WHERE ARE ALL THE BUTTERFLIES DURING WINTER?

Peacock by Fran O'Connell

Butterflies cannot survive our winters as flying adults due to the cold and lack of food. To survive the adverse winter conditions, most but not all, species of butterfly hibernate. Thus most species of butterfly are all around us during the colder months of autumn, winter and spring. However, dependent on the species, they adopt a variety of different strategies to survive until suitable conditions return.

Painted Lady by Daniel Wheldon

MIGRATION

Amazingly, just like swallows and warblers, some species of butterfly migrate south to Africa to avoid our

Small Tortoise Shell by Bernie Sheridan

colder months. Red admirals, painted ladies and in some years clouded yellows migrate in summer from Southern Europe and Africa to Ireland. It was once considered that most, if not all, died with the onset of colder weather. However, radar studies have now proven that these species are capable of a reverse migration to sunnier climes in Africa. These epic journeys involve thousands of kilometres which is truly phenomenal for such a tiny creature. The numbers involved in these movements can run to millions of individuals.

Comma by John Joe & Liam Cahill

ADULTS

A number of species including small tortoiseshells, peacocks and commas hibernate as adults. These species build up sufficient fat reserves during summer/autumn to enable them to survive the long colder months. They seek out suitable niches in trees, buildings, crevices etc. and hibernate. Most people will be familiar with small tortoiseshells hibernating on the walls of their homes. If you come across a hibernating butterfly it is best to leave them well alone to sleep.

 CHRYALIS/PUPAE

Wall Brown by BernieSheridan

This is the stage between the caterpillar and the flying adult butterfly. The chrysalis spends the winter at the base of plants or underground thus avoiding the worst of the winter weather. When conditions improve in spring/summer the chrysalis metamorphoses into the flying adult butterfly. Large whites, small whites, orange-tips and holly blues among others adopt this policy.

Common Blue by Fran O'Connell

CATERPILLAR/LARVA

Many species spend the winter as caterpillars. The advantage of this strategy is that, being mobile, caterpillars can hunker down in deep cover in adverse conditions and emerge to feed at opportune times. A caterpillar can also move to avoid flooding, predators and other dangers. Common blues, small coppers, fritillaries, wall browns, gatekeepers, meadow browns, small heaths and ringlets use this strategy.

EGGS

Small Copper by Bernie Sheridan

The purple hairstreak over-winters as an egg. The eggs are laid in July/August. The Caterpillar quickly develops within the egg, immediately hibernates and does not hatch until the following April. The caterpillar then feeds on the emerging buds of oak trees – its only food source. Oak leaves contain tannins which are poisonous so early feeding on the buds may avoid this hazard.

Silver-washed Fritillary by Fran O'Connell

THIS YEARS BUTTERFLIES

The spring/early summer being wet and relatively cold was not conducive to butterflies. Species such as orange-tips, green-veined whites and green hairstreaks seemed to be flying in reduced numbers. As the summer progressed and the weather grew warmer conditions became optimal for adult butterflies. Large numbers of whites, red admirals, peacocks, silver-washed fritillaries and common blues were on the wing. Wall browns were in good numbers in suitable habitats and the beautiful small copper very much in evidence. 

After a number of poor summers this augurs well for the future wellbeing of butterfly populations.

Commas consolidated their expansion into Waterford with multiple additional sightings in the Mount Congreve area.

RECENT WILDLIFE SIGHTINGS

The spoonbill has returned to Dungarvan for yet another winter as have a number of long-tailed ducks. A new surf scoter is presently overwintering in Dungarvan harbour and a number of yellow-legged gulls are on the Colligan River at Ballyneety.

Fin and minke whales, common dolphins and porpoises, harbour/common seals, grey seals and otters are presently being encountered along the Waterford coast.

Watch out for returning thrushes such as redwing and fieldfare over the next several weeks.

Check out www.waterfordbirds.com for local wildlife updates and submission of records. If you have

Any questions or comments please email them to japwatntr@gmail.com.

