Whitsuntide in Dorset
I've been trying to catch Marsh Fritillary's in their glorious splendour,ie.within two days of emergence for a few years now.Since an upgrade in camera gear they've been very high on the "must do agenda".The last couple of years
have been all wrong for timing but this year opportunity was within sight.Being a Sussex person nearest colonies are either Wiltshire or Dorset and having been to one of the Dorset colonies a few years ago,I figured a return in order.
Grabbed all my camping gear and left on the Friday afternoon before the bank holiday weekend,made good time and tent was all set by mid afternoon,I could make an evening effort at one of the two target colonies down this way.
Friday 22nd May 2015
Cerne Abbas
The giant on the hill.......did some research into the Marshy colony here but its always difficult to gauge until actually there,"get to the sign and turn left",seemed to be the general idea.
![Cerne Abbas CrRZ.jpg (237.82 KiB) Viewed 850 times Dorzet's Giant](./files/thumb_12157_7faf0c1f891a0d21dd695aa54b6b623b)
- Dorzet's Giant
It was fairly warm but overcast when I arrived about 4.30pm,not entirely sure whether anything was going to be about,parked in the car park opposite the village hall,and walked up towards the giant,saw the sign....left...awesome.
Nobody here,cool,5 yards along the path at the bottom of the fence that encloses the giant,Marshy,awesome....quick check and whoopee,pretty fresh.
![22052015 Cerne Abbas (3)XCrRZ.jpg (294.21 KiB) Viewed 850 times Cerne Abbas Marsh Fritillary](./files/thumb_12157_132ae6ae43bfda0d6d2b654dbaa13285)
- Cerne Abbas Marsh Fritillary
They had just enough energy for a few yards of flight so keeping up with them was rather easy,lucky boy
![22052015 Cerne Abbas (29)XCrRZ.jpg (371.84 KiB) Viewed 850 times Cerne Abbas Marsh Fritillary 2](./files/thumb_12157_27772a00b17b11ff13f15d47d920433a)
- Cerne Abbas Marsh Fritillary 2
The site here is pretty steep but eases a tad as it gets to the treeline at the bottom,its also more sheltered and warmer in the lea of the trees,I figured the butterflies would congregate here when windy, actually not necessarily true!
![22052015 Cerne Abbas (49)XCrRZ.jpg (224.57 KiB) Viewed 850 times Cerne Abbas Marsh Fritillary 3](./files/thumb_12157_95d6959cb71184b194aca037e87750a0)
- Cerne Abbas Marsh Fritillary 3
Only been here 10 minutes and was already cock a hoot,of course you are allowed to do a wee jig in celebration when on your own.
Also,another target was a
taras aberration of a Grizzled Skipper,and I vowed I would photograph(or try to)every Grizzled that came my way.
![22052015 Cerne Abbas (61)XCrRZ.jpg (261.92 KiB) Viewed 850 times Cerne Abbas Grizzled Skipper](./files/thumb_12157_19682de8e74c8b98d316c357077aec93)
- Cerne Abbas Grizzled Skipper
A Marshy on an Early Purple......love it
![22052015 Cerne Abbas (89)XCrRZ.jpg (145.04 KiB) Viewed 850 times Cerne Abbas Marsh Fritillary 4](./files/thumb_12157_269f7a3ec5439f0bad4cee7a10b874f0)
- Cerne Abbas Marsh Fritillary 4
Its weird but almost in shadow,towards evening,the Small Coppers were still darting around,good sugar down here!
![22052015 Cerne Abbas (133)XXCrRZ.jpg (253.94 KiB) Viewed 850 times Cerne Abbas Small Copper](./files/thumb_12157_a9ed490259cb9f56d7f033e419319caf)
- Cerne Abbas Small Copper
Next surprise took to flight as I was tracking a Marshy and immediately was taking 20 metre flights
up the hill,took it to be a moth at first,struggled to get close enough to identify but once tired a female Adonis came into focus.This was the only Adonis I saw over the next 5 days.
![22052015 Cerne Abbas (175)XCrRZ.jpg (276.79 KiB) Viewed 850 times Cerne Abbas Female Adonis](./files/thumb_12157_7f303e7314a6d488f6fbb797edacc94a)
- Cerne Abbas Female Adonis
I pondered that one for a while,then I pondered a beer at the pub by the campsite.......not before a few more photographs,when theres no wind,its all too beautiful.(A nod to Mr Marriot!)
![22052015 Cerne Abbas (183)XCrRZ.jpg (161.61 KiB) Viewed 850 times Cerne Abbas Marsh Fritillary 4](./files/thumb_12157_5b98291424041385c12757d0c9979509)
- Cerne Abbas Marsh Fritillary 4
![22052015 Cerne Abbas (187)XCrRZ.jpg (176.99 KiB) Viewed 850 times Cerne Abbas Marsh Fritillary](./files/thumb_12157_ad1a227c29595606719355544aa557bb)
- Cerne Abbas Marsh Fritillary
That beer went down nice.......
Tomorrow was set fair,think I'll come back.