Fritillaries

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Essex used to support a number of fritillary species but all but the pearl-bordered fritillary became extinct in the 1800s or early 1900s. This disappeared in the 1940s and several unsuccessful attempts have been made to reintroduce it.

One species, the heath fritillary, has been reintroduced successfully into sites in south-east Essex, including Hockley Woods, Hadleigh Great Wood and Pound Wood. A second species, the silver-washed fritillary, has recently found its own way back, and is now breeding successfully in several Essex woods.