30th June - Abbott's Wood, Hampshire and Thursley Common, Surrey

The warm, sunny weather had continued through the week, and this morning was no exception.  It was not for once an early start, but it was still quiet as I pulled into the car park at Abbott's Wood Inclosure at Alice Holt.  Once again the target was the Purple Emperor, last week they had teased us, and while there was a good show from a single female, the males kept themselves high in the oaks.  Today was right in the middle of their season, and I was hoping that finally I would get the views that everyone else seems to get.  Since seeing my first Purple Emperor over five years ago I have never had the stunning views that are possible.  My hope was that today that could be put right.

After leaving the car I wandered around the car park area.  There are several large Oaks here, and all the guide books describe this as a good place to see them.  It was though quite early for them.  I did though get fleeting glimpses of Purple Hairstreak as they flew around the leaves at the top of the trees.

Leaving the car park I headed down the main path.  As well as the beautiful blue skies and sunshine there was quite a fresh north-easterly breeze that kept the air temperature down. There was little activity in the trees, all I saw for the first quarter of an hour was a male Beautiful Demoiselle high in the oaks.  I paused at a crossroads where there was grass, bramble and bracken in full sunlight.  Meadow Browns and Ringlets could be seen amongst the grass stems, always the first butterflies to become active in the morning.

I continued on, with more Meadow Browns about by the side of the path, and every so often the sight of a Purple Hairstreak flying across the path.  I was able to follow one, and watched it settle on a leaf high up in the oak.  Not the most stunning photograph of one I have taken, but a record of my first for the year.

There were lots of perfect sites along the main path, tall and large Oaks with Sallow underneath or alongside them.  There was though no sign of my quarry.  Still it was quite early, although the other butterfly species were beginning to appear.  This Large Skipper nectaring on a bramble.

I found myself back at the crossroads I had stopped at earlier, as well as the Meadow Browns and Ringlets there were skippers here too, taking in the warm sunshine on the bracken fronds.

A male Marbled Brown weaved its way through the grass stems, pausing every so often to catch the sunshine.

Beautifully marked on both the upper wing, and under wing

This is the best time of the day to catch them as they can remain quite still on the grass stems.  Later on they zip past you as they start to search out a mate.

One of the commonest butterflies in Hampshire is the Meadow Brown, and therefore not a frequent photographic subject.  But where with the lovely green background, and the pink of the thistle flower, they are worthy.

The other brown butterfly seen early in the morning was the Ringlet, despite its brown appearance the presence of the round dots on the underwing set the butterfly aside from the Meadow Brown.

The tactics were to walk back and forth along the main path.  after completing at least three of these I decided to venture a little further.  The adrenaline had increased briefly a little earlier when a Red Admiral flew around me in an open patch, only for it to settle on the ground and reveal itself as just that, a Red Admiral.

As I headed up the path there was someone ahead.  He was standing by the side of the path holding his camera.  As I got closer I noticed a strange shape on the path.  Looking through binoculars I could see that the shape was indeed a butterfly.  My pace quickened, as did my heart beat.

Yes at last it was a Purple Emperor on the ground, and imbibing from a damp patch on the path

As it opened it wings I could see that it was a male, however the distinctive purple on the upper wing was not showing due to the angle of the light.

Slowly I tried to move around to photograph from a different angle, but it continued to hold the wings high, showing the beautiful markings on the under wings.

As we stood watch the Emperor, a gust of wind blew it over, it was knocked sideways, but never stopped imbibing, as it did roll over I was treated to a short flash of the beautiful purple colour on the upper wing

It settle back, with the wings raised, and I made my way around it slowly photographing it from all angles.

It continued, unconcerned, to feed.

The suddenly without warning it was off, flying up strongly and over our heads and around the trees.  I managed to relocate it sitting in an Ash tree.

Then it was off again, this time out of sight.  The thought was that it would return, and we hung around, wandering every so often up and down the path.  After a time it was decided that it was not going to return, although the pulse quickened when this White Admiral appeared on the path

I walked back down the path to the junction where I had seen the Red Admiral earlier.  Here there were several Oaks, and also quite a few Sallow so there was the chance that there could be one around.

We stood talking, and waiting.  Suddenly a large butterfly could be seen flying along the path and heading for us.  It flew around my head, moving slowly down, and allowing me to see flashes of purple as the wings caught the sunlight.  At firs I thought it would land on me, and while that would be a lovely experience it would not be good for photography.  My fears of this though eased as it flew away and settled close by on the ground.

At last, stunning.

Cue the camera shutter!

I know they all look the same, but for me this one is the best one!

Then it was gone, flying away with the heavy wing beats that show how strong a flyer this superb insect is.  Was it well worth the wait, well clearly yes, but I just wish it hadn't been such a long time.  There were fleeting glimpses of males flying around the oaks, but not of anymore on the ground.

Walking back to the car park I managed to locate another Purple Hairstreak on an oak leaf.  A little better view this time.

In a sunny patch a Silver-washed Fritillary flew around the path and over the bracken, settling briefly on the leaves.

Another stunning butterfly, but with out the majesty of the Emperor.

