Purple Emperor

Trik · #1 (**permalink**) 27-06-2010, 05:54 PM

We have been four times to Bentley Wood, Hampshire, which is supposed to be a good site for this butterfly, but haven`t even seen one, let alone had a photo opportunity. What would be the best time of the day to have the most chances of seeing them, please?

Thanks
Trik

aeshna5 · #2 (**permalink**) 27-06-2010, 06:01 PM

Still a bit early yet, I'd leave it for another week or two. I don't know this site well (went there once years ago) but generally for a photo oppurtunity you need luck in the morning when the males may come down on various things such as dung + other unsavoury delicacies.

After midday they tend to be in the tree tops near the highest point fighting it out with others. Obviously you need warm weather with reasonable amounts of sunshine.

Trik · #3 (**permalink**) 27-06-2010, 06:35 PM

Thanks, aeshna5.
I see from the ukbutterflies website that it is `flying now`, but, of course, it doesn`t say in what numbers or where. What I would prefer not to happen (again) is for us to turn up and be told "You should have been here last week!"

Trik

aeshna5 · #4 (**permalink**) 27-06-2010, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trik

Thanks, aeshna5.
I see from the ukbutterflies website that it is `flying now`, but, of course, it doesn`t say in what numbers or where. What I would prefer not to happen (again) is for us to turn up and be told "You should have been here last week!"

Trik

Forecast is looking good for south for the next few days so may be worth giving it a go. If you dip, there'll be another oppurtunity this season.

Susie · #5 (**permalink**) 27-06-2010, 09:57 PM

As far as I am aware his Majesty isn't on the wing yet but I'm waiting for a sighting any day now. People of the purple persuasion who know about these things say they don't expect to see him before 28th and as that is tomorrow I'd keep fingers crossed for this coming week. I have to work tomorrow but can't wait for Tuesday as I'll be out hunting.

Can't wait!!!!

P.S. The word is that this could be another good year for abberants too judging by some of the abberant white admirals and small torts that are turning up at the moment.

Za · #6 (**permalink**) 27-06-2010, 10:07 PM

I read that they can sometimes be found in Bookham area, I`m off Tuesday and Wednesday this week and the weather looks promising so I might have a wander down there.
From the pictures I have seen in the Gallery they look quite spectacular. Good luck with your hunt Trik!

Za

aeshna5 · #7 (**permalink**) 28-06-2010, 05:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Susie

As far as I am aware his Majesty isn't on the wing yet but I'm waiting for a sighting any day now. People of the purple persuasion who know about these things say they don't expect to see him before 28th and as that is tomorrow I'd keep fingers crossed for this coming week. I have to work tomorrow but can't wait for Tuesday as I'll be out hunting.

Can't wait!!!!

P.S. The word is that this could be another good year for abberants too judging by some of the abberant white admirals and small torts that are turning up at the moment.

I'm guessing it's a good year for aberrants as we had some cold nights not too long back + now very hot, which can affect them in the pupal stage.

aeshna5 · #8 (**permalink**) 28-06-2010, 05:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Za

I read that they can sometimes be found in Bookham area, I`m off Tuesday and Wednesday this week and the weather looks promising so I might have a wander down there.
From the pictures I have seen in the Gallery they look quite spectacular. Good luck with your hunt Trik!

Za

I'll be leading a London Natural History Society walk there looking for these + others on Sat 10th July. We've never failed over the years unless the weather has been awful.

Za would you be kind to let me know of any Beautiful Demoiselles you see there- how many + where as they appear to be a recent colonist at Bookham.

Susie · #9 (**permalink**) 29-06-2010, 02:08 PM

His Majesty is on the wing, I saw him today.

and a valezina silver washed fritillary too!

Za · #10 (**permalink**) 29-06-2010, 11:01 PM

I was talking to the people who look after Bookham Common and they told me that you should go to the Purple Emperors master tree, usually a big oak where they hang around, and from there go to the nearest dog poo bin as they love a bit of that, all sounds a bit mad to me, but these are the people who know, they gave me a map with 2 trees marked on it, so I`ll need to try and get down there again soon with my new found knowledge!!

Za