Where to spot the Pearl-bordered fritillary in Devon

One of our most beautiful butterflies and a rare one, found at only a handful of sites in the county but worth making the effort to see. Probably the best way to see one is to join a guided walk by the Devon section of Butterfly Conservation.

This species can be seen on the wing from mid-April, in a good year. In keeping with the rest of the fritillaries it has striking orange-coloured wings with brown spots but underneath look for the row of seven silvery ‘pearls’ on the border of its hindwing as well as two further pearls nearer its body.

The pearl-bordered fritillary is a colourful spring butterfly (Image: David Chapman)

This butterfly can be found at Marsland Valley (see below); Aish Tor, Dartmoor; Ashclyst Forest; Dunsford Meadow; Great Torrington Common and Haldon (see butterfly-conservation.org/in-your-area/devon-branch for events and more information about butterflies in Devon)

Bluebells in flower in the Marsland Valley (Image: David Chapman)

Marsland Valley

Marsland Valley is a nature reserve owned and managed by the Wildlife Trust, it is situated on the very border between Cornwall and Devon between Hartland and Bude and is famous for its butterflies.

The variety of habitats in and around this valley and its potential to provide for wildlife was first recognised by Christopher Cadbury. His family’s interest in confectionary and religion is well known but Christopher was also a keen and highly respected conservationist who purchased land around the world in a bid to protect it for future generations to enjoy. In the 1960s he bought land around the Marsland valley whilst, at around the same time, he became president of the Royal Society for Nature Conservation, a position which he held until 1988.

More recently Devon Wildlife Trust has managed the valley by coppicing woodland to provide suitable conditions for wildflowers to thrive. The wildflowers, in particular dog violets, are essential for butterflies to find a source of food both as caterpillars and adults. The management here has been very successful and some rare species have thrived whilst elsewhere they have declined. This is a special place for the pearl-bordered fritillary which can be found from late April into May and the small pearl-bordered fritillary which is on the wing from May into June.

devonwildlifetrust.org

For more of David’s photography see davidchapman.org.uk