Marsh Fritillary

Late evening light falls on this  beautiful but scarce butterfly.  Found in isolated pockets around the UK, from as far north as Oban, to Lands End.

Fritillary Pearl Bordered 1 (crop)

Pearl Bordered Fritillary

A nationally rare fritillary in the UK, and still declining.  Most easily told apart from the small PBF by its earlier flight period (May rather than mid June), otherwise very similar.

Fritillary Small Pearl Bordered 12

Small Pearl Bordered Fritillary (D)

A butterfly threatened with extinction if something isn't done quickly.  It likes flying quickly with occasional rests on bracken.

Fritillary High Brown 01

High Brown Fritillary

One of the UK's rarest butterflies occurring at only three small locations.  These were taken at a Devon site.

Fritillary Glanville 04

Glanville Fritillary

A very rare fritillary on the British mainland but more common at their stronghold on the Isle of Wight.  Often considered to be the most beautiful fritillary  The above were taken on Hampshire coast after a painstaking search.

Silver Washed Fritillary 14

Silver Washed Fritillary

Our largest and most widespread fritillary often seen at bramble and thistle in July.

Fritillary Heath 1

Fritillary Heath 06

Fritillary Heath 03

Heath Fritillary

A quite scarce fritillary in the UK occurring at just a few sites in the south west of England. However, they are very common on the continent.  

These were photographed near Lydford in Devon.

Fritillary Dark Green 01

Dark Green Fritillary

Similar to the Silver Washed on top, but has a splodge of dark green on its underwing as well as large white spots.

I often see them on dune slacks and heather moorland.  Photographed at Kenfig Pools, South Wales, July 2005.