Welcome to our 2016 Newsletter!Welcome to our
Newsletter No. 7 | April 2016
With the start of the 2016 monitoring season, the Irish Butterfl y Monitoring Scheme is now in its 9th year of recording Ireland’s butterfl y populations.
Although an improvement on 2014, 2015 was still a challenging year for butterfl y monitoring in the Midlands, West and Northwest with it being the coolest year there since 2010. It was also the wettest summer in South and West since 2008 (and best not mention the rain in December), so only the East and Southeast escaped to any degree. Consequently, the number of recording days across transects was down by 9% in 2015, with the average butterfl y counts in the North and West being 27% lower than their colleagues in the South and East. All this results in a very mixed individual experience of 2015 by recorders and a good illustration of the strength of the scheme in pooling local information from across Ireland to reveal how our butterfl ies are doing at a national level.
Overall, despite the drop in opportunities to walk our transects, we still managed to record 39,100 butterfl ies, walking 3,724 km and 2,049 hours across 120 sites! After controlling for differences in recording effort, this is four times the eight-year low observed in butterfl y population size in 2014 and illustrates how, for common species at least,they have the capacity to bounce-back after a poor year (more detail on page 5). This level of recording effort also represents a signifi cant contribution to both butterfl y conservation and the knowledge of Irish biodiversity in general, and is a clear refl ection of your commitment to making the Irish Butterfl y Monitoring Scheme so successful: thank you!
Project co-ordinator
Tomás Murray
The National Biodiversity Data Centre
Beechfi eld House
WIT West Campus
Carriganore, Waterford
Tel. 051 306 240
Key recorders
Clare: Paula McHale,
paula.fl [email protected];
Kate Lavender-Duncan,
West Cork: Ciaran Cronin,
Abigail Brewer, [email protected]
Donegal: Richard McCafferty,
Galway: Elaine O’Riordan,
Liz and Martin Byrnes,
Kildare: Jesmond Harding,
Longford: Áine Fenner,
Tipperary: John Fogarty,
Wexford: Mary Foley,
Newsletter No. 7 | April 2016
Large White, Margaret Cahill, Limerick 09/08/2015
Newsletter No. 7 | April 2016
Your efforts are not going unrecognised and we are maximising the impact of your records. At present, every butterfl y you record is now directly informing:
• Irish conservation policy, as one of our National Biodiversity Indicators. In future, we’ll be partnering with our colleagues in Butterfl y Conservation Northern Ireland to produce an All-island Butterfl y Indicator too
• European conservation policy, as part of the European Grassland Butterfl y Index
• European butterfl y conservation research in partnership with our fellow butterfl y monitors in Catalonia, France, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, the UK, Sweden and Finland as part of the EU TRUSTEE project
• Conservation researchers across the world, as all our records are now part of the Global Biodiversity Information Facility
Growing the Scheme
To continue to grow the monitoring scheme, both in terms of recorders and species accurately monitored through the scheme, we still need to increase the number of transects. To make this happen, we’ve increased the number of free workshops we’ll be running around the country. As part of this expansion, we’ve also made a few changes to our Regional Co-ordinators too. Their title has changed to ‘Key Recorders’, as we wanted to acknowledge that from some, they support butterfl y recording across multiple geographic areas, and also in some areas, there may be more than one Key Recorder. Ultimately, we’d love to establish a network of Key Recorders across Ireland to help encourage and support local butterfl y recording.
For anyone wishing to become a Key Recorder, all that we ask is you commit to running one event per year on behalf of the Irish Butterfl y Monitoring Scheme. The event could simply be to invite your local community to join you walking along your transect once or, at best, to run an identifi cation workshop to teach others how to identify and monitor butterfl ies. There already free teaching materials available online and if you would like to get involved and become one of our Key Recorders, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Christopher J. Wilson
Finally, we were deeply saddened by the passing of one of our founding recorders of the monitoring scheme, Christopher J. Wilson, last August. For those who never had the pleasure of knowing Chris, he was a respected naturalist, author and co-founder of the Wexford Naturalists’
Field Club who championed the enjoyment of all aspects of natural history and the teaching of others to do so. He was also an ardent supporter of the butterfl y monitoring scheme and was the fi rst person to establish a monitoring transect in the Republic of Ireland when he joined National Parks and Wildlife Service as a warden at the Wexford Wildfowl Nature Reserve in 1992. He provided his full support to, and became great friends with, Eugenie when establishing the Irish Butterfl y Monitoring Scheme and extended the same to me, a complete stranger, when arriving to the Data Centre two years ago.
