What a contrast from yesterday! In prefect conditions Houghton Forest was full of butterflies:
Red Admirals (lots!),
White Admiral (only one),
Gatekeepers,
Ringlets,
Meadow Browns,
Marbled Whites,
Large &
Small Skippers,
Commas,
Silver-washed Fritillaries and at the very end of the walk a fly-by
Purple Emperor at TQ0016110978. It was a joy to see some action after what has, and will be recorded as I'm sure, a challenging year for butterflies in Sussex & Hampshire.
I then thought I might as well have a look at the Knepp Estate as I haven't been for a while and I duly found it heaving with
Purple Hairstreaks but only one rather ragged
Purple Emperor which posed for a picture in the tree tops. An added bonus here as I managed
not to get horrendously lost this time!
Red Admiral:
Gatekeepers mating:
Large Skipper:
Silver-washed Fritillary:
Marbled White:
Comma, rare for me this year!:
Purple Emperor at Knepp:
