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Silver-washed Fritillary - Favourite Photo of 2021

Week 15

Not long to go now! The Aconites at work are out and they’re usually only a couple of weeks ahead of the Small Torts…barring a sudden snowfall or arctic surge.

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

This bilateral gynandromorph was one of my butterfly moments of the year and a lifetime first for me.


http://eastsussexwanderer.blogspot.co.uk

2021 was another great year for this species in Lincolnshire - my favourite shot was of this nice fresh female from 7th July, central Lincs:

downland boy wrote: ↑Mon Jan 24, 2022 9:16 amThis bilateral gynandromorph was one of my butterfly moments of the year and a lifetime first for me.

You must have had some pretty special things happen if that gynandromorph was only "one of" your butterfly moments of the year, DB!

Two superb finds to start this thread !! Gents ...................A gynandromorph (downland boy )...........Wow !! and a stunning female ! (David M)
Heres my favourite .I didn,t take to many Silver-Wash shots in 2021 ,and only saw about 3 females in all ,but they did have a pretty good season in the Orlestone forest . This was the first male of the season ,and very fresh ! Regards Allan.W.

Sorry Pete ,the stunning female was yours (not Davids ) my apologies !!
Regards Allan.W.

I tend to get my favourite shots of these once the initial emergence is over and the males have expelled the bulk of their rampant 'exuberance'.
An unusual angle from a mating pair grabbed before they had the chance to ascend to the tree tops and a couple of males getting a late breakfast in during one of the many overcast days they had to endure last summer.

You must have had some pretty special things happen if that gynandromorph was only "one of" your butterfly moments of the year, DB!

Hi David......normally, that gynandromorph would easily have been the butterfly moment of the year but I also had a glorious moment with an emerging White Admiral in the wild.......another few weeks to go for that one!

All the best, Nigel

I shall look forward to that, Nigel.

A couple of trips to Oversley Wood and Snitterfield Bushes provided me with my Silver-washed Fritillary sightings in 2021. At both locations they were fairly numerous with Oversley probably having the higher number overall.
Cheers,

Neil

SWF now in County Durham & heading North.

Plenty of these were seen elegantly swooping around at both Chiddingfold and Bookham in 2021. I had sightings of a valesina female at Bookham, but she failed to settle, so decent shots of this variation remain on the wishlist for 2022. Amongst all those seen, a male from Chiddingfold does stand out abit, as it was unusually heavily marked. Seen on 8th July. Cheers,

Dave

Silver-washed Fritillary

There was only one choice really for my Favourite Photo for this species and it came from a trip to Alners Gorse at the tail end of July. Philzoid and I had visited primarily for Hairstreaks – Purple and White-letter but a quick detour to the Banks threw up Philzoids first definite Valesina. She was a little tired, slightly frayed around the edges but still a magnificent sight to behold. When it came to selecting my favourite shot I forewent the usual bluey-purple topside with its copper sheen and instead went for a shot of the underside which always reminds me of a bag of mints – mint humbugs on the fore wing and spearmint chews on the hind wing. I love the two tonal under wings that contrast with the blend of colours seen on the usual form.
Have a goodun

Wurzel

On 2nd July, at the beginning of their flight period, I saw this fresh male at Lower Woods, Glos:
Then, on 23rd July, I visited Bernwood Forest in the late afternoon and was delighted to find this valezina casually nectaring from bramble in the car park: