After an early,short (30min) flight from Glasgow,we arrived in Belfast to pouring rain. But the cold front responsible was due to clear late morning. So we had an early lunch and,sure enough,by 11am the rain had eased and the first patches of blue sky were visible.
It was always a mystery why the Wood White was a fairly common,widespread species in Ireland,but a declining rarity in England and Wales. And why was the Wood white in England and Wales restricted to well-managed,sheltered woodland rides yes in Ireland they were common in a wide variety of habitats,including open grassland,railway and road verges?
![Confused :?](./images/smilies/icon_confused.gif)
Soon we headed off to Craigavon Lakes and Railway,where Pete Eeles has visited in recent years (thanks Pete!). Soon we found birds foot trefoil near the railway,one of the Cryptic Wood Whites main food plants in one of it's main habitats. As the first sun of the day began to get through,a distant white butterfly began fluttering among the bushes,and there it was. My first ever Cryptic Wood White,and the last of the British and Irish species for me to see! Thats 60 species,including the Long-tailed Blue. As the sun appeared for langer periods,several more were seen along a long stretch of railway and nearby. One was behaving different,frequently settling low on vegetaion.A female,laying eggs on meadow vetchling.
We enjoyed these for some time,as well as Common Blues,Small Heaths,Orange Tips and several other whites,before going off to have a wider look at our surroundings. To my surprise,more Cryptics were found,right around the lake,and even from the car! We found a courting pair of Cryptics. It is said the male Cryptic never claps his wings at the female,and this was our experiance.
So that was the Cryptic Wood White. Seen and photographed-on the first day! And all the British species in the last 14 months!
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
Elsewhere,graylag geese were guarding their goslings against the hooded crows-and people with dogs!