www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

Hi Chassyp, Im thinking Mountain Ringlet !!
Cheers IAC.

Cheers for that. Yep I`m also starting to think that way. Still a nice thing I guess? Gotta check it out for the area yet. Thanks again.

Chassyp
Could you post a larger image perhaps?
Also, a where and when would certainly help.
Roger

Hi,

Looks like MR to me. Where and when?

Antonym.

Hello chassyp,
Although only a record shot, like another replies have suggested, it does indeed look like Mountain Ringlet.
Another/better photo could help confirm the overall impression. The background, assuming it reflects where caught, does not necessary look right for MR, but of course could reflect a small area of the mountain side on which the photo may have been taken. The date/ time is also right for MR if taken in Britain when you posted, and not really correct for Scotch Argus (or very early).
A little more detail would certainly guide to a better identification.
If it is MR in Britain then that is a really good sighting for which many of us have to travel hundreds of miles to see. It is also a fairly difficult butterfly to photgraph.

dave

It is also a fairly difficult butterfly to photgraph.

Not always





Roger

Yes, thanks everyone for your comments. Sorry I haven`t replied until now as I have been away. Very sorry to say I dont have another photograph of it at the moment. The butterfly was thrashing about in the pot, and I wanted to release it as soon as possible and we only got one photograph of it. However I think my mate who took it, sent the file to me as less than 1 meg and he still has the original which may be clearer, and may help. I will ask him to let me have the original and see if it is clearer. I understand that this sighting in the UK is very very rare, and also about the altitude thing.!! It was found in the first week of July, which is fairly late I understand. Without giving the vicinity away too specifically, it is only 10 miles from the Lake District in which they are found. The area I found it in is a private caravan park and at sea level!! The photograph was sent to the County recorder who also verified it as a mr but also had to say that obviously a rare case indeed!! Don’t know what more to say really, any other questions or thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
Regards.

I've never know Mountain Ringlet to be found anywhere close to sea level! I wonder if someone caught the critter and took it "home" for ID purposes and then released it?

Cheers,

- Pete

From The Butterflies of Great Britain And Ireland (Emmet & Heath)

Adults which have occasionally been reported at low altitudes away from known colonies may be windswept individuals.

HTH
Roger

Ah! Thanks Roger

Cheers,

- Pete

Thanks very much for that Roger. Now it seems a bit clearer.
Thare are always new things to uncover in the natural world, and I suppose that is an added bonus to those with an active interest. Many thanks to all those who imparted information on this subject. I feel a foot taller today!!
Many regards.