Heath Fritillary

[sahikmet]

Hi.,

Today 6 Heath Fritillarys. Managed to get lots of pictures.

Cheers,

Sezar Hikmet

[Martin]

Hi Sezar...was this Park Woods?

Martin.

[sahikmet]

I noticed some markings on the wings of one of H. Fritillary, are they natural or wear and tear?

Sezar

[Lance]

Looks symmetrical caused when wings closed but natural wear and tear i would say.

[Neil Hulme]

Who stuck the pages together?
Neil

[sahikmet]

Yes it was at Park Wood, I was asked to keep it to myself but the word is already spread by the officials. I am not awareif these are releses or from last year release. Thanks Lance for your suggestion.

[Neil Hulme]

Hi Sezar,
I don't think this is natural 'wear and tear' and it most certainly isn't natural coloration. As Lance points out, the marks are symmetrical. If you look closely, most of the marks are white, but there seems to be a hint of red on the hindwing margins. This looks to me that someone is performing (possibly officially, possibly not) some sort of research work, by attempting to mark individuals for the purposes of later recognition. However, it doesn't appear to have been executed very well! It looks like the 'painter' has been over-zealous and not used the most suitable materials for the job! I suspect that blobs of wet paint have literally been transferred from one wing to the other, while the insect is in the resting position.
Neil

[sahikmet]

Thanks Neil, for good explanation of yours. I believe 6 were realised last year, from what i have gathrered most likely these Heath Fritillary are also new realese. Does any one know the situation please. It would be of interest.

Cheers

Sezar

[Jack Harrison]

I was there on Friday. Yes, an "official" mark and recapture in progress. No releases since last summer when ex-Essex stock used. No releases planned at all this year so it's make or bust time for the colony.

Attached photos show the red blobs on a the hind wing.

Jack

[sahikmet]

thanks Jack will check my photoe for these marks now with I think I may have missed out up to now, Sounds good news for re establishmenty.

Sezar Hikmet

[Jack Harrison]

Here's the unmarked side of a different individual. (Actually, I don't think that one had any marks at all)

Jack

[Martin]

Here's one of last year's releases at Park Woods...



Martin.

[Susie]

I am glad to hear that these are still about. I remember seeing numbers of these at this site two years ago but that was on 19 May of that year so I am surprised that they are still flying now.

This isn't the prettiest picture so click on the link only if you are not about to have your dinner.

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e235/ ... CN4801.jpg

[Susie]

Does anybody know if there are still Heath Frits about at Park Wood or have they finished now? I am hoping to go up tomorrow.

Many thanks.

[Jack Harrison]

Rosy Rustic asked:

Does anybody know if there are still Heath Frits about at Park Wood or have they finished now?

I would certainly imagine there are plenty. I saw males in pristine condition just nine days ago. Females in many species emerge later than males (can't say if this is so with Heath Frits but I would imagine that holds true) so you should be in luck on Monday. Weather forecast is very good.

Jack

[sahikmet]

Does anybody know if there are still Heath Frits about at Park Wood or have they finished now? I am hoping to go up tomorrow

I was there for some time on Friday , no fresh Heath Frits, numbers were down to few old looking specimens. But the numbers of large skippers are increasing.

Cheers

Sezar Hikmet

[Susie]

Thank you both. I shall go and try my luck then. Might even get some white admiral too.