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Home , Annahilt, Belfast Lough, Big Number Change, Caterpillar, Crawfordsburn, Crom Estate

An introduction to bu tte rflies and day-flying of No rthern

Red Admiral

Butterflies and moths can be found everywhere from the tops of our mountains to the seashore, in our parks, gardens, fields and woodland. This guide will introduce you to the and some of the day-flying moths that you will find in , and suggests some of the best and most easily accessible places in the region for you to see them. About this Booklet This booklet provides a brief introduction to some of the butterflies and moths you are likely to see in Northern Ireland.

It gives some idea of the shapes, colours and variety of our butterflies and moths, the times of year that you will see them and the types of landscape they can be found in. We also suggest some popular sites in Northern Ireland you can visit to see butterflies and moths on the wing. If you want further information on our butterflies and moths, we have listed some excellent resources at the back of this booklet.

How to use this booklet

At the beginning you will find our Common or All sites described are shown on the fold-out map ‘Wider Countryside’ species, butterflies and moths at the end of the booklet. On the back of this is that can be found anywhere in Northern Ireland. information on helping record our butterflies and moths and also on other resources and guides. The back of the booklet introduces our rarer or ‘Specialist’ butterflies and moths, which are All of our butterflies and moths are linked to often restricted to a region or even just to a particular types of landscape or habitat. These are couple of sites, but you might still encounter very varied, but have been basically described as; as you explore the countryside. • Peatland - bogs, moors and fens In the middle you will find a page on each of the • Grassland - meadows, grassy rides and glades 6 counties with 3 suggested sites to visit in each. Woodland - forests, scrub and hedgerows All of these sites are open to the public throughout • Rocky - sand dunes, sea cliffs and stony outcrops the year and are divided into two main categories: • • Urban - parks, gardens and farmland Family Friendly sites have lots of facilities and are often easy to find Each site description gives a rough idea of the different landscapes you will encounter and, Off Road sites are more basic and therefore, what creatures you may come across often a bit more off the beaten track. while you are there. Wider Count ryside Butte rflies and Moths Wider Countryside butterflies and moths are found right across the countryside, gardens and wild places throughout Northern Ireland. As caterpillars, they eat a wide variety of different plants, or eat very common and widespread plants like nettles . They are mobile and can easily fly from one patch of habitat to another.

Green-veined White Small White Large White Distribution Everywhere Distribution Everywhere Distribution Everywhere Flight season Flight season Flight season March to October March to October April to September Caterpillar food plant Caterpillar food plant Caterpillar food plant Leaves of small crucifers plant family Cabbage plant family including Cuckooflower

Clouded Yellow (MIGRANT) Six-spot Burnet () Silver Y (MOTH, MIGRANT) Distribution Widespread Distribution Widespread Distribution Everywhere Flight season Flight season Flight season May to November; peak Late May to early September Mid-April to November; peak sightings August to September Caterpillar food plant sightings June to late August Caterpillar food plant Bird’s-foot-trefoil Caterpillar food plant Clovers and other members Bedstraws, Common Nettle of the pea family and clovers

Orange Tip Cinnabar (MOTH) Distribution Everywhere Distribution Widespread Flight season Flight season Early April to mid-July; peak sightings May May to August Caterpillar food plant Cuckooflower Caterpillar food plant NB Both male and female have mottled green Common Ragwort underwings, but the female has no orange spots Wider Count ryside Butte rflies and Moths Wider Countryside butterflies and moths are found right across the countryside, gardens and wild places throughout Northern Ireland. As caterpillars, they eat a wide variety of different plants, or eat very common and widespread plants like nettles . They are mobile and can easily fly from one patch of habitat to another.

