Comma dark form 1, Silver-washed Fritillary 2, Meadow Brown c.10 including two mating pairs between N 68816 25645 and N 68718 26161, Lullybeg, Co. Kildare.

(Note: Two of 67 Brimstones marked on 09/08/2023 were re-found today.)

Con O’Donnell (16/08/2023)

Large White 6, Small White 3, Green-veined White 4, Small Copper 1, Red Admiral 1, Small Tortoiseshell 1, Peacock 9, Speckled Wood 2 at C 648 408, Eleven Ballyboes, Greencastle, Co. Donegal.

Green-veined White 20+, Small Copper 1, Peacock 11, Speckled Wood 1, Meadow Brown 2 at C 6743, Port Kill, Inishowen Head, Co. Donegal. (One Meadow Brown was quite fresh, and the other one very worn.)

Felicity Laws (16/08/2023)

Small Tortoiseshell 1, Peacock 1, Speckled Wood 1, Wall Brown 1, Hedge Brown 1 female; Odonata: Common Hawker 1 at V 84383 38741, Seefin, West Cork, Co. Cork.

Bob Aldwell and Frank Smyth (17/08/2023)

Small White 2, Holly Blue 6, Speckled Wood 5, Meadow Brown 1 at O 268372, Red Rock, Sutton, Dublin 13. Hazy sunshine, light breeze.

Michael Gray (17/08/2023)

Small White 2, Large White 12, Green-veined White 1, Small Tortoiseshell 24, Peacock 11, Red Admiral 12, Painted Lady 1, Speckled Wood 1 at S 935368, Davidstown, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford. Sunny, breezy.

Denise and Jesmond Harding (17/08/2023)

Small Tortoiseshell 1, Peacock 1 at O 04101 75936, formal garden, Oldbridge Estate, Co. Meath.

Speckled Wood c. 6 at O 04509 75668, Greenhills Walk, Oldbridge Estate, Co. Meath.

Holly Blue 1 at O 04625 75572, Crab Apple Walk, Oldbridge Estate, Co. Meath.

Common Blue 20 plus in the superb flower-rich grassland at O 04799 75514, Groggin’s Field Walk, Oldbridge Estate, Co. Meath.

Comma 1 at O 04615 76058, Oldbridge Road, Oldbridge Estate, Co. Meath. Sunny, breezy.

Maurice Simms (17/08/2023)

Small Copper 5, Common Blue 1, Red Admiral 3, Small Tortoiseshell 6, Peacock 2, Wall Brown 2, Grayling 3, Meadow Brown 261 at G 707696/9, 706691, 713694/7, 715697, St John’s Point, Co. Donegal. Fresh easterly wind, 22C.

Con O’Donnell (17/08/2023)

Large White 1, Small White 8, Green-veined White 5, Common Blue 3, Red Admiral 1, Peacock 18+, Dark Green Fritillary 1, Speckled Wood 3, Grayling 2, Meadow Brown 14, Small Heath 3 (Common Blue and Small Heath were fresh looking ) spread over three sites with varying amounts of shelter at C 408489, Doagh Isle, Ballyliffin, Co. Donegal. Windy with patchy sunshine, 19 -23 C.

Con O’Donnell (17/08/2023)

Large White 2, Green-veined White 5, Small Copper 1, Red Admiral 2, Small Tortoiseshell 1, Peacock 16+, Silver-washed Fritillary 3, Speckled wood 25+ at C5649 Redford Glebe, Culdaff, Co. Donegal.

(Note by Bob Aldwell: This is a new 10km square record for Silver-washed Fritillary on C54. About 20 years ago a large fritillary was seen by members of the Inishowen Wildlife Club during a field excursion. However, insufficient detail was available to decide which it was. Over the years other sightings on the wing were similarly inconclusive. This time Con O’Donnell got several good photographs of what were clearly female Silver-washed Fritillaries feeding on Common Knapweed. These were seen by Frank Smyth and myself.)

Maurice Simms (19/08/2023)

Marsh Fritillary webs 2 at G678948, at Carrickalahagh, Sheskinmore, Rosbeg Co. Donegal. These webs were on a mixture of very short heather and Devil’s- bit Scabious on a mound near the point. 19C, southwest wind.

Maurice Simms (20/08/2023)

Small White 1, Green-veined White 1, Small Copper 1, Common Blue 2, Meadow Brown 20 at G 690959, 682947, on the walk from the main entrance at Mullyvea to the Mass House and on to Carrickalahagh, Sheskinmore Reserve, Rosbeg, Co. Donegal. 20C, gusty south wind.

Maurice Simms (20/08/2023)

Marsh Fritillary webs 5 with larvae visible in four webs (2 at 1st instar stage and 2 at 2nd instar stage) at G 682947, Carrickalahagh, Sheskinmore Reserve, Rosbeg, Co. Donegal.2OC, gusty south wind. All larvae were on the northeast-facing slopes of former lazy beds on a mixture of short ling heather and Devil’s-bit Scabious.

Michael Gray (20/08/2023)

Large White 2, Small White 5, Small Tortoiseshell 32, Red Admiral 6, Comma 1, Peacock 4, Meadow Brown 1, Speckled Wood 1 at S 935 368, Davidstown , Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford.

Eamonn mc Glinchey (20/08/2023)

Small Copper 1, Wall Brown 4, Meadow Brown 6 at C158 432, Gortnatraw, Fánaid, Co. Donegal. Warm 19 Celsius but the wind was much too strong, and a very sheltered spot held just a few species.

Jim Fitzharris (20/08/2023)

Purple Hairstreak 2 at O 220 177, Knocksink Bridge, Co. Wicklow. Warm, calm, sunny; 18°C.

Jesmond Harding (21/08/2023)

Brimstone 5, Common Blue 7, Red Admiral 4, Painted Lady 1, Small Tortoiseshell 148, Peacock 23, Silver-washed Fritillary 1, Speckled Wood 2, Meadow Brown 3 at and around N 68392 25637, Lullybeg Reserve, Co. Kildare. Overcast but bright, breezy, SW wind, 19-21C.

Brimstone 5, Green-veined White 1, Common Blue 3, Red Admiral 3, Small Tortoiseshell 50, Peacock 8, Speckled Wood 6, Meadow Brown 4 from N 69306 25885 to the bottom of the track at N 69301 26016 to N 69551 26035, Lullymore West, Co. Kildare.

(Note: A female Brimstone marked on the hindwing underside on 04/08/2023 on the track indicated in the preceding record was re-found on the  track today.)

Frank Smyth (21/08/2023)

Large White 1, Holly Blue 2, Red Admiral 1, Small Tortoiseshell 1 at O 266326, St Fintan’s Park, Sutton, Dublin 13.

Small White 1, Comma 1 (dark form, pristine), Speckled Wood 4 at O 268372, Red Rock, Sutton, Dublin 13. Mainly sunny but very windy, 22C.

Jesmond Harding (22/08/2023)

Small Tortoiseshell 17 on a patch of Verbena bonariensis in a paved garden at S 53310 72788, Kilkenny Street, Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny.

Jim Fitzharris (22/08/2023)

Large White 4, Common Blue 2, Small Tortoiseshell c.40 at O 299 119, Greystones, Co. Wicklow. Hot, calm, sunny; 22°C.

The Small Tortoiseshells were nectaring on a small strip of Red Valerian about 6-7 metres long.

