The Lincolnshire Bird Club

Snakeholme on Buddleia

Dean...

An interesting record. Like Marsh Fritillary, Marbled White, Wood White et al, is this yet another illicit introduction in the Bardney Forest area or a genuine natural re-occurrence of the species in the area? Comments from Butterfly Conservation members may shed some light on this?

This is an interesting record and by the looks of the insect it could have travelled some way.This species is certainly on the increase in the UK from a combination of natural spreading and maybe introductions as well.You have only got to look at how Comma and Speckled Wood have spread in the Country in the past 20 or 30 years,probably due to the warming of the climate,so this maybe a factor as well.It is also interesting to note that Dave Wright had a Silver-washed Frit at this very same site in the late 80's/early 90's!.It is unfortunately, a sad state of affairs with regards to Fritillaries in the county, with most of the now rare species once breeding here in Lincolnshire,with High Brown being lost as recent as the 80's no doubt due to habitat loss and the lost practice of active coppicing in our woodlands.Lets hope this gorgeous fritillary does become more frequent in its sightings released or not!.



Steve

I have just received a cutting from the Norfolk newspaper 'Eastern Daily Press' from July 30th, that was sent to me by one of my sisters. It reads -

A beautiful butterfly has been spotted in Norfolk after a 30 year gap. Sightings of the Silver-washed Fritillaryhave been recorded across the county from the Brecks to Sheringham and in Holkham. Norfolk's butterfly recorder, Andy Brazil said of the news 'This is an unprecedented invasion, in previous years we have been lucky to get one or two sightings of Silver-washed Fritillaries, this week I have had reports of 16 individuals. There is also news that a breeding colony has been discovered in Suffolk'.

Roy

I had one on the 8th July flying north along the river Tame at RSPB Middleton Lakes in Warks/Staffs. The river joins the Trent further up. I'd never seen one there before.
There was a good showing in the Wyre Forest,in Worcs. this year.
I wonder if a good cold winter helped this species? Lets hope they keep it up.