Everyone involved in the monitoring scheme has either directly, or indirectly, benefi ted from Chris’s infectious enthusiasm for butterfl ies and we will ensure that the monitoring scheme will continue to be counted as one of his many lasting legacies to Irish natural history and conservation.
Everyone involved in the monitoring scheme has either directly, or indirectly, benefi ted from Chris’s infectious enthusiasm for butterfl ies”
Leitrim Field Day, Manorhamilton 21/07/2015
Christopher J. Wilson (1946-2015).
Newsletter No. 7 | April 2016
Transects in the Irish Butterfl y Monitoring Scheme 2015Legend:
Ongoing transects
New transects
Brimstone, Derek Brown, Clonbur Wood, Galway 27/09/2015
Newsletter No. 7 | April 2016
Name Site Code
Abigail Brewer C31
Aine Fenner LD01
Alberto Villarejo KE10
Andrew Butler WX05
Angela Dakin D08
Annemarieke van der Voort L09
Annette Lynch MH02
Anthony Pickering MO04
Bryony Williams MO06
Caroline Stanley G36
Catherine Seale G10
Cathy Kelly WW08
Chris Martin WH06
Christian Osthoff WW03
Christopher J Wilson WX01
Clare Bromley DL09
Clare Heardman C13
Clare McIntyre C37
Cliona O'Connell KK09
Colin Hamilton C38
Damaris Lysaght C29
Dave McKay WH05
Deirdre Murphy G26
Denis Cullen W03
Dermot McNelis DL06
Donal Sheehan C51
Donna Smith CE04
Eddie Gilligan KE04
Edward Hill D30
Eileen Maguire G22
Emma Stewart-Liberty CE01
Eugene McGettrick S02
Finbarr Ryan T17, T18
Fintan Ryan CW01
Fiona Lloyd LM04
Fiona Wheeldon LM02
Frank Smyth D07
Gillian Stewart WW07, WW10
Grainne Reidy G01
Gregory Daly S07
Howard Preston S08
Ian Edwards WW04
Irene Deisler DL05
Isobel Abbott C49
Jesmond Harding KE01
John Fogarty T03
John Hardiman LK01
John Kehoe WX16
John Lovatt D01
John Rossiter WW09
Jon Freestone MO08
Justin Ivory WW13, WW14, WW15
Karina Dingerkus MO09
Karin Manning D13
Kate Lavender-Duncan and Eileen O'Connor CE12
Kate Welsby RN08
Kathryn Freeman KY08
Kevin Deering S01
Lee Donohoe MH03
Leo and Geraldine Solosy DL04
Lesley Whiteside WH02, WH07
Linda Paterson CE08
Liz Sheppard DL03
Lynda Weekes KK04
Name Site Code
Mairi-Elena Crook DL07
Malcolm Taylor D18
Mark McCorry OY02
Martin and Elizabeth Byrnes G19
Mary Foley WX09, WX10
Mary Geoghegan G37
Mary Howard CE05
Mary Niblett W13
Michael Bell S05
Michael O'Connell G30
Michael O'Donnell WX18
Nuala Mahon C33
Oisin Duffy W12
Orla Murphy C41
Padraig Keirns G29
Padraig Rocke RN07
Pat Bell KE06, KE12
Patrick Sheridan KE09
Paul Corcoran D28
Paula McHale CE13
Pauline Murray D26
Peter Duffy G17
Peter Wolstenholme C43
Philip O'Donaghue C34
Rachel Vaughan T16
Rebecca Teesdale G05
Richard McCafferty DL02
Rob Wheeldon LM01
Rodney Daunt C03
Ronan Mac Giollapharaic G35
Roslyn Nicholson D19
Ryner Weinreich C23
Sam Connolly WW01
Sara Garcia Hipolito LM05
Scott Simons W16
Shonagh Gray KY14
Siobhan Hardiman RN09
Stephen Lester CE10
Sue White D03
Tadhg O Corcora KE02
Ted Cook C42
Thomas Farrell T19
Tim Butter C48, C50
Thomas Hanrahan LK02
Tomas Murray and Liam Lysaght W18
Tony Miller C16
Valerie McGrath D17
Vicki Davitt CE15
Irish Butterfl y Monitoring Scheme Recorders in 2015
Comma, Ciaran Byrne, Cuilaphuca Wood, Carlow, 16/05/2015
0 20 40 60 80 100 120
Brown Hairstreak
Purple Hairstreak
Essex Skipper
Clouded Yellow
Pearl-bordered Fritillary
Small Blue
Green Hairstreak
Large Heath
Marsh Fritillary
Comma
Gatekeeper
Grayling
Wall Brown
Dark Green Fritillary
Dingy Skipper
Brimstone
Small Copper
Painted Lady
Small Heath
Wood White
Silver-washed Fritillary
Holly Blue
Common Blue
Red Admiral
Large White
Small White
Orange-tip
Ringlet
Green-veined White
Meadow Brown
Peacock
Small Tortoiseshell
Speckled Wood
Meadow Brown: 12842
Ringlet: 10875
Speckled Wood: 9300
Green-veined White: 7317
Peacock: 4494
Small Tortoiseshell: 3253
Small White: 2684
Common Blue: 2553
Orange Tip: 1697
Red Admiral: 1661
Other: 7298
Meadow Brown: 12842
Ringlet: 10875
Speckled Wood: 9300
Green-veined White: 7317
Peacock: 4494
Small Tortoiseshell: 3253
Small White: 2684
Common Blue: 2553
Orange Tip: 1697
Red Admiral: 1661
Other: 7298
Newsletter No. 7 | April 2016
Species Summary for 2015The histogram summarises the number of sites at which each species was recorded and the pie chart illustrated the top ten most abundance species recorded in 2015.
Silver-washed Fritillary, Maria McDermott,
Arigna, Roscommon, 22/08/2015
Green Hairstreak, Chris Martin,
Doonis Bog, Westmeath, 22/04/2015
A breezy start to our Burren fi eld trip. T. Murray
Newsletter No. 7 | April 2016
2014 represented an eight-year low in Irish butterfl y population sizes and despite the fact that the weather in 2015 was seemingly equally as poor, on average we recorded four times as many butterfl ies per walk along our transects. At present, 16 of the 31 resident species
in Ireland fi t the minimum criteria for analyses and the index presented below is a summary of their population trends between 2008 and 2015. The shaded area of the graph indicates the region where we have a 95% statistical confi dence where the ‘true’ population index lies.
The results confi rm that our butterfl y populations do fl uctuate to a large degree across years. Unlike previous versions of this index, we now have suffi cient years of recording to set the 100% baseline at 2008. Since 2008, the largest population sizes were observed in 2010 (102% above 2008 and the lowest in 2014 (61% below 2008). Clearly, our butterfl y populations are tracking annual differences in weather but with a few more years of data, we should be able to identify long-terms changes across our species independent of weather-related effects.
However, at the species-level, declines can be detected. Across the 16 species that can be included in the analyses, 50% are in decline, 25% are increasing and 25% are too variable to estimate a trend.Specifi cally, national populations of Brimstones, Peacocks, Small Coppers and Small Tortoiseshells are on the increase. Green-veined White, Large White, Meadow Brown, Ringlet, Small Heath, Orange-tip, Speckled Wood and Wood White are in decline. Common Blue, Holly Blue, Silver-washed Fritillary and Small White populations have fl uctuated too widely for any clear trend to be estimated.
As the scheme continues and a modest increase of between 7-14 transects per species, another fi ve species will be included in the analyses: Dark Green Fritillary, Dingy Skipper, Gatekeeper, Green Hairstreak, Wall Brown. Therefore, if you know of areas where these species areconsistently recorded, but we currently lack someone monitoring, please let me know.
Common Blue, Mary Mahony, Inis
Meáin, Galway 06/06/2015
Thanks to all who joined us at the Country Life Museum, Castlebar
2008
220
200
180
160
140
120
100
80
60
40
20Popu
lati
on In
dex
(20
08
= 1
00
%)
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
Year
Green-veined White, Eugene Kelly,
Ballinvella, Waterford 24/05/2015
Fritillary, Dingy Skipper, Gatekeeper, Green Hairstreak, Wall Brown. Therefore, if you know of areas where these species areconsistently
lack someone monitoring, please let me know.
