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Large numbers

Posted: Fri Jun 01, 2007 11:35 pm
by Dave McCormick
Just wonderd. It seems like loads of some butterflies where spotted from 2005 to this year. Reading the N.I. conservation site, I saw this staggering figure seen in May 2007:

23/05/2007 - Marsh Fritillary (120) - Aughnadarragh Lough, Saintfield, Co. Down - David Nixon

11/05/2007 - Orange Tip (26) - Ecos Park, Co. Antrim Cliff Henry

11/05/2007 - Green-veined White (117) - Ecos Park, Co. Antrim - Cliff Henry

Last year at same time only 60+ where spotted, still a great number.

The 117 is amazing. Max I have seen in my area is around 30 GV White and 20 orange Tip.

April:

06/04/2007 - Small Tortoiseshell (43) Lagan Towpath, south of Lisburn, Co. Antrim - Ted Rolston

Thats great too. I have seen a rise in small tortoiseshell this year. I have seen around 30+ in my area since January til May,

July 2006:

02/07/2006 Silver Y (150+) Killard, Co. Down - Richard Weyl

I could recall seeing over 80+ where I lived at same time last year ( a half mile radius).

This one is unbelievable (but it is in 4 miles, still...) in September 2006:

07/09/2006 Silver Y (1000-2000 approx) - Sheeplands , Co. Down - Michael Meharg
Along 4 miles from Ardglass north along coast

Less in 2004 as in 2006-07.

July 2005:

21/07/2005 - Meadow Brown (450) - Helen's Bay, Co. Down - Trevor Boyd

Seems that populations are growing in N.I. Far less where spotted before in 2001-2003 and loads are being spotted. Is it the same as everywhere else?

I have been seeing less Small White and Large white, but still see them. If caterpillars survive, I should see many peacock and small tortoiseshell this year. I counted around 80+ Small tortoiseshell caters the other day.

I counted 10+ Fully Grown Peacock caters too. Probably more.