Marsh Fritillary Butterfly

We went on a first visit to a different nature reserve in N Devon, Volehouse Moor in search of more marsh fritillary butterflies. The weather was not as good as forecast with much more cloud and little sun. The cold easterly wind was still blowing. Still its always interesting to visit a new sight.

Heath spotted and southern marsh orchids were just coming into flower in the flower meadow. The day slowly grew warmer and during the sunny spells so we saw quite a few marsh fritillaries as they made short dashing flights. One unfortunately landed by the web of a funnel web spider and was caught. There were several lovely silken spiders nests up in the grasses and in one the spiderlings could be seem.

The patterning on the wings of the Marsh Fritillaries are very variable, see extra