Bob Aldwell and Frank Smyth (24/08/2023)

Large White 1, Small White 1, Green-veined White 1, Holly Blue 5, Red Admiral 2, Small Tortoiseshell 1, Peacock 3, Speckled Wood 4 at O 237411, Baldoyle Race Park, Dublin 13. Partly cloudy, 19C.

Small White 1, Holly Blue 3 to 4, Peacock 1, Comma 1 ( male, dark form, pristine), Speckled Wood 4 at O 268392, Red Rock, Sutton, Dublin 13.

Con O’Donnell (24/08/2023)

Large White 3, Small White 2, Green-veined White 11, Small Tortoiseshell 2, Peacock 13, Speckled Wood 20+, Meadow brown 1 also unidentified large Fritillary at C 5649, Redford Glebe, Culdaff, Co. Donegal. The butterflies were mostly closer to the shore than on August 17 due to the different wind direction.

Maurice Simms (24/08/2023)

Red Admiral 6, Peacock 3, Small Tortoiseshell 3, Speckled Wood 6 in the garden at H330984  at Combermore, Lifford, Co. Donegal. Sunny periods.

Felicity Laws (24/08/2023)

Common Blue 1, Red Admiral 1, Small Tortoiseshell 1, Meadow Brown 2, Six-spot Burnet abundant at W 49779 35985, Ballymacshoneen, Co. Cork.

Jesmond Harding (25/08/2023)

Green-veined White 1, Red Admiral 1, Small Tortoiseshell 10, Peacock 4, Speckled Wood 2 in my garden at N 92080 42492, Mulhussey, Co. Meath. Warm sunshine between showers, c. 19C.

Maurice Simms (25/08/2023)

Red Admiral 1, Speckled Wood 1, Wall Brown 1 (on Bell Heather), Meadow Brown 2 at G 674971 at a small sheltered valley on the south shore of Kiltourish Lake, Rosbeg, Co. Donegal. Sunny spells 15 C.

Small Copper 1, Small Tortoiseshell 1, Wall Brown 3, Meadow Brown 2, at G 678/9 965/6 near Kiltourish Chapel, Rosbeg, Co. Donegal. Sunny with patchy clouds.

Red Admiral 2, Peacock 1, Speckled Wood 2 at G 673974, Eden, Rosbeg, Co. Donegal. Sunny periods 18C.

Marie Soffe (25/08/2023)

Holly Blue female 1, on ivy,  Acleris aspersana (Ginger Button) moth 1 (on a south-facing shrub in the rear garden) at 53.388736, -6.1299620, Sutton Park, Sutton, Dublin 13. Warm, strong sunshine, calm.

Con O’Donnell (25/08/2023)

Large White 8, Small White 8, Green-veined White 5, Red Admiral 1, Small Tortoiseshell 6, Peacock 7, Speckled Wood 3 at C 6540 Greencastle Shore Path, Co. Donegal.

Jim Fitzharris (26/08/2023)

Small Copper 2, Small Tortoiseshell 1, Meadow Brown 5 at G 707 565, Mullaghmore, Co. Sligo. Mild, breezy, bright overcast to sunny; 17°C.

Felicity Laws (27/08/2023)

Common Blue 1, Small Tortoiseshell 1, Peacock 1, Speckled Wood, Hedge Brown/Gatekeeper 1; Odonata: Common Darter 1, Common Emerald 1, Blue-tailed Damselfly 1 in my garden between V 95880 42843 and V 95896 42880 at Durrus East, West Cork, Co. Cork.

Marie Soffe (27/08/2023)

Garden Carpet 1 at 53.388736, -6.1299620, Sutton Park, Sutton, Dublin 13.

Felicity Laws (28/08/2023)

Red Admiral 1, Speckled Wood 1, Hedge Brown/Gatekeeper male 1 at V 83693 37932, Bardic school ruins, Seefin, West Cork, Co. Cork.

Speckled Wood 1; Odonata: Emerald Damselfly 3 including pair in tandem at V 84383 38741, Old Road, Ahakista to Kilcrohane, West Cork, Co. Cork.

Jim Fitzharris (28/08/2023)

Common Blue 2, Small Tortoiseshell 50, Meadow Brown 4 at O 245 379, Alder Marsh, Bull Island, Co. Dublin. Warm, breezy, bright overcast; 18°C.

The Small Tortoiseshells were nectaring on the luxuriant Devil’s-bit Scabious in the area.

Con O’Donnell (29/08/20230

Large White 5, Small White 4, Green-veined White 4, Red Admiral 2, Small Tortoiseshell 6, Peacock 2, Speckled Wood 5 at C 648408 at C 648408, Eleven Ballyboes, Greencastle, Co. Donegal. Only 14C with a westerly wind. Some Speckled Wood and Red Admiral feeding on the ground on over-ripe plums.

Jesmond Harding (29/08/2023)

Green-veined White 3, Small Tortoiseshell 23, Peacock 3, Speckled Wood 2, Silver Y 1 mostly on Devil’s-bit Scabious in my garden at N 92070 42461, Mulhussey, Co. Meath. Sunny, calm, c. 17C.

Joan and Frank Smyth (29/08/2023)

Holly Blue 5, Speckled Wood 5 at O 274370, Carrickbrack, Howth, Co. Dublin.

Holly Blue 1, Red Admiral 2, feeding on Melon skins, at O 266326, Saint Fintan’s Park, Sutton, Dublin 13.

Red Admiral 2, Small Tortoiseshell 32, feeding on Red Valerian, Speckled Wood 7 at O 268377, Red Rock/Strand Road, Sutton, Dublin 13. 18C, partly sunny.

Note from Frank: This is the first time in a number of years that the Small Tortoiseshell has had a second brood at Red Rock. It must have been the weather! Interesting also that the vast majority of them were very small.

Felicity Laws (29/08/2023)

Small Tortoiseshell 1, Peacock 1; Odonata: Emperor Dragonfly 1 at V 95896 42880, Durrus East, West Cork, Co. Cork.

Jesmond Harding (30/08/2023)

Green-veined White 1, Common Blue 4, Red Admiral 17, Small Tortoiseshell 56, Silver-washed Fritillary male 1, Marsh Fritillary larval nest 27, Speckled Wood 5, Meadow Brown 7 at and around N 68392 25637, Lullybeg Reserve, Co. Kildare. Mostly overcast, calm, 16C.

Common Blue 1, Small Tortoiseshell 1, Speckled Wood 14, Meadow Brown 1 at c.11 am along the track N 69547 26034- N 69285 26016, Lullymore, Co. Kildare. Overcast but calm, 15C.

Con O’Donnell (30/08/2023)

Large White 4, Small White 1, Green-veined White 2, Small Copper 1, Red Admiral 16+, Small Tortoiseshell 4, Peacock 1, Speckled Wood 5 at Eleven Ballyboes, Greencastle Co Donegal. Today in my garden I experienced for the first time the effects of the over-ripe and partly rotted fruit of a Victoria plum tree. The tree has at least two buckets of plums and the birds are leaving them to the butterflies, especially the Red Admirals with a few Speckled Wood joining in. It has come a good time as most of the local flowers are gone over.

Marie Soffe (30/08/2023)

Small Tortoiseshell 1 at 12:34 pm at 53.388736, -6.1299620, Sutton Park, Sutton, Dublin 13. Sunny, and warm.

Maurice Simms (31/08/2023)

Red Admiral 2, Speckled Wood 8, at G 799994, 800994, Cleengort Lane, Gweebarra, Co. Donegal. Cloudy clearing to sunny spells. 18C.

