www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

Silver-washed Fritillary - Favourite Photo 2016

Week 15

Only 5-6 weeks remaining now for this series of Posts - hopefully by the time these have finished we might be start seeing the first of the early hibernators. Sorry I was a bit later than normal I just spent all day in Hell/Ikea

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

Soaking up the early morning sunshine in an East Sussex wood.

A couple from Chiddingfold on 6th July, a day when despite the presence of Neil Hulme and Trevor, the Emperors refused to come to ground during my stay. Dave

I saw my first SWF of 2016 at Monks Wood but thatw as just a flyby from a fresh male. There were reasonable numbers at Bookham this year, but nowhere near as many as I found there in 2015 but I'm sticking a few pictures I took at Fermyn in this thread. I like the angle I got whilst it was sat on a particularly tall Creeping Thistle Add to that it was not only the day I finally managed a close up view of HIM but I also saw my first ever Valezina, although she never settled close.

This species seemed to be rather thin on the ground at Bernwood Forest, this year, so i was pleased to spot this trio in a madcap chase above one of the rides:
Mike

I took my photos in Fermyn Woods on the 17th July, it was a lovely hot day and a very lucky one for me because I saw the PE, PHS, and a very quick shot of a WA besides the SWF. I certainly want to go back there this year. Goldie

Most of the Sliver Washed frits; that I came across in 2016 were from the Orlestone forest ,Kent, and although down in numbers ,compared to 2015
there were still good numbers at Orlestone,in several sections,i,ve posted a couple of males and a pair regards Allan.W.

I managed to photograph a female at Hutchinsons Bank, where we only have a few SWF on site, it is the least common of the 3 fritillaries we have there.

I saw my Silver-washed Fritillaries mostly at Ryton Wood and Snitterfield Bushes in Warwickshire last year although I only managed a few photos. A female and male below, both from Snitterfield.
Cheers,

Neil.

Silver-washed Fritillary

I don’t know about anyone else but I had a dreadful year for SW Frits. I’m not sure if this was a population trend or just because I only got to Bentley twice during their flight? Even when I did find them they were much trickier to photograph than I remember. Saying that I was lucky enough to find a Greenish and almost captured the underwing shot that I’ve been seeking for 5 year now…one step closer.
Have a goodun

Wurzel

Underside shot from Fermyn on July 21st. The other was one of a few heavily-marked females at Bedford Purlieus on July 24th.

SWFs are fairly common in south Wales if you know where to look. This male was seen at Old Castle Down on 23rd July:
...and this rather more worn female was spotted at West Williamston, Pembroke, on 13th August: