The records for 2024 are given below. The first sighting of a free-flying butterfly of each species is indicated in bold type.
Luke and Sean Geraty (20/01/2024)
Peacock 1 at O 04671 3592, Edmundsbury Court, Lucan, Co. Dublin.
Ian Stevenson (30/01/2024)
Red Admiral 1 at O 12290 33551, Emmet Road, Inchicore, Dublin 8. Sunny, light breeze, c.8 Celsius.
Frank Smyth (01/02/2024)
Marsh Fritillary larval nests 16 at O 242377, Bull Island, Dublin 13. Sunny, light breeze, 8C.
Neil Molloy (07/02/2024)
Red Admiral 1 at 13:53 at O 17651 36931, St. Declan’s Road, Marino, Dublin 3. Dry, cool, sunny, c.5C.
Enda Flynn (10/02/2024)
Small Tortoiseshell 1 at J 12450 08918, Rockmarshal, Co. Louth. Sunny 9c with a light SE wind.
Gary White (16/02/2024)
Red Admiral 1 at O 09214 36274, Farmleigh House, Phoenix Park, County Dublin. Mild, c.9C.
Neil Molloy (18/02/2024)
Small Tortoiseshell 1 at 12:50 at O 17 36, Marino, Dublin 3. Mild, sunny, c.12C.
Frank Smyth ( 18/02/2024)
Red Admiral 1 at O 284386, Ceanncor Road, Cliff Path, Howth, Co. Dublin. Sunny, light breeze, 13C.
Small Tortoiseshell 1 at O 268372, Red Rock, Sutton, Dublin 13. Sunny, 13C
Ingrid Grollke (18/02/2024)
Marsh Fritillary larval webs 3 at G 83902 76401, Tantallon, near Mountcharles, Co. Donegal. A female was observed laying eggs on 28/05/2023. These have survived the winter. Sunny, c.13C.
Jesmond Harding (21/02/2024)
Marsh Fritillary nests 2 at N 68723 25668, Lullybeg, Co. Kildare. Sunny, c. 10C.
Gary White (24/02/2024)
Small Tortoiseshell 1 at J 08119 06462, Shore Road, Dundalk Bay, Co. Louth. Sunny, mild.
Demaris Lysaght (26/02/2024)
Marsh Fritillary larvae at high altitude at W 01761 42306, Ballybane ED, West Cork, Co. Cork.
Frank Smyth (07/02/2024)
Small Tortoiseshell 1, at O 268372, Red Rock, Sutton, Dublin 13. Sunny, very windy, south-east, 9C.
Michael Gray (14/03/2024)
Red Admiral 1 (faded), Small Tortoiseshell 6 from c.2:00 pm-c.3:30 pm at O 156 260, Marlay Park, Rathfarnham, Dublin 16. Felt quite warm during direct sunshine.
Jim Fitzharris (14/03/2024)
Holly Blue 1 female (dead) at O 120 267, Knocklyon, Co. Dublin. Mild, calm, overcast sun; 13°C.
Pat Wyse (15/03/2024)
Brimstone 2 at N69076 25662, Lullybeg, Co. Kildare. Sunny, 11C.
Michael Gray (15/03/2024)
Holly Blue 1 at O 156272, Rathfarnham, Dublin 16. Sunny spells, c.12C.
Geraldine Nee (15/03/2024)
Small Tortoiseshell 1 at 12:50 at L 841 633, Delphi, Co Mayo. Mild, sunny, c.13C.
Marie Foley (17/03/2024)
Comma, dark form, suburban garden Taney Crescent, Dublin 14 Sunny 17C.
Michael Gray (17/03/2024)
Peacock 1 at 10 am at O 156272, Rathfarnham, Dublin 16. Sunny.
Gary White (17/03/2024)
Peacock 1 at O2150, Turvey Nature Park, Co. Dublin. Sunny.
Luke and Sean Geraty (18/03/2024)
Comma 1 at O 04671 3592, Edmundsbury Court, Lucan, Co. Dublin.
Enda Flynn (19/03/2024)
Peacock 1 at J 177 066 Castlecarra, Co. Louth. Sunny, light SW breeze, 11°C.
Frank Smyth (20/03/2024)
Peacock 2, Comma 3 (2 in a mating ritual) at O 268372, Red Rock, Sutton Dublin 13. 14C, light NW breeze.
Felicity Laws (20/03/2024)
Peacock 1 at V 95723 42799, Durrus East, West Cork, Co. Cork. Sunny.
Luke and Sean Geraty (22/03/2024)
Brimstone 1 at N69629 26042 along the track to IPCC reserve, Lullymore West, Co. Kildare.
Brimstone 4 at N68608 25662, Lullybeg Reserve, Co. Kildare.
Brimstone 1 at N68766 25856, on the north-south track leading away from Lullybeg Reserve, Co. Kildare.
Small Tortoiseshell 1 at N68766 25856, Lullybeg, Co. Kildare. Sunny, strong breeze, 10C.
