Lynchcombe Steps

Lynchcombe – Mendip Hills, Somerset, UK. ID DSC_3293

Before 2013 I had not seen any silver-washed fritillaries on Lynchcombe.  This year I have recorded 10 already.

Silver-washed Fritillary

In 2013 and 2014 I counted 1 silver-washed fritillary.  Then came two poor years where summer never really got started and the butterfly counts were really low.  Last year there were 14 records.  So far this year there has already been 10 so we could be heading for a record year.

Silver-washed Fritillary (Argynnis paphia) – Lynchcombe, Somerset, UK. ID 825_4582

The butterflies like the sheltered glades down in the combe and the lower parts of the reserve.

Silver-washed Fritillary (Argynnis paphia) – Lynchcombe, Somerset, UK. ID 825_4692

They spend a long time feeding on the thistles and brambles.

Silver-washed Fritillary (Argynnis paphia) – Lynchcombe, Somerset, UK. ID 825_3989

Recently there has been a lot of bramble clearing so it will be interesting to see if this will have an impact.

Silver-washed Fritillary (Argynnis paphia) – Lynchcombe, Somerset, UK. ID 825_3164

It is possible that the butterflies have flown over from the colony at Ebbor Gorge, if so perhaps one day I will see darker valezina over here too.