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
9 comments:
Hi Rob,
Congratulations! Emperor vs. Sprawk might win photo of the year for me.
BWs, Neil
Cheers Neil
OMG! I think this is the earliest appearance since 1893!
Hi Matthew, remember - I spotted a PE on the wing at Bookham on the 13th June in 2011. Cheers Rob
BC national site show that it was the 13th June 2011 was the earliest
http://butterfly-conservation.org/files/first-sightings-2002-to2012.pdf
Yes, I got confused: I thought 2011 kicked off on June 18th. I'm away on Exmoor working Heath and High Brown fritillaries....
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
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