Some Success Stories

Unfortunately, all too often, reports on bird populations deal with declining numbers and even extinctions so it is very pleasing to report on some success stories.

Collared Dove by Fran O'Connell

The collared dove is a pale, buff grey, medium sized dove with a distinctive black ‘collar’ across the neck, sides and a long tail. The collared dove started spreading across Europe in the early 20th century reaching Great Britain in the early 1950s and Ireland by 1959 (although anecdotal evidence suggests it may have reached Dungarvan prior to that date). It has now spread throughout Europe and North Africa. It is well established in North America but possibly as a result of introductions and escapees. Interestingly, collared doves are sedentary and do not normally migrate. Collared doves are widespread across Waterford, particularly in urban areas and regularly come to garden feeding stations, sometimes in large numbers.

Reed Warbler by Paul Walsh

The reed warbler is a migratory bird arriving in Ireland in early April and May and departing in September/October. Technically an acrocephalus warbler, it is a brown un-streaked bird, which, as its name suggests occupies reedbeds. It has a distinctive song, which is often the best indicator of its presence in dense reed. With patience reed warblers can be seen in reedbeds. Virtually unknown in Ireland until the 1960s, it has undergone a remarkable expansion in this country and is now well established in suitable habitat in Waterford.  Reedbeds along the rivers Blackwater, Suir and Bride are particularly good for encountering reed warblers.

Little Egret by Fran O'Connell

Little egrets are an all white plumaged, medium sized, elegant heron with a black pointed bill and black feet with yellow toes. Almost unknown in Ireland until the late 1980s, little egrets started occurring more regularly and became resident. Breeding was proven in 1997 for the first time in this country in Co. Waterford. In subsequent years other colonies were established and little egrets have now spread to most parts of Ireland and are common in Waterford in suitable aquatic habitats. Numbers in excess of 50 birds can sometimes be seen at Waterford roosts.

Buzzard by Andrew Malcolm

Ireland has a paucity of birds of prey compared to Great Britain and mainland Europe. Buzzards are one of the most common raptors (birds of prey) in Britain and Europe but until recently were extremely rare in Ireland. However, in recent years buzzards have begun rapidly expanding throughout this country and now are seen in every county. Buzzards are medium sized raptors with broad wings, which they hold in a shallow v while soaring. Buzzards can be seen perched on posts, poles and trees and soaring in the skies above. Buzzards are increasingly common and easily seen throughout Waterford.

RECENT SIGHTINGS AND NEWS

Caspian Gull by Paul Archer

The most exciting recent event was the discovery of a caspian gull at Dunmore East by Waterford based birder, Paul Archer. Caspian gulls are native to Eastern Europe and Central Asian. Along with being extremely rare in Ireland, caspian gulls present a very difficult identification challenge, making Paul’s achievement all the more noteworthy. The weather at Dunmore East was extremely foul at the time and not very conducive to bird watching. However, the gull lingered long enough for birders from all over Ireland to get to see and admire it. For many it was a very long awaited and appreciated addition to their Irish bird list. Along with the caspian gull a further 11 species of gull were noted in Waterford on one day which is very high by national norms.

Wheater by Andrew Malcolm

 An adult male ring-necked duck continues to over winter at Knockaderry reservoir, as does a spotted redshank at Tramore back strand.

Spring migration has already begun with several wheatears and sand martins recently sighted in Waterford. Over the next several weeks look out for swallows, sandwich terns and perhaps an exotic hoopoe.

Check out www.waterfordbirds.com for local wildlife updates and submission of records. If you have any questions or comments, please email them to japwatntr@gmail.com

HABITATS AND BIODIVERSITY

Coastal Habitat by Paul Archer

Biodiversity can be defined as the variety of life in a particular location.

Biodiversity is driven by habitats and climate and Waterford, being a coastal county, boasts a number of diverse habitats. Waterford also experiences four distinct seasons.