Felicity Laws (31/08/2023)

Red Admiral 1, Small Tortoiseshell 1, Speckled Wood several; Odonata: Common Darter female 1 at V 95589 41669, Durrus East, West Cork, Co. Cork.

Frank Smyth (01/09/2023)

Small White 1, Green-veined White 2, Holly Blue 6, Red Admiral 4, Small Tortoiseshell 25, Peacock 1, Speckled Wood 12 at O 268372, Red Rock/Strand Road, Sutton, Dublin 13. 19C, sunny, light wind.

Michael Gray (01/09/2023)

Small white 1, Green-veined White 1, Common Blue 4, Holly Blue 4, Red Admiral 1, Small Tortoiseshell 9, Comma 1 ( it literally landed on my mouth), Speckled Wood 6, Meadow Brown 7 at O 156260, Marlay Park, Rathfarnham, Dublin 16. Sunny, with overcast periods.

Jesmond Harding (01/09/2023)

Green-veined White 2 (one male was exceptionally large and apart from the forewing spots and apical tips, his upper sides were unmarked), Red Admiral 1, Small Tortoiseshell 13, Peacock 1, Speckled Wood 2 in my garden at N 92070 42461, Mulhussey, Co. Meath. Mainly sunny, calm, c. 17C.

Felicity Laws (01/09/2023)

Red Admiral 1, Speckled Wood 1; Odonata: Common Dater female 1 at V 95067 32760, Butter Road, Ballydehob, West Cork, Co. Cork.

Pat Wyse and Fionnuala Parnell (02/09/2023)

Clouded Yellow 1, Brimstone 9, Red Admiral 20 plus, Painted Lady 2, Small Tortoiseshell 30 plus, Peacock 10 plus, Speckled Wood 10 at N 69289 25885, Lullymore, Co. Kildare. Sunny, 22C. No marked Brimstone seen.

Jesmond Harding (02/09/2023)

Small Tortoiseshell 22 at N 91483 42243, off Walshe’s Lane, Mulhussey, Co. Meath.

Small White c.15, Small Tortoiseshell 1 at N 91383 41982, off Walshe’s Lane, Mulhussey, Co. Meath.

Large White 1, Small White 1, Green-veined White 1, Holly Blue 2, Red Admiral 3 and larvae 4, Small Tortoiseshell 2, Speckled Wood 17 on Walshe’s Lane between N 92068 42722 and N 91493 41836, Mulhussey, Co. Meath. Sunny, warm, c.18C.

Green-veined White 3, Red Admiral 3, Small Tortoiseshell 19,  Speckled Wood 1 in my garden at N 92080 42494, Mulhussey, Co. Meath.

Con O’Donnell (02/09/2023)

Large White 3, Small White 2, Green-veined White 4, Small Copper 2, Red Admiral 1, Small Tortoiseshell 11, Peacock 6, Speckled Wood 5 at C 6743 Carrowhugh, Greencastle, Co. Donegal. 20-22 C. Out of the wind the warmest day in northeast Donegal for some weeks.

Large White 5, Small White 1, Green-veined White 5, Red Admiral 9, Small Tortoiseshell 6, Peacock 2, Speckled Wood 1 at C 6543 Greencastle, Shore Path, Co. Donegal. Butterflies were mostly feeding on Red Valerian.

Ethna Diver (02/09/2023)

Large White 1, Red Admiral 12, Peacock 6, Small Tortoiseshell 16, Speckled Wood 12, at C213084, Knockbrack, Co. Donegal.

Niamh King (02/09/2023)

Red Admiral larva 1 on a post at S 1545, Ballinure, Dunlavin, West Wicklow, Co. Wicklow.

Maurice Simms (02/09 /2023)

Large White 3, Green-veined White 1, Red Admiral 22, Small Tortoiseshell 13, Peacock 4, Speckled Wood 8, all on Yellow Buddleia at H330984, in the garden at Combermore, Lifford, Co. Donegal. 22C, sunny.

Anthony Mooney (03/09/2023)

Whites 100s, (Whites attracted by two ha of bird crop; I estimate Large White makes up some 35%, Small White some 60%) Holly Blue 2 plus, Small Tortoiseshell 100s plus larval nests 4  at N9134, Bryanstown, Maynooth, Co Kildare.

Michael Gray (03/09/2023)

Unidentified white 1, Red Admiral 2, Small Tortoiseshell 9, Peacock 1,  Meadow Brown 1 at O 156 272, Rathfarnham, Dublin 16.

Jesmond Harding (03/09/2023)

Green-veined White 2, Red Admiral 3, Small Tortoiseshell 15,  Peacock 1, Comma dark form male 1, Speckled Wood 1 in my garden at N 92080 42494, Mulhussey, Co. Meath. Sunny, 22C.

Sean and Luke Geraty (03/09/2023)

Common Blue 1, Red Admiral 13, Small Tortoiseshell 246, Speckled Wood 3 from 6:00 pm and 7:15 pm between N 69457 22602 and N 69487 25979, Lullymore, Co. Kildare. Sunny, 20C.

Felicity Laws (03/09/2023)

Green-veined White 1, Common Blue 1, Speckled Wood 1 in my garden at V 95888 42874, Durrus East, West Cork, Co. Cork.

Eleanor Hort (03-05/09/2023)

Peacock 4 at G 67288925 Meentashesk, Carrick, Co. Donegal and a single Peacock on Sept 6

Green-veined White 5, Small Tortoiseshell 6 at G 67288925 Meentashesk, Carrick, Co. Donegal.

Jesmond Harding (04/09/2023)

Green-veined White 1, Small Copper 1, Common Blue 1, Red Admiral 18, Small Tortoiseshell 135, Peacock 1, Speckled Wood 1, Meadow Brown 1 at and around N 68392 25637, Lullybeg Reserve, Co. Kildare. Sunny, calm, 18-22C.

Brimstone male 1, Green-veined White 1, Red Admiral 4, Painted Lady 1, Small Tortoiseshell c.15 at N 68829 25644, Lullybeg, Co. Kildare.

Note: Only the Small Tortoiseshells on the reserve and a small area nearby were counted.

Eamonn Mc Glinchey (04/09/2023)

Small Copper 2, Common Blue 4, Small Tortoiseshell 10, Grayling 1, Meadow Brown 12, Hummingbird Hawk Moth 1 at B800 254, Magheraclogher, Bunbeg, Co. Donegal. 20 degrees and sunny.

Danny Gillespie (04/09/2023)

Red Admiral 5, Small Tortoiseshell 15, Meadow Brown 20 + at G 622745 Dactan, Kilcar, Co. Donegal. Unusually warm for September with temperatures in the low twenties.

Con O’Donnell (04/09/2023)

Large White 5, Small White 1, Green-veined White 4, Red Admiral 1, Small Tortoiseshell 20+, at C 408489, Doagh Isle, Co. Donegal.

Green-veined White 3, Small Tortoiseshell 11, Peacock 4, Speckled Wood 13 at C 6341, Ballymacarthur, Greencastle, Co. Donegal.

Frank Smyth (05/09/2023)

Green-veined White 1, Holly Blue 2, Comma 1 ( female, dark form), Speckled Wood 4 at O 237411, Baldoyle Race Park, Dublin 13. 23C, sunny.

Jesmond Harding (05/09/2023)

Green-veined White 3, Red Admiral 1, Small Tortoiseshell 18,  Peacock 1,  Speckled Wood 2 in my garden at N 92080 42494, Mulhussey, Co. Meath. Sunny,  breezy, 22C.