Meadow Brown Ringlet Speckled Wood Distribution Everywhere Distribution Everywhere Distribution Everywhere Flight season Flight season Flight season March to early May to late October Mid-June to Mid-August November; peak sightings Caterpillar food plant Caterpillar food plant August to September Grasses Grasses Caterpillar food plant Grasses at the edge of woodland

Small Copper Small Heath Common Heath (MOTH) Distribution Everywhere Distribution Everywhere Distribution Everywhere Flight season Flight season Flight season Mid-April to mid-October Late April to mid-October; peak Mid-April to early August Caterpillar food plant sightings mid-May to late June Caterpillar food plant Sheep’s Sorrel and Caterpillar food plant Various heathers Common Sorrel Fine-leaved grasses

Common Blue Holly Blue Distribution Everywhere Distribution Flight season May to October Scarce with more seen in the south and east Caterpillar food plant Birds’-foot-trefoil Flight season April to June, and August to September NB These butterflies have orange spots on Caterpillar food plant their underwings, Holly Blue are powder blue Flowers and fruits of Holly in spring, with black spots only Ivy flowers in autumn •Peatland •Rocky •Urban •Grassland •Woodland

Small Tortoiseshell Red Admiral (MIGRANT) Painted Lady (MIGRANT) Distribution Distribution Everywhere Distribution Everywhere Everywhere Flight season Flight season Flight season All year round; peak sightings March to November; peak All year round; peak sightings August to September sightings August to September July to September Caterpillar food plant Caterpillar food plant Caterpillar food plant Common Nettle Species of thistle Common Nettle

Peacock Comma (MIGRANT) Humming-bird Hawk-moth Distribution Everywhere Distribution Rare, sightings (MIGRANT) Flight season restricted to the Distribution Widespread All year round; peak Flight season July to August Flight season April to October sightings in August Caterpillar food plant Caterpillar food plant Caterpillar food plant Common Nettle, Bedstraws, but very unlikely Common Nettle sometimes Hops to successfully breed in NI

Emperor Elephant Hawk-moth Distribution Everywhere Distribution Everywhere Flight season Flight season Late March to mid-June; peak sightings mid-April Mid-May to late July; peak sightings mid-June Caterpillar food plant Caterpillar food plant Heath, Meadowsweet, Bog Myrtle and Willow Various wIllowherbs and Fuchsia l i c n u t o s u C r T h g n e f i u o l s o d r l n i i o k t W B r A e e n t n r s a l i a S U L o o o t t t o o o h h h p p p

Carnfunnock G G G Breen Wood National G Slievenacloy G G G Country Park Nature Reserve J 243 709 D 383 068 D 120 336 Postcode BT28 3TE Postcode BT40 2QG Silver-washed Fritillary, Dark Green Fritillary, Small Tortoiseshell, Ringlet Speckled Wood Common Heath

Facilities Facilities Facitilties Car Park, Toilets, Parking in Layby, Parking in Layby, Visitor Centre, Interpretation Panels Waymarked Trails Access for All, Interpretation Panels, Aptly named the ‘Fairy Place’ Although not easy to find, in Irish, visiting Breen Wood Slievenacloy is well worth Situated just north of , is like going back in time to the discovering. This Wildlife prehistoric forests that would Trust owned nature reserve lies has almost 200 hectares of have once covered County at the heart of the Slievenacloy woodland, meadows and Antrim. Spring brings a flush of Area of Special Scientific Interest, gardens to explore as well as woodland wildflowers including designated for its species rich wonderful views across the primroses and bluebells and grassland and filled with a rich to . you may even catch sight of array of wildlife. red squirrels in the trees. Access Access By Road : Carnfunnock is Access Slievenacloy does not lie on a bus signposted off the A2 Coast By Road : Breen Wood is route and is not signposted from Road, approximately half signposted off the B15 Glenshesk the main road so explorers should a mile north of Larne. Road, approximately 3.5 miles make sure they have identified the By Bus: 162 service east of Armoy . site on a map before setting out. follows the Coast Road, the Bus: Ulsterbus Service 131 From : Take the B101 Rock nearest bus stop is located and 178 run from Ballycastle Road heading north to . just outside the entrance to to Armoy past the entrance to After approximately 5 miles turn the Park. Contact Translink Breen Wood. Contact Translink right onto the Flowbog Road. for more information. for more information. From : Take the A501 Glen Road heading south east. At the Owned and managed by Owned and managed by NIEA Coin Glen Filling Station turn right Larne Borough Council www.ni-environment.gov.uk onto the Ballycolin Road, then the www.larne.gov.uk [email protected] next left onto the Flowbog Road . [email protected] Site Manager 028 7082 3600 Park outside the main gates to 028 2827 0541 the reserve on the Flowbog Road.

