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Marbled White - Favourite Photo of 2020

Week 10

There are only a few chocolates left in the advent calendar now! The morbidly obese gentleman with a penchant for red velvet and furs and a talent for reverse burglary is prepping his Reindeer even though Christmas has been cancelled Still here's the 'Favourite' thread to take you mind off the single day festivity

Please could I ask that everyone waits until a topic has been opened by me for a particular species before posting photos as then it will be easier to keep track of things? Of course our overseas members are very welcome to fill in the obvious gaps relating to rare UK migrants. As in previous years 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.

Just a reminder - it might be a good idea to select your Overall Favourite Butterfly Photo of 2020 now so that you’ve got something to post when the series of threads culminates in 20 weeks time…


Have a goodun and stay safe

Wurzel

I spent a lot of time with Marbled Whites this year. They are such beautiful insects.

This photo was taken one memorable evening at Magdalen Hill Down during golden hour in June.

As ever, a few of this species drifted down onto my local patch from colonies further north. I initially thought there was just the one on 12th June here, but these photos turned out to show two different insects. However, they are to be found in numbers in many places I visit in the summer - including the woods at Chiddingfold in July as part of the supporting cast for the Purple Emperors.The best sites I visit are the various Downs, and of these Box Hill (particularly the slopes of Burford Spur) stands out - there can be hundreds and they fly up in clouds if disturbed while settling at the end of the afternoon.Two months later, they were still flying much further north at Kiplingcotes in Yorkshire - a bit faded, mind. Dave

I saw my Marbled White's at Temple Ewell Kent on the 17th July , no matter what, they always seem to pose for shots Goldie

Lots of Marbled Whites flying from late June at most of my local sites around Solihull this year including good numbers at a couple of sites where I had only found occasional individuals before, indicating that they are spreading around the area.
They didn't last long here though and by the middle of July they were all but finished. On the other hand I found a late individual still flying at Osmington in Dorset when we were down there at the beginning of September.
Cheers,

Neil.

Neil Freeman wrote: ↑Tue Dec 22, 2020 5:19 pm Lots of Marbled Whites flying from late June at most of my local sites around Solihull this year including good numbers at a couple of sites where I had only found occasional individuals before, indicating that they are spreading around the area.

This may be a species on the move, Neil. I lived in Abergavenny (2008-10) for 3 years and never saw any, but these last couple of years have seen them become more regular in the meadows south of the town.

Had he sat still, my favourite picture would have been one of the single individual I found on my local patch, my first sighting of one here, but he really wasn't settling for anyone. A good second place was one I found at Epping Forest, another first.

Marbled Whites are not common here in Somerset but I have found a reliable site near Somerton , a steep climb to the site was a challenge this year but I got my reward with this picture.
https://jamesgibbs6929.zenfolio.com

One of my favourite butterflies. A good year at my two local sites Bewley Common and Beacon Hill, Wiltshire

David M wrote: ↑Tue Dec 22, 2020 7:07 pm

Neil Freeman wrote: ↑Tue Dec 22, 2020 5:19 pm Lots of Marbled Whites flying from late June at most of my local sites around Solihull this year including good numbers at a couple of sites where I had only found occasional individuals before, indicating that they are spreading around the area.

This may be a species on the move, Neil. I lived in Abergavenny (2008-10) for 3 years and never saw any, but these last couple of years have seen them become more regular in the meadows south of the town.

Definitely on the move across Warwickshire David, generally spreading north and west across the county.

Cheers,

Neil.

In 2012, I stopped the fortnightly mowing of the grass that the previous owner of my garden had practiced and the following year I saw a single Marbled White. I adopted a management designed to suit grassland butterflies and the Marbled White have thrived. In 2020 I counted over 30 on several occasions, best year yet.

Marbled White

This was taken during one of my stop-offs on the way home – but unusually it was at Woodhenge and not Larkhill. I chose it as I like the way that the butterfly is sitting wings three quarter open and showing off the underside and topside at the same time as contrasting nicely with the yellow centre of the Ox-Eye Daisy.
Have a goodun and stay safe

Wurzel

Wolfson wrote: ↑Sun Dec 27, 2020 10:06 am In 2012, I stopped the fortnightly mowing of the grass that the previous owner of my garden had practiced and the following year I saw a single Marbled White. I adopted a management designed to suit grassland butterflies and the Marbled White have thrived. In 2020 I counted over 30 on several occasions, best year yet.

Good for you, Wolfson. I'm all for tax relief being offered for those who allow a percentage of their private gardens to grow unencumbered. Insects would certainly vote for it!

Saw my first on 19 June at Bernwood Meadows in Oxfordshire. There were a couple of dozen dancing about just after 6 in the evening:
There were plenty more on the menu in the French Alps in early July, and these have more pronounced black markings than our home-grown ones:

On a rare break-out from self-isolation, I took some exercise in Bernwood Forest, not far from home.

A Marbled White displayed in characteristic pose on a thistle head.
Mike

Along with my Chalkhill and Common Blue 2020 FP's, this Marbled White shot was taken at Box Hill (zig-zag). No worries for insects about social distancing, sharing nectar on knapweed flower with a male Bombus lapidaries bumblebee. Phil