Felicity Laws (05/09/2023)

Small Tortoiseshell 1 in my garden at V 95896 42880, Durrus East, West Cork, Co. Cork. On 06/09 I saw my first Black Darter 1 at this location.

Maurice Simms (06/09/2023)

Green-veined White 1, Red Admiral 9, Small Tortoiseshell 9, Speckled Wood 1, at H 330984 in the garden at Combermore, Lifford, Co. Donegal. Sunny spells, 23C.

Jesmond Harding (06/09/2023)

Green-veined White 3, Small Tortoiseshell 9,  Peacock 1,  Speckled Wood 2 in my garden at N 92080 42494, Mulhussey, Co. Meath. Sunny,  breezy, 26C.

Bob Aldwell and Frank Smyth (06/09/2023)

Small White 1, Holly Blue 1, Red Admiral 8, Small Tortoiseshell 7, Speckled Wood 3 at O 268372, Red Rock/Strand Road, Sutton, Dublin 13.

Large White 1, Holly Blue 1, Red Admiral 4, Speckled Wood 5 at O 237411, Baldoyle Race Park, Dublin 13. 23C, sunny.

Jane Kennedy (07/09/2023)

Comma 1 among other butterflies at S 22773 21817, Mountain Road, Spaville, near Clonmel, Co. Waterford.

Jesmond Harding (07/09/2023)

Green-veined White 2, Small Tortoiseshell 3,  Peacock 1,  Speckled Wood 2 in my garden at N 92080 42494, Mulhussey, Co. Meath. Sunny,  calm, 27C.

Michael Gray (07/09/2023)

Small Tortoiseshell 20, Peacock 1, Comma dark form 1 in my garden at O 156272, Rathfarnham, Dublin 16. Sunny, hot, 25C or higher.

Maurice Simms for Dennis Hawke (07/09/2023)

Red Admiral 3, Small Tortoiseshell 6 at C 196406, Croaghan, Tamney, Fanad, Co. Donegal. All on yellow Buddleia.

Jesmond Harding (08/09/2023)

Vestal 4 in my garden in my garden at N 92081 42492, Mulhussey, Co. Meath.

Maurice Simms (08/09/2023)

Marsh Fritillary Webs 20 at G 679948, 680947/8, 682947, Carrickalahagh, Sheskinmore Reserve, Rosbeg, Co. Donegal. Sunny, 21C.
Some of the webs were single and some were in groups of 3 or 4.

John Lovatt (08/09/2023)

Red Admiral 8, Small Tortoiseshell 40 at S 24230-08547 (330m 1000 feet), t Monavullagh Mountains, above Dungarvan, Co. Waterford.

Con O’Donnell (08/09/2023)

Large White 2, Small White 1, Red Admiral 3, Speckled Wood 3 at C 648408 Eleven Ballyboes, Greencastle, Co Donegal. Red Admirals on fruit trees. 26 C.

Whites 100s and Small Tortoiseshell 100+ in a 1 ha field of white flowering crop a C 6339 Ballybrack, Moville, Co Donegal

Green-veined White 1, Small Copper 1, Small Tortoiseshell 16, Speckled Wood 7 at C 6743 Carrowhugh, Greencastle, Co Donegal. Fresh Red Valarian in this site.

Jim Fitzharris (08/09/2023)

Large White 1, Green-veined White 1, Red Admiral 6, Small Tortoiseshell 2, Comma 1, Speckled Wood 3 at T 125 055, Churchtown, Co. Wexford. Hot, calm, sunny, 24°C.

Jim Fitzharris (09/09/2023)

Red Admiral 15, Painted Lady 1, Small Tortoiseshell 5, Comma 1 at T 053 133, Killinick, Co. Wexford. Hot, calm, sunny, 25°C.

Jesmond Harding (09/09/2023)

Brimstone 2, Red Admiral 13, Small Tortoiseshell 86, Peacock 1, Comma dark form 4, Meadow Brown 1 at and around N 68392 25637, Lullybeg Reserve, Co. Kildare. Sunny, calm, 22-25C.

Brimstone 2, Red Admiral 2, Small Tortoiseshell 25, Comma dark form 2 from N 69265 25742 and N 68790 25633, Lullybeg, Co. Kildare.

Green-veined White 1, Red Admiral 3, Small Tortoiseshell 25 from N 69265 25742 and N 69284 26006, Lullymore, Co. Kildare.

Speckled Wood 5, Goat Moth larva fully grown 1 along the track between N 69284 26006 and N 69544 26038, Lullymore West, Co. Kildare.

Vestal 4 in my garden at N 92081 42492, Mulhussey, Co. Meath.

Frank Smyth (09/09/2023)

Red Admiral 8, Small Tortoiseshell 7, Comma ( Dark Form) 2, Speckled Wood 1 at O 268372, Red Rock/Strand Road, Sutton Dublin 13. 23C, sunny.

Jesmond Harding (09/09/2023)

Small Tortoiseshell 3,  Peacock 1, Vestal 4  in my garden at N 92080 42494, Mulhussey, Co. Meath. Sunny, some clouds, calm, 25C.

Maurice Simms (09/09/2023)

Green-veined White 2, Red Admiral 8, Small Tortoiseshell 14, Speckled Wood 1, at H 330984 in the garden at Combermore, Lifford, Co. Donegal. Cloudy/ bright, 20C.

Wesley Gilfillan (09/09/2023)

Comma 1 in my shed at N 05896 41853, Brawny Close, Athlone, Co. Westmeath. Sunny, 23⁰C.

Frank Smyth (12/09/2023)

Red Admiral 1, Small Tortoiseshell 4, Comma 3 dark form, Speckled Wood 4 at O 268372, Red Rock/Strand Road, Sutton, Dublin 13 16C, sunny.

Jesmond Harding (12/09/2023)

Green-veined White 3, Red Admiral 1, Small Tortoiseshell 8, Comma 2, Speckled Wood 1 in my garden at N 92081 42492, Mulhussey, Co. Meath. Sunny, light SW breeze, 18C.

Green-veined White 2, Red Admiral 3, Small Tortoiseshell 3, Comma 2, Speckled Wood 23 along Walshe’s Lane, N 92082 42721 to N 91484 41834, Mulhussey, Co. Meath.

Myrtle Parker (12/09/2023)

Comma 1 at W7658, Fountainstown, Co. Cork.

Con O’Donnell (12/09/2023)

Large White 3, Small White 2, Green-veined White 3, Red Admiral 9, Small Tortoiseshell 25+, Peacock 1, Speckled Wood 4 at C 6540, Greencastle Shore Path, Co. Donegal. Peacock rather faded.

Large White 1, Green-veined White 3, Red Admiral 1, Small Tortoiseshell 20+, Speckled Wood 8 at C 6743, Carrowhugh, Greencastle, Co. Donegal.

Maurice Simms (12/09/2023)

Large White 1, Red Admiral 5, Small Tortoiseshell 12, Speckled Wood 5 at H 330984, Combermore garden and grounds, Lifford, Co. Donegal. Bright spells.

Felicity Laws (13/09/2023)

Red Admiral 3, Speckled Wood 1: Odonata: Common Emerald 2, Keeled Skimmer 1, Common Darter 1 on the V 84383 38741, Old Road, Ahakista to Kilcrohane, West Cork, Co. Cork.

Small Tortoiseshell 1, Speckled Wood 1; Odonata: Common Darter 1, Black Darter (09/09) in my garden between V 95880 42843 and V 95896 42880 at Durrus East, West Cork, Co. Cork.

