Ian Howarth reports 20 Heath Fritillaries at Greenscombe Wood today - one of the UK’s rarest butterflies—near extinction in the 1970s, now recovering thanks to conservation. Also: Small Heath, Ringlet, Red Admiral and ~24 Painted Ladies. Thanks to Ian for his photo/report. @bc-cornwall.bsky.social

Large skippers have been flying in Cornwall for a couple of weeks now. The male has a thick black line through the centre of the upper forewing—actually a scent brand used to attract females. @bc-cornwall.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social @marcusrhodes.bsky.social

Marsh fritillaries flying today on Bodmin Moor. Living in damp meadows and boggy grassland, needing Devil’s-bit Scabious to survive. Like the pearl-bordered and small pearl-bordered fritillaries, they're under threat—with populations down 66% in England since 1990. @bc-cornwall.bsky.social

Bunny’s Hill, Cardinham, this morning: a whopping 217 Small Pearl-bordered Fritillaries in just 45 minutes, in blazing temperatures. Absolutely incredible. @bc-cornwall.bsky.social @marcusrhodes.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social

Pearls still around on Bodmin Moor. Numbers seriously down, though. Increasing numbers of Small Pearls. Too hot!! @bc-cornwall.bsky.social @saverflies.bsky.social @marcusrhodes.bsky.social

No Pearls on the Coast Path this afternoon—flight season’s over for the pearl‑bordered fritillaries along the Cornwall coast. But consoled to find this Large Skipper soaking up the sun instead. @bc-cornwall.bsky.social @marcusrhodes.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social

While their caterpillars rely entirely on violets, adult Pearl-bordered Fritillaries need plenty of early spring nectar to fuel their flights. Bugle, dandelion, bluebells are vital, and they also happily visit newly blossomed bird's-foot-trefoil. @bc-cornwall.bsky.social @marcusrhodes.bsky.social

Cornwall Butterfly Conservation's field trip to Pendrift on Bodmin Moor today was special: 70 Pearl‑bordered Fritillaries seen, plus 7 Small PBFs. A lovely sight but seeing Small PBFs reminds us sadly our Pearls have only a few days left to fly. @bc-cornwall.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social

Pearl-bordered fritillary nectaring on bluebell at Fellover Brake, Bodmin Moor. Following a very wet winter, cold easterly winds the past few weeks, and only the occasional sunny spell, numbers are running well below typical levels. @savebutterflies.bsky.social @bc-cornwall.bsky.social

Pearl-bordered Fritillary snacking on Sheep's-bit. One of 44 seen on Cornish coast path this morning. Rain on the way unfortunately. @savebutterflies.bsky.social @bc-cornwall.bsky.social @marcusrhodes.bsky.social

Pearl-bordered fritillaries are finally out on Bodmin Moor. In Cornwall they first appear on the Coast Path near Looe, then at Marsland near Bude, and finally on Bodmin – a sequence shaped by altitude, temperature, exposure and microclimate. @savebutterflies.bsky.social @bc-cornwall.bsky.social

Pearl-bordered Fritillaries on the undercliffs at Murrayton this morning. At this coastal site, they make use of glades created by the frequent landslips.

26 Pearls seen at Marsland Hard Hills yesterday afternoon, matching last year’s peak count, so we’re hopeful for an even better year this year. @savebutterflies.bsky.social @bc-cornwall.bsky.social @marcusrhodes.bsky.social

Strong cold easterly winds on Cornwall Coast Path for over a week. Yet Pearl-bordered Fritillaries show big spirit! 20 seen today—small in size, but mighty! Come on you Pearls! @savebutterflies.bsky.social @bc-cornwall.bsky.social @marcusrhodes.bsky.social

15 Pearl-bordered fritillaries this afternoon on the Cornwall coast path. Lovely to see them again. @savebutterflies.bsky.social @marcusrhodes.bsky.social @bc-cornwall.bsky.social

Cornwall Butterfly Conservation's Open Day is next week! We have some great speakers lined up for the day including @richardfoxbc.bsky.social on climate change, Adrian Spalding discussing Sandhill Rustics & Lesley Strong talking about the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site. Hope to see you there!

I thought it was just a battered Small Tortoiseshell on a muddy patch… but something wasn’t quite right. Then it clicked—it was far too big! My first-ever Large Tortoiseshell, emerging in the sun after months of Cornish rain. @savebutterflies.bsky.social @marcusrhodes.bsky.social

Come and Join Us! @marcusrhodes.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social

Come and Join Us!

Cornwall Butterfly Conservation volunteers had a rather sodden time of it on Bodmin Moor today. We were planting Common Dog Violets to increase the breeding habitat along a new corridor connecting two colonies of Pearl-bordered Fritillaries. At least they've had a good watering in!

Lots of Small Heaths near Garrow Tor this afternoon. @savebutterflies.bsky.social

The brimstone butterfly's leaf-like wing is such a good disguise. @savebutterflies.bsky.social

Sunlight and nectar. @savebutterflies.bsky.social

Clouded Yellow sipping nectar from Birds-foot trefoil. First I’ve seen this year in Cornwall. @savebutterflies.bsky.social

Why so few Small Tortoiseshells? @savebutterflies.bsky.social

Common Blue on Bird’s-foot trefoil. @savebutterflies.bsky.social

Brimstone- not seen many this year … @savebutterflies.bsky.social

Large White. @savebutterflies.bsky.social

This is a very strange photo. I took about 5 shots of this Peacock and they all turned out looking like the butterfly had been pasted onto a grass background. @savebutterflies.bsky.social

Essex Skipper sipping Lavender nectar near Peddars way. @savebutterflies.bsky.social @norfolkbutterflies.bsky.social

Wall Brown seen near Peddars Way today. @savebutterflies.bsky.social @norfolkbutterflies.bsky.social

Essex Skipper seen on Peddars Way today. @savebutterflies.bsky.social @norfolkbutterflies.bsky.social

Brimstone @savebutterflies.bsky.social

Luckless quest for early Clouded Yellows at East Coombe near Lansallos - but saw these 3 surprises instead @savebutterflies.bsky.social

Brimstone @savebutterflies.bsky.social

The Ringlet’s white fringe. @savebutterflies.bsky.social

First Ringlet in the garden. @savebutterflies.bsky.social

Newly emerged Brimstone. @savebutterflies.bsky.social

High Brown Fritillary, Aish Tor. Managed to find them. Thanks! @savebutterflies.bsky.social

Orange-tip caterpillar. @savebutterflies.bsky.social

Heath Fritillaries Greenscoombe Wood 8th June 2025. @savebutterflies.bsky.social

I think it’s a Large Marsh Horsefly.

Heath Fritillaries still going strong at Greenscoombe Wood. About 45 seen today. @savebutterflies.bsky.social

Green Hairstreaks at Aish Tor today. @savebutterflies.bsky.social

Rusty Tussock moth larva @savebutterflies.bsky.social

Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary at Bunny’s Hill, Bodmin. 142 seen today. @savebutterflies.bsky.social

Orange-tip @savebutterflies.bsky.social

Orange-tip

Small Pearl-bordered fritillary on Bodmin Moor yesterday. Exquisite. @savebutterflies.bsky.social

Hooray! I found my first Silver-studded Blue of the year roosting in the company of a Common Blue at St Gothian Sands this evening.