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High Bown Fritillary - Favourite Photo of 2016

Week 8

Week eight is upon us and so will Christmas soon! Please could I ask that everyone waits until a topic has been opened by me for a particular species before posting photos - just to make it easier to organise and keep everything on track so that we can enjoy this throughout the winter months? Of course our overseas members are very welcome to fill in the obvious gaps relating to rare UK migrants. As like last year 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

One butterfly - one favourite! However, I was rather pleased with this one, the only one I saw on a trip to Heddon Valley in North Devon on 25th June. Dave

Very few seen in the UK this year, and not too many seen in France given the lateness of the season there.

A latter part of July female was probably the best near Bridgend at the last Welsh site for this species:

I was very happy to bag this lifer up on Arnside Knott, not only was I risking a trip late in their season, but the weather wasn't perfect. It took a few days hunting but I finally nabbed a few individuals of which this one was by far the best looking and unmistakeably of a High Brown rather than a Dark Green persuasion!

I spent more time counting species this year than taking photos, which is why I only have this one underside shot to show.
From central southern France on August 23rd, nectaring on Cephalaria leucantha. This plant is very attractive to butterflies in August and September and I have seen more than 10+ different species of BF at the same time on the same clump of this plant. The long stems sway around a lot in the slightest breeze making clear photos a challenge. Chris

I saw a few late High Browns at Arnside Knot on my visit in early August but they were getting a bit tired and faded by then and numbers seemed lower than I have seen there in previous years. From the handful seen and definitely identified as HBFs the shot below is the best I managed.
Cheers,

Neil

My photo was taken at the Bridgend site in South Wales and is showing the all-important red-rimmed spots very clearly. Pity there's a bit of wing damage but it's great to see this species is still present in Wales.
Mike