Being located on the sea gives Waterford a rich marine coastal habitat. With abundant fish and mollusc populations this environment can support a large diversity of mammals such as seals, porpoises, dolphins and whales. Birds are also well represented with gannets, gulls, terns, shearwaters, divers, auks, petrels and parasitic skuas. Sea cliffs too are important breeding grounds for choughs, kittiwakes and other seabirds.

Black Tailed  Godwits Feeding on Estuarine Mud by Richard Zamora

Estuarine mudflats are considered one of the richest habitats in the world. The mixture of fresh and salt waters, with abundant nutrients and organic materials, supports an extremely abundant invertebrate resource. This food concentration attracts huge numbers of waders such as golden plover, knot, godwits, dunlin and duck. In Waterford, estuarine mudflats support nationally and internationally important numbers of waders and are an essential staging post for migrating and over-wintering birds. Important estuarine mudflats are located at Dungarvan, Tramore and Waterford harbour.

Lakes and reservoirs, although not extensive in Waterford, do attract various ducks, swans, grebes, moorhen and coots. In spring, summer and autumn this habitat type attracts flying insects, which provide an important food source for swallows, martins and swifts.

Riverside Habitat by Liam Cahill 

Rivers and streams are a lineal habitat and support specialist birds such as dipper, kingfisher and grey wagtail. Also found along rivers and streams are mammals such as otter, mink and the specialist daubenton’s bat. Slower rivers, streams and pools attract dragonflies and frogs.

Marshes and bogs provide an important habitat for amphibians and birds such as sedge warbler, reed warbler and harriers. Good examples of marsh and bog are located outside Dungarvan, at Dunhill, Belle Lake and Fennor.

Traditional farmland is a very diverse habitat with hedgerows, meadows and cropland. Fallow fields in winter are a particularly important feeding ground for thrushes (fieldfare and redwing), finches, whooper swans and waders together with their attendant predators and barn owls. Mammals such as foxes, badgers, rabbits and hares are also well represented. Wildflowers are a very important food source for insects.

Ring Billed Gull by Bernie Sheridan

Forests and woodlands, in particularly deciduous, are important for songbirds, and specialist species including crossbill, long-eared owls, nightjar and woodcock. Woodland also provides essential cover for deer and the rare and elusive pine marten. Forest paths and clearances are also very good for butterflies and moths.

Gardens are an increasingly important habitat for birds given the availability of food provided by householders, and berries on various ornamental shrubs. Garden flowers are also very important to butterflies, bees and other insects.

During spring, summer and autumn the sky becomes an important habitat in its own right. Huge numbers of insects including moths become available in the warmer weather providing food by day for swallows, swifts, martins and flycatchers. By night nightjars and various bats replace these birds. In winter this food source disappears forcing the birds to migrate to sunnier climes and the bats to hibernate.

Waxwings Feeding by Richard Zamora

December has generally seen an unprecedented influx of waxwings into Waterford and Ireland. This invasion is a consequence of berry failure in their normal range. Flocks of waxwing have been encountered in Waterford City, Dungarvan, Cappoquin, Dunmore East and elsewhere. The first winter male surf scoter, spoonbill, black-necked grebe and long-tailed ducks remained into the New Year at Dungarvan. Countywide reports of brambling are still occurring albeit in small numbers. A glaucous gull and several purple sandpipers are over wintering at Dunmore East along with an adult ring-billed gull at Tramore boating lake.

Greater Spotted Woodpecker by Dick Coombes

Perhaps the most exciting recent news concerned the possibility of a great-spotted woodpecker drumming in County Waterford. Although Wicklow is still the stronghold with well over 25 known pairs, breeding has also been proven in Wexford, Kilkenny, Dublin and probably Louth. A scattering of reports increasingly come in from adjacent counties (Kildare, Monaghan, Offaly, Meath and Tipperary.) so they are definitely doing well and gradually spreading. Hopefully this may be the first indication that this beautiful bird is colonising County Waterford.