Frank Smyth (24/03/2024)
Small Tortoiseshell 2 at O 268372, Red Rock, Sutton, Dublin 13. Mainly cloudy, light breeze, 11C.
Frank Smyth (28/03/2024)
Peacock 1 at O 268372, Red Rock, Sutton, Dublin 13. 12C, Sunny.
Jimmy Walsh (29/03/2024)
Comma 1 at O 0530, Corkagh Park, Clondalkin, Dublin 22.
Akke Simms (31/03/2024)
Small Tortoiseshell 2 basking on bramble at H 330984, Townparks, Combermore, Lifford, Co. Donegal. Sunny, approx 11C.
Frank Smyth (31/03/2024)
Large White male 1, Small Tortoiseshell 1 at O 268372, Red Rock, Sutton, Dublin 13. Sunny, 12C, light breeze.
Philip Strickland (31/03/2024)
Brimstone c.12 including two females, Green-veined White 1, Small Tortoiseshell 5, Peacock 2 at N6926, Lullymore, Co. Kildare.
Marsh Fritillary larval nest at N 68692 25659 on Lullybeg Reserve, Co. Kildare.
Geraldine Nee (03/04/2024)
Brimstone 2 at M199 740, Lough Carra, Co. Mayo. Sunny, light breeze, 14 Celsius.
Michael Gray (05/04/2024)
Green-veined White female 1 at O 156260, Marlay Park, Rathfarnham, Dublin 16.
Jesmond Harding (11/04/2024)
Purple Hairstreak hatched ova 2, Small Tortoiseshell 1 at O 10082 35533, Phoenix Park, Co. Dublin.
Peacock 1 at O 10600 35410, Phoenix Park, Co. Dublin. Sunny spells, mild, breezy, 17C.
Frank Smyth (11/04/2024)
Holly Blue 3, first sightings in my garden this year at O 266326, St. Fintan’s Park, Sutton, Dublin, 13.
Speckled Wood 2 at O 274320, Carrickbrack, Howth, Co. Dublin.
Speckled Wood 2 at O 284366, Cliff Path, Howth, Co. Dublin.
Red Admiral 1, Small Tortoiseshell 3, Peacock 4, Comma 1, Speckled Wood 1 at O 268372, Red Rock, Sutton, Dublin 13. Warm, 14 / 16 C with a light breeze and sunshine till about 1.30 pm.
Felicity Laws (15/04/2024)
Speckled Wood 1 at W 1273147343, Dromdaleague South, West Cork, Co. Cork. Sunny, windy, temperatures just in double figures.
Frank Smyth (16/04/2024)
Red Admiral 1, Small Tortoiseshell 5 (2 were dwarf, aberration urticoides, the other three were well worn), Speckled Wood 1 at O 268372, Red Rock, Sutton, Dublin 13. Partly cloudy with strong NW wind.
Michael Gray (16/04/2024)
Small Tortoiseshell 2, Speckled Wood 1 at S 937442 at Marshalstown, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford.
Felicity Laws (16/04/2024)
Orange-tip male 1 at V9476342217, Durrus West, West Cork, Co. Cork.
Small Tortoiseshell 1 at V9572342799, V9476342217, Durrus West, West Cork, Co. Cork.
Akke Simms (16/04/2024)
Speckled Wood 1 at G696986, Pound Cottage, Lackage, Portnoo, Co. Donegal. Sunny.
Felicity Laws (18/04/2024)
Orange-tip male 1 at V95449042701, Durrus East, West Cork, Co. Cork.
Akke Simms (19/04/2024)
Speckled Wood 1 on brambles at H 330984, Combermore, Lifford, Co. Donegal. Sunny periods, 12C.
Michael Gray (19/04/2024)
Holly Blue 1, Speckled Wood 1 at S 937442, Marshalstown, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford.
Frank Smyth (20/04/2024)
Holly Blue 3 at O 266326, in my garden at St. Fintan’s Park, Sutton Dublin 13.
Green-veined White 2, Holly Blue 1, Speckled Wood 5 at O 284366 , Cliff Path, Ceannchor Road, Howth, Co Dublin.
Holly Blue 1, Peacock 1, Speckled Wood 3 at O 274370, Carrickbrack, Howth Co, Dublin.
Small Tortoiseshell 8, Peacock 3, Speckled Wood 2 at O 268372, Red Rock, Sutton, Dublin 13. Sunny, light breeze, 14C.
Note from Frank: At last a summer’s day. I had an interesting morning. Three of the Small Tortoiseshells at Red Rock were dwarf ab. urticoides, obviously some of last season’s records at Strand Road adjoining the Red Rock area. When I went up near the little wood I saw three Peacocks two of which were also dwarf, ab. iodes I was able to estimate the wingspan 35mm, by measuring the dandelion one of them was resting on. I know Small Tortoiseshell aberrations come mainly from sudden temperature shock close to when pupation occurs but don’t know what influences dwarfism in Peacocks. I should also mention that one of the Speckled Woods at the Cliff Path was the size of a Holly Blue which may be another dwarf! It looks as if some sudden temperature change may have occurred sometime last summer to affect some larvae in the area.