Jesmond Harding (14/09/2023)

Green-veined White 1, Red Admiral 1, Small Tortoiseshell 6-7, Comma female 1, Speckled Wood 1 in my garden at N 92081 42492, Mulhussey, Co. Meath. Hazy sunshine, light breeze, c.16C.

Con O’Donnell ((14/09/2023)

Large White 3, Small White 1, Red Admiral 2, Small Tortoiseshell 6, Speckled Wood 1 at C 648408, Eleven Ballyboes, Greencastle, Co. Donegal. 16 C and fairly warm.

Con O’Donnell (16/09/2023)

Large White 6, Small White 5, Green-veined White 5, Red Admiral 12, Small Tortoiseshell 20+, Peacock 1, Speckled Wood 5 at C 6540 Greencastle Shore Path, Co Donegal. 16 C on a day with in places some five hours of sunshine. Butterflies mostly on late flowering Valerian. These numbers locally reflect favourable butterfly conditions of plentiful nectar and good shelter.

Frank Smyth (18/09/2023)

Holly Blue 1, Red Admiral 24, Comma 4, Speckled Wood 1 at O 274370, Carrickbrack, Howth, Co. Dublin.

Red Admiral 7 at O 263372, Red Rock/Strand Road, Sutton, Dublin 13

Red Admiral 6 at O 284366, Ceanncor Road, Cliff Walk, Howth, Co. Dublin.

Red Admiral 9, Speckled Wood 1 at O 266326, St. Fintan’s Park, Sutton, Dublin 13.

16C, sunny, very strong westerly breeze. Red Admirals were feeding on sheltered, flowering ivy. Commas preferred bramble.

Jesmond Harding (18/09/2023)

Green-veined White 1, Red Admiral 3, Small Tortoiseshell 2, Comma 1, Speckled Wood 2 in my garden at N 92081 42492, Mulhussey, Co. Meath. Long sunny spells, rain shower after 1 pm, moderate westerly breeze, c.16C.

Maurice Simms (18/09/2023)

Red Admiral 2, Small Tortoiseshell 6, Speckled Wood 2 at H 330984, in the garden at Combermore, Lifford, Co. Donegal. Short sunny periods with fresh Northwest wind. Small Tortoiseshells on Yellow Buddleia, Purple Bowles Wallflower, and Cosmos.

Frank Smyth (19/09/2023)

Red Admiral 2 feeding on ivy in the damp and wind in my garden at O 266326, St. Fintan’s Park, Sutton, Dublin 13.

Felicity Laws (19/08/2023)

Red Admiral 1, Speckled Wood 1 at W1228947132, Dromaleague South, West Cork, Co. Cork.

Jesmond Harding (19/09/2023)

Red Admiral 1 in my garden at N 92081 42492, Mulhussey, Co. Meath. Mild, damp, very breezy, c19C.

Jesmond Harding (20/09/2023)

Green-veined White 1, Red Admiral 1, Comma 1 in my garden at N 92081 42492, Mulhussey, Co. Meath. Sunny, breezy, c15C.

Felicity Laws (20/09/2023)

Small Copper 1; Odonata: Common Darter 2 (male and female) in my garden at V 9589642880, Durrus East, West Cork, Co. Cork. Rain showers with sunshine, remaining mild.

Frank Smyth (20/09/2023)

Comma 1 at O 268372, Red Rock, Sutton, Dublin 13

Red Admiral 6 at St. Fintan’s Park, Sutton, Dublin 13.

Red Admiral 11, Comma 1, Speckled Wood 3 at O 274370, Carrickbrack, Howth, Co. Dublin.

Red Admiral 10, Comma 1 at O 284366, Ceanncor Road, Cliff Walk, Howth, Co. Dublin. 16C, partly cloudy, strong southwest wind.

Frank Smyth (21/09/2023)

Small White 1, Red Admiral 14, Small Tortoiseshell 1 at O 266326, St. Fintan’s Park, Sutton Dublin 13.

Green-veined White 1, Red Admiral 6, Comma 1, Speckled Wood 2 at O 268372, Red Rock / Strand Road, Sutton, Dublin 13.

Red Admiral 21, Small Tortoiseshell 1, Comma 7, Speckled Wood 3 at O 284326, Carrickbrack, Howth, Co. Dublin.

Red Admiral 12, Speckled Wood 3 at O 284366, Ceanncor Road, Cliff Walk, Howth, Co. Dublin. 17C, sunny, light southwest breeze.

A balmy day at last. Red Admirals making the most of it before going south. The Commas are still pretty active.

Anthony Mooney (21/09/2023)

Red Admiral 4, Small Tortoiseshell 6, Peacock 1, Comma 2, Speckled Wood 4 at N 9134, Bryanstown, Maynooth, Co. Kildare. The Commas and most other butterflies were feeding on Ivy, which is not yet fully in flower.

Dermot Stokes (21/09/2023)

Red Admiral 3, Comma 1 feeding on figs in my garden at O 171318, Donnybrook, Dublin 4.

Jim Fitzharris (21/09/2023)

Large White 5, Green-veined White 5, Common Blue 2, Red Admiral 5, Speckled Wood 2 at Q 737 482, Kilbaha, Co. Clare. Warm, breezy, sunny; 17°C.

Jesmond Harding (22/09/2023)

Red Admiral 1, Small Tortoiseshell 2, Comma 1 in my garden at N 92081 42492, Mulhussey, Co. Meath. Sunny, breezy, c15C.

Frank Smyth (22/09/2023)

Large White 1, Red Admiral 11, Comma 1 at O 266326, St. Fintan’s Park, Sutton, Dublin 13

Red Admiral 5, Comma 1 at O 268376, Red Rock, Sutton, Dublin 13

Red Admiral 7, Comma 4 at O 274370. Carrickbrack, Howth, Co. Dublin.

Large White 1, Red Admiral 5, Painted Lady 1, Comma 2, Speckled Wood 1 at O 284376, Ceanncor Road, Cliff Walk, Howth, Co. Dublin. 15C, partly cloudy, blustery northwest wind.

Still some Red Admirals around. The wind impacted unfavourably at Carrickbrack. Commas are still feeding up.

Jesmond Harding (22/09/2023)

Red Admiral 2, Peacock 1, Comma 5, Speckled Wood 1 along Walshe’s Lane, N 92082 42721 to N 91484 41834, Mulhussey, Co. Meath. NW wind, sunny, c.15C. The Commas were either basking without feeding or feeding on ivy or blackberries.

Felicity Laws (23/09/2023)

Small Copper 2, Red Admiral 4, Peacock 1, Speckled Wood 2; Odonata: Common Darter 2 at V 83669 38255, Well of the Poets, Seefin, West Cork, Co. Cork.

Jim Fitzharris (24/09/2023)

Comma 1, Red Admiral 1 at O 120 267, Knocklyon, Co. Dublin. Mild, breezy, sunny; 16°C.

Jesmond Harding (25/09/2023)

Red Admiral 2, Painted Lady 1, Small Tortoiseshell 1, Comma 1 in my garden at N 92081 42492, Mulhussey, Co. Meath. Sunny, breezy, c15C.

Hilary McNeice (25/09/2023)

Comma female 1 on ivy at W 77077 66252, Monkstown, Co. Cork.

Frank and Joan Smyth (25/09/2023)

Red Admiral 15, Comma 1 at O 266326, St. Fintan’s Park, Sutton Dublin 13.

