Visiting Knepp

 Knepp Wildland will again be welcoming visitors to see Purple Emperors this June and July.  The butterfly is likely to be on the wing there from around June 16^th to late July, peaking during the last week of June. 

Knepp’s famous Purple Emperor Safaris, established 2014, are just about fully booked (some places available for June 24^th and 27^th).  Also, there are spaces available for general Butterfly Safaris on June 19^th and 22^nd, and also July 20^th, 22^nd and 24^th (the July dates could be very late in the Purple Emperor season).  See https://knepp.co.uk/safaris/. 

The self-guided Purple Emperor Walk will run along the same route as 2024, starting from the Visitor’s carpark at Knepp’s Wilding Kitchen & Shop just off the A24 at Dial Post [location (https://what3words.com/remains.icebergs.race).  It follows the Red Route.  A printed route map will be available in the shop. 

Purple posts have been erected at main viewing points (mainly male territories), though activity levels depend upon cloud cover and, especially, wind speed and direction.  Males are on territory from about 12.25. 

Again, the black barn along Green Lane will function as Purple Emperor HQ from June 16^th till July 7^th, with Knepp volunteers likely present there at weekends (11am – 4pm) and on weekdays (12pm – 4pm).  There will also be people, myself included, wandering or cycling around the route to assist visitors. 

This is a long walk and a lengthy visit – Knepp ’s not a pop-in site.  Come for the day, and enjoy the shop and food facilities (cake is an essential part of the Purple Emperor season…). You can have breakfast and lunch at the café. There is a BBQ on Friday evenings and evening meal on Saturday evenings. Purple Emperor males can even be seen in the oak canopy gaps along the hilltop lane from the west side of the shop! 

Purple Emperor numbers could be unusually high this season, due to the fine spring, though much depends on flight season weather. 

Males may be feeding along the tracks, at almost any time of day though especially in mid-morning, though this behaviour will cease at the start of July (it’s an early season phenomenon).  Late in the season you’re unlikely to see any Emperors before noon.

Crucially, for Emperors, always look on the sheltered leeward side, even if that’s the shady side.  That is where there’ll be.  Most sightings are in or around canopy gaps between veteran oaks.  

Knepp Wildland holds by far the largest Purple Emperor population in England, but is not a one-trick wonder.  You will see White Storks, and may hear Turtle Doves.  The Purple Hairstreak is likely to be numerous there this year, and Knepp also offers a scattering of White-letter Hairstreaks, White Admirals, Silver-washed Fritillaries and many Marbled Whites and other commoner butterflies.  Enjoy!