A new species for me yesterday - the Heath Fritillary. It is restricted to a few key habitats: coppiced woodland or sheltered heathland. It is confined to a small number of sites in Somerset, Devon, Cornwall and Kent, and has also at reintroduction into sites in Essex. Although very local in its distribution, this butterfly can be seen in large numbers in good years and certainly there were probably 50 plus individuals in three different areas of the wood. The main foodplants are Common Cow-wheat (Melampyrum pratense), Ribwort Plantain (Plantago lanceolata), Germander Speedwell (Veronica chamaedrys), and occasionally other speedwells (Veronica spp.). Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) is reported to be a secondary foodplant and my mating pair were taken on foxgloves. The best lighting conditions were just before a short rain spell.
On our last full day in Dorset, we spent the afternoon in Minterne Gardens - a study in greens, dappled sunlight and magnificent plants and architecture.
