Hi, just wondering if either of the two attached constitute known aberrations or are they too minor a variance to have been classified?
Sorry about the ropey photos - not my best!

many thanks

James

Are those marbled fritillaries still around? I was at Finemere a few weeks back but at night (catching bats)

James

Another reported yesterday in garden at Burgh Castle, Gt Yarmouth for 2nd day (per bird info services)

Tho not sure if I'm convinced as to the I/d on those pics. Only viewing on a phone tho' which doesn't help

Photo of the Minsmere one at http://twitter.com/RSPBMinsmere/status/ ... 28/photo/1

I think the Landguard report may be result of a misunderstanding, someone posted a shot of the 2001 LT at Landguard. But I might be wrong. If anyone has one visiting their garden they might allow a few visitors. Donations to butterfly conservation?

Well I've booked a day off work tomorrow to try to catch up with at least one (some good birds around the region, too!) - please post further updates here if anyone hears of sightiongs. Sounds like since the Minsmere one hasn't shown since this morning, only the Norfolk one is obliging and continued...

Great use of Twitter (and this forum) to help raise awareness here - I'm sure there are many more of these to come.
Certainly worth a few more Tweets to get everyone looking. And thanks you to Chris in the Netherlands for bringing these to our attention, could have easily been missed.

James

I contacted Minsmere staff earlier and they have photos that they can check tomorrow. If confirmed I'll be heading up to take a look. Meanwhile pls post links to any LT photos from east or South Coast that you come across, they must be around!

2 sightings today of 'large' tortoiseshell in East Anglia - at Layer, Essex & Minsmere by the car park. Anyone in the vicinity to check these out tomorrow? I'd be surprised if they were 'just' large torts

I don't know much about aberrations, only seen a couple, but I thought I'd keep an eye out among the chalkhill blues today at Therfield Heath as there are so many. Sure enough had a couple of dodgy ones, including this female. I presume these variants are not that unusual? Was there also yesterday w...

observer was Chris Glanfield.
Would loved to catch up with one of these but seems an impossible task. Reports are usually from gardens and emerge a day or two later. At least one has laid eggs lending us some hope!

Sadly, it would be a rather long way for me to go to "twitch" these Large Tortoiseshells on the Isle of Wight. Jack Are you sure? I think I live just a few miles from you in South Cambs, but I'm hoping to try on Tuesday. Plenty of space in the car for anyone who wants to join me. James Ja...

Sadly, it would be a rather long way for me to go to "twitch" these Large Tortoiseshells on the Isle of Wight. Jack Are you sure? I think I live just a few miles from you in South Cambs, but I'm hoping to try on Tuesday. Plenty of space in the car for anyone who wants to join me. James

Pretty certain that would be a genuine vagrant...they often accompany a surge in sightings of rare American land birds and the last week or two has seen all manner of Nearctic vagrants in Britain (and further afield, notably Brittany & as usual the Azores). The culprit seems to be a very deep (t...

Vince, thanks. I suspected as much. Will leave it 'til next year (unless someone near me is going this weekend?) - I've seen them before but it's 1 of 2 species I've yet to photograph. It's a long way from Cambs!

I'm hoping to go 10th July but looking at the flight time chart I'm worried it will be too late. Has anyone on here seen them this late - what are my chances?

thanks Pete. A trip to Surrey it is

"Nice! Are second brood wood whites likely at all southern sites (I was thinking Salcey Forest which would be nearest for me)? How long are they likely to be on the wing?"


can no-one answer my question??

Nice! Are second brood wood whites likely at all southern sites (I was thinking Salcey Forest which would be nearest for me)? How long are they likely to be on the wing?