Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary - Favourite Photo of 2020

[Wurzel]

Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary - Favourite Photo of 2020

Week 17

Aconites, Primroses, Snowdrops, Cocci and even Daffs are out – Spring is almost here…well almost as this week is set to be brass monkey weather! Oh well it’ll make those first butterflies all the more sweeter.

Please could I ask that everyone waits until a topic has been opened by me for a particular species before posting photos as then it will be easier to keep track of things? Of course our overseas members are very welcome to fill in the obvious gaps relating to rare UK migrants. As in previous years details of locations, dates, times and circumstances would be welcome as would any accompanying stories and anecdotes or other observations of behaviour and interesting other points.

Just a reminder - it might be a good idea to start selecting your Overall Favourite Butterfly Photo of 2020 now as we’re starting to draw to the grand finale.


Have a goodun and stay safe

Wurzel

[Bertl]

The SPBF was a first for me in 2020. I was lucky enough to visit a colony out at Cambus o May on Deeside nr Aberdeen. All photos were taken on the 4th July......a celebratory day for me!!

[Stevieb]

The SPBF was a first for me in 2020.

A first for me too Bertl. First encountered on 25th May at David M's Wood White site but a visit to Cinderford Linear Park a few days later enabled me to get a couple of half decent photographs.

28th May

28th May

28th May

28th May

[Neil Freeman]

After all the uncertainties caused by covid last year, we managed to get away in early August for a family holiday down on the Lizard in Cornwall. This had been booked back at the beginning of the year before the pandemic raised it's head here and luckily for us the holiday parks had re-opened just two weeks before we went.

Anyway, having missed the first brood of SPBF earlier in the year, I was hoping to catch up with the second brood down there, this still being the only area where this species seems to have a reliable second generation each year. I was pleased to find good numbers flying in several spots along the coast path to the south of Kennack Sands plus a few more at the usual spots to the south of Kynance Cove. They were mostly fresh males with just a couple of females seen and I reckon they were at the beginning of their flight period and needed another week or so to reach peak numbers.

Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary - Carleon Cove, The Lizard 01.08.2020

Small Pearl - bordered Fritillary - Enys Head, The Lizard 01.08.2020

Small Pearl - bordered Fritillary - Poltesco, The Lizard 03.08.2020

Small Pearl - bordered Fritillary - Poltesco, The Lizard 03.08.2020

Cheers,

Neil

[David M]

That second one down is a real beauty, Neil.

This species is common where I live but I've yet to encounter any second brood individuals.

[David M]

It was hard at first to get used to this being a common species on my doorstep when I first moved to the Gower in 2014, but I've become more accustomed to seeing plenty of them flying around over the years, and the emergence time in 2020 was earlier than I'd ever experienced - 9th May!!

[Wurzel]

Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary

Unfortunately the decision making for this species this year was all too easy as over three visits I only encountered 5, maybe 6 different individuals. I chose this one as it came from a cracking Socially Distanced visit and also it behaved so well. It appeared somewhat worse for wear and a bit tired looking as if it was clinging onto life, just as the species seems to be clinging on at this site . Sadly this could be the last Bentley Small Pearl shots that I get – unless Sussex want to give us back a few?

Have a goodun and stay safe

Wurzel

[millerd]

I saw even fewer SPBF than Wurzel - including the same one on 31st May! I think it was a bit the worse for wear in some way as it was distinctly sluggish.

Dave