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Pearl-bordered Fritillary - Favourite Photo of 2021

Week 13

Well we’re on the downward stretch now as we’re actually into the new year and so instead of saying ‘next year/next season’ we can say ‘this year/this season’.

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.

Have a goodun and stay safe

Wurzel

I visited my usual place at Cambus o May on Deeside on 30th May and seen the PBF in small numbers. Revisited on 12th June on a sunny day and they were out in force. I always look forward to seeing my first PBF of the year. A stunning butterfly.

Evidence that re-introducing a coppice regime can produce excellent conditions for PBFs.

Despite having taken a great sufficiency of photographs of this species over the years, it is still difficult to resist getting the camera out for this handsome little butterfly. This is my offering for 2021.


http://eastsussexwanderer.blogspot.co.uk

Probably my favourite morning of the year in Sussex. A frosty morning but as soon as the sun appeared, so did the Pearls.

Modest numbers on the wing at Abbots Wood, but as this picture illustrates, they should be back this year. A freshly emerged female also posed rather nicely for Trevor and me as well

I had missed out on seeing Pearl-bordered Fritillaries for a couple of years and so decided to catch up with them in 2021. Along with other species, they were a bit late emerging due to the unfavourable spring weather and my visit to the Wyre Forest on May 10th produced just half a dozen fresh males.
Numbers apparently increased over the next few weeks but I don't believe it was one of the better years for them here.
Cheers,

Neil.

Pearl-bordered Fritillary

Some years I make so many visits that I feel like I’m actually living at Bentley Wood! Sadly this year wasn’t one of those as iffy weather, work and the late start to the season all conspired to keep me away from the wonders that unfold in the Eastern Clearing. So when it came to choosing my favourite Pearl I faced a choice of selecting an image from three visits – two of which were later when the Small Pearls were flying and the Pearls were fading. This should have made it easy but the Pearls had a good year at Bentley it seemed so there was plenty of activity and therefore plenty of shots to choose from. This one won out as it was the best of the few shots where some part of the butterfly isn’t obscured by an errant twig, blade of grass or have a flat colour background of another observers out of focus trousers.
Have a goodun

Wurzel

A cool but fairly sunny day on 30 April saw me venture to Herefordshire for my annual fix of PBFs in this country:

The unusually sunny April in 2021 was offset somewhat by a succession of frosty mornings, so I put off a visit to Rewell Wood in Sussex until 7th May. Arriving around nine o'clock, it was still cold, even in the sun, and I was told that two hours earlier it had once again been frosty. However, sunshine proved to be the important factor and there were plenty of Pearls flying. It ended up as my only encounter with the species in 2021, so in retrospect I'm glad I spent the time I did there. Dave