www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

Hi having chased all the Uk butterflies over the past few years thought I'd share some of my more interesting shots from my travels,
all photos were taken with Canon 7dmk2 100-400mm lens or 100mm 2.8 macro

For anyone interested here's a link to my blog with link on the right to a round-up of each year
https://newton-st-loe-birding.blogspot.com/

2016 - 48 species
2017 - 59 species
2018 - 58 species
2019 - 59 species
2020 - 57 species
2021 - 55 species
2022 - 56 Species

Marsh Fritillary

Came across this Marsh Fritillary Aberration, very fresh possibly Euphydryas aurinia ab. melanoleuca Cabeau
This was seen at Cotley Hill, Wiltshire, one of my favorite hills.
Picture was taken 12/05/2022

Looking forward to them great ab!

Heath Fritillary - Melitaea athalia

Marsh Fritillary

Some really interesting specimens there Wayne. Can't wait to see what's coming next. Welcome by the way

Thanks Pauline, I’ll try to add a couple of species everyday, off to Higher Hyde Heath, Dorset today for Silver Studded Blues

Welcome from me too Wayne. You certainly have a gift for finding fabulous ab's.
I was at Cotley Hill on 22nd May, no such luck for me. I agree it's a wonderful site.

Looking forward to more,
Trevor.

Hi Wayne. A great start to your PD .

Wayne_Tucker wrote: ↑Mon Jun 13, 2022 7:15 am ...off to Higher Hyde Heath, Dorset today for Silver Studded Blues

I went there last year for the first time with my son whist we were staying in Durdle Door for a week, a great site and lots of Silver-studded Blues

Cheers,

Neil.

Thanks, Neil there were literally 100's of Silver-studded Blues today at Higher Hyde And Trevor thank you

Silver-studded Blue - Plebejus argus

High Brown Fritillary - Fabriciana adippe

Dark Green Fritillary - Speyeria aglaja

Brilliant set of reports with cracking images Wayne Those variations are really interesting - especially the initial Marshie

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Welcome to the forums, Wayne, and thanks for sharing that Fritillary-fest with us!

I'm looking forward to the next offerings.

Glanville fritillary - Melitaea cinxia
Being one of my favorite butterflies, I've lots of images of these stunners. Also one of my favorite trips, I normally drive to Lymington, Ferry across then ride my push bike to Compton Bay, greeted to normally blues skies and 100's of Glanvilles Also, another spot I generally go is Whitesheet Hill, Wiltshire, an obvious release but numbers this year have increased at least 10 seen.

More brilliant images Wayne 0 funnily enough I was sorting the images from my trip to Whitesheet just this evening and I though the same as you - the numbers were definitely up this year

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Thanks Rich, I’ve been told they’ve been there for a fare few years before I saw them, so either breeding or being topped up? Also Compton down Melbury-Fonthill, got told they’ve bred there too. Not sure how I feel about people releasing?

I know what you mean. At first I was against it but now they've been there a few years and seem to be doing okay I'm starting to come round and I like the fact that I can see them without a massive drive

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Essex Skipper - Thymelicus lineola When we start watching butterflies the Essex Skipper is one of those, is it or isn't it species, but the right angle generally gives those little black dipped antenna away, clinching ID, so many pictures on social media asking the questions? I also find they fly slightly differently to Small or Large, anyone else notice this?