Common Blue, Mary Mahony, Inis
Meáin, Galway 06/06/2015
Hairstreak, Wall Brown. Therefore, if you know of areas where these species are
lack someone
please let me know.
Common Blue, Mary Mahony, Inis
Meáin, Galway 06/06/2015
Irish butterfl y population trends since 2008
Newsletter No. 7 | April 2016
Species Change 2008 - 2015 Statistical Confi dence
BrimstoneStrong Increase (> +5% p.a.)
99%
Peacock 99%
Small CopperModerate Increase (< +5% p.a.)
99%
Small Tortoiseshell 99%
Green-veined White
Moderate Decline (< -5% p.a.)
99%
Large White 99%
Meadow Brown 99%
Ringlet 99%
Small Heath 99%
Orange-tip
Steep Decline (> -5% p.a.)
99%
Speckled Wood 99%
Wood White 99%
Common Blue
Uncertain (> ±5% p.a.)Holly Blue
Silver-washed Fritillary
Small White
Brown Hairstreak
Unknown
Comma
Dark Green Fritillary
Dingy Skipper
Essex Skipper
Gatekeeper
Grayling
Green Hairstreak
Large Heath
Marsh Fritillary
Pearl-bordered Fritillary
Purple Hairstreak
Small Blue
Small Skipper
Wall Brown
Clouded Yellow
MigrantPainted Lady
Red Admiral
Population changes per species since 2008
Newsletter No. 7 | April 2016
2015 Workshops and Field Meetings
Kerry Monitoring Workshop, Killoglin, 9th May.
Rosie Magee kindly hosted a workshop on behalf of the Killoglin Tidy Towns group. The Kerry weather did it’s best to try and hamper the workshop, but we still managed to record Green-veined Whites, Orange-tips and Small Tortoiseshell along the banks of the River Laune.
Offaly Identifi cation Workshop, Lough Boora, 16th May
As part of workshop programme in the Data Centre, we visited beautiful Lough Boora on a relatively dull and cold day in May. After the workshop in the morning and when the sun did break through, we
still did manage to chase down Green-veined Whites, Orange-tips, Peacock and Speckled Woods as well as Ciaran Taylor fi nding a Forest cuckoo bumblebee!
Annual Recorder’s Field Meeting, Wicklow, 13-24th May
The sun shone, but not many butterfl ies were spotted on the fi rst day the meeting where we walked along the Wicklow Gap before wandering through Glendalough proper. It was a little too early at this altitude to see many butterfl ies, but those bumblebee recorders among us we’re delighted to see the rare Mountain bumblebee, as well as Buff-tailed, White-tailed, Heath and Early bumblebees across both sites.
Sunday morning began with a Gillian Stewart kindly providing material from her moth trap and in the capable hands of both Gillian and Angus Tyner, we had an impromptu workshop on moth identifi cation. Gillian also kindly introduced us to her transect along the Sean Linehan Walk in Aughrim where we fi nally got to see a decent number of butterfl ies on the wing. Afterwards, it was a short jump to Buckroney Nature Reserve: an excellent coastal site with Orange-tip, Wood Whites, Common Blue, Small Heath, Small Copper and even a suspected Small Blue (it was recorded one day afterward in Wexford!).
Annual Recorder’s Field Meeting, Glendalough 13/05/2015
Lough Boora Monitoring Workshop, Offaly 16/05/2015
SECAD Midleton Monitoring Workshop, Cork 30/07/2015
Newsletter No. 7 | April 2016
Galway Monitoring Workshop, Headford, 6th June
The Headford Environmental Group and Venetia McEllin were certainly an engaging and enthusiastic bunch of recorders with an excellent track record in raising environmental awareness and appreciation biodiversity around Headford. Speckled woods and the last of the Orange-tips were the only species seen, but the established nature walk outside the town held plenty other invertebrates to catch our attention on the day.
Galway Monitoring Workshop, Portumna, 7th June
On the grounds of the Mercy Sisters in Portumn lies An Gáirdín, the Organic Garden and Ecology Centre. It was a beautiful setting for the workshop hosted by the Mercy Sisters and Christine Kelly of the Portumna Biodiversity Group. The discussions at lunchtime were lively, but the setting very peaceful and the grounds provided a great introduction to the whites with Small, Large and Green-veined all in attendance.