Slievenacloy is owned and managed by the Ulster Wildlife Trust www.ulsterwildlifetrust.org [email protected] 028 4483 0282

Translink www.translink.co.uk 028 9066 6630 l i

County c n u o C h g u o r e o c i B v r n e o S v t a s g i A e r a E I r o N C F o o o t t t o o o h h h p p p

Peatlands Park G G G Craigavon Lakes G G G Slieve Gullion G G G H 901 604 J 049 569 Forest Park Postcode BT71 6NW Postcode BT64 1AS J 04 2 190 Large Heath, Forester Réal’s Wood White, Postcode BT35 8SW Six-spot Burnet Small Heath, Small Tortoiseshell

Facitilities Facilities Facilities Car Park, Toilets, Car Park, Toilets, Car Park, Toilets, Visitor Centre , Interpretation Panels, Interpretation Panels, Interpretation Panels, Access for All Waymarked Trails, Access for All Access for All Thought to be home to the Peatlands Park is one of the largest number of Réal’s Wood Slieve Gullion offers a range of most accessible bog sites in White in Northern Ireland, walks through woodlands and Northern Ireland with good trails Craigavon Lakes has recently up to the heather covered peak to help you explore and the been designated as a Local of the mountain, as well as chance to see a wide variety Nature Reserve with meadows more leisurely walks around the of wildlife including butterflies, and woodland areas to explore. demesne gardens. A walk up moths, dragonflies and an array the hill provides spectacular of specialised wetland plants. Access views of the surrounding By Road: From the M1 take landscape on a clear day. Access junction 10 and follow signs to By Road: Peatlands Park is well Craigavon Centre. Look for signs Access signposted from Junction 13 to the Watersports Centre at By Road: Slieve Gullion Forest on the M1. roundabout 3 where you can park. Park is well signposted off By Bus: Ulsterbus Service 75 runs By public transport: Translink run the B113 /Forkhill Road , past Peatlands Park, contact regular bus and rail services to approximately 4 miles south-west Translink for more details. Craigavon, the closest bus stop of Newry. is at the Rushmere Shopping By Bus: Ulsterbus Service 43 Peatlands is owned and Centre, from here it is a 5 minute runs past the entrance to the managed by NIEA walk across a footbridge at the Forest Park, contact Translink www.ni-environment.gov.uk rear of the shopping centre. for more details. [email protected] 028 3885 1102 Craigavon Lakes is owned Slieve Gullion Forest Park and managed by Craigavon is owned and managed by Borough Council Forest Service www.craigavon.gov.uk www.dardni.gov.uk/forestservice [email protected] customer.forestservice 028 3832 2205 @dardni.gov.uk 028 9052 4480

Translink www.translink.co.uk 028 9066 6630 County /Londonderry t s u r T l a n o A i t E I a N N o o t t o o h h p p

Ness Wood G G G Strand G G Banagher Glen G G C 520 101 C 810 367 C 667 067 Postcode BT47 3TR Postcode BT55 7PG Silver-washed Fritillary, Purple Hairstreak, Scarce Crimson and Gold, Small Tortoiseshell Speckled Wood Dark Green Fritillary

Facilities Facilities Facilities Car Park, Toilets, Car Park *, Toilets , Parking on Road, Visitor Centre, Visitor Centre, Interpretation panels Waymarked Trails, Interpretation Panels, Access for All, Banagher Glen is a national Interpretation Panels Although the beach is a popular nature reserve, designated for tourist destination for sunbathers its ancient woodland. Apart from One of Northern Ireland’s newest and water sport enthusiasts, the Silver-washed Fritillaries, you may Country Parks, Ness links three flower rich dunes are home to be lucky enough to come across different woodlands in the some of Northern Ireland’s most a red squirrel or sparrowhawk Burntollet Valley. It is one of the spectacular butterflies and moths. feeding amongst the trees. few sites where Purple Hairstreak is known to be found. Access Access By Road: The Strand is signposted By Road: Banagher Glen is Access from the centre of Portstewart . signposted of the B74 Dungiven By Road: Ness Wood is By Bus/Train: Translink Ulsterbus to Feeny Road. Park at the signposted off the A6 Service 218 terminates in Banagher/Carnabane Road Derry/Claudy road, approximately Portstewart and the town also junction and follow the surfaced 2 miles west of Claudy . lies on the Londonderry- track through the field gate. By Bus: Ness Wood does not trainline. The strand is about a By Bus: Banagher Glen does lie on a bus route, but Translink 1.5 mile walk from the town centre. not lie on a bus route . operate a regular service to Claudy. Contact Translink for Portstewart Strand is owned and Banagher Glen is owned more details. Bicycles can be managed by The National Trust and managed by NIEA hired at the nearby www.nationaltrust.org.uk www.ni-environment.gov.uk Claudy Cycles [email protected] [email protected] www.claudycycles.co.uk 028 7083 6396 Site Manager 028 7776 3982 028 7133 8128 *Car parking charge may apply.

