Wayne_Tucker

Wayne_Tucker · Post by **Wayne_Tucker** » Sun Jun 12, 2022 7:32 pm

Hi having chased all the Uk butterflies over the past few years thought I'd share some of my more interesting shots from my travels,
all photos were taken with Canon 7dmk2 100-400mm lens or 100mm 2.8 macro

For anyone interested here's a link to my blog with link on the right to a round-up of each year
https://newton-st-loe-birding.blogspot.com/

2016 - 48 species
2017 - 59 species
2018 - 58 species
2019 - 59 species
2020 - 57 species
2021 - 55 species
2022 - 56 Species

Wayne_Tucker · Post by **Wayne_Tucker** » Sun Jun 12, 2022 7:44 pm

Marsh Fritillary

Came across this Marsh Fritillary Aberration, very fresh possibly Euphydryas aurinia ab. melanoleuca Cabeau
This was seen at Cotley Hill, Wiltshire, one of my favorite hills.
Picture was taken 12/05/2022

Katrina · Post by **Katrina** » Sun Jun 12, 2022 7:45 pm

Looking forward to them great ab!

Wayne_Tucker · Post by **Wayne_Tucker** » Sun Jun 12, 2022 8:41 pm

Heath Fritillary - Melitaea athalia

Wayne_Tucker · Post by **Wayne_Tucker** » Sun Jun 12, 2022 8:50 pm

Marsh Fritillary

: Hazelbuy Common, Wiltshire 06/05/2020

: Cotley Hill, Wiltshire 13/05/2020

: Cotley Hill, Wiltshire 13/05/2020

: Cotley Hill, Wiltshire 13/05/2020

Pauline · Post by **Pauline** » Mon Jun 13, 2022 5:15 am

Some really interesting specimens there Wayne. Can't wait to see what's coming next. Welcome by the way

Wayne_Tucker · Post by **Wayne_Tucker** » Mon Jun 13, 2022 7:15 am

Thanks Pauline, I’ll try to add a couple of species everyday, off to Higher Hyde Heath, Dorset today for Silver Studded Blues

trevor · Post by **trevor** » Mon Jun 13, 2022 7:16 am

Welcome from me too Wayne. You certainly have a gift for finding fabulous ab's.
I was at Cotley Hill on 22nd May, no such luck for me. I agree it's a wonderful site.

Looking forward to more,
Trevor.

Neil Freeman · Post by **Neil Freeman** » Mon Jun 13, 2022 7:33 am

Hi Wayne. A great start to your PD

.

Wayne_Tucker wrote: ↑Mon Jun 13, 2022 7:15 am ...off to Higher Hyde Heath, Dorset today for Silver Studded Blues

I went there last year for the first time with my son whist we were staying in Durdle Door for a week, a great site and lots of Silver-studded Blues

Cheers,

Neil.

Wayne_Tucker · Post by **Wayne_Tucker** » Mon Jun 13, 2022 8:26 pm

Thanks, Neil there were literally 100's of Silver-studded Blues today at Higher Hyde

And Trevor thank you

Wayne_Tucker · Post by **Wayne_Tucker** » Mon Jun 13, 2022 8:40 pm

Silver-studded Blue - Plebejus argus

: Higher Hyde Heath , Dorset 13/06/2022

Wayne_Tucker · Post by **Wayne_Tucker** » Tue Jun 14, 2022 7:30 pm

High Brown Fritillary - Fabriciana adippe

: Aish Tor, Devon 07/06/2020

Wayne_Tucker · Post by **Wayne_Tucker** » Tue Jun 14, 2022 7:38 pm

Dark Green Fritillary - Speyeria aglaja

: Charterhouse, Somerset 25/06/2017

Wurzel · Post by **Wurzel** » Wed Jun 15, 2022 7:12 pm

Brilliant set of reports with cracking images Wayne

Those variations are really interesting - especially the initial Marshie

Have a goodun

Wurzel

David M · Post by **David M** » Thu Jun 16, 2022 5:31 am

Welcome to the forums, Wayne, and thanks for sharing that Fritillary-fest with us!

I'm looking forward to the next offerings.

Wayne_Tucker · Post by **Wayne_Tucker** » Wed Jun 29, 2022 7:16 pm

Glanville fritillary - Melitaea cinxia
Being one of my favorite butterflies, I've lots of images of these stunners. Also one of my favorite trips, I normally drive to Lymington, Ferry across then ride my push bike to Compton Bay, greeted to normally blues skies and 100's of Glanvilles

: Glanville fritillary - Melitaea cinxia (Compton Bay 25/05/2021)

Also, another spot I generally go is Whitesheet Hill, Wiltshire, an obvious release but numbers this year have increased at least 10 seen.

Wurzel · Post by **Wurzel** » Wed Jun 29, 2022 7:38 pm

More brilliant images Wayne 0 funnily enough I was sorting the images from my trip to Whitesheet just this evening and I though the same as you - the numbers were definitely up this year

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Wayne_Tucker · Post by **Wayne_Tucker** » Thu Jun 30, 2022 3:48 pm

Thanks Rich, I’ve been told they’ve been there for a fare few years before I saw them, so either breeding or being topped up? Also Compton down Melbury-Fonthill, got told they’ve bred there too. Not sure how I feel about people releasing?

Wurzel · Post by **Wurzel** » Fri Jul 01, 2022 6:31 pm

I know what you mean. At first I was against it but now they've been there a few years and seem to be doing okay I'm starting to come round and I like the fact that I can see them without a massive drive

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Wayne_Tucker · Post by **Wayne_Tucker** » Thu Jul 07, 2022 6:37 pm

Essex Skipper - Thymelicus lineola

: Bath, Somerset 17/07/2021

When we start watching butterflies the Essex Skipper is one of those, is it or isn't it species, but the right angle generally gives those little black dipped antenna away, clinching ID, so many pictures on social media asking the questions? I also find they fly slightly differently to Small or Large, anyone else notice this?