Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Emperors on the wing at Bookham Common today!

Hi all

Checked out the rides at Bookham Common (Surrey) this morning with nothing showing other than WAs and SWFs. Moved back to the Hill Farm territory and almost immediately saw a single male PE perched in the oak canopy. Soon after I saw a pair in combat and then a group of three having a scrap... Left about 3.30pm with the emperors still active. Have added a few pics from the afternoon. Cheers - Rob Hill

 
Male sat in canopy

                                                              
                                        Single male in flight

                                                                        
                                         Pair chasing
 
 
Three in a fight
 
 
Fearless Instinct! Male PE chasing a sparrowhawk
 
at

9 comments:

  1. Neil HulmeJune 17, 2014 at 12:14 PM

    Hi Rob,
    Congratulations! Emperor vs. Sprawk might win photo of the year for me.
    BWs, Neil

    ReplyDelete
  2. RobJune 17, 2014 at 12:26 PM

    Cheers Neil

    ReplyDelete
  3. Matthew OatesJune 17, 2014 at 12:30 PM

    OMG! I think this is the earliest appearance since 1893!

    ReplyDelete
  4. UnknownJune 17, 2014 at 1:15 PM

    Hi Matthew, remember - I spotted a PE on the wing at Bookham on the 13th June in 2011. Cheers Rob

    ReplyDelete
  5. Liz GoodyearJune 17, 2014 at 2:34 PM

    BC national site show that it was the 13th June 2011 was the earliest
    http://butterfly-conservation.org/files/first-sightings-2002-to2012.pdf

    ReplyDelete
  6. Matthew OatesJune 18, 2014 at 11:42 PM

    Yes, I got confused: I thought 2011 kicked off on June 18th. I'm away on Exmoor working Heath and High Brown fritillaries....

    ReplyDelete
  7. Philip Byerley JohnsonJune 21, 2014 at 4:26 AM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Philip Byerley JohnsonJune 21, 2014 at 4:58 AM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Philip Byerley JohnsonJune 21, 2014 at 5:30 AM

    My apologies, third time lucky.
    I would just like to highlight & recommend the excellent National Trust Tunnel Car Park near the Bookham railway station for all those chasing Purple Emperor butterflies at Bookham Common, Surrey. :)
    Best Wishes

    ReplyDelete

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