Check out www.waterfordbirds.com for local wildlife updates. If you have any questions or comments, please email them to japwatntr@gmail.com. To view previous articles check out www.understandingwaterfordnature.blogspot.com

Not Quite Native

Mute Swan Family by Bernie Sheridan

We live on an island, which for many thousands of years was largely covered in ice. As a consequence very few, if any, land mammals were to be found in Ireland at the end of the last Ice Age. As the ice retreated a process of colonisation began. Some land mammals may have colonised naturally by crossing land bridges connecting us to Britain or even swimming here but a surprising number were certainly introduced here by humans. Human introductions were sometimes accidental and oftentimes deliberate. Some authorities maintain that all surviving land mammals in Ireland are human introductions but this is open to debate.

RABBITS AND HARES

The ubiquitous rabbit is most certainly a human introduction. Rabbits arrived here with the Normans in the 12^th century as a domestic food source. The wild rabbits seen here today are the offspring of escapees. The Irish Hare has been here for a considerable period of time and may have been a natural coloniser.

MINK

The mink is a carnivore originally from North America. It was introduced into this country in the 20^th century to be commercially farmed for its fur. Many escaped from these enterprises, and misguided and irresponsible individuals deliberately released others. Their initial impact on local wildlife was severe but other animals have now adapted to the mink somewhat. Mink are well established and widespread in Co Waterford.

Shrew by Andrew Malcolm

SHREWS

Greater white-toothed shrew is the latest addition to Irish land mammals. It was first discovered in 2007 in regurgitated barn owl pellets in Counties Limerick and Tipperary. It was most certainly introduced by man probably by accident from the continent. Subsequently Andrew Malcolm confirmed their presence in Co Waterford where they may be relatively widespread.

RODENTS

Although the red squirrel may have colonised Ireland in the early postglacial period it appears to have died by the end of the 18^th century possibly as a result of hunting and habitat loss. Red squirrels were subsequently re-introduced from England in the 19^th century and became re-established in all counties. At present it is widespread in Waterford but is now facing an imminent danger from the grey squirrel.

The grey squirrel is a North American species. The grey squirrel was introduced from England to Co Longford in1911 and has been rapidly colonising the rest of Ireland. In very recent times it has been observed in Co Waterford. Where red squirrels meet up with their grey counterpart it does not auger well for the reds. Red squirrel populations plummet and often disappear. Grey squirrels being bigger may be able to out compete reds for resources. Greys may also carry a virus to which they are immune but which is lethal to the red squirrel.

Bank voles are a very recent addition to Ireland arriving here in the 1960s. It was almost certainly introduced by man perhaps by accident. It is now established in Co Waterford.

Wood Sandpiper by Colum Flynn

Rats, perhaps surprisingly, are relatively recent arrivals in Ireland and were certainly the result of human activity. The black rat arrived here first from Asia spreading along trade routes used by man. Although it may have arrived here as early as Roman Britain it was certainly here by medieval times when it was associated with Black Death or bubonic plague. The brown rat arrived here much later in the early 18^th century again from Asia. Both rats were called Francach in Irish reflecting the belief that they originated from France. Whereas the brown rat has thrived in Ireland the black has all but disappeared and is now probably extinct here.

DEER AND GOATS

Fallow Deer by Liam Cahill

Red Deer, or at least those occurring in Co Kerry, were considered the quintessential native Irish species. However, recent genetic studies suggest Neolithic Irish farmers introduced them. The Normans introduced fallow deer, widespread in Co Waterford, in the 13^th century. Sika deer occur in Waterford and were introduced in the 19^th century to Ireland.

Wild (feral) goats in Ireland and Waterford are descended from domesticated animals.

RECENT SIGHTINGS AND NEWS

Osprey by Andrew Malcolm

Waders have begun their return journeys from their breeding grounds to their winter refuges. Recent sightings included a little ringed plover (second county record) found by Michael Cowming at Ballinclamper, Clonea and a wood sandpiper at Killongford pool discovered by Colm Flynn, which lingered for a few days. A number of spotted redshanks and green sandpipers were also noted on passage. Andrew Malcolm had a flyover osprey and a minke whale at Ram Head and also upwards of 100 common dolphins at Helvick. Arlo Jacques sighted an eagle species most likely an immature golden eagle. Small numbers of sabine’s gull were observed passing along various points on the coast.

