Burren is haven for butterflies

A scarcity of butterflies has been noted by yours truly and others this summer, but late July and early August can often be good times to see these delightful, delicately coloured creatures, experts tell us.

The latest update from Butterfly Conservation Ireland and is that, although we’ve had some good temperatures, July is not the best month for adult butterflies, but there should be lots to see throughout August and September and many are ready to hatch.

While butterflies are found all over Ireland, the best places to see them are the Burren, the Bog of Allen, Lullymore Bog, in Co Kildare, and the Raven Nature Reserve, Co Wexford. We’re told the pearl-bordered fritillary is found only in the Burren, while the brown hairstreak is also there and in neighbouring counties.

As regards boglands, there have been long-voiced concerns that such butterfly habitats are under threat due to excess drainage and peat extraction.

During a recent Irish Peatland Conservation Council (IPCC) event, in Lullymore Bog, people of all ages had an opportunity to see some magnificent butterflies. They also heard of a recent visit by the IPCC’s Katie Geraghty and Nuala Madigan to the Bargerveen Nature Reserve, in the Netherlands.

Whilst there, the women saw work on bog restoration and a wide range of thriving wildlife, including an abundance of butterflies. The Dutch reserve has an estimated population of over 50,000 common blue butterflies.

Meanwhile, Butterfly Conservation Ireland says lots of small tortoiseshell butterflies can be seen visiting gardens, at present, but a much larger contingent is on the way later this month. You should also be able to see butterflies such as peacocks, red admirals, painted ladies, and many others.

The peacock butterfly, which is doing very well in Ireland, is believed by many to be the most beautiful species in the world. It has been long admired, with its striking red bands on velvet black reminding some people of a military dress uniform.

Sadly, like many other wildlife species, butterflies are in decline. A 2015 study by Butterfly Conservation UK, for example, showed up a serious long-term drop in the UK, at least 50%, sometimes up to 75%, in four decades.

‘’This is of great concern, not just for butterflies but for other wildlife species and the overall state of the environment,’’ says the study. Given that conditions are comparable in Ireland, the situation is probably similar here.

Again, habitat destruction and changes in woodland are cited as reasons for the decline.