Lough Boora Parklands

The Brimstone butterfly is one of the first butterflies seen in the parklands - emerging from its winter hibernation in late spring. It can be seen in areas of scrub or along the edges of woods and heralds the start of summer and the appearance of other butterfly species.

From April onwards, migrant species such as Clouded yellow, Painted lady and Red admiral start to arrive from southern Europe.

Summer brings the colourful Marsh fritillary butterfly

The colourful Marsh fritillary, listed under Annex II of the Habitats Directive, is the parkland’s rarest butterfly. It can be seen in Turraun in mid-summer, feeding on wildflower meadows. Meanwhile, Orange-tip can be seen laying eggs on the Cuckoo Flower – the food plant of its caterpillar, and the brightly coloured Common blue and Dark-green fritillary, species more commonly found in coastal locations, can be seen in Turraun.

Turraun is home to the Straw underwing - a species more commonly found in coastal areas. The migratory Angel shades begins to arrive in May.

Local species of moth at Turraun

In summer the parklands are home to a number of local species of moth, such as the Pebble hook-tip, Treble-bar, Lattice heath and Double dart. Found in wooded areas, moorland or rough pasture they can be seen at night in Turraun with the Lattice heath also seen on the wing during the day. The brightly coloured Cinnabar is also a day flyer and can be seen at Turraun where it has been found feeding on Coltsfoot instead of its usual food plant Ragwort.