Spotted Redshank by Colum Flynn

Check out www.waterfordbirds.com for local wildlife updates. If you have any questions or comments, please email them to japwatntr@gmail.com. See also the accompanying Blog at www.understandingwaterfordnature.blogspot.com

Getting Started

Pied Flycatcher by Paul Walsh

One of the foremost attributes of nature is its effortless accessibility. Nature is all around us and easily experienced. However the experience and enjoyment can be simply enhanced and remember, nature is free to all.

OPTICS

Fin Whale by Andrew Malcolm

As most animals are wary and tend to keep their distance, a pair of binoculars is almost essential in the field to fully appreciate observations. Binoculars vary in quality, optical choice and price so some research is essential prior to acquisition. For more distant observations, such as whale watching or assessing distant seabirds or waders, a telescope is essential. Again, the choice of telescopes is wide but good quality scopes, although expensive, deliver fantastic results. Astronomical telescopes are not usually suitable for nature watching. A note of warning, given our climate, it is essential that all optical equipment is fully waterproof. The pros and cons of optics can be easily researched on the Internet.

Smooth or Common Newt by Liam Cahill

FIELD GUIDES

For the beginner, the variety of animals likely to be encountered in the field can be bewildering so a good field guide is essential. Field guides have improved dramatically in recent times and are a fantastic resource to help identify various species and to understand their habitats, ecology and distribution.

 

Yellowhammer by Daniel Weldon

Recommended field guides to birds include ‘The Complete Field Guide To Ireland’s Birds’ by Eric Dempsey and Michael O’Clery. For a more European perspective ‘Collins Bird Guide’ by Lars Svensson, Killian Mullarney and Dan Zetterstrom is superb. ‘Exploring Irish Mammals’ by Tom Hayden, Rory Harrington and Billy Clarke is an excellent introduction to Ireland’s mammals. Dealing exclusively with Ireland’s cetaceans ‘A Guide To The Identification Of The Whales And Dolphins Of Ireland’ by Jim Wilson with Simon Berrow is first-rate. ‘The Natural History Of Ireland’s Dragonflies’ by Brian Nelson and Robert Thompson is essential for anybody interested in Irish dragonflies. For those with an interest in Irish butterflies the recently published ‘Ireland’s Butterflies A Review’ by David Nash, Trevor Boyd and Deirdre Hardiman is the definitive publication. ‘A Guide To The Butterflies Of Ireland’ available from The Dublin Naturalist’s Field Club, 35 Nutley Park, Dublin 4 is an excellent field guide to Ireland’s butterflies, illustrating all regularly occurring species.

INTERNET

The ultimate nature research vehicle available at present is undoubtedly the Internet. The information therein is limitless. By merely typing the name of a species into a search engine, instant access is available to every known species, covering identification, vocalisations, habitats, ecology, range and much more. Below are some websites of local and national interest:

www.waterfordbirds.com

www.iwdg.ie (Irish whale and dolphin group)

www.butterflyireland.com

www.biodiversityireland.ie

www.mammals-in-ireland.ie

Beware however, the Internet can be addictive, do not become a virtual nature observer.

APPS

For those with suitable phones, the app store is well worth a visit. Essentially all the information available in field guides (including vocalisations) can be downloaded onto your phone for reference and use in the field – which beats carrying all those books around. Although relatively new, apps look like the way forward.

MISCELLANEOUS

Beautiful Jewelwing Demoiselle by John Joe Cahill

Photography certainly enhances the enjoyment of nature. However, this is a specialised interest, which we will visit at a later date.

Finally, if possible, link up with an experienced observer for your first few field trips. They should be of immense help to the inexperienced person given their acquired knowledge and field craft.

