Heddon Valley (N Devon) 07/07/22

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The best day of the week in terms of weather so another try for High Brown Fritillary at Heddon Valley. The meadows on the west side of the river were revisited.

Unlike the previous day when few fritillaries were seen there seemed to be about 15 on the wing today. They were very active in the sunshine, though landing on vegetation infrequently. On occasions that one did land the wings were mostly held flat so that the crucial underwing pattern was difficult to see. 

However, at the far end of the second meadow there were at least four butterflies patrolling a relatively small area so I positioned myself opposite a large clump of flowering blackberry. Most seemed to be Dark Green Fritillaries but there was one somewhat tatty individual that looked more promising and it eventually landed on a nearby flower. Photographs taken showed characteristic circular rusty-red patches on the underwing except that there were big chunks missing on each wing so that the line of spots was incomplete. Nevertheless, there was no doubt it was a High Brown Fritillary.

Other butterflies seen included numerous Ringlet, plus Large and Small Skipper, also two Small Copper.

High Brown Fritillary

High Brown Fritillary

High Brown Fritillary

Dark Green Fritillary

Dark Green Fritillary

Ringlet

Comma

Hornet

Hornet

Male Grey Wagtail

Male Blackcap

Purple Loosestrife





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