Viewing page 28 of 111

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

53.

27th March '54. 

In afternoon drove to St. Columba's College & spent 1 1/2 hours on N. slope of Kilmashogue.  Inspected the "gully" so visible in afternoon light as one travels S. up Rathmines Road, but saw nothing of interest in the way of plants.

Took at ♀︎ Proctotrupid (= ? Trichopria sp.) with red basal half of antennae & the 5 apical segments forming a yet black "club".


28th March (Sunday).

In forenoon, drove to Tinnode & walked up lane to ridge S. of Cupidstown Hill & then S. along the WI-KD. boundary for a mile over Hill 1,196 ft.

Seeing a Peacock Butterfly sheltering from the SW breeze in the meering ditch during hot sun.  Collected some mosses & hepatics for Miss Thomson at ca 1,150 ft. on the Wicklow side of the boundary dyke.  Then back to car at 12.30 & home at 1.0 PM.  A nice mild day!


29th March.
Mainly dull with drip & S.E. wind:  heavy showers at 6.30.


30th March.

Hot sun, with several heavy showers of rain & hail, wind SW-W.  In afternoon walked to Orwell Bridge & down the Dodder to the new Dartry Park - what used to be known as "The Inch" - on the alluvial flat below Darty House & between the mill race & the Dodder - hoping to hear our first Chiff-chaff but none heard.  Saw a ♀︎ Oil beetle (Meloë proscarabaeus) in the usual place by path below the weir.  Cherry tree in flower in Orwell Road;  almonds going over.


54.

31st March 1954.

In afternoon drove to lane above Jobstown & walked up to Tumoling Pool & back to car.  A lovely forenoon but turning dull at 4 P.M. & heavy squall at 5 P.M. lasting a couple of hours with sleat (& so I am told on 1st Ap.) heavy snow on the hills.


1st April 1954.

After a cold night & very sunny forenoon but as yesterday turning dull about 4 P.M.  In afternoon drove to Bohernabreena & left car at waterworks gate.  Then walked up to upper reservoir & back to car at 5 P.M.

We had not gone far before we both heard a bumble bee & later saw one ♀︎ Bombus lucorum "searching" & heard two  or three more.  On approaching the gate below lower dam Daisy heard a Chiff-chaff & later others in various places but only two were audible to me, the others being beyond the present range of my old ears.  Primroses now out in plenty & saw 3 flowers on Anemone nemorosa & some Blackthorn in flower.

In front garden of 14 Clareville Road Honey Bees busy at the Chionodoxa for the first time yesterday & more so today.  Several more of the Red Mossy Saxifraes with a few flowers, but most of the reds & all of the whites not yet even in bud!


6th April.

A lovely day, much hot sun, variable breeze, in afternoon drove to top of hill above Bohernabreena R.C. Chapel and walked up Piperstown road & then up to Hell Fire Club, 1,250 ft., & back to car.  Saw Cowslips in flower at over 1,000 on roadside.