RECENT SIGHTINGS AND NEWS

A spotted sandpiper (American wader) was identified and photographed at Ballinclamper on 05/08 by local birder Pat Veale. Sadly it moved on the same day. Yet another American wader, a white-rumped sandpiper, was located on the Cunnigar by visiting birder Michael O’Keeffe on 04/08 where it lingered for a day or two. A large passage of over 200 Cory’s shearwaters was noted at Helvick and Ram Head by several local birders on 02/08. A leatherback turtle (a trans Atlantic vagrant) was observed swimming past Bunmahon by Daniel Weldon on 16/08. Leatherbacks are the largest turtle on Earth and can reach 2 metres (7 feet) in length and weigh up to 900 kilograms (2000 lbs). 

Pygmy Shrew by Liam Cahill

Finally, Andrew Malcolm took the attached photograph of a fin whale off the Waterford coast. This is the same species as the unfortunate whale that died off Baltimore Co. Cork last week. Fin whales can reach a length of 27 metres (89 feet) and a weight of 109 tons and are the second largest animal that has ever existed exceeded only by the blue whale. Fin whales are regularly seen off the Waterford coast.

Check out www.waterfordbirds.com for local wildlife updates. If you have any questions or comments, please email them to japwatntr@gmail.com

OWLS, NIGHTJARS AND A SPLASH OF THE EXOTIC

Sketch of Nightjar by Killian Mullarney

Owls have always held a fascination for people and six species of owl have been recorded in Ireland, of which four have occurred herein Waterford.

Two species of owl are breeding and resident in Waterford –the barn owl and the long-eared owl – whilst the short-eared owl is a regular but scarce winter visitor.

The most widespread owl in the county is the Long-eared. The name (as with short-eared) is derived from the ear tufts visible on the bird while resting – the tufts are feathers covering the ears rather than the ears themselves. Long-eared owls being nocturnal and crepuscular (active at dawn and dusk) are difficult to see. However if their daytime roost is discovered they often allow a close approach.

Barn Owl by Colm Flynn

The Barn Owl is the ‘white’ owl familiar to everybody –particularly as it appears with the introductory theme of the ‘Late Late Show’.Barn owls are widespread but in small numbers throughout the county. They are declining over much of their previous range. Barn owls are mainly nocturnal often being glimpsed in the headlights of cars as they glide silently past.Sometimes they oblige by perching in the open. Daytime roosts and nests are usually in old abandoned buildings, outhouses and barns. The call is an eerie drawn out shriek not very bird like but easily identifiable. Their call may Bethe origin of the Banshee myth.

Short Earred Owl by Andrew Malcolm

The Short-Ear Owl is a winter visitor to Waterford and is partially diurnal, so can be seen by day as it hunts. It is most often encountered at coastal locations over rough terrain, fields and marshland.During the past winter a short-eared owl was regularly seen at Ram Head.

Scops Owl is a small summer visitor to Southern Europe with just a handful of Irish records. It is strictly nocturnal, very difficult to see but detectable by its song – a constantly repeated deep whistle. A ScopsOwl was found freshly dead on Brownstown Head in April 1998, so there is a possibility of other undetected occurrences.

The Snowy Owl is a large white owl most associated with the artic tundra. However it is now an almost annual visitor to Ireland’s west coast and there may be one or two resident individuals. Waterford is probably too far south of its normal range.

The Little Owl is another partly diurnal owl resident overmuch of Europe and Southern Britain, where it was introduced in the nineteenth century. It is now widespread in England and Wales so it may be a potential visitor to Waterford at some future date. There are just four records to date in Ireland, the last being in December 1981.

The owl with the most familiar call ‘hoo hoo hoo hooooo’,well known to Hammer Horror film buffs, is the tawny owl. This species has never been officially recorded in Ireland despite being widespread throughout Britain and Europe.

