Dark Green Fritillaries at Rudge Hill NR

Saturday 2nd July 2011

After doing some atlas work on SO81K (Huddinknoll Hill) with Mark, finding breeding evidence for several species, we stopped off at nearby Rudge Hill NR (Edge Common). Several Dark Green Fritillaries were on the wing, but rarely stopping, and without my DSLR I was unable to get any photos. So I had to return this afternoon, and thankfully did get some pics of these beautiful butterflies (above and below), seeing at least six in total.


The common was teeming with Marbled Whites, occupying it seemed just about every Great Knapweed flower, and Meadow Browns and Ringlets, plus Small Skippers, Large Skippers, Small Heaths and Small Tortoiseshells. Also four Scarlet Tiger moths, two of which were mating, and a displaying Tree Pipit.
Marbled White, Rudge Hill NR:

Small Skipper, Rudge Hill NR:

Large Skipper, Rudge Hill NR:

Scarlet Tiger, Rudge Hill NR:

Nettle-leaved Bellflower, Huddinknoll Hill:

Greater Knapweed, Huddinknoll Hill:

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