Stunning photos show how the hot and dry summer has led to a influx of a colourful migrant butterfly species flocking to British shores this month.
The clouded yellow butterfly travels from North Africa and Southern Europe to bring an annual splash of Mediterranean colour to the UK.
Wildlife photographer Andrew Fusek-Peters managed to capture beautiful snaps of the winged insects taking flight at Venus Pool nature reserve near Shrewsbury.
Numbers of the striking-looking species are said to be the highest seen in more than 30 years.
Andrew, of Lydbury North, Shropshire, said: "This has been a really good year for clouded yellows one of the few benefits of the drought to hot summer.
"Large numbers of clouded yellow butterflies are coming from the continent and breeding with new butterflies emerging in September.
"It looks like some are staying to breed and there is an argument that this could now be called a UK breeding butterfly.
"But many would argue they are still just migrants who die off over winter and then come across the sea again next year.
"One theory behind the name clouded yellow is that they have been seen coming over in clouds of many thousands over the sea from France various times in the last centuries.
"I have specialised in photographing butterflies and it’s quite rare to be able to get this butterfly in flight, it really is stunningly beautiful."
Take a look at the beautiful pictures below:
1. Composite image depicts Clouded Yellow Butterfly in flight at Venus Pool nature reserve near Shrewsbury, Shrops. // Colourful photos show how the hot and dry summer has led to a influx of a migrant butterfly species to British shores. The clouded yellow butterflies travel from North Africa and Southern Europe bringing a splash of Mediterranean colour to the UK. Wildlife photographer Andrew Fusek-Peters managed to get stunning snaps of the winged insects taking flight at Venus Pool nature reserve near Shrewsbury, Shrops. Numbers of the striking-looking species are said to be the highest seen in more than 30 years.
Andrew Fusek-Peters
2. Composite image depicts Clouded Yellow Butterfly in flight at Venus Pool nature reserve near Shrewsbury, Shrops. // Colourful photos show how the hot and dry summer has led to a influx of a migrant butterfly species to British shores. The clouded yellow butterflies travel from North Africa and Southern Europe bringing a splash of Mediterranean colour to the UK. Wildlife photographer Andrew Fusek-Peters managed to get stunning snaps of the winged insects taking flight at Venus Pool nature reserve near Shrewsbury, Shrops. Numbers of the striking-looking species are said to be the highest seen in more than 30 years.
Andrew Fusek-Peters
3. Clouded Yellow Butterfly at Venus Pool nature reserve near Shrewsbury, Shrops. // Colourful photos show how the hot and dry summer has led to a influx of a migrant butterfly species to British shores. The clouded yellow butterflies travel from North Africa and Southern Europe bringing a splash of Mediterranean colour to the UK. Wildlife photographer Andrew Fusek-Peters managed to get stunning snaps of the winged insects taking flight at Venus Pool nature reserve near Shrewsbury, Shrops. Numbers of the striking-looking species are said to be the highest seen in more than 30 years.
Andrew Fusek-Peters / SWNS
4. Clouded Yellow Butterfly at Venus Pool nature reserve near Shrewsbury, Shrops. // Colourful photos show how the hot and dry summer has led to a influx of a migrant butterfly species to British shores. The clouded yellow butterflies travel from North Africa and Southern Europe bringing a splash of Mediterranean colour to the UK. Wildlife photographer Andrew Fusek-Peters managed to get stunning snaps of the winged insects taking flight at Venus Pool nature reserve near Shrewsbury, Shrops. Numbers of the striking-looking species are said to be the highest seen in more than 30 years.
Andrew Fusek-Peters / SWNS