Q: Recently I saw a butterfly which I have never seen before. The upper wings were two-thirds to three-quarters white with one bright orange portion.
Freda Yates, Kilkenny
A: It was an orange tip butterfly which is one of the early fliers. It is common locally Throughout Ireland. The food plant for its caterpillars are wild mustard, charlock and related plants.
Q: I wonder if you could identify something for me. It made a continuous noise, like a loud cricket sound, except for short stops for three weeks from the middle of April. I don't think it was a bird as it was always at the same place - rough pasture near a forest.
Eithne Moffat, Cootehall, Boyle, Co Roscommon
A: It was a grasshopper warbler, a small brown bird that arrives from Africa to breed here in late April and May. The male arrives about 10 days before the female, picks out a breeding site and then calls almost non-stop until a mate arrives and pairing takes place. Then he falls silent.
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