Purple Emperor emerge at Oversley (& pits sightings)

                                         Purple Emperor - oh yes !

Silver-washed Fritillary

His Majesty sat high above us

Ringlet

Marbled White

Lots of colour all along the path

 

Silver-washed Fritillary

After a poor morning at the pits I decided to try Oversley Wood to see if I could find an early Purple Emperor. The car park has been closed and new fencing errected since my last visit so I was pleased that access to the car park was again possible even though there were huge pot holes by the gate. These pot holes would damage a car so please be careful.

The Squire joined me, first walk since recovering from virus, and we didn't need to work very hard as a stonking male came down for salts on dog excrement. From one angle simply no purple was on display yet when I walked to the other side we witness full purple wings. 

Also during our visit we recorded our first Silver-washed Fritillarys of the year, Large Skipper, Ringlet, Meadow Brown and Marbled White.

Jons Sunday count included: 6 pairs Little Grebe, 2 Cormorant, very close views of an almost tame Great Egret on the works pool, 2 Grey Herons, 11 Mute Swans and young, 11 Greylag, 51 Canada Geese, 280 Mallard (new broods took total to 20), 74 Tufted Duck, 9 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 100 Coot now, 3 pairs of LR Plover - new brood of chicks out, 1 Ringed Plover heard flying over during shower, 27 Lapwing, 1 Curlew SW, NO sandpipers!, usual 3 spp of gulls, 1 male Cuckoo seen in usual tree near main pit but now silent, 80 Swift, 2 Sand Martin, 1 Treecreeper in plantation, 2 Corn Buntings in wheat field, all the usual warblers, Yellow Wagtails etc. Butterflies included Marbled White and Small Skipper. Nitgrass in flower. 1 Weasel seen.

Purple Emperor emerge at Oversley Woods, Alcester

Red indicates hot spot areas for Purple Emperor this year
(Yellow route will complete a circular route)

                                           White-letter Hairstreak

His Imperial Majesty emerged at the start of last week at Oversley Woods, Alcester. The woods are very close to the town and only five minutes from the pits when there is no traffic. The Purple Emperor is the second largest butterfly in the UK, only the Swallowtail is bigger, and is restricted to just a few locations in England.

The males can not be mistaken as they have an amazing iridescent purple scheen on their wings whilst the females are more of a deep brown.

If you plan to see one don't think they are easy to find. The species spend most of their time high in the trees and only land on the ground when they need to take on minerals.

Since posting the first pictures of this years butterflies I've had a stream of messages of where to park and walk. The Sat Nav postcode is B49 6LR, the turning is fairly hidden so slow down when appraching the postcode. The short drive way leads to two small car parks either side of the A46. The car park has a couple of large pot holes so be careful. The car park can be busy so if you see a spot grab it! The area has a history of car crime so please don't leave anything on display. The police are aware and so stop by. Nothing reported for over a month.

Once under bridge, bear right to enter the wood. The foot paths are generally good but can get a bit sticky if wet. The butterflies can be seen anywhere however I have marked on the map above the areas where they are seen most often. After a 500 yard walk you will reach the "traingle" which starts the circular route both ways. I pick my routes based on the temperature. Going straight on and over the next ride as proved very successful so far this year. There are some very tall conifers at the base of the hill and ferns on your right.

The books recommend either side of lunch but I've had some great sightings late afternoon and early evening. The temperature is probably the key, most definatley not too hot.

I've only seen one White-letter Hairstreak this year whilst the Purple Hairstreak are flying around at the top of oaks. Good luck if you are coming !