Purple Emperors were seen today in - wait for it - Fermyn Woods in East Northants, and Tiddesley Wood, Worcs. The Fermyn sighting equals the earliest record for there.
In addition, I'm waiting for confirmation of a sighting in Savernake Forest, Wilts (normally a 'late' site).
Today, I walked the Purple Emperor transect at Knepp - and counted 13. That's remarkable for Day 3 of the flight season there. I may do it again tomorrow.
'Big Bang!' (main pulse of male emergence) hasn't started at Knepp yet, it's imminent.
Here's Vicious Thug of the Day. He'd just chased off one of Knepp's White Storks, and was lining up a flock of teenage Jackdaws -
and cherry stoned fox scats are back on the menu at Knepp -
Also at Knepp, at least two males seen feeding on the tracks this afternoon - but the tracks are bone dry, and the animal dung is desiccating fast in this heat.
This weekend is going to be mega for this butterfly. Skip the wedding, and get out into the woods...
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