Red Admiral 2, Comma 1 at O 268372, Red Rock, Sutton Dublin 13.

Red Admiral 6, Comma 2, Speckled Wood 1 at O 274370, Carrickbrack, Howth, Co. Dublin.

Red Admiral 3, Speckled Wood 1 at Ceanncor Road, Cliff Path, Howth, Co. Dublin. 17C, mainly sunny, very strong southerly wind.

Maurice Simms (25/09/2023)

Green-veined White 1, Red Admiral 1, Small Tortoiseshell 5, Speckled Wood 2, at H 330984, Combermore, Lifford, Co. Donegal. Sunny spells.

Felicity Laws and Damaris Lysaght (26/09/2023)

Marsh Fritillary larval nests c. 12 at W 01761 42306, Ballybane, West Cork, County Cork.

Felicity Laws (26/09/2023)

Common Darter 2, Migrant Hawker 1 at my garden pond at V 95880 42843, Durrus East, West Cork, Co. Cork.

Frank Smyth (26/09/2023)

Green-veined White 1, Red Admiral 6, Comma 2 in my garden at O 266326, St. Fintan’s Park, Sutton , Dublin 13.

Red Admiral 5, Comma 1 at O 274370, Carrickbrack, Howth, Co. Dublin. 17C sunny.

Jesmond Harding (26/09/2023)

Red Admiral 1, Painted Lady 1, Small Tortoiseshell 1, Comma 1, Speckled Wood 1 in my garden at N 92081 42492, Mulhussey, Co. Meath. Sunny, breezy, c15C.

Maurice Simms (28/09/2023)

Small White 1, Red Admiral 6, (all fresh and on yellow Buddleia) Small Tortoiseshell 1 at H 330984 in the garden at Combermore, Lifford, Co. Donegal. Hazy sun. 15C.

Anthony Mooney (28/09/2023)

Large White 2, Red Admiral 4, Small Tortoiseshell 1 at N 9134, Bryanstown, Maynooth, Co. Kildare.

Ian Stevenson (28/09/2023)

Long-tailed Blue 1 (photograph provided) at O 11966 33468, in Inchicore, Dublin 8.

Frank Smyth (29/09/2023)

Red Admiral 5, Comma 1 at O 266326, St. Fintan’s Park, Sutton, Dublin 13.

Red Admiral 4, Comma 5 (first time I’ve got more Commas than Red Admirals!) at O 274370, Carrickbrack, Howth, Co. Dublin.

Red Admiral 2, Comma 2, Speckled Wood 1 at O 284366, Ceanncor Road, Cliff Path, Howth, Co. Dublin. 17C, sunny, very windy.

Jesmond Harding (29/09/2023)

Green-veined White 1; Odonata: Common Darter 3, Migrant Hawker 1 at N 68969 25650, Lullybeg, Co. Kildare. Sunny, breezy, SW wind, 18C.

Red Admiral 27, Small Tortoiseshell 5, Comma 7, Speckled Wood 1, Silver Y 3; Odonata: Ruddy Darter c.5, Migrant Hawker 2 at N 68652 25678 and N 68412 25681 and nearby, Lullybeg Nature Reserve, Co. Kildare.

Red Admiral 10 along the track between N 69569 26042 and N 70368 26313, Lullymore West, Co. Kildare.

Red Admiral 1 in my garden at N 92081 42492, Mulhussey, Co. Meath. Sunny, breezy, c15C.

Red Admiral 1, Comma 1 at N 91947 42707, Walshe’s Lane, Mulhussey, Co. Meath.

Jesmond Harding (01/10/2023)

Red Admiral 9, Comma 7, Speckled Wood 2: Odonata: Common Darter 1 along Walshe’s Lane, between N 92082 42721 and N 91484 41834, Mulhussey, Co. Meath. Sunny, light breeze, 18C.

Comma 1  in my garden at N 92081 42492, Mulhussey, Co. Meath. Sunny, breezy, c18C.

Frank Smyth (01/10/2023 )

Red Admiral 5, Comma 1 at O 266326, St. Fintan’s Park, Sutton, Dublin 13.

Red Admiral 8, Comma 3 at O 274370, Carrickbrack, Howth, Co. Dublin.

Red Admiral 1, Comma 2 at O 284366, Ceanncor Road, Howth, Co. Dublin. 18C sunny light wind.

Robert Aldwell (01/10/2023)

Holly Blue 2 at O 2128 Fleurville Rd, Blackrock, Co. Dublin. The one Holly Blue that I saw was a pristine male on Ivy and clearly third generation.

Small White 1, Green-veined White 1, Small Tortoiseshell 4, Speckled Wood 1 at C 6540, Greencastle Shore Path, Co. Donegal.

Susie Whyte (01/10/2023)

Comma 1 feeding on Common Ivy on an organic farm promoting nature conservation at N 47501 61785, Crookedwood, Co. Westmeath.

Jim Fitzharris (01/10/2023)

Painted Lady 1 at F 582 048, Corrymore, Achill, Co. Mayo. Mild, breezy, sunny; 16°C.

Jesmond Harding (02/10/2023)

Red Admiral 1, Small Tortoiseshell (perfect condition) 1 at N 32342 23988, Charleville Forest, Co. Offaly. Dull, calm, c.14C.

Maurice Simms and Alison Mc Allister (02/10/2023)

Red Admiral 2, Small Tortoiseshell 1, Peacock 1 at H330984, Combermore, Lifford, Co. Donegal. Short sunny periods.

Jesmond and Andrew Harding (03/10/2023)

Large White 1 at N 92496 40901, Moyglare, Co. Meath. Sunny, c.16C.

Frank Smyth (04/10/2023)

Red Admiral 5 Comma 2 at O 274370, Carrickbrack, Howth, Co. Dublin

Red Admiral 2, Speckled Wood 2 at O 284366, Ceanncor Road, Cliff Path, Howth, Co. Dublin. 17C, mainly sunny, stiff South, Southwesterly breeze.

Felicity Laws (05/10/2023)

Red Admiral 2 at V 85449 39209, Old Road approach, Seefin, West Cork, Co. Cork.

Common Darter 1 at V 91598 57325, Glengariff Reserve, West Cork, Co. Cork.

Helen Cloney (05/10/2023)

Large White 2, Small Copper 1, Painted Lady 1, Peacock 1 at S 9040, Caim, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford. Sunny, 19 C.

Frank Smyth (06/10/2023)

Red Admiral 2 at O 274370, Carrickbrack, Howth, Co. Dublin.

Red Admiral 3 at O 284366, Ceanncor Road, Cliff Path, Howth, Co. Dublin.

Red Admiral 3 at O 266326, Saint Fintan’s Park, Sutton, Dublin 13.
21C, mainly cloudy, strong south to southwest breeze.

Maurice Simms (07/10/2023)

Red Admiral 2, at H 330984 in my garden at Combermore, Lifford, Co. Donegal. Cloudy, 18C.

Sean Feehan (07/10/2023)

Large White 1, Painted Lady 2, Small Tortoiseshell 2 at X 15914 94759 Cappagh, Co. Waterford, nectaring on Verbena and Dahlia, very warm conditions.

Frank Smyth (08/10/2023)

Red Admiral 2 at O 266326, Saint Fintan’s Park, Dublin 13.

Red Admiral 3, Comma 1 at O 268372, Red Rock, Sutton, Dublin 13.
22C, mainly sunny, light wind.

