Large Tort seen in Bucks yesterday!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/239297882845682

A pair (probably males) of Purple Emperors jousting above the master oak at Dene Park, Kent, at midday yesterday. This first sighting at this site is 4 days earlier than my sightings in previous 10 years. Before you ask i live about 1 mile away

The first Purple Emperor sighting post has appeared on Butterflies UK forum on Facebook. A reliable contributor but no location mentioned yet.

I have now seen the full report on the QOSF in Neil Hulme's diary.

The Butterflies UK facebook group reports QOSF seen in Peacehaven yesterday!!
I cant add a link as it's a closed group but here's a screenshot.

Monarch seen in Hampshire apparently.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/2140026 ... 330077341/
Cheers.
K

Hi Charles I have had this film, including the cinema trailer, for a number of years and knew about the CB in the opening scene. This film has always interested me as some of the filming locations are in my area. FYI the house that features prominently is Gabrials Manor, Marsh Green Road, Edenbridge...

Dene Park today. Didn't think i'd would have any joy with it being heavily overcast and 18C. But then someone important dropped in for lunch!

West Kent yesterday:

Dene Park. A single PE spotted in the canopy at the usual hot spot.

Lullingstone Park. 2 or 3 dozen Marbled Whites on Orchid Bank by the golf course but no DGFs seen. Notably there were vast numbers of Blue damselflies at the site, probably Common Blue but I am no expert.

Weather permitting I'm heading for Strumpshaw Fen from Kent early this Friday 2nd June hoping to see Swallowtail for the first time. Currently travelling (by car) alone but room for 1 or 2 members/diarists if you can make TN10 by 0730. I would welcome the company and expertise! PM me if interested. ...

This programme was mostly informative but had a lot of very annoying parts eg use of (clearly) dead adults positioned on flower heads, promotion of butterfly collecting, and sequencing an emerging adult from a pupa with a very worn one moving off. Also seeing live butterflies and moths glued to wire...

This programme was mostly informative but had a lot of very annoying parts eg use of (clearly) dead adults positioned on flower heads, promotion of butterfly collecting, and sequencing an emerging adult from a pupa with a very worn one moving off. Also seeing live butterflies and moths glued to wire...

As I have not seen many PE posts this year (not surprised considering the 2016 weather) i thought i would post these (uncropped,300mm lens) proof shots from the small colony at Dene Park Tonbridge TN10 taken lunchtime today.
As a beginner I am still waiting for that elusive, decent, ground shot!

Thanks! message to self - must read the diaries more often

On one of the insect groups on Facebook someone has posted an image of a Monarch seen in Brighton. I will post the image on here later when I get home tonight.

Just got back from Dene Park, Tonbridge, Kent.
PE definately flying saw several individuals circling the master oak.
here are some severely cropped images taken with my 200mm zoom.

Ahh the winter slumber is over!
This morning the pleasant first sighting of spring - Mrs Brimstone seen dancing over the hedgerows in North Tonbridge.

loving this thread.
here's a musical clue...

Silver-spotted Skipper Continues To Spread I will always remember looking longingly at the naïve illustrations of Silver-spotted Skipper in 'A Butterfly Book for the Pocket' by Edmund Sandars, originally published in 1939. This was my first butterfly book and it still has a place on my bookshelf. i...

.... and now Essex!
https://twitter.com/Boudicca_1970