It was a hot morning, last week of June and the sun might be a demon. The sun closed its eyes as it climbed in the sky, it might start to swelter. So I made my way to Abbotts Wood as I seem to do every year at this time. Last year though it was cold and there were hardly any butterflies, but this morning as I walked from, what is now a pay and display car park, the Meadow Browns and Ringlets danced in the bracken, a good sign.
On reaching the open area with the Roman Vase, a Red Admiral flew past and settled on the bracken.
Then one of the hardest butterflies to see last year, the Silver-washed Fritillary appeared at just after 9.00am and was nectaring on the bramble flowers. They are the largest fritillary and look striking in their tangerine orange and black markings.
A duller individual, probably a female.
The other specialty of this wood at this time of the year is the White Admiral and they too were sonn on the scene and attracted by the bramble flowers.
This one behaved more like today's target species, the Purple Emperor, settled on the path, imbibing for salts and moisture.
But it was the bramble flowers that held the most attention.
Sometimes mistaken for the Purple Emperor, it is much smaller and has a solid white bar on the upper wings, the Purple Emperor has white spots.
Other butterflies on the bramble were several Commas
And a few Large Skippers.
As I walked along the path there were both male and female Beautiful Demoiselles in the trees.
The main assembly point is along the path, where three paths join the main path. There is a good amount of Sallow, Oak and Pine trees, while below is a good amount of bramble.
Last year it took me four visits before I found a Purple Emperor, but that was then, this is now and I was hoping that the warm and dry weather has been kind to them and they will be about.
It was the bramble though to start with that was the attraction. As I arrived there were six Silver-washed Fritillaries nectaring on the bramble.
There were good numbers of Comma, but for some reason I didn't photograph any. I walked along the ride and came across more White Admiral, this one had me very interested until I realised what it was, another White Admiral.
I thought I saw one Purple Emperor, flying above the trees, but couldn't be sure. I waited, but no other sightings so I set off back along the path towards the car park. Another Beautiful Demoiselle on the bracken.
Last year I had found a Broad-leaved Helleborine by the side of the path at the bend, I had looked earlier, but couldn't find it, coming back I found it almost straight away. It isn't flowering yet, the flower heads curling down as they develop.
I turned the corner and a large butterfly flew past me, it came back and then circled around me several times, flashing the purple wings, it then flew off towards the bend flying low and checking the ground. I had some squash with me and I poured this on the ground, but it took no notice and flew away from me before turning back and finally settling on the ground. I edged slowly forward, but shouldn't have worried as it was busy imbibing.
Showing the eye on the under wing, this confused the camera!
Every so often it would open the wings and show a flash of the metallic purple on the upper wing.
I never tire of watching these lovely insects.
I tried to get around it for a full wing shot, but the light changed and this lost the purple colour, the wings appearing black now.
I tried to get as much as possible.
It turned and closed the wings, showing the eye spot once again.
Then it took off, circled around me and zipped away, I chased after it and watched as it settled on the bracken.
And then it was gone, flying strongly down the path and away from me.
I walked back to the assembly point once again, I wanted to see if there were any emperors about there. I settled in and it didn't take too long before two were chasing each other around the tops of the Oak trees. This was the best shot I could get.
As well as the emperors there were a few Purple Hairstreak around the oaks, but they stayed high and almost out of sight.
I have never managed to see Purple Emperor on my first visit to Alice Holt ever, so to see one today, the first visit and have it settle on the ground was a big achievement for me. Completely satisfied I decided to head home. Walking back along the path a Ringlet finally stopped for me, no closed wing, but an open wing shot with the chocolate brown colouring and the fine white edging to the wings.
Just before the car park, a Small White on the bracken.
On the way home I popped in to Swelling Hill to see if the Violet Helleborines were there this year. Last year I couldn't find them, but I may have gone too late and they had flowered and were then cut down. Today they were showing and were marked, there were two, both yet to flower, probably about a week away, very good to see them though as they are now quite a rare orchid.
A great day, not often I get everything I hope for. Seeing the Emperor is always a special time.
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