Possible Marshie at Bison Hill???

[Old Wolf]

Hello all,
A trip to Bison Hill at Dunstable Downs turned up something rather unusual. I think it might be a Marsh Fritillary but as far as I know they are not usual for this site, in fact for this side of the country. Is it a Marshie and how on earth did it end up here?

Unfortunately I couldn't get a clear look at the underwings.

Any info/input would be greatly appreciated.

[bugboy]

No need to see the underside, you are correct on the ID, that is a Marshie. How it got there though is open to discussion but an unofficial/accidental release looks most likely

[Old Wolf]

Thanks BB. I wasn't one hundred percent so thanks for the confirmation

A bittersweet one for me then because I am happy to have seen one for the first time but a shame that it will be there on its own with none of its own kind. I would have preferred to have seen one where it belongs

[millerd]

It appears to be a female. I don't know if there is any scabious on that hillside (there probably is somewhere), but the possibility must exist that she will leave a few eggs around. I visited Dunstable Downs last week, and certainly didn't see her or any others like her.

Dave

[Roger Gibbons]

I also spent the day at Bison Hill, on May 18. We were there from 10.15 to about 15.30, and covered most of the terrain including the rides where the Dukes hang out. We certainly didn't see any Marsh Fritillaries. I also spoke to someone there (it wasn't you was it, Old Wolf?) and he didn't mention seeing any either.

It is - I think I can say this with some degree of certainty - inconceivable that Marsh Fritillaries fly there without someone giving them a helping hand. They have been spotted at another location in Herts - the same place as Old Wolf saw the Adonis Blues and these were also certainly releases - so someone is at it.

Roger

[Old Wolf]

Hello Dave, thanks for the info. I am unsure as to whether there is scabious there as I am trying to learn how to identify wildflowers but the book I have is making it quite slow going! After cheking it out in the book I think I can say that I didn't see any there in my two visits but that doesn't mean there isn't any. If she does lay eggs then would it be possible that Bison Hill could support this butterfly in the future? It doesn't sound like Marshie ideal habitat.

Hello Roger, I visited on 08/05 and yesterday but didn't see any on my first visit where I spent a few hours there. We had to park at the bottom of the hill in the small carpark on the roundabout and walk to Bison Hill. We had a four hour stay and it was a 45 minute walk there and then we had to walk back so we only had just over a few hours!

Sorry, but it wan't me you were talking to on 18/05 and I think you are getting me mixed up with another forum member as I have never seen an Adonis Blue, it is still on my list. Out of interest, where was the other location one was spotted in Hertfordshire and where were the Adonis Blue spotted? Where they close to Dunstable?

I am wondering if I should I report my sighting anywhere? I have the iRecord app and can provide the evidence or is it best left alone?

[Roger Gibbons]

Hi Old Wolf,

Yes, it was another UKB member I had the conversation with - who also has Wolf in their name. I'll check the wolfpack more carefully in future.

The other Marsh Fritillary sighting was at Therfield Heath near Royston where the Adonis Blues were seen.

If you are not too far from Bison Hill, then Adonis Blue sites in the Chilterns will be within your reach.

Roger

[aeshna5]

I haven't been to Bison Hill for a couple of years but think both Small & Filed Scabious are present as you'd expect from the geology & habitat.

[robpartridge]

Hmm, well, I live in Cambridgeshire and photographed one on my lawn this morning. If I could remember how to post an image on this forum, I would do so.

This record seems truly bizarre but it is not in fact the first locally as one was photographed in nearby Ely a couple of days ago. Obviously we are assuming they are releases... But thoughts would be welcome,

Rob

[Old Wolf]

Hi Old Wolf,

Yes, it was another UKB member I had the conversation with - who also has Wolf in their name. I'll check the wolfpack more carefully in future.

The other Marsh Fritillary sighting was at Therfield Heath near Royston where the Adonis Blues were seen.

If you are not too far from Bison Hill, then Adonis Blue sites in the Chilterns will be within your reach.

Roger

Hello again Roger, no worries I have found the conversation with regards to the Adonis in Herts.

I am about 40 miles from Dunstable and I can get a bit further so hopefully will get to see an Adonis this year. Please can you tell me of good sites for them in the Chilterns. It will help to narrow down my search. Thanks in advance.

Hello Rob, I bet that was a surprise. That makes sightings in Herts, Cambs and Beds and after reading they seldom fly more than 100m, could this mean it is the work of more than one person or that one person has been really really busy?

[Roger Gibbons]

Hi Old Wolf,

I have seen Adonis Blues at Pulpitt Hill, but the best place (although I've never been there) is Aston Rowant:
https://www.upperthames-butterflies.org ... iteid=3002

I believe quite a few UKBers know this site quite well, and maybe can lend their expertise on this thread.

Roger

[millerd]

Hi Old Wolf - yes, what Roger says is true. I visited Aston Rowant on 15th May, and there were quite a few fresh Adonis around then. I went out on the part of the reserve that is on the north side of the M40 cutting. Park at the Beacon Hill car park referred to in the link below.
https://www.chilternsaonb.org/ccbmaps/5 ... serve.html
Head across the hillside and down towards the trackway at the bottom, and you should see them.

Cheers,

Dave

[Old Wolf]

Hello Roger and millerd. Many thanks for the info I am going to try for it this weekend.

The directions will be very helpful so thank you very much millerd.

Fingers crossed that the weather holds and I have some luck.

[Jack Harrison]

Rumour - although confirmed with photo taken by my ex-wife - that they have been cropping up in many localities in the SE Midlands and western parts of East Anglia.

Boris has taken no interest in the Marshies' refusal to comply with lockdown rules.

Jack

[Old Wolf]

Hello Jack, you are right, they do appear to be ignoring 'Government' advice!!!

I am wondering, and hope someone can offer some info, as to if this is usual that an unusual specie will crop across multiple counties in the same year? If it is the work of people rearing larva with the intention of releasing them for whatever reason, are there really that many people at it.

Is there any chance that this could, by some way or form, have anything to do with the fact that everyone was in lockdown? Could a specie reappear in an area or areas that they weren't previously in, due to something that was or wasn't done with everyone in lockdown?

I have been a member here for a few years now and do not recall seeing this happening in either of the two previous years. Has it happened before that any of you can remember, if so what specie and where? I am finding this fascinating and would welcome any info anyone has.

P.S. I am off to Aston Rowant tomorrow in search of Adonis, with a plan B of Yoesden bank and a plan C of Pulpitt Hill