Ness Wood is owned and managed by NIEA www.ni-environment.gov.uk [email protected] Site manager 028 7133 8417

Translink www.translink.co.uk 028 9066 6630 with coast, Crawfordsbunr Interp retaion Tr Belfast By Belfast well By Aces in of Aces Fac ili ties Peacock, Postco de J Craw Cou a Crawforn d sbur Cou 02 8 [email protected] www.ni-environmet.gov.uk and Crawforn d sbur for the 1 46 0 ansl the Bel fast Train: Road: more mile main signposted managed 91 85 lots Visi tor Car n n wooded 81 7 ink meadows fo ty try stops – walk of fo r details road. The Crawforn d sbur Loug h rds park, 36 21 Orang e trails ww BT 19 Pa Al l, Centre, to at Bangor bu by Glen. Contact Country w . rk is is Panels off to Helen’s the Toil ets, and and Road .t 1J T NIEA aproximately owned nr explore, rans lin k the Ti p east woodland, wa terfal ls line G A2 Park Translink Bay along is from G views , offers .c G o.uk photo Ellaiine Hamiillton flliikr/eeham 02 ma nage d Murl ough entrance. les stop past from By west Newcastle signposted By Aces the vi ews wi th ne s wi lder sand best for Murl ough Interp retaion Waymark ed Fac ili ties Marsh J Nat Murl *Ca 02 8 murlough@nationaltrust. org.uk w w 39 4 8 r Bus: Road: buterfl ies w. Mountains p than 43 75 exte nsive ion 90 Murlough. site s is Belfast of Aces Car dunes arkin na of ou 33 9 at Friti llary , 66 Dundrm. Ulsterbus t Dundrm al i half gh g Lazy Murlough onal by is is Park in 14 67 Road, to 66 charg off ow ned one Nat prese nt n No rther to The and a Trails, lo se fo r 30 G tr wa lks the of BJ Newcastle * mile The Panels , ust.o e of ur ne.Mour Toil ets, Na tiona l Small 1 Al l, G mo ths. may Caravan yo urself 20 A24 Bay the mile and e Car nearest west a offe ring G r Service Irel and apl del ightful Re g. uk ve ry and Belfast Park south Heath of The y. s Trust runs in Park, e the bus is rve to

photo NIEA orchids meadows Killard watch wildflowers Fac ili ties Small J Na Killa Site nieai nfo@d oeni. gov .uk ww w. ni-envi ro nmet.go v.uk ma nage d Ki lla rd a By overlooking miles. Road the around fol low ing paths, summer. of sea At signposted. By Aces bus 59 8 Strangford, Bus: Road: cliffs tu in Ma nage r Interp retaion Parking rd heading route. the Park re 44 2 Point sand is Co pper , but the and Killard and ow ned There trai ls Na Castle, Killard Re summer. by that a to poi nt in on martins hosts many Killard Take ci rcula r feeding NIEA t the se 02 8 ion take on are wi ll south the is are Co mon and is rve whe re 4 spring not the lay coastal other filled take al 44 61 grasy not Point. no miles the nesting wa lk over for Panels on A2 by surfaced G Road. Shore with yo u yo u and , 1.5 55 20 south the G verge Bl ue in ca n G

photo Shane Gilchrist flikr/BelfastShane A A E E I I N N o o t t o o h h p p

Castle Archdale G G G Killykeeghan G G G Crom G G G H 176 588 Nature Reserve H 375 251 Postcode BT94 1PP H 107 340 Postcode BT92 8AP Speckled Wood, Silver Y Postcode BT92 1EW Purple Hairstreak, Ringlet ,

