Knepp 23/06/25

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Encouraged by reports that Purple Emperor were now being seen we visited Knepp today. Weather was mostly sunny though quite breezy.

The helpful staff at the office gave a map showing a 'purple trail', being the route offering the best chance of seeing his majesty. The best spots were marked with purple poles in the ground, and were opposite tall oaks (master trees) that the Purple Emperor favour. At one site I could see a few in the tops of the trees, though only in flight. However, Purple Hairstreak were no problem to see, often at eye level.

At the next site we were fortunate to bump into Matthew Oates, the authority on the Purple Emperor. With his help we saw more in the tree tops, and he happened to mention that they will come down to ground level attracted by fresh cow pats! Soon after he left a male did exactly that, and was watched imbibing salts from a cow pat for about 45 minutes, surrounded by an appreciative audience. 

On the way back we found two more males having a scrap at ground level, though they didn't hang about.

Other butterflies seen today included Silver-washed Fritillary and Ringlet.

Adult White Stork were seen in flight on a few occasions, also a couple of Red Kite.

Purple Emperor on cow pat. Viewed from this angle there was no purple reflection from the wings.

The side view showed purple.

Underwing of Purple Emperor 





The head on view showed 'double purple'







Section of the 'purple trail'.

The second Purple Emperor

Purple Hairstreak

Silver-washed Fritillary

Hornet

Beautiful Demoiselle

White Stork nest

Fallow Deer



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