Jane Leavey (20/04/2024)
Comma 1 at O1727, Dundrum, County Dublin. Sunny, light breeze, 13 Celsius.
Michael Gray (20/04/2024)
Holly Blue 7, Small Tortoiseshell 1 at O 156272, in my garden and environs, Rathfarnham, Dublin 16. Sunny.
Jesmond Harding (20/04/2024)
Orange-tip male 1 at N 95158 39241, near Carton Demesne, Co. Meath. Sunny.
Speckled Wood 1 at N 92084 42490 in my garden, Mulhussey, Co. Meath. Sunny, calm, 13C.
Eamonn mc Glinchey (20/04/2024)
Green-veined White 1, Orange-tip 1 at C168 811, Coolboy, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal.
Orange-tip 1, Peacock 1 Speckled Wood at C148 971, Edenacarron, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal.
Green Hairstreak 1, Small Tortoiseshell 1 at C161 381, Coolboy, Big Letterkenny, Co. Donegal.
Ethna Diver (20/04/2024)
Orange-tip 1, Speckled Wood 1, at G804792, Murvagh, Co. Donegal.
Green-veined White 1, Orange Tip 5, Holly Blue 4, Peacock 1, Specked Wood 2, at G912607, Knather, Co. Donegal.
Michael Gray (21/04/2024)
Large White male 1, Orange-tip male 1, Holly Blue 10 plus, Small Tortoiseshell 1 at O 156272, Rathfarnham, Dublin 16.
Robert Aldwell (21/04/2024)
Holly Blue 2, Peacock 1 at O 220286 in my garden at Blackrock, Co. Dublin. Sunny, c.13 C.
Jesmond Harding (21/04/2024)
Brimstone 9, Green-veined White 1, Peacock 1 at and around N 68448 25688, Lullybeg Reserve, Co. Kildare.
Brimstone 1, Holly Blue 2 at N 69548 26041, Lullymore West, Co. Kildare.
Green-veined White 3, Orange-tip 3, Holly Blue 4, Comma 3, Speckled Wood 10 between N 92081 42720 and N 91484 41842, Walshe’s Lane, Mulhussey, Co. Meath. Sunny, calm, c.14C.
Felicity Laws (21/04/2024)
Small White 1, Orange-tip 1 on mustard in my garden at V9586242896, Durrus East, West Cork, Co. Cork.
Small Tortoiseshell 2 on my garden nettles at V9589642880, Durrus East, West Cork, Co. Cork.
Maurice Simms and Dennis Hawke (21/04/2024)
Orange Tip 1, Holly Blue 6, Peacock 7, Speckled Wood 2 at B 884/5069, 889069, 891/2069, 892066, 895068, 917054, Adderwal Glen, near Dooharry, Co. Donegal. Approx. 15C. Sunny.
Con O’Donnell (21/04/2024)
Orange-Tip 1, Small Tortoiseshell 5, Peacock 2 at C648408, Eleven Ballyboes, Greencastle, Co. Donegal.
Frank Smyth (21/04/2024)
Orange-tip 1, Holly Blue 5, Small Tortoiseshell 1, Speckled Wood 2 at O 237411, Baldoyle Race Park, Dublin 13. Sunny, light breeze, 13C.
Helen Lawless (21/04/2024)
Peacock 1 at S 991 960 at Stranahely Woods, Glen of Imaal, Co. Wicklow.
Emperor moth cocoon open 1 at T 029 949, c.640m, southeast of Camenabologue in the Wicklow Mountains, Co. Wicklow.
Maurice Simms and Akke Simms (23/04/2024)
Speckled Wood 14, at H 330984, in garden and grounds at Combermore, Lifford, Co. Donegal. Sunny.
Frank Smyth (23/04/2024)
Large White 1, Holly Blue 3, Speckled Wood 1 at O 266326, St. Fintan’s Park, Sutton, Dublin 13.
Small White 1, Green-veined White 1, Small Tortoiseshell 3, Peacock 8, Comma 3, Speckled Wood 3 at O 268372, Red Rock, Sutton, Dublin 13. Sunny, light wind, 12C.
Felicity Laws (24/04/2024)
Small Tortoiseshell 1 in my garden at V9589642880, Durrus East, West Cork, Co. Cork. Sunny.
Pat Wyse (24/04/2024)
Brimstone 12, Orange-tip 2, Speckled Wood 5 from N69539 26027 to N68813 25638, Lullymore/Lullybeg, Co. Kildare. Sunny.
Frank Smyth (26/04/2024)
Orange Tip 1, Holly Blue 1, Peacock 2, Speckled Wood 1 at O 274370, Carrickbrack, Howth, Co. Dublin.
Speckled Wood 5 at O 284366, Cliff Walk, Howth, Co. Dublin.
Holly Blue 3, Small Tortoiseshell 3, Peacock 7, Comma 1, Speckled Wood 4 at O 268372, Red Rock, Sutton, Dublin 13. 11C, light SE wind.