Facilities Facilities Facilities Car park, Toilets, Car park Car Park*, Toilets, Visitor Centre, (Easter to September), Visitor Centre, Access for All, Toilets, Waymarked trail, Interpretation Panels Interpretation Panels Access for All, Interpretation Panels Crom covers 2,000 acres and Castle Archdale is sited on the consists of a mix of woodland, northern shores of Lower Lough Killykeeghan is a superb grassland and parkland habitats. Erne and boasts a mixture of grassland site, one of the few It is one of the few sites where woodland and loughside walks. publicly accessible areas of Purple Hairstreak are known to The wildflower meadow provides limestone grassland in Northern breed and also has some an important nectaring point for Ireland. The undulating landscape interesting moth species. in the summer. is a mosaic of grassland, heath and patches of scrubby hazel, Access Access interlaced with the moss covered By Road: is well By Road: Castle Archdale is well remains of old stone walls. signposted off the A34 signposted off the B82 Lisnarrick Lisknaskea/Clones Road, to Airport Road, Access 3 miles west of . approximately 1 mile south east By Road: From Enniskillen, By Bus: Crom does not lie on of Lisnarrick. follow signs south for Marble a bus route, but the Ulsterbus By Bus: Castle Archdale is not Arch Caves, signposted off the 95 Service runs regularly to on a bus route but Ulsterbus A4/A32Enniskillen to Swanlinbar Newtownbutler from which 194 will take you from Enniskillen Road. Instead of turning off down Crom is a 3 mile walk. Contact to Lisnarrick from which the site to the caves, carry straight on, Translink for more details. is about a 1.5 mile walk. following the signs to Killykeeghan which is 1 mile west of Marble Crom is owned and managed Castle Archdale is owned Arch Caves. by the National Trust and managed by NIEA By Bus: Killykeeghan is not www.nationaltrust.org.uk www.ni-environment.gov.uk on a bus route. [email protected] [email protected] 028 6773 8118 Site Manager 028 6862 1588 Killykeeghan is owned and managed by NIEA www.ni-environment.gov.uk [email protected] 028 6862 1588

Translink www.translink.co.uk 028 9066 6630 n o i t y e r a i c o i n r c v r w c o e a s o r s S m B A t h r s y g e e t i t u r n e o o u P L F m o o o t t t m o o o o h h h p p C p

An Creagan G G Drum Manor G G G G G H 622 789 Forest Park H 573 759 Postcode BT79 9AF H 765 778 Green Hairstreak, Large Heath, Emperor Moth Speckled Wood, Peacock Orange-tip

Facilities Facilities Facilities Car park, Toilets, Car Park *, Toilets, Car Park, Toilets, Visitor Centre, Waymarked Trails, Access for All Access for All, Access for All, Waymarked trails, Interpretation Panels Loughmacrory is Green Hairstreak Interpretation Panels, territory and the circular loughside is the walk will bring you through An Creagan is home to the heart of an 18th century demesne woodland to a sunny, heathy area rarely seen Large Heath which and offers gentle walks around where they may be found basking flies over the newly restored bog. the gardens and woodland where on vegetation. The north side of Waymarked trails take you along many of our wider countryside the Lough is the sunniest area conifer tracks, the ride edges and moth species can where most of the butterflies can containing heather and bilberry be found. be found on warm days. providing food for many insects and birds. Access Access By Road: Drum Manor Forest By Road: Loughmacrory is Access Park is signposted off the A505 well signposted off the A505 By Road: An Creagan is Cookestown/ Road, Omagh/Cookestown road, signposted off the A505 3 miles east of Cookestown. 5 miles east of Omagh. Omagh/Cookestown Road. By Bus: Drum Manor Forest Park Once in Loughmacrory Village, By Bus: An Creagan is not on a is not on a regular bus route . take the Ballybrack Road bus route except during July and heading north beside the Day August when the Ulsterbus 88 Drum Manor Forest Park Today shop and follow the signs Service runs ther twice a day. is owned and managed by for the nature trail on your right. The 92 Service from Omagh runs Forest Service By Bus: Loughmacrory does regularly to Greencastle from www.dardni.gov.uk/forestservice not lie on a bus route. which An Creagan is a 3 miles customer.forestservice walk to the south. See Translink @dardni.gov.uk Loughmacrory is managed for more details. 028 8676 2774 by the Loughmacrory *Car Parking charge may apply. Community Association An Creagan is owned www.loughmacroryinfo.com and managed by Omagh More information from the District Council Omagh Tourist Office www.omagh.gov.uk 028 8224 7831 [email protected] 028 8076 1112

