Marsh Fritillary

Was out on a West trip with Greenie today, target Species were Marsh Fritillary, the two Pearl Bordered Fritillaries and Duke of Burgundy.

At the first site,Cotley Hill , a Wiltshire butterfly reserve, we arrived before the butterflies were active and managed a few undersides.

Then the sun warmed up the fritillaries, and they started to pose open winged in the sunshine including several pairs. One posed on a Common Spotted Orchid.

Other Butterflies at this site included Green Hairstreak, Small Blue, Wall Brown, Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Dingy Skipper, Grizzled Skipper, Brown Argus, Common Blue.

At Bentley Wood, we managed to find the 3 target species in the same clearing, the Pearl Bordered Frits were well past their best, The Small Pearls had only just emerged. In a quiet corner two Duke of Burgundy were posing on various shrubs.

Thanks to Greenie for a lovely day out, the lovely pictures of a yellowhammer i cant wait to see.