Any readers who have been following my blog for some time may recall that around this time of year I visit Oversley Wood, South Warwickshire in the hope of seeing the elusive and charismatic Purple Emperor butterfly (Apatura iris) (or "His Imperial Majesty"). Over the last four years we have had a number of possible sightings - one a fleeting glimpse near Sallow when D thought he could see the purple sheen (the butterfly disappeared after seconds never to be seen again) and on the last visit a couple of large butterflies high in the canopy. But we have never seen one close-up which would have allowed me to positively id the species. Although I have to say, even without a Purple Emperor sighting, Oversley is delightful with many butterflies seen including Purple Hairstreak, White Admiral, Silver-washed Fritillary and many of the more common species.
This year D suggested we visit Fermyn Woods in Northamptonshire where a sighting seemed far more guaranteed - there are a lot more Purple Emperors seen there and they have a habit of coming down to the ground on a fairly regular basis. Fermyn is only about half an hour further from us than Oversley so it seemed like a good idea!
The Purple Emperor
The Purple Emperor tends to fly high in the canopy of broad-leaved woodlands that have a plentiful supply of willow (larva foodplant) and oaks in central and southern England feeding on tree sap and aphid honeydew. Sometimes the males will come down onto the ground looking for minerals and salts found on animal dung, carrion and road surfaces. This species is not found in Northern England, Scotland, Ireland, The Isle of Man or the Channel Islands and has not been seen in Wales since the 1930's. Goat Willow is the most common food plant for the caterpillars but the female will lay eggs less frequently on Grey Willow and rarely on Crack Willow.
There is only one generation of the adult each year usually at the beginning of July or in some years late June. Males congregate at "master trees" usually at a high point in the wood where they engage in aerial battles with each other, or indeed anything else that might invade their air space, whilst they seek the best vantage point to look out for females.
Groups of Purple Emperor enthusiasts will often wander woods laying out "bait" such as rotting fish, banana skins, shrimp paste and Stinking Bishop cheese to try and encourage the males to come down and feed on it. The butterfly also likes human sweat so if you are very lucky one may land on you!
Doing some research before we went it appeared that few, if any Purple Emperors, were being seen along one of the main woodland rides opposite the gliding club which is usually a good area. Apparently logging has taken place (which hopefully long term will encourage butterflies by maintaining the ride) and so my initial plan was to drive to National Trust Lyveden and walk along the Lyveden Way alongside and then into Lady and Southern Wood where dozens of butterflies were being seen.
Timothy refused to travel in my bag - he was that excited! :)
But as we drove past the Gliding Club we
noticed that people were scattered along the ride taking photographs so we had a change of plan and decided to try this area first of all!
Within a minute of leaving the car we entered the wood.
You could see signs of the recent logging.
Then B and D spotted a large butterfly in the canopy and meanwhile I had spotted a Purple Emperor on the ground - a moment of euphoria at my first confirmed sighting of this magnificent butterfly.
We walked a further 50 yards along the ride and there were two more on the ground. When I think of the hours I spent wandering around Oversley Wood without much success, I can't believe how easy it all was.
Other butterflies seen included various "whites", Ringlet, Silver-Washed Fritillary and Meadow Brown.
Timothy was rather thrilled too :)
Later in the day on the way home we stopped very briefly again at the ride and were rewarded by close views of a Purple Hairstreak (Favonius quercus) although no more Purple Emperors.
Before driving onto NT Lyveden (I will do a separate post on this) we watched gliders taking off.
30 Days Wild Catch-up for the final week
Purple Emperors - see above. Not much can beat that for a random wildlife event :)
Spotting the first Leaf Cutter Bees on the Bug "hotel" and the first Large Skipper of the year in the garden.
Cinnabar moth caterpillars are now really large - I will try and remember to take a photo next week.
Bought another bug "hotel" for the garden.
Checking out urban wildflower areas in North Solihull
A lovely patch of "meadow" by ASDA.
Wildflowers on a traffic island
*D - photos taken by D with the Canon SX50 bridge camera
The rest taken by me with the Panasonic Lumix FZ330 bridge camera
If you want to read more about the Purple Emperor then there is a superb blog with posts on recent sightings at places such as Knepp Wildlands and Fermyn.
Please see here
And yes I am still on Cloud 9 over my encounters with H.I.M. :)