Before setting off I walked around the car park once more, this time walking into the picnic area.  There was a line of bramble, and lots of thistle in flower, and this attracted a Large White.

After Abbotts Wood it was off to Thursley Common in Surrey.  A male Red-backed Shrike had been reported in the week, and was still present this morning.  The car park was full, but eventually a space appeared.  After lunch it was out onto the heath, and then walking along the boardwalk.

The shrike was occupying an area around Pudmore Pond, and the best viewing area was from the boardwalk on the south of the pond.  As I arrived it wasn't showing, and I walked along the boardwalk to look for dragonflies.  There were Black-tailed and Keeled Skimmers, as well as Four-spotted Chasers all over the pond, but I managed to find an adult male Black Darter.

I was looking for something unusual, and this Black-tailed Skimmer sitting on a reed stem provided it

Walking back along the boardwalk I picked up the Red-backed Shrike perched on a branch of a pine tree in the middle of the reeds.  Yes the light was good, but the bird itself was a long way off, and I was only able to get a record shot

Since the second world war the red-backed shrike has declined as a breeding bird in the UK, to the point where it was found to be extinct as a breeding bird.  Recently there has been a few records of the shrike breeding, but this lovely little has become quite a rarity at this time of year.  My only sightings have been of juvenile birds in the autumn, although I have seen plenty in continental Europe.

I wanted to get a better view, so decided to walk around to view from the north side of the pond.  It was closer, and yes the light was not good but it was possible to watch the bird better.

From the south side, I had seen the bird fly from the tree and out across the reeds, returning to the same perch.  From this side when it returned after one of those forays I could see that it had caught a Four-Spot Chaser

I watched the bird, but after catching the dragonfly, it seemed to settle down in the shade of the tree, and didn't move.  It was hot and time to move on.  As I walked back I noticed a damselfly in the heather.  Closer in I could see that it was an adult Emerald Damselfly

I walked the boardwalk, stopping at the pools to watch the dragonflies.  Here a female black-tailed skimmer.

And a female laying eggs in the weeds

A Four Spot Chaser

And a Brown Hawker, the first time I have managed to photograph one

Back at the car park it was still busy, and quite hot.  It was time to leave.  It had been a memorable day, one to remember.  Finally I had managed to see a Purple Emperor in all its finery.  Definitely not a case of the Emperor's new clothes, stunning.

23rd June - Monks Walk, Gosport and Whiteley Pastures, Hampshire

06:45 am:  Shortly after pulling up at Monks Walk, Ian arrived.  The weather was in complete contrast to the Saturday before.  Clear blue skies, warm sunshine and hardly any breeze.  We were back again in an attempt to find the White-letter Hairstreaks we had seen at height last week, down lower on the bramble.  There had been reports of them not being seen from 9.00am, so we had decided not to take any chance and arrived early.

As we walked into the old car park, the first butterfly we saw was a first for the year, a rather worn Marbled White.

Walking over to the bramble bushes Meadow Browns were sunbathing on the leaves.

06:55 am:  As I moved away from the Meadow Browns to allow Ian in to the small space in front of the bramble, I noticed an orangery brown butterfly to my left sitting on a bramble leaf in the full sunshine.  We had found what we had come for, a White-letter Hairstreak, and one at a height where it was possible to get some great shots and the opportunity to really enjoy this delightful butterfly, and all before 7.00am!

In trying to get closer it was not easier to avoid throwing your shadow on the butterfly.

So sometimes it was better to stand back.

And maybe to change the aspect.

The White-letter Hairstreak is one of our more-elusive butterflies and as we have found it flits high in the treetops, often appearing as a dark speck against the sky. It gets its name from the letter "W" that is formed from a series of white lines found on the underside of the hindwings.

It forms discrete colonies which are sometimes very small containing only a few dozen individuals. Colonies are typically focused on a small clump of trees such is the situation at this site. These butterflies are not great wanderers and will reuse the same site year after year. 

This was everything we had hoped for, and found ourselves already thinking about where to go, but before that we had another look around this small site.

Several Marbled Whites were now on the wing, although they would also sit in the sunshine.

A pair together in the sun.

Always a lovely butterfly to see.

It was still only just after 7.00am, but the butterflies kept coming, the firs Small Skippers of the year.

While they had been flying about they would also settle on the grass stems to catch the morning rays.

Even being joined by a small hover fly.

The Hairstreak, was still around, and I had one more photograph before it finally disappeared around 7:30am.

8.00 am:  We had planned our next destination, but didn't expect to be leaving as early as we were and arriving at this time at Whiteley Pastures.  We set off down the main path with the sun catching the verge and grass on the west side.

There was not much butterfly activity to start with.  As we came across some old branches and dead wood in the sunshine we found a Black-tailed Skimmer warming up

Then a little further along a Broad-bodied Chaser.

As I stood by a large area of flowering bramble out of the corner of my eye I saw a large insect fly across the path and settle.  Getting in close it was a Longhorn Beetle.

I did not expect to see a White Admiral as the first butterfly, but one appeared around the bramble and was very active.  It took a while before it settled and allowed any photography, the bramble being the attraction.