Nightjar sitting by Killian Mullarney

Although not an owl, the Nightjar is a bird most associated with darkness. Nightjars are both nocturnal and crepuscular when they can be seen displaying and feeding on insects such as moths. The song of the Night jar is a continuous churring reel, sustained for hours on end. The flight call is a repeated koo-ik and it also has a loud wing clap during display flights. An old name for nightjars was goatsucker. This derived from the notion that they suckled milk from goats but were likely chasing insects. Nightjars roost by day lying motionless when their intricately camouflaged plumage makes them virtually impossible to detect. Nightjars are a summer visitor to this country and in past years could be seen at Crocaun and The Vee. Sadly there have been no recent sightings in Waterford but perhaps they are being overlooked in the extensive forestry where they were last encountered.

Bee-eater by Andrew Malcolm

In May 2011 Andrew Malcolm and Ann Trimble found a Bee-eater at Ardmore. This beautifully plumaged exotic bird is a summer visitor to Southern Europe and as its name suggests eats bees. Bee-eater plumage is multi-coloured with blue, yellow, white, brownish-red and green hues. It is a very rare visitor to Ireland of less than annual occurrence. Remarkably Andrew and Ann found another (or the same) bee-eater again at Ardmore in May of this year. Another recent visitor to Dungarvan was a gull-billed tern found by local birder Micheál Cowming  - a first county record. Unfortunately it lingered for just a few hours before departing. 

Rosy Starling by Una Power/Bernadette Sheridan

On Thursday the 19th of July Ann Daines discovered a Rose-coloured Starling in her garden at Seapark, Abbeyside. This was the second county record of this beautiful pink and black bird. The normal range of this starling is eastwards of Turkey but it is now happily ensconced in Ann’s garden, feeding on fat balls.

Rosy Starling by Daniel Weldon

Check out www.waterfordbirds.com for local wildlife updates. If you have any questions or comments, please email them to japwatntr@gmail.com

Butterflies

Green Hairstreak by Andrew Malcolm

The life of a butterfly constitutes four main phases. It begins as an egg; the egg then develops in to larva or caterpillar. At this stage most feeding and growth are undertaken. When fully grown the larva becomes a chrysalis or pupa. Although the pupa appears inactive, great change is occurring within and the metamorphosis into butterfly or imago is completed. The adult form of the butterfly is the colourful, beautiful flying insect with which we are most familiar.

Butterflies, along with moths, are part of the order Lepidoptera. This reflects the fact that their wings are covered in scales. A readily distinguishing feature from moths is their clubbed antennae, which moths don’t have. Moreover butterflies are a day flying or diurnal contrasting with moths, which are usually, though not exclusively, nocturnal. As butterflies are sun loving they occur in summer and autumn, and rarely in winter!

There are 33 regularly occurring species of butterfly in Ireland and a small number of vagrants. Regularly occurring species in Waterford amount to twenty-five, with a few unusual vagrants.

Of the White and Yellows, all occur in Waterford, with the exception of Brimstone. Clouded Yellow is a migrant occurring in large numbers in some years and is extremely rare or absent in other years. Wood Whites, a small delicate white, occur widely in Waterford.

Irish Browns are well represented, with the notable exception in Waterford of the Large Heath. All of the others are present. Wall Brown (declining in Ireland) can be seen along rocky/rough areas of the coast. They are easily seen at Ballymacart at present. Grayling and Gatekeeper can be seen later in the summer near Dunhill and at Ballyscanlan.

Marsh Fritillary by John Joe Cahill

Among Irish Vanessids and Fritillaries, Pearl-bordered Fritillary does not occur in Waterford. Red Admiral and Painted Lady are migrants and can occur in large numbers. Comma has only recently become established in Ireland, particularly in Wexford and now recorded in very small numbers in Waterford City and its environs. Queen of Spain Fritillary, not reliably recorded in Ireland since 1960, was sighted a Carrickavrantry, Co. Waterford by Tony Byrant in October 2011. Marsh Fritillary has not been recorded in Waterford in recent years. However, last June, a freshly dead specimen was recovered from the grill of a car at Ballinamult, so they may occur. As the name suggests, they are sighted exclusively on bogs/marshes and their flight period is late May to early June. Information on any occurrences would be greatly appreciated.