Translink www.translink.co.uk 028 9066 6630 Specialist Butterflies and Moths Specialists are only found in very particular places throughout Northern Ireland. As caterpillars, they can only eat one or two very specific plants which might only occur in special, often isolated habitats. They are unlikely to fly very far and so rely on us to manage the areas where they are found in a responsible and sympathetic way, or else they will decline, and even become extinct .

Réal’s Wood White Green Hairstreak Purple Hairstreak Look out for pairs of Réal’s Hard to see as it spends a This butterfly spends nearly Wood White courting in May. lot of time sitting stationary all of its time roosting in the This butterfly has a weaker on vegetation, try shaking canopy of large oak trees, flight than the larger, more Silver Birch on warm sunny and is almost impossible to common whites described days to see if you disturb it see without binoculars. on page 3. from its roost. Distribution Rare, only known Distribution Widespread Distribution Everywhere from Fermanagh and Derry Flight season April to but very under recorded Flight season mid-September; peak Flight season Mid-July to early September sightings May to June Early April to early July Caterpillar food plant Caterpillar food plant Caterpillar food plant Oak Meadow Vetchling and Gorse and Bilberry Bird’s-foot-trefoil

Grayling Wall Brown Large Heath This butterfly is a master This butterfly has become Confined to the lowland raised of disguise, sitting perfectly increasingly rare, now bogs of Fermanagh, Tyrone, still on bare rocks and confined to a small number /Derry and Antrim, immediately blending into of sites on the coastline of this is the only butterfly you its environment. eastern . will find thriving in that habitat. Distribution Widespread Distribution Rare Distribution Flight season Flight season Locally common Late June to late September; Late April to late October; Flight season peak sightings in August peak sightings late May to Late May to late July Caterpillar food plant June, and in August. Caterpillar food plant Fine-leaved grasses Caterpillar food plant Hare’s-tail Cottongrass Fine-leaved grasses •Peatland •Rocky •Urban •Grassland •Woodland

Dingy Skipper Mother Shipton (MOTH) Burnet Companion (MOTH) This small brown, moth-like Mother Shipton was a witch Burnet Companions are very butterfly is easy to confuse from Yorkshire whose face you flighty and difficult to approach with the Mother Shipton and can see on the moth's wing. so best seen earlier or later in Burnet Companion moths Distribution Scarce the day when it is cooler. which share the same habitat Flight season Distribution and fly at similar times. Mid-May to early July Local only to limestone site Distribution Caterpillar food plant in Fermanagh and Armagh Local only to Fermanagh Bird’s-foot-trefoil, clovers Flight season Flight season and coarse grasses Early May to early July May to Early July Caterpillar food plant Caterpillar food plant Bird’s-foot-trefoil and clovers Bird’s-foot-trefoil

Marsh Fritillary Silver-washed Fritillary Dark-green Fritillary Don’t just look for the adult Our largest butterfly found in The Dark Green Fritillary butterflies, Marsh Fritillary all counties, most commonly can be found around the caterpillars can be found found feeding on Bramble coastal edges of Northern from August to October and and Honeysuckle in sunny Ireland, and sometimes February to March in thick glades and woodland rides. strays inland to meadows webs or ‘spinnings’ on the Distribution Widespread and woodland edges. leaves of their foodplant. Flight season Distribution Scarce Mid-June to mid-September Distribution Widespread Flight season Caterpillar food plant Flight season Mid-May to mid-July; peak Woodland species of violet Mid-June to September sightings early June Caterpillar food plant Caterpillar food plant Species of violets such Devil’s-bit Scabious as Marsh Violet Specialist Butterflies and Moths Specialists are only found in very particular places throughout Northern Ireland. As caterpillars, they can only eat one or two very specific plants which might only occur in special, often isolated habitats. They are unlikely to fly very far and so rely on us to manage the areas where they are found in a responsible and sympathetic way, or else they will decline, and even become extinct .

