Knepp Wildland will be open for Purple Emperor visitors again this year, primarily from June 20th to July 12th (which should coincide with the peak season period). It involves a long walk and a full day - so come for the day.
Please park in the main visitor carpark, at the Swallow Barn visitor centre just off the A24 at Dial Post. This is now a pay & display carpark, but your parking fee will be reimbursed if you spend £20 or more in the shop and/or restaurant. Fees are £3 for 5 hrs (reimbursable) or £5 for up to 10 hrs (£3 reimbursable).
A Purple Emperor route map will be available from the shop (and also from the camping, glamping & safari centre at New Barn Farm).
Please follow this route. It runs past most of the best spots. Bring your lunch and plenty of water, especially if it's hot. It takes 10-15 minutes to get into the sallow areas, though the odd Emperor can be seen anywhere (including along the oaks along the lane near Swallows Barn, even from the queue for the loos).
The best male territories will be marked with Purple Posts, indicating where to stand to watch males up in the oak canopy gaps (afternoons only - the males are not on territory during the mornings, they're exploring). Other good viewing spots will be marked with Purple Bunting.
There will be a number of volunteers along the route, helping visitors to the hotspots. Once again, Purple Emperor head quarters will be in Lower Barn, along Green Lane.
Crucially, Emperors gather out of the wind: in a west wind, they will be on the east side of the oaks, and vice versa. Never look on windward edges.
During the first third of the flight season, Emperor males descend to feed along the Knepp tracks, especially on cowpats and fox scats - but they only do this during the first three of four days of their lives. This year, it is likely that males will not be descending to feed after July 1st.
I will be at Knepp from June 13th to 20th, and again from June 27th to July 4th. See you there...
fro from the camping and glamping centre
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