Leitrim Field Day, Manorhamilton, 21st June
Rob and Fiona Wheeldon kindly both opened their home to a motley crew of recorders and guided us along their transects in Manorhamilton and the Uragh in Leitrim. Despite the mixed weather, the day was a great success as there are too few opportunities for recorders to meet and enjoy some fi eldwork together. There was also some stimulating discussion on future directions for the monitoring scheme which will bear fruit this year….
Cork Monitoring Workshop, SECAD Midleton, 30th July
The participants of the Tús scheme at the South East Cork Area Development company really took to the monitoring methodology and for most it was their fi rst experience of biological recording. A particular spot on the banks of the Owenacurra yielded an abundance of Common Blues, as well as a mix of Whites, Speckled Woods and Small Tortoiseshells for everyone to practice their new found identifi cation skills upon.
Newsletter No. 7 | April 2016
Upcoming Events and Meetings in 2016Annual Field Meeting for Monitoring Scheme Volunteers
Barleycove, Co. Cork: 13-14th August
We will hold an annual fi eld meeting for everyone who participates in the bumblebee and butterfl y monitoring schemes. It will be based in the beautiful West Cork coastal area of Barleycove with local expertise being provided by Damaris Lysaght, and will take place on Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th August. Full details will be confi rmed in May (as some of the hotels there have yet to open for bookings!), but the schedule will be roughly the same as in previous years: Saturday 13th, walks across two sites in the morning and afternoon, a series of short talks in the evening, then an evening meal and the
opportunity to socialise afterwards; Sunday 14th, one short talk in the morning, a visit to one fi eld site, fi nishing up at lunchtime.
There is no charge for attending the fi eld meeting, but please email me to book a place. When you email to book, please indicate whether you would be interested in joining us for dinner on the Saturday evening.
Monitoring Scheme Workshops
There will be a series of workshops on the butterfl y and bumblebee monitoring schemes in 2016. These will cover all aspects of the monitoring schemes including species identifi cation and use of the online data capture system. Weather permitting it will include an afternoon walk to identify butterfl ies and bumblebees in the fi eld. The fi nal list of workshops for next year is still growing, so keep an eye on our website for any updates: http://www.biodiversityireland.ie/record-biodiversity/surveys/butterfl y-monitoring-scheme/news-events/
Location Date Time Address Booking Information
Cork 16th April 10am – 4pm IRD Duhallow Ltd., James O’Keeffe Centre, Newmarket. Booked out until further notice.
Kerry 27th April 10am – 4pm Listowel Town Council Building, Listowel.
Mary Hanlon, Listowel Tidy Towns, [email protected]
Kerry 28th April 10am – 4pm Cahersiveen Public Library, Market St., Cahersiveen.
Lisa O’Shea, Cahersiveen Tidy Towns, [email protected]
Louth 9th May 10am – 4pm St. Michaels Hall, Newry St., Carlingford.
Joanne Redpath, Carlingford Tidy Towns, [email protected], 042-9373686
Louth 10th May 10am – 4pmBlackrock Community Centre, Sandy Lane, Blackrock, Dundalk.
Larry Magnier, Louth Tidy Towns, [email protected]
Limerick 14th May 10am – 4pm Desmond Complex, Newcastle West, Limerick.
Vicki Nash, [email protected] , 086-2517086
Monaghan 28th May 10am – 4pmFamily Resource Centre, Rossmore Forest Park, Monaghan.
Carol Lambe, Development Offi cer Monaghan Co. Council, [email protected]
Cavan 25th June 10am – 4pmThe Goods Store, Community Hall, Belturbet Railway, Railway Road, Belturbet.
Stephen Shannon, 087-8550632
Cavan 26th June 10am – 4pm The Riverfront Hotel, Virginia.Mags Mathews, Virginia Tidy Towns, [email protected] or 086-1783974
Upcoming Events and Meetings in 2016opportunity to socialise afterwards; Sunday 14th, one short talk in the morning, a visit to one fi eld site, fi nishing up at lunchtime.
There is no charge for attending the fi eld meeting, but please email me to book a place. When you email to book, please indicate whether you would be interested in joining us for dinner on the Saturday evening.
Small Heath, Chris Martin, Doonis Bog,
Westmeath, 23/06/2015
Dark G
reen Fritillary, Christopher B
olton, Mucklagh, W
icklow, 28/07/2015
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