Green Hairstreaks Mating by Francis O'Connell

Of the Irish Hairstreaks, Coppers and Blues, Brown Hairstreaks do not occur in Waterford and Small Blues very sparingly (any records very welcome). Green Hairstreaks are presently on the wing and can be seen at Coumaraglin in the Monavullagh Mountains and on the approaches to the Vee. Purple Hairstreaks, an oak tree specialist, can be seen on Oaks in the late summer. They are probably widespread in suitable habitat, which is almost exclusively high in the canopy of Oak Trees – careful scrutiny should be rewarded.

Two Skipper species occur in Ireland. Dingy Skipper does not occur in Waterford. Essex Skipper has recently colonised Ireland and is now well established in Wexford, so is a potential vagrant/colonist in Waterford.

Monarch, a large American vagrant, occurs in Ireland in small numbers in autumn and has been recorded in Waterford.

A Guide to the Butterflies of Ireland, an excellent publication, designed to aid identification in the field, is available from the Dublin Naturalist’s Field Club, 35 Nutley Park, Donnybrook, Dublin 4. As well as illustrating all regularly occurring butterflies in Ireland, it also gives “Time Of Flight Charts” for each species.

Check out www.butterflyireland.com for national records (and submissions) and www.waterfordbirds.com for local occurrences. See also www.butterflies.biodiversityireland.ie for details of the Irish Butterfly Monitoring Scheme.

If you have any questions or comments, please email them to japwatntr@gmail.com

Great Move North

April and May witness a mass movement of birds north into Europe and North America, and Ireland fully participates in this natural phenomenon.  This migration is largely made up of two elements – the departure of winter visitors to more northerly climes and the arrival of summer visitors from more southerly regions.  Thus thrushes, such as redwing and fieldfare, which were so common throughout the winter have now all but departed.  The throngs of waders (or shorebirds in American parlance) have now mostly left for their breeding grounds to the north.  Ducks and geese will move quickly north as daylight hours increase and breeding grounds lose their snow and ice cover.

Adult Purple Heron by Colm Flynn

At the same time, vast numbers of passerines (small perching birds) move into Ireland to take advantage of longer daylight hours and hugely increased food resources in order to hatch and rear their young.  These are mainly insectivores, which feed on the swarms of flies, midges and other insects that populate Ireland in the warmer months. Whitethroats, chiffchaffs and blackcaps are representative of the warbler family while swallows, martins and swifts occupy the skies. More exotic species such as the cuckoo, flycatchers and wheatears are also seen and the rare crepuscular nightjar may be encountered.

With the warming seas small fish become abundant inshore and this attracts terns such as arctic and sandwich; auks represented by guillemots, razorbills and puffins; gannets and the small but extremely resilient storm petrel.  Ireland is also used as a transit point and feeding station for birds moving further north such as whimbrel, Greenland wheatears and maybe even an osprey or two.

Migration northwards largely stops in late May as the migrants raise their young.  From late August onwards, with the shortening days and dwindling food supplies, the whole process reverses and our summer visitors, augmented by their offspring, head south once more to Africa for the winter.  As the arctic regions become snow-bound thrushes, waders, ducks and geese move back to into Ireland to take advantage of our mainly ice-free conditions and available food supplies.

Migration is not confined to birds as insects and sea mammals also migrate and we will revisit this at a later time.

Over the next few weeks look out for swallows, terns, auks and warblers as well as butterflies such as orange tips, holly blues and green hairstreaks.

At the time of writing a purple heron, an extremely rare visitor to Ireland, has taken up residence at Seafield, Bunmahon. Congratulations to local birder Daniel Wheldon on this excellent find.

Check out www.waterfordbirds.com for local wildlife updates. If you have any questions or comments, please email them to japwatntr@gmail.com