Walmer 20/09/22

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Following an interesting report yesterday of 3-4 Queen of Spain Fritillary at Walmer I headed there this morning after my visit to the dentist. Arriving at 11 a.m I soon found the site and was surprised that no one else was there.

The particular area has a footpath around an abandoned wheat field flanked by a hedgerow. Weather conditions were ideal, calm and mostly sunny.

I found a QoS after about 15 minutes when one landed on the hedge. It then flew off though settled on the path a short while later. Thereafter I started finding others on the path basking in the sun. They were reluctant to lift their wings to reveal the silvery-white underwing pattern, though perseverance paid off. I was joined by another observer, Nate, after about an hour and together we saw approx. five in total. On occasions two battled together in flight. 

Most were in good condition and are presumably the progeny of a mated female that flew over from France in the hot weather during the summer. Hopefully, egg laying now will give the possibility that the butterfly will overwinter in the area.

Other butterflies present were one Wall, 2-3 Brown Argus, several Common Blue, and a single Small Copper.

I also saw my first Common Lizard of the year.

Queen of Spain Fritillary 

Queen of Spain Fritillary 









Brown Argus

Common Blue

Wall

Small Copper

Common Lizard






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