Thanks for the comments. Yes, Orange Tips are always irresistible, yet strangely I've only seen two this weekend!
Saturday 12th May 2018 – PBF pleasure…..
In most years, I only get to see Pearl Bordered Fritillaries once in the UK, so a lot depends on both the season and weather conditions.
Thankfully, this year saw both juxtapose nicely at Ewyas Harold Common in Herefordshire. Whilst the flight season is late for this species, there were nonetheless quite a few about (around two dozen in total) whilst weather conditions were near perfect for observing the butterflies, with relatively cool temperatures (14 or 15c) and hazy cloud cover.
I arrived early and it was slow going at first, so I took an overview shot of what I deem to be the best hotspot on this site for this precious insect:
I only spent an hour or so in this area as there were two guys with very professional looking equipment and I didn't wish to unduly disturb them. I did manage this image of a PBF which was attempting to warm up during a cloudy spell:
I wandered over to the other choice area on this site and was rewarded with at least another dozen individuals to add to the 10 or so I'd seen earlier:
I stumbled upon a couple of females, which is always a good thing, as they are far more docile and prone to afford the much sought after closed wing poses:
On a few occasions, whilst observing these females, they were accosted by males looking to mate:
I'm pleased to say that sympathetic management has been much in evidence at this site over the last couple of years, and this time round the main area for PBFs has been cut back significantly, which will undoubtedly encourage the butterfly to increase its presence on the site.
Given that the only other species I saw in over two hours were singleton Large and Small Whites, it would be an understatement to declare that continued management is imperative, as if PBFs were to be lost from here, then in spite of the excellent general habitat, there would be precious little to mark this place out as anything other than a dog walker's exercise yard!