PP Postings: Crom Estate, Co Fermanagh

http://www.butterflyconservation.ie/wordpress/ these are Jesmond Harding's words.

Any outdoor event planner worries about meteorological conditions which, to state it mildly, have been poor over much of 2015, April excepted.

Yet a well attended event in favourable weather went ahead at Crom on August 1st and it was well worth the risk for everyone who travelled to this beautiful location on Lough Erne, County Fermanagh.

Butterfly Conservation Northern Ireland’s Catherine Bertrand opened proceedings by revealing the moth trap catches of the previous night. Happily a target species, the Brown Scallop was recorded as were a number of Drinker moths and Clouded Borders. A Buff-tip was an unexpected but welcome surprise; this moth is more typically found in May and June. Following release of the moths and introductions the group departed along a path that took us to some interesting features; a pair of ancient Yews and a castle built during the Ulster Plantation (1609-1618). Under the plantation rules, a planter granted 2,000 acres had to construct a stone castle and accordingly a castle was built in the early years of the plantation. After passing the ruins of the castle (a new castle was built in 1840) we located Peacock larvae on the edge of a deep nettle patch. Interestingly, these were probably less than half grown, probably reflecting the cool conditions this summer and probably the latitude; the Peacock larvae in southern counties such as Kildare and Carlow are nearing full size or have pupated.

Our first sighting of a Silver-washed Fritillary, one of our two target species was obtained on south facing flower rich scrub/meadow edge. A female posed nicely for eager photographers. We did not know if this was all we would see as rain soon fell.

However, it abated and lunch followed in a sheltered walled garden which has largely reverted to natural vegetation. Small Tortoiseshell, Meadow Brown and two handsome Silver-washed Fritillaries were found, feeding chiefly on Creeping Thistle. An interesting plant, Maidenhair Fern, was found sprouting from the stonework of an ornamental garden centerpiece.

We resumed until we reached a large clearing in the Oak/Hazel/Common Ash/willow wood and here things got lively. A male Four-spotted Footman, a rarity in Northern Ireland and not especially common further south was found climbing a grass stalk, in immaculate condition. A vista of hot orange soon presented itself. From where we stood, Andrew Harding counted 27 Silver-washed Fritillary butterflies, mostly freshly minted. Feeding avidly they allowed close approach; so much so, that most of our time was spent in admiring and photographing them. Again, the location of Crom, inland and to the north influences phenology; these butterflies were new emergents while in the Raven many of the Silver-washed Fritillaries are tattered and worn. Many were feeding on Marsh Thistle and Angelica which they shared with thickets of Soldier Beetles and Ringlets. When the sun was hidden, some fritillaries took to the tree canopy while others basked on bracken.

There was still some unfinished business. We still had to find Purple Hairstreak. John O’Boyle and Jesmond Harding displayed their acumen with stick throwing, attempting to dislodge a Purple Hairstreak from a tall oak. Still no luck. Then Clifford Sharp spotted a female, flashing royal purple, flying across to the oak we were agitating. Then sightings followed, when the butterflies hopped from one area of the canopy.

Finally, even though I certainly could have stayed in that clearing for the rest of the day, we headed back, some of us taking tea in the Visitors’ Centre. We got a great day out, met many new butterfly lovers and renewed acquaintances with our fellow lepidopterist organisation in Northern Ireland. We were made so welcome and the warmth and friendliness shown greatly enhanced our pleasure in seeing butterflies in this beautiful and important region in Fermanagh.

Thanks to BCNI for inviting BCI members to their event.