Heath Fritillaries - Starvelarks Wood, Essex
Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2012 9:12 pm
On a bright, but slightly breezy Saturday 23rd June, I travelled to Starvelarks Wood, part of the Little Haven Nature Reserve in Thundersley, Essex. This is a lovely wooded area managed by the Essex Widlife Trust. Careful management of woodland and coppicing has allowed an abundance of Cow Wheat to grow, thus creating the perfect habitat for a colony of Heath Fritillaries. Numbers appear to have continually grown year on year. This weekend in an area approximately football pitch in size, I counted close to 100, along the transect.
For such a rare butterfly, it was a great privilage to see so many in such a condensed area. With the temperature not too hot, they were at rest for long periods, making photography very easy. I hope you enjoy the attached pictures.
Kev
For such a rare butterfly, it was a great privilage to see so many in such a condensed area. With the temperature not too hot, they were at rest for long periods, making photography very easy. I hope you enjoy the attached pictures.
Kev