Scarce Crimson and Gold Forester (MOTH) Brimstone (MIGRANT) (MOTH) The Forester is only known Once resident around the One of our smaller ‘micro’ from a small number of sites shores of in moths, the Scarce Crimson near and can Fermanagh, this butterfly is and Gold is now restricted be seen flying in the daytime now an infrequent visitor as to a small number of sites nectaring on flowers. the colony appears to have along the north coast, its Distribution Rare died out. stronghold in the UK. Flight season Distribution Rare, those Distribution Rare Early June to Mid-July seen are thought to be Flight season Caterpillar food plant wandering individuals from Late May to early July Common Sorrel, and Ireland Caterpillar food plant Sheep’s Sorrel. Flight season All year round; Wild Thyme peak sightings April to May and August to September Caterpillar food plant Purging Buckthorn

Small Blue Narrow-bordered Pale Eggar (MOTH) This is Northern Ireland’s Bee Hawk-moth (MOTH) It is very unlikely you will smallest and rarest butterfly, This peculiar moth is a bee see the adult Pale Eggar only known from one site mimic with clear, see-through moth, but its caterpillars in Fermanagh where it is wings. It flies at about form large webs that can now thought to have height and can be observed easily be seen in May and become extinct. flying swiftly about hunting June on their foodplants. Distribution Rare, only for nectar during the day. Distribution Rare found in Fermanagh Distribution Scarce Flight season Flight season Flight season Late February to early April Mid-May to mid-July; Mid-May to mid-June; Caterpillar food plant peak sightings early June peak sightings early June Blackthorn, Birch Caterpillar food plant Caterpillar food plant and Hawthorn Flowers and seed heads Devil’s-bit Scabious of Kidney Vetch Tell us what you see! Further Information This booklet is just a brief introduction to our butterflies and moths. To find out Telling us about the bu tte rflies more try some of the following; and moths you see when you are out and about really is Online Resources www.butterfly-conservation.org crucial to helping us conse rve ID guide, species accounts, tips on them. Even our common species encouraging butterflies (UK) are often under recorded so www.mothscount.org please tell us what you see Downloadable ID guides, ways to attract moths and up to date distribution maps (UK) when you are out and about. www.bcni.org.uk A record is simply; Recent sightings, upcoming events and news about butterflies and moths (NI) • What – What species you saw • Where – Where you saw it, preferably with www.habitas.org.uk/moths a grid reference or postcode and town A comprehensive online guide to Northern • When – The date you saw it Ireland’s butterfly and moth species (NI) • Number – How many you saw www.butterflyireland.com • Who – Your name and contact details Recent sightings, upcoming events and news about Ireland’s butterflies (ROI) Even photographs count as records www.mothsireland.com if you know where they were taken, Distribution maps, sightings news even if you don’t know what it is you’ve and illustrations of Ireland’s moths (ROI) photographed. You can put your records directly onto the Butterfly Conservation Books and Guides Northern Ireland branch website, A Guide to the Butterflies of Ireland With illustrations of species, flight times and www.bcni.org.uk or contact our volunteer caterpillar food plants, this laminated guide Butterfly and Moth Recorders directly; is a must have. Available through the Naturalist Field Club http://www.dnfc.net/ Ian Rippey: Butterfly Recorder [email protected] Pocket Guide to the Butterflies 028 3833 3927 of Great Britain and Ireland – Richard Lewington - ISBN-10: 0953139913 Ted Rolston: Moth Recorder Concise Guide to the Moths of [email protected] Great Britain and Ireland 028 9258 7270 – Townsend, Waring and Lewington - ISBN-10: 0953139964 To find grid references in Northern Ireland The Butterflies and Moths or the visit of Northern Ireland www.girdreference.ie , a quick and simple – Brian Nelson and Robert Thompson - way of finding where you are without a map. ISBN-10: 9780900761478 Key to Sites