A first for the year they are as impressive on the under wing as on the upper wing

In full sunshine this patch of bramble was always likely to be an attraction to the butterflies, and when I saw movement around the flowers I moved into get a closer look.  I expected another butterfly, maybe a Meadow Brown, but was pleasantly surprised to find this Hummingbird Hawkmoth.

And it put on quite a show.

We left the bramble and continued along the path.  The verge opened up a little more, and was quite damp in places, and here Common Spotted Orchids were flowering.

The sun was now well and truly out, and along the rides our first Silver-washed Fritillary appeared.  This one was a little damaged.

But it didn't take long for another perfect specimen to come along

In the grassy areas things were definitely on the move.  On our initial walk by nothing was moving, but as we came back there were several Meadow Browns, some fly by Silver-washed and White Admiral, and another first for the year, a Large Skipper.

Attracted to the Bird's Foot Trefoil

Another prospect was the Ringlet, and just after Ian had finished describing the difference between the flight pattern of a Ringlet and the Meadow Brown, a Ringlet appeared to illustrate the point.

Whilst a brown butterfly the "eyes" give it some presence.

Whites have been fairly difficult to see this year, here a Small White.

We were here for one main character, the supporting cast were doing a fine job, all the possible year ticks appearing early on, but what we were after was the Purple Emperor.  They had been seen the previous day, and the conditions looked good.  The sun was now hazy through thin cloud, and we continued to walk up and down the main path.  The White Admirals kept coming, asking questions at first as to whether they could be the Emperor, but quickly dismissing the though when settled on the bramble.

Several streams cross the path, and in the dappled sunlit areas Beautiful Demoiselles could be seen.  This either a female or immature male.

The darkness of the trees providing the perfect background for these stunning damselflies.

A Red Admiral next, whilst not a year tick, the first I have photographed this year.

Time was moving on and the old familiar doubts were returning.  Every year we come looking for Purple Emperor, and every year we find ourselves staring at Oak and Sallow Leaving, getting the odd glimpse but never the real deal, and then returning home to see photographs of this wonderful butterfly on peoples shoes, or sitting on the path in front of them.  We were keeping the faith, but as we photographed the first Comma of the day we were beginning to wonder if it was going to happen again.

We continued to walk up and down, and all the supporting cast continued to perform, but where was the main event?

A Large Skipper

Another White Admiral

A male Beautiful Demoiselle flashing its wings as it settled on the leaf.

Here the wings folded showing the blue sheen

And a pair of Large Red Damselflies

By now the cloud had become a little thicker, and the conditions cooled.  We had been here from 8:00 am, and by now a little hungry, so decided to return to the cars for our early lunch.  We returned to the main path just after midday, and as we approached the one spot where somebody claimed they had seen an Emperor earlier. As we did so we both saw a large butterfly appear at the top of an Oak.  It flew around and was then joined by another as it flew to the left.  There may even have been three as they buzzed around the top of the oaks before one settled high in the tree, of course.  I was able to get a record though

As we stared up at the oaks and couple passed by, and after telling them that there were Emperors above, they told us they had just had one on the path about 30 metres from the gate.  They even showed us the photograph.  I can't repeat what I said.

We made our way back to wait and see.  Eventually a dark butterfly flew out of the hedge on one side,a crossed the path and settled in an oak on the other side.

All I could see at first was dark wings and white markings, and initially dismissed it as another White Admiral, but as I got closer it was clear it was a female Purple Emperor.

It was then a case of how I could get the best view, and while the butterfly did not move the angle of my shots has slightly.

Then as I positioned myself once more she raised her wings.

This being the best one I think.

Then she was off, and gone.  We stood and waited, and had some teasing glimpses of more at the top of the trees, but they never came down.  The cloud moved on, and the sun came out in force and it was then I realised that we had just had our best view.  Still these were the best emperor photographs I have been able to get so far.

Dragonflies had been about though.  A Golden-ringed flew up and down the track never stopping, as did the many Emperor dragonflies, finally this one stopped.

It was time to move on, and we followed the path into Botley Wood, and off in the direction of Toby's Pond.  Walking along the tree lined path there were plenty of spots with dappled sunlight, and in these the Speckled Wood thrived.

As we approached the pond Ian found this dragonfly and has convinced me that it is a female Ruddy Darter.

Four-spot Chasers were dueling over the water of the pond, and then returning to favourite perches before setting off again to defend their territory.  This one though was photo-bombed by an Azure Damselfly.

They would find interesting places to perch.

Around the reeds were more Azure and Large Red Damselflies.

We decided to make our way back, but paused by the side of a stream where the sunlight was lighting up some grass and plants.  As seems to be the case ideal conditions for the beautiful Demoiselle.  This male being extremely confiding.

The colour in the wings being produced by the light refraction on the wings.

When we finally came back to the main path the sun was completely out, and it was hot.  Whilst we stared once again at the Oak and Sallow I don't think we thought we would see the Emperor again, and so it turned out to be.  Still we had experienced a great day with some wonderful insects, and as for the Emperor, the season is still quite young, ther will be other opportunities over the next couple of weeks.