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Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary - Favourite Photo of 2024

Week 17

We’re still rootling around in the underwear drawer of the butterfly world – the ‘smalls’…I’ll get my coat…which is just as well as the weather is pretty miserable at the moment. Oh for a bit more blue sky! Still not long to go now, fingers crossed.
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.

Have a goodun

Wurzel

I visited my favourite site out at Cambus o May on Deeside on the 13th June and the 19th June. SPBF were in decent numbers on both days. Best photos attached.

Bert.

Nice that you've got that species up there in decent numbers, Bertl.

Just had the one opportunity with this apecies in 2024. On 26th May, I found this well behaved individual a couple of miles from my home:

Here's an obliging individual from Mull in June 2024. During a brief sunny interlude....

The only Small Pearl-bordered Fritillaries that I saw in 2024 were some of the second brood that is a regular occurance down on The Lizard in early August. Most of these, around a dozen or so, were seen in the undercliff area to the south of Kynance Cove with a handful also around Enys Head on the east side of the peninsular.
Cheers,

Neil.

David M wrote: ↑Tue Feb 04, 2025 11:00 am Nice that you've got that species up there in decent numbers, Bertl.

Yes David. It's a fantastic site for both SPBF and PBF.

Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary

The internal clocks of the butterflies seemed to be inconsistently set this year with some bang on, others early or some, like the Small Pearls, a little late. So instead of chasing down multitudes of them as on a previous visit this time I think I only managed a total of 4, a brace each at the two main spots on the site. Still what they lacked in numbers they made up for in range of poses working through almost the whole gamut by the time I needed to head home. In the end I chose this one as it showed off their very hairy underneath to nice effect.
Have a goodun

Wurzel

In recent years, I have combined seeing this species with my annual visits to Somerset for the Large Blues. The site at Priddy on the Mendips is not far from the Poldens, and their seasons coincide, so it makes sense all round. In the end, the day I chose was probably towards the latter part of their emergence, as the freshest example was a female - and a slightly aberrant example too.This male was in reasonable condition too. Dave