Jesmond Harding (08/10/2023)

Red Admiral 2, Comma 2 along Walshe’s Lane, between N 92082 42721 and N 91484 41834, Mulhussey, Co. Meath. Hazy sunshine, light breeze, 19C.

Michael Gray (08/10/2023)

Red Admiral 1 in my garden at O 156272, Rathfarnham, Dublin 16.

Holly Blue 1, Small Tortoiseshell 1, Comma female on nettles 1, (plus two butterflies seen against the sky, possibly Small Tortoiseshells) at O 156260, Marlay Park, Dublin 16.

Holly Blue 1 pristine male fluttering weakly near the ground at O 16882 27860, Dundrum, Dublin 14.

Jesmond Harding (08/10/2023)

Red-green Carpet 1, Common Marbled Carpet 1, Grey Pine Carpet 1, Beaded Chestnut 4, Blair’s Shoulder-knot 2 at O 01194 42068, Dunboyne Church of Ireland, Dunboyne, Co. Meath. Mild and dry overnight, estimated low of c. 13C.

Andrew Harding (08/10/2023)

Holly Blue 1 at O 20627 37832, All Saint’s Church, Howth Road, Raheny.

Jesmond Harding (09/10/2023)

Red Admiral 2, Small Tortoiseshell 7, Comma 4, Speckled Wood 1 along Walshe’s Lane, between N 92082 42721 and N 91484 41834, Mulhussey, Co. Meath. Bright sunshine, calm, 20C.

Small Tortoiseshell 1 in my garden at N 92081 42492, Mulhussey, Co. Meath. Sunny, breezy, c20C.

Robert Aldwell and Arleen Ryan (09/10/2023)

Holly Blue 1 at O 2228 Stradbrook Lawn, Blackrock, Co. Dublin. Flying low around ivy, at 11.45 Sunny and 19C.

Michael Gray (09/10/2023)

Holly Blue 1 at O1626, Ballinteer, Dublin 16.

Peacock 1 on Ivy at O 15603 27210, Rathfarnham, Dublin 16.

Maurice Simms (09/10/2023)

Small Tortoiseshell 2, on yellow Buddleia weyeriana at H 330984, in my garden at Combermore, Lifford, Co. Donegal. Sunny periods, 19C.

Jim Fitzharris (09/10/2023)

Small White 1 female (in good condition) at O 153 268, Marlay Park, Co. Dublin. Warm, calm, sunny, 18°C.

Jim Fitzharris (10/10 and 11/10/2023)

Holly Blue 1 female (pristine) at O 120 267, Knocklyon, Co. Dublin. Mild, calm, sunny, 16°C.

Michael Gray (10/10/2023)

Red Admiral 1, Holly Blue 5 at O 165 272, Ballinteer, Dublin 16. Warm, sunny, strong breeze, c.20C.

Jane and Jesmond Harding (11/10/2023)

Hummingbird Hawkmoth 1 feeding on Verbena bonariensis at N 97902 14237, Beechdale, Blessington, Co. Wicklow. Damp, light drizzle, c.12C.

Con O’Donnell (11/10/2023)

Red Admiral 1 at C 648408, Eleven Ballyboes, Greencastle, Co. Donegal. Sunny but only 12 C. On Ivy at the back of the garden.

Maurice Simms (11/10/2023)

Small White 1, on Purple Bowles, see photo, at H 330984 in the garden at Combermore, Lifford, Co. Donegal. Cloudy/bright 10 C.

Frank Smyth (12/10/2023)

Red Admiral 1 at O 266326, Saint Fintan’s Park, Sutton, Dublin 13. Sunny, 12C.

Michael Gray (12/10/2023)

Small Tortoiseshell 1 at S 935368, Davidstown, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford. Sunny.

Jesmond Harding (13/10/2023)

Red Admiral 3, Comma 2 along Walshe’s Lane, between N 92082 42721 and N 91484 41834, Mulhussey, Co. Meath. Bright sunshine, windy, c.14C.

Red Admiral 1 in my garden at N 92081 42492, Mulhussey, Co. Meath.

Frank Smyth (13/10/2023)

Red Admiral 2, Comma 1, Speckled Wood 1 at O 274370, Carrickbrack, Howth, Co. Dublin sunny, stiff NW wind, 12C.

Maurice Simms (13/10/2023)

Red Admiral 3, Small Tortoiseshell 1, Speckled Wood 2, at H330984, H 324982, in the garden at Combermore and adjoining fields, Townparks, Lifford, Co. Donegal. sunny intervals and scattered showers 10C.
Two of the Red Admirals and the Small Tortoiseshell were on nettles.

Michael Gray (13/10/2023)

Red Admiral 1, Small Tortoiseshell 2, Comma male 1  at S 935368, Davidstown, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford. Sunny, windy, cool in the exposed places.

Frank Smyth (14/10/2023)

Red Admiral 2 at O 266326, Saint Fintan’s Park, Sutton, Dublin 13

Red Admiral 3 at O 268372, Red Rock, Sutton, Dublin 13.

Red Admiral 3, Painted Lady 1, Speckled Wood 1 at O 274370, Carrickbrack, Howth, Co. Dublin.

Red Admiral 1, Comma 1 at O 284366, Ceanncor Road, Cliff Path, Howth, Co. Dublin. 12C, sunny.

Jesmond Harding (13/10/2023)

Red Admiral 3 (pair in courtship observed), Comma 2, Common Marbled Carpet 1 along Walshe’s Lane, between N 92082 42721 and N 91484 41834, Mulhussey, Co. Meath. Bright sunshine, windy, c.13C.

Felicity Laws (14/10/2023)

Small Copper 1 in my garden at V 95856 42880; Common Darter male in my garden at V 95880 42843, Durrus East, West Cork, Co. Cork.

Jesmond Harding (15/10/2023)

Red Admiral 3. Painted Lady 2, Comma 1 on west-facing ivy between N 90669 43642 and N 90634 44177, Mulhussey, Co. Meath. Hazy sunshine, calm, c.13C.

Red Admiral 1 at N 91909 42708, Walshe’s Lane, Mulhussey, Co. Meath.

Frank Smyth (15/10/2023)

Red Admiral 4, Painted Lady 1 at O 274370, Carrickbrack, Howth, Co. Dublin

Speckled Wood 2 at O 284366, Cliff Path, Howth, Co. Dublin
10C, sunny, calm.

Con O’Donnell (15/10/2023)

Red Admiral 1 on ivy at 14.45 at C 6540, Greencastle Shore Path, Co. Donegal. 11 C.

Jim Fitzharris (15/10/2023 to 24/10/2023)

Up to 20 Red Admirals on various dates in several localities between V 948 210 and V 963 215, Cape Clear Island, Co. Cork. Mild, occasionally warm, sunny, 14°C to 16°C.

Somewhat surprisingly, this was the only species of butterfly recorded on the island during this period; normally several species are noted, but the unseasonably cool and overcast weather did not help.

Frank Smyth (16/10/2023)

Red Admiral 3 at O 268372, Red Rock, Sutton, Dublin 13.

Red Admiral 1 at O 274370, Carrickbrack, Howth, Co. Dublin.
12C, partial sunshine, stiff easterly breeze.

Jesmond Harding and Pat Wyse (16/10/2023)

Red Admiral 2; Odonata: Migrant Hawker 2, Common Darter 1 at N 68544 25707, Lullybeg Butterfly Reserve, Lullybeg, Co. Kildare. Sunny, calm, c.13C.