COUNTY ANTRIM 1 Carnfunnock Country Park G G G 8 Ballycastle 2 Breen Wood National Nature Reserve G Portstewart 2 3 Slievenacloy G G G Coleraine Lough Foyle A37 A2 4 Peatlands Park G G G Culmore A2 Ballykelly A29 5 Craigavon Lakes G G G Londonderry/ A26 Derry 7 6 Slieve Gullion Forest Park G G G A5 9 A6 1 COUNTY DERRY/LONDONDERRY Swatragh A26 A6 7 Ness Wood G G G M2 Larne 8 Portstewart Strand G G Maghera A36 9 Banagher Glen G G A6 A26 A29 A8 A2 A5 M22 COUNTY DOWN Antrim Belfast A31 Lough 10 Country Park G G G 16 17 10 18 A57 Bangor 11 Murlough National Nature Reserve G G G A505 A52 A5 A505 Crumlin M2 12 Killard National Nature Reserve G G G Lough 3 Omagh A29 Neagh Belfast A20 A26 COUNTY FERMANAGH B4 A501 A24 13 4 13 Castle Archdale G G G A47 A32 5 Lisbum Lower A35 A5 Kircubbin G G G Lough Erne Maze 14 Killykeeghan Nature Reserve A46 A3 Strangford A4 Hillsborough A21 Killadeas Craigavon 15 Crom G G G Lough Aughnacloy A26 Dromore Ballynahinch A7 A32 A28 A1 COUNTY TYRONE A28 Enniskillen Armagh A24 12 16 An Creagan G G A4 Caledon 14 17 Drum Manor Forest Park G G Maguiresbridge A3 11 A28 18 Loughmacrory G G G A1 Darkley 15 Donagh Dundrum A32 Newcastle Bay Newry A2 6 A509 A1 A2 Key to Habitats When exploring Northern Ireland, think about where you’re going and make sure Peatland Rocky Urban you have appropriate clothing and footwear for the terrain and weather. Remember our • • • wild places are part of a living, working landscape. Respect the wishes of landowners •Grassland •Woodland to ensure your visit is both enjoyable and responsible. About Us Butterfly Conservation is the UK charity dedicated to saving butterflies, moths and our environment. Butterflies and moths are important because they respond quickly to change, revealing the health of the countryside. Seven out of ten butterfly species are in decline. Four butterflies and over 60 moths became extinct last century. This early warning to all wildlife cannot be ignored.

We advise landowners, managers and other organisations on conserving and restoring important habitats in the countryside, towns and cities. We carry out surveys, monitoring and research, manage nature reserves and promote wildlife friendly gardening. With your support we can help struggling butterflies and moths recover and thrive.

Join Us! You can support Butterfly Conservation in the vital work we do by becoming a member today. As a member of Butterfly Conservation you will receive a new member welcome pack, our exclusive magazine, Butterfly , three times a year, plus membership of BCNI, Northern Ireland’s volunteer branch of Butterfly Conservation.

Our Branches run over 700 public butterfly and moth events throughout the year and you could be part of them. You can become a member online at www.butterfly-conservation.org or alternatively call us on 01929 406015 . Join by Direct Debit and receive 15 months membership for the price of 12.

Catherine Bertrand, Senior Regional Officer Tel: 07584 597690 Email: cbertrand @butterfly-conservation.org www.butterfly-conservation.org/northernireland

Butterfly Conservation Head Office Manor Yard East Lulworth Wareham Dorset BH20 5QP Tel: 01929 400209 Fax: 01929 400210 Email: info @butterfly-conservation.org www.butterfly-conservation.org

Butterfly Conservation Company, limited by guarantee, registered in England (2206468). Registered Office: Manor Yard, East Lulworth, Wareham, Dorset, BH20 5QP. Charity registered in England & Wales (254937) and in Scotland (SCO39268) Photographs by: Jim Asher, Jim Black, Nick Greatore, Dave Green, Norman Lowe, Richard Mearns, Mark Parsons, Paul Pugh, Neil Sherman, Robert Thompson, Martin Warren, Rob Wolton and Ramsay Young.

Printed on 100% recycled paper made from post-consumer waste bc0125