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White-letter Hairstreak. Photo: Nick Galer
Marsh Fritillary Larva Web. Photo: Nick Galer
Two more photos from Nick sent in saying:
I visited Alner’s Gorse this morning, 30/06/2026 and was fortunate to firstly see this White-letter Hairstreak resting at low level. A little later found two Marsh Fritillary webs, hoping there are many more and they make it through successfully to next year.
Marsh Fritillary. Photo: Donald Simcock
Marsh Fritillary Eggs. Photo: Donald Simcock
Two photos sent in by Donald telling us:
I went to the Dorset BC moth trapping and butterfly walk at Alner’s Gorse last Saturday, 30/05/2026 and with a temperature of 26c nice and warm for flying insects and just right for the walking.
Besides the hundreds of moths studied when opening the moth traps, we also saw a good variety of butterflies.
Martin Warren brought alive the story of the life cycle of the Marsh Fritillary from egg, parasites, larval web and onto adults. We saw a couple of Marsh Fritillaries at Alner’s and more at the next door site of Rooksmoor. A very enjoyable day.
Marsh Fritillary. Photo: Andrew Martin
Marsh Fritillary. Photo: Andrew Martin
Two photos from Andrew sent in telling us:
Last year I spotted a Marsh Fritillary on a hillside at Ulwell near Swanage. I revisited the site on 05/05/2026 and there were at least 2 Marsh Fritillary present. I did not venture further up the hill so may have been more. As there are no local colonies I must assume a repeated release.
Marsh Fritillary. Photo: Mark Pike
Marsh Fritillary. Photo: Mark Pike
Two more photos from Mark taken at Lydlinch Common yesterday, 04/05/2026. He told us the intermittent cloud and cool temperature helped with producing these drowsy Marsh Fritillaries – he saw a total of 7 of them in total.
Marsh Fritillary. Photo: Nick Galer
Marsh Fritillary. Photo: Nick Galer
Two photos from Nick sent in saying:
Although the weather forecast spoke of rain, Sunday afternoon, 03/05/2026 turned out to be cloudy and dry so I visited Lydlinch Common hoping to catch Marsh Fritillaries and was lucky to find this obliging beauty.
Marsh Fritillary Caterpillar. Photo: Nick Galer
Peacock. Photo: Nick Galer
Nick sent in these two photos telling us:
On a visit to Lydlinch Common on 07/04/2026 I discovered a Marsh Fritillary caterpillar and then moving on to Piddles Wood caught a Peacock basking in a sheltered glade out of the brisk wind.
Marsh Fritillary. Photo: Donald Simcock
Donald caught this shot of mating Marsh Fritillaries while on one of out guided walks at Lyndlinch Common, on 21/5/25.
Marsh Fritillary. Photo: Nick Galer
Marsh Fritillary. Photo: Nick Galer
Nick tells us:
On an early visit to Lydlinch Common [11/5/25], I was able to spend time with this very sleepy Marsh Fritillary; I left the common at about 08.15am at which time many Fritillaries were taking to the wing
Adonis Blue. Photo: Mike Kirby
Marsh Fritillary. Photo: Mark Kirby
Mark says:
Having been on holiday and only getting back last night, I realised there were lots of great butterflies now showing and felt I was missing out.
A trip out to Compton Down this afternoon (Sunday 4 May) soon rectified that! I saw six new species for the year – Glanville & Marsh Fritillaries, Dingy Skipper, Painted Lady, Small Heath & an Adonis Blue.
There were good numbers of Small Heath, Grizzled & Dingy Skippers showing. It was my earliest recorded dates for Small Heath, Marsh & Glanville Fritillaries & Adonis Blue (Marsh & Adonis by 10 days!). Other species seen were Speckled Wood & Orange Tip.
Marsh Fritillary (variation). Photo: Mark Pike
Marsh Fritllary. Photo: Mark Pike
Mark says:
Here are a couple of Marsh Fritillaries seen at Lydlynch Common this morning. The one showing the back of the wings is very well defined and the hindwing has much more cream colour than usual, I think its is just a variation rather than a known aberration though.