April 7th 2025-Our resident Citizen Scientist (you know who) was surprised and delighted to find the Comma Butterfly on the Cloonlarge Loop today. This brings our total number of Butterfly Species recorded on the Loop to 22.

According to the National Biodiversity Data Centre the first confirmed report of Comma in the Republic of Ireland was in 2000. There have been sightings mainly in the north and south east. Isn’t it extraordinary how new species make their way across the globe!

Flight Time- April- September

Food plants.  The larvae primarily feed on Common Nettle (Urtica dioica).

It has ragged wing edges and looks like a dead leaf. This butterfly is not into punctuation - the underside of the comma butterfly wing has a small, white "C" or comma-shaped mark, which is the feature that gives the butterfly its name

The photo taken today is poor so we are sharing a good photo of Comma taken in the UK in 2019. Keep an eye out while walking. Wonders never cease on the Loop,

Our record was submitted to the National Biodiversity Data Centre

We are delighted to tell you, that well know local teacher Declan Donlon. reported to us a sighting of Great Spotted Woodpecker on the Cloonlarge Loop. Unfortunately, Declan didn’t get a photo himself but thanks to the support of the National Parks and Wildlife Service we can share this fantastic photo taken by Owen Murphy from the Breeding Waders EIP. Thank you Owen and Well Done Declan!

We will all be keeping an eye out now, with cameras at the ready. The Great Spotted Woodpecker was absent from Ireland, until around 15 years ago. Since then, the species has been slowly increasing its population and expanding into new areas.

The bird does not sing, but makes a distinctive drumming display from early spring onwards.

Wonders never cease on the magical Cloonlarge Loop!

The Fairies held Major Inclusion party on Lilliput Way today as the Shamrock Squad Fairies officially arrived.

Huge thanks to our Tidy Towns volunteers for preparing the accommodation space and the refreshments!