It is still a very slow start to the butterfly year. A local stroll yesterday only produced a mating pair of Dingy Skippers and a couple of Green Hairstreaks.
Mating Dingy Skippers.
Mating completed they drift apart. Female on the left.
Today it was a visit to the river to make sure of seeing my first Large Red Damselflies of the year. As soon as I arrived I saw my first one but it was a little while later before I came across more. In the end around 6 were seen.
Large Red Damselfly.
Following this I went to Abbotts Wood for the Pearl-bordered Fritillaries. As well as an amazing display of Bluebells this year it was also brilliant to hear Nightingales in full voice. I did try for a picture of one. Although it is my best (and worst) photo of a Nightingale I have a way to go to get one worth keeping!!
An 'atmospheric' Nightingale.
It was however, the Pearl-bordered Fritillaries that stole the show with around 12 seen including a female that was a little less active than all the brightly coloured males.
Female Pearl-bordered Fritillary.
Female Pearl-bordered Fritillary.
Hi. You are taken by stunning photography. Greetings.
ReplyDeleteLovely post and shots Bob. Those Pearls certainly are good lookers.
ReplyDeleteFritallaries are not found mch round here, damn them! We have Dingy skippers though. Saw my first holly blue yesterday.
ReplyDeleteWow, you seem to be doing very well so far this year! I have never seen either a dingy skipper or pearl bordered fritillary. So far I am only up to six species here, but the weather has got to improve soon, surely!
ReplyDelete