East Tilbury 23/09/26

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There have been regular reports of Queen of Spain Fritillary along the coastal path at East Tilbury, up to 20 individuals in the last 1-2 weeks. I had not seen the species since the population at Walmer in September 2022, so went to Essex this morning.

I parked at Colne then walked about a mile to the seawall passing an abandoned cereal field on the way, very reminiscent of the habitat of the butterflies at Walmer four years ago. On reaching the seawall we walked south along the coastal path seeing good numbers of Clouded Yellow and very numerous Common Blue. However, no QofS so we turned back and instead walked north, finding the first Fritillary within half an hour. Then over a distance of about a quarter of a mile there were four more, all on the path occasionally lifting their wings to display the distinctive underwing, and often flying short distances. They were not fresh specimens, with some damage to the wings or somewhat worn colouration being noted.

The tally of Clouded Yellows was in the region of 25 individuals, many very bright in colour suggesting local emergence fairly recently.

On the way back I checked out the disused cornfield and was pleased to find another QoS on the margins of the field, this one a fresher individual in appearance.

Queen of Spain Fritillary 






Clouded Yellow 



Abandoned cornfield 

Queen of Spain Fritillary on the margin of the cornfield.


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