Enfield Emperors

Two males were still on territory this afternoon at the Whitewebbs assembly area.

Assorted Doings

Apologies for lack of postings - IT problems with home server. 

The Emperor season is gradually winding itself down, though people who haven't seen the butterfly yet this year will still be able to do so next weekend at many localities (but note that males have largely stopped coming down to the rides).  At 'late' sites, such as Savernake, individuals will linger on for another two weeks, though activity levels will steadily decline. 

The overall picture is of a patchy season.  Numbers have been quite good at some localities, though the butterfly has been distinctly scarce in Sussex and at some individual localities, including Savernake Forest. 

This pattern has been complicated by the fact that activity levels have been very good on some days but distinctly poor on others, which means that some people have had hugely successful expeditions whilst others struggled to see the insect - in similar weather conditions.  Obviously, the weather has largely been Vile, bar eight stupendous days which coincided with peak season. 

Above all, it's been a season of quality rather than quantity, not least because at least nine good aberrations have been seen - in three different counties.  Interestingly, all bar one of these individuals have been photographed.

Please note that this blog functions all year round, not just during the flight season.  So feel free to post pictures and observations after the busy summer season, and note that several regular contributors also follow the butterfly through its immature stages, in the wild and/or in captivity.  Some of us are big on the caterpillars.  This blog never sleeps...

Essex Emperors

Another interesting post from uk-leps yahoo group:-

The Colchester Natural History Society had a trip to Marks Hall Estate, Essex on 22 July and recorded 6 Purple Emperors and a number Silver-washed Fritillaries. Both species were re-introduced to this locality a few years ago. I just hope the appalling weather we are having this year doesn't ruin the chances of the survival of these colonies.

His Majesty on Dunstable Downs on 4th August

Thought this posting to uk-leps yahoo group may be of interest:-

We drove through heavy rain to get to Whipsnade for lunch in a pub. Then went for a walk along the tops of the downs starting at the Chiltern Gateway visitor centre. By now a sunny gap between the showers had moved in. Lots of meadow browns, a few Marbled Whites and Burnets, the odd Gatekeeper seen. But the highlight was back at the visitor centre where a large odd butterfly was being blown along in the wind. It stopped on the grass and was almost trodden on by kids. It shot off downwind. I went out and took a look, and found it on the glass wall of the visitor centre. Purple Emperor was the last butterfly I expected to see up there! And in the middle of the day too. With its blue irridescence and markings it was unmistakable. I rescued it and took it to a quieter spot away from the kids dogs and parents. After resting a fair while on my hand it started to walk up my arm and then launched and disappeared downwind and was gone. It seemed fairly weak so I guess it was getting elderly. However it looked in good condition. I've only ever once seen a purple emperor from a distance a long time ago. so a very pleasant surprise to find one in an unexpected location today. I didn't know there were any at all in the Chilterns?

 I managed to upload a couple of pics here:

 http://i405.photobucket.com/albums/pp133/FlyByWire_FlyByWire/6db33f2a.jpg

http://i405.photobucket.com/albums/pp133/FlyByWire_FlyByWire/eabe04af.jpg

Mike Rubin

A Little More From Sussex

Just a single male at the Brickkiln Ponds territory near Stansted Forest today, looking rather lonely. Sadly, this is par for the course in Sussex this season.

Hello everyone, I'm Rachel; Derek has kindly invited me to contribute to this blog. I met the purple emperor for the first time last week, and as you can see from this photograph we became well acquainted. I'm not completely sure if I was flattered by his decision to climb on to to my finger, as I believe that he likes smelly, disgusting things! It was a very hot day, but in my defence I had put my finger in a tin of shrimp cat food and then moistened it. A big sacrifice for a vegetarian! I really love this type of interaction with nature and have grown to love and respect butterflies more and more over the last few years. I found the purple emperor to be something special. It wasn't just  the beautifully patterned embroidery on his wings and the flashes of bluish purple in the sunlight that intrigued me, it was the sound of wings as he circled round me and the uniqueness of his fearless, mischievous character. He, not I, was in charge of the situation, and he was calling the shots. Fortunately, the purple emperor chose to pose!

You have probably already guessed that I have a tendency to anthropomorphise. And yes, I do talk to butterflies and other creatures!

Sussex Update

Following recent Purple discoveries in East Sussex by Peter Farrant (2+ males at Warningore Wood) and Michael Blencowe (single males at Wadhurst and Middleton Plantation/Brocks Wood), I headed to the latter location with Michael this afternoon. In the breifest of weather breaks, and despite strong winds, we saw a pair of males in combat at 15.30 hrs, followed by a very large female in the wayleave at just past 16.00 hrs. We now know the source of the Emperors which have visited the back garden bird table of a B&B in the nearby village of Streat in recent years.

Elsewhere, despite tragically poor numbers in Sussex this season, single Emperors have been seen on several of the unusual sites found along the very crest of the South Downs, stretching from Heyshott in the West to Lewes in the East. Hopefully next year will see the start of a local recovery.