Maurice Simms & Dennis Hawke (15/10/2023)

Small Tortoiseshell 1 at 4 pm at H 027901, near Brown’s Hill, Blue Stack Mountains, Co. Donegal. Sunny, c 10C.

Frank Smyth (19/10/2023)

Red Admiral 1, Speckled Wood 1  at O 274370, Carrickbrack, Howth, Co. Dublin. See during a brief sunny spell, 15C.

Michael Gray (19/10/2023)

Red Admiral 2 at S 935368, Davidstown, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford.

Frank Smyth (21/10/2023)

Red Admiral 1, at O 274370, Carrickbrack, Howth, Co. Dublin. Mainly cloudy, 11C.

Frank Smyth (22/10/2023)

Red Admiral 3 at O 274370, Carrickbrack, Howth, Co. Dublin. Sunny, calm, 12C.

The adults are still on Ivy but are beginning to show interest in the nettles. Will shortly start laying at Carrickbrack depending on weather conditions.

Robert Aldwell (22/10/2023)

Holly Blue 1 at O 217289 Rockfield Park, Blackrock, Co Dublin. Flying around Ivy at 13.30 in a calm warm sheltered south-facing area at about 13 C.

Maurice Simms (22/10/2023)

Peacock 1 basking on the stone cairn on the top of Mongorry Hill(248m.) near Raphoe, Co. Donegal at H 250047. Sunny and calm, 10C, 11.30 am.

Michael Gray (22/10/2023)

Red Admiral 1 at O 156272, Rathfarnham, Dublin 16.

Holly Blue 1, Red Admiral 1, Painted Lady 1 at O 165272, Ballinteer, Dublin 16. Sunny and calm.

Jesmond Harding (22/10/2023)

Red Admiral 1 at N 70280 26311, at N 69564 26045; Small Tortoiseshell 1 at N 69691 26220, Lullymore, Co. Kildare. Sunny, calm.

Odonata: Migrant Hawker 3 (one female, two males), Common Darter 3 (one female, two males) at N 68971 25669, Lullybeg, Co. Kildare.

Neill and Frank Smyth (23/10/2023)

Red Admiral 1 at O 284366, Ceanncor Road, Howth, Co. Dublin. Mainly cloudy, 14C.

Anthony Mooney (23/10/2023)

Red Admiral 1, Small Tortoiseshell 3, Speckled Wood 2 at N 9134, Bryanstown, Maynooth, Co. Kildare. A couple of hours of warm sunshine after the mist cleared resulted in a midday temperature of 13 C or more.

Robert Aldwell (25/10/2023)

Comma 1 at O 218294 Blackrock Park, Blackrock, Co Dublin. at midday basking on sheltered ivy. About 13 C and calm.

Frank Smyth (25/10/2023)

Red Admiral 1, Speckled Wood 1 at O 284366, Cliff Path, Howth, Co. Dublin.

Red Admiral 1, basking on nettles, at O 274 370, Carrickbrack, Howth, Co. Dublin. 13C. Sunny. Light breeze.

Jesmond Harding (27/10/2023)

Figure of Eight moth 1 in my garden at N 92070 42461, Mulhussey, Co. Meath. Dry, cool, calm overnight c. 8C.

Michael Gray (28/10/2023)

White 1 (either Small White or Green-veined White). Holly Blue 2, Red Admiral 6 along the River Walk at O 165 272, Ballinteer, Dublin 16. 13C, feeling warmer in the sunshine.

Brian MacDomhnaill (27/10/2023)

Small Tortoiseshell larva 1 on a nettle in my garden at H 64001 18754, Rockcorry, Co. Monaghan.

Michael Gray (02/11/2023)

Red Admiral 1 on Buddleia globosa at S 936368, Davidstown, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford. Cool easterly wind, 13C, intermittent sunshine.

Frank Smyth (03/11/2023)

Red Admiral 2, both were laying eggs in a sheltered area of the site, at O 274370, Carrickbrack, Howth, Co. Dublin. 12C, sunny, strong blustery SW breeze.

Michael Gray (03/11/2023)

Red Admiral 3 on Buddleia globosa at S 936368, Davidstown, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford. Sunny, cool, 11C.

Felicity Laws (03/11/2023)

Red Admiral 1 on a hebe at V88435 43070, Glanlough, West Cork, Co. Cork.

Michael Gray (05/11/2023)

Red Admiral 3, Comma 1 on Buddleia globosa at S 936368, Davidstown, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford. Sunny, 11C, but it felt warmer in the sunshine. Hoverflies and bumblebees flying too.

Robert Aldwell (05/11/2023)

Holly Blue 1 at 13:40 at O 2154628069 at Fleurville Road, Blackrock, Co. Dublin. 11-12C. There had been full sunshine for c.2 hours.

Offhand, this is only the second time in November I have recorded a Holly Blue on the wing in south Dublin . Nonetheless, I am aware of Holly Blues on the wing in south Dublin in recent years in all months of the year except December and January. The one today was pristine and flying around south-facing Ivy hedging, which was still in blossom in pockets. After a few minutes, it flew strongly away over the hedge.

Frank Smyth (05/11/2023)

Red Admiral 1, laying, at O 274370, Carrickbrack, Howth, Co. Dublin. 11C, sunny.

Ralph Burton (05/11/2023)

Red Admiral 1 at O 2460, Ardgillan, Skerries, Co. Dublin. Reported by John Lovatt.

Frank Smyth (07/11/2023)

Red Admiral 1, laying, 4 eggs and a fully grown Ruby Tiger caterpillar at O 274370, Carrickbrack, Howth, Co. Dublin. Sunny, 11C.

Michael Gray (07/11/2023)

Red Admiral 4 on Buddleia globosa at S 936368, Davidstown, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford. Sunny, 16C max.

Michael Gray (08/11/2023)

Red Admiral adults 2 on Buddleia globosa, Red Admiral larva 1 (photograph provided) at S 936368, Davidstown, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford. Cool.

Note: The larva is a small first instar caterpillar. This provides evidence of late breeding away from the coast. The location is 24 km inland. See the following record for comparison.

Frank Smyth (08/11/2023)

Red Admiral 1, basking on nettle, eggs 2 on the same nettle leaf which usually occurs when it is getting cold for laying at O 274370, Carrickbrack, Howth, Co. Dublin. Sunny, 9C.

Michael Gray (09/11/2023)

Red Admiral 1 on Buddleia globosa at S 936368, Davidstown, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford. Cool, 8C.

Michael Gray (12/11/2023)

Red Admiral 3 on Buddleia globosa at S 936368, Davidstown, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford. Sunny, a lovely day, 14C.

Frank Smyth (14/11/2023)

Red Admiral 1, on nettles at O 274370, Carrickbrack, Howth, Co. Dublin, 12C, sunny.

Frank Smyth (17/11/2023)

Red Admiral 1, trying to lay, but 9C is borderline for laying, 1 egg was found in the vicinity at O 274370, Carrickbrack, Howth, Co. Dublin 13. 9C, sunny, calm.

Frank Smyth (21/11/2023)

Red Admiral 2, laying at O 284366, Cliff Path Howth, Co. Dublin.

Red Admiral 1, laying, 1 egg noticed, at O 274370, Carrickbrack, Howth , Co. Dublin. 10C, Sunny, light breeze.

Antoinette Monnelly (07/12/2023)

Peacock 1 sunning itself on a wall at O 15907 33863 in Brown Thomas car park, Grafton Street, Dublin 2.