Small Tortoiseshell

[Cheryl]

Went walking this afternoon and spotted Small Tortoishell with a couple of others on a clump of thistles close to a corn field - first ones I've seen in ages.



My first White Admiral - Ever!! Bit battered but not as battered as another one I saw later



A Pearl Bordered Fritillary? - not 100% on this one


Mating Meadows Browns


and a Comma Butterfly


Lots of GateKeepers and a single Speckled Wood and a Red Admiral spotted too.

[James M]

Wow your lucky I haven't seen any of those yet (and never seen a white Admiral) this year. The Fritillary looks like a female Silver washed?

[aeshna5]

Nice set of photos- where abouts where these taken?

The fritillary is definitely not a Pearl-bordered. Looks like a female Silver-washed to me.

[ron1863]

Nice finds Cheryl. I have only seen the Meadow Browns and a couple of Small Tortoiseshell from that lot this year.

[Cheryl]

Originally Posted by aeshna5

Nice set of photos- where abouts where these taken?

They were taken at a place called Sydney Wood between Alfold and Dunsfold near the Surrey/West Sussex Border.

I went today and followed a 3 mile walk from a publication called "Drive and Stroll in Surrey".

The Admiral and Fritillary were spotted in the wood where they are actively encouraging the increase of Pearl Bordered Fritillary (which is why I plumped for that) and Wood Whites (didn't see any) the rest were spotted further on in the hedgerows bordering cornfields.

[Cheryl]

Meant to say - thanks for identifying the Fritillary

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by Cheryl

They were taken at a place called Sydney Wood between Alfold and Dunsfold near the Surrey/West Sussex Border.

I went today and followed a 3 mile walk from a publication called "Drive and Stroll in Surrey".

The Admiral and Fritillary were spotted in the wood where they are actively encouraging the increase of Pearl Bordered Fritillary (which is why I plumped for that) and Wood Whites (didn't see any) the rest were spotted further on in the hedgerows bordering cornfields.

The Pearl-bordered Fritillary is almost extinct in Surrey despite the finest efforts of the local Butterfly Conservation group, especially at Chiddingfold area. You're probably a bit late for them too, though there is sometimes a small second brood a bit later. Likewise May/June probably better for seeing Wood White.

Silver-washed , in contrast, are doing very well in Surrey woodlands + a splendid butterfly to watch. Glad you had a good day.

[Wild-Woman]

Nice to see these butterflies. I'm particularly pleased to see the Small Tortoiseshell.
My Mum has seen one Sm T in her garden.

Nice captures.

[mrs fish]

Lovely collection of Butterflies

You need to tell Sir David