Tag Archives: Glanville Fritillary

An orange butterfly with black markings and a white fringe to the wings

Glanville Fritillary. Photo: Lucy Dalzill

A blue butterfly with a white fringe to the wings on the brown seeds of a plant

Adonis Blue. Photo: Lucy Dalzill

These two photos were taken on 29/05/2026 by Lucy and were sent in by her mother, Natalie – Lucy age 9 is almost certainly our youngest contributor of photos for the Gallery.

Natalie told us that at Compton Down there were numerous Adonis Blues and this image of one is Lucy’s favourite shot.

Natalie also told us that they could not believe their luck when they stumbled across (almost stood on) a newly emerged Glanville Fritillary with wings not yet fully set.  After some time they eventually watched it take to the wing.

A white and orange butterfly with some black markings resting on a chalk path.

Glanville Fritillary. Photo: Nick Galer

An orange butterfly with black markings and a white fringe to the wings resting on a white rock

Glanville Fritillary. Photo: Nick Galer

Two photos from Nick sent in telling us:

I visited Compton Down track today, 05/05/2026 hoping to catch the Glanville Fritillaries and was lucky enough to see three this morning, along with Marsh Fritillaries, Small Blues, Small Coppers and Skippers.

Also a Polite Request from Nick:   Please don’t clamber up the bank to get your pictures as it will flatten the valuable habitat. With a little patience the Glanvilles will come down to the track to pose for a photo.

Two butterflies in flight, both orange, white and brown

Glanville Fritillaries. Photo: Matt Cooper

Very pale yellow butterfly with faint orange spots on the hind wings, flying.

Brimstone. Photo: Matt Cooper

Matt tells us:

During a very rewarding couple of hours, I finally managed to see the upper wings of a Brimstone, and also managed to capture “Frit Wars”!!! There were at least half a dozen Brimstone along the track, with similar numbers of Marsh and Glanville Fritillaries. Other people commented on the number of Small Heath on Compton Down itself, raising hopes of a much better summer than last year. I also managed to see my first Green Hairstreak for a couple of years, although I didn’t manage a photo. [11/5/25]

An orange and white butterfly with black markings

Glanville Fritillary. Photo: Dr Jason Hall

Jason sent in this photo of a Glanville Fritillary he saw at Cerne Abbason 02/06/2024 telling us:

I saw on the branch website last night that Glanvilles have recently been reported from Compton Down, but I was certainly very surprised to see one in Cerne Abbas.  It was basking around mid-day on the hard-packed mud/gravel trail between the Kettle bridge car park and the base of Giant Hill and stayed put for at least 20 minutes in the same area.

A brownish orange butterfly with white fringe to the wings

Glanville Fritillary. Photo: Shona Refoy

A blue butterfly with a white fringe to the wings and some black markings

Common Blue. Photo: Shona Refoy

Shona sent in these two photos telling us:

I had another surprising sighting today, 21.05.2024, this time on Ballard Down.  Approaching the coastal end of the hill, I saw a male Common Blue sparring with another butterfly.  They both settled during a cloudy spell, revealing the second butterfly to be a Glanville Fritillary!  I wonder if he had flown over from the Isle of Wight?

A green butterfly on a green leaf

Green Hairstreak. Photo: Matt Cooper

An orange and white butterfly with black markings perching on a flowerhead

Glanville Fritillary. Photo: Matt Cooper

Two photos from Matt sent in telling us:

After reading of the Glanville Fritillary at Compton Down I decided to pay a visit yesterday, 24/05/2023 as did several others.  I wasn’t disappointed, seeing the Glanvilles for the first time, a large number of Adonis Blues and my first Dingy Skipper, Green Hairstreak and Comma of the year.

An orange butterfly with black and white markings

Glanville Fritillary. Photo: Dave Law

Dave sent us this photo with the following comments:

A single Glanville Fritillary was flying along the path at Fontmell yesterday, 21/05/2023.  Accompanying him were Marsh Fritillaries, Adonis, Common and Small Blues, Brown Argus, Small Heath and Grizzled and Dingy Skipper.  Not a bad variety for only a 30 metre section of bank. Hopefully people won’t trample parts of the bank flat like last year to get pics of the Glanville.  If they are patient it will settle on the path for warmth.