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Glanville Fritillary - Favourite Photo 2022

Week 6

It looks like we’re actually getting the winter weather so sightings may start to stall but don’t be down hearted as this week there are three cracking species to choose favourites for and next week, fingers crossed, the Winter Social is on.


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

Wurzel

I made my usual pilgrimage to Hutchinson's Bank to see this species, and along with lots of other folk on a lovely sunny May day, connected with this individual. I love the underside of Glanvilles, and this shot captured that aspect pretty well. Dave

Again from Hutchinsons Bank, a group of us were photographig this pairing, and missed the Narrow-Bordered Bee Hawkmoth, vary rare in the South East.
We found 3 webs that are now hibernating to produce next years butterflies. Despite the drought there was still lots of green plantain around all summer.

Just the one individual seen on what ended up being a rather rushed visit to hutchinsons bank, must try harder with them next year!

Seen in Mottistone churchyard IOW mid may

Glanville Fritillary

This was taken at the Wiltshire colony at Whitesheet Hill in the closing weeks of May. There were Glannies all over the site but their favoured spot held 6 or 7 at any one time. I’d managed to get some cracking upper side shots but as the Mercury continued to rise I was worried that they would become increasingly active and my chances of getting an underside would become vanishingly small. Instead as the temperature kept rising and the sun beat down more and more strongly the butterflies would sit still more frequently and for longer and longer periods. Even better than this they’d close their wings – possibly to reduce their heat load – and I was able to get possibly my best ever closed wing shot. Hence when it came to choosing my Fave this one popped straight into my head.
Have a goodun

Wurzel

Although it's a special sight in the UK, this species is an 'also-ran' in most of Europe, so my only image that I can find for 2022 was from northern Spain at the beginning of May, when there weren't that many Fritillaries about: