Neil Hulme

[David M]

You're having a fabulous time of it right now, Neil, and long may it continue as it is well deserved. Those Emperor numbers are beyond notable and Knepp really does seem to be the hotspot for them.

PS - Could your 'dashboard' Emperor smell the essence of unwashed moleskin trousers on your car seat?

[Neil Hulme]

Hi David
I can't be that specific - the entire fabric of my car stinks at this time of the year.
BWs, Neil

[Neil Hulme]

Fabulous Fermyn (Part 1)

On Thursday (27 June) I headed to Fermyn Woods. Having spent so much time at Knepp recently (and with eight safaris to co-lead there over the next two weeks), I was keen for a change of scenery, and also for the opportunity to photograph some more freshly emerged male Purple Emperors; most/all of the males are now out at Knepp. Although groundings are becoming far more regular at Knepp, Fermyn still outguns Knepp in this respect. In terms of population, Knepp is now in a league of its own. Although still early in the Northants season, I saw no more than c.30 emperors on either of the days I visited, despite the females being well out (three on Thursday, two on Friday).

I spent most of the two days in the excellent company of Dave Walker, who I'd met at Noar Hill during the Duke season. It was also good to catch up again with Dave Williams (plus brother), who I'd recently bumped into at Daneway Banks, and Bill & Mrs Seager (of the Fermyn Light Horse). Unfortunately, it seems I narrowly missed Neil Freeman.

The first thing I noticed on arrival was the excellent and much talked about ride widening through Fermyn proper; well done Forestry Commission! Within relatively few years, if left unmanaged, the Purple Emperors, Silver-washed Fritillaries, White Admirals and White-letter Hairstreaks would all have disappeared, leaving just Speckled Woods; it seems that many would prefer this, and are being quite vocal about it! That said, being such a well visited site, it would probably have been preferable to lift the brash mats (which protect the ground from the worst of mechanical damage) and chip them; so only 9 out of 10. The next thing I noticed was the constant rain of honeydew (I've seldom seen so much), which eventually started to gum-up my camera.

This first day of my visit was all about trouserings, of which I enjoyed four. In order to get the best angles I spent some time rolling around on the floor, performing contortions that Louie Spence would be proud of. I soon set to work laying belachan soup baits, which proved to be my most successful mix yet; apologies for the stink (not really). 95% of the emperor groundings (about 20 over the two days) came to the lures, together with c.30 Comma, a few Small Tortoiseshell and several hundred flies.

[Neil Hulme]

Fabulous Fermyn (Part 2)

My second day (28 June) at Fermyn proved to be even better, with some very fresh males descending to the rides from about 10.30 am onward. Emperors were still flying when I finally left the site at 7.30 pm (six hours later than planned). Although my belachan soup was the main draw, one male showed his appreciation of my Red Bull (other energy drinks are available; never give Red Bull to small children or babies). He's probably now at Knepp.

The best action came just before 4 pm, when a coupled pair of emperors drifted down from the canopy - manna from heaven. This allowed several of us the opportunity of some really rare shots.

As always, Fermyn provided some great experiences and created some wonderful memories. I certainly won't forget the happy hour I spent gazing at a perfect moon hanging low over Brigstock, with the air full of screaming Swifts.

[Jack Harrison]

Surely you can sell that Red Bull picture to the manufacturers of the drink? It might make a fortune for BC.

Jack

[millerd]

Extraordinary stuff, Neil. Those photos really cannot be bettered in my book.

Dave

[Jack Harrison]

Dave: Extraordinary stuff, Neil. Those photos really cannot be bettered in my book.

When is your book going to be published Dave?

Jack

[Wurzel]

WOW Amazing Any chance you could spread some of your soup over at Bentley Wood?

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[Janet Turnbull]

Fabulous photos Neil - and that couple !
I'm going to Fermyn on Sunday - have to stock up on Red Bull in the absence of magic soup!

[trevor]

A pair in cop. on the ground has to be the ultimate purple experience.
We did see a high speed rejection chase along Countryman Lane on Thursday,
that was pretty spectacular, if brief.
Will Red Bull now outsell Tesco Tuna ?!. .

A great season.
Trevor.

[Jack Harrison]

I have to wonder whether a photo of a pair of PEs in cop is a first?

Jack

[bugboy]

...
I could go on but I might crush my phone through shear envy

[Neil Freeman]

Hi Neil,

Yes, apparently I just missed you. Dave Williams told me about the photos on the can of Red Bull but I wasn't prepared for the pair in cop...superb

I am pleased to hear your views on the forestry work which confirm my suspicions. I had noticed how shady that ride was becoming on my last visit 3 years ago.

Cheers,

Neil

[David M]

Absolutely tremendous, Neil, even by your standards.

How are you ever going to top that?

[Enthusiast]

My wife was still not convinced I am not spending my time with drunk mates at the pub when I showed her this:

Was nice to meet you Neil and to watch your shooting technique - I admire your patience though impatience has its dividends as well sometimes:

[ernie f]

Neil - What can I say that has not already been said. A mating pair of PE's ON THE GROUND!!!!

And then, almost as an afterthought - one of the most brilliant pics I have ever seen of a male PE with all four wings purple.

Crumbs.

[Jack Harrison]

I wouldn’t disagree with comments that these are superb photos. However Neil has been taking photos of PEs for many years and many of the earlier ones are equally food: he really does set the standard. And take note: Neil uses a bridge camera not a DSLR

That photo of Neil “getting down to work” shows dedication that isn’t really necessary. For many years my arthritis has stopped me from such gymnastics. I am not alone with my difficulties. An articulated screen overcomes these issues. Think about it for you next camera Neil. You’ll be older then

Jack

[MikeOxon]

As others have said, a remarkable set of images, Neil, and a just reward for all the work you put into butterfly conservation

[Goldie M]

Hi! Neil, I second what everybody has said about your shots, quite fantastic,
I'm still puzzled though why so many trees were cut down when maybe branches could have been cut that were hanging over the paths and bushes taken out. I also realise they've so many trees to cut! ( Wood to sell )
I was at Fermyn two years ago and it was lovely up that road, I saw my first Emperor's there ( on the road,) SWF's, PHS's and even a WLH, the first thing I thought when hearing about the tree's being cut was
" what will happen to all the Butterflies that were in those trees they've cut down",
I believe in conservation but thought this rather drastic, if it helps, great! they've done the same at Gait Barrow for the Dukes when we were there this Spring and only two were seen, the Emperor's do seem okay at Fermyn and I'm hoping to get some shots this coming week-end, Goldie

[Neil Hulme]

"Thank you" to everyone for your generous comments. I'm delighted with that set of images, which will help me to relive the experience itself; a truly magical two days during the best butterfly season we've enjoyed for a very long time.

Thanks for that image, Enthusiast, which really captures the balletic nature of our pursuit. We should get a formation team together and go emperoring to music.

Hi Goldie. If you go https://butterfly-conservation.org/ and type 'woodland management' into the search facility, you will find a wealth of material on the subject, which explains why work of this nature is essential to the health of woodlands. There is a fantastic report at https://butterfly-conservation.org/our- ... -and-moths although it is far from a quick read. I've written two small books on woodland management for butterflies and moths (which are much easier going) and can be requested (free) from Butterfly Conservation HQ.

Looking at Fermyn, I wonder what the outcry would have been like when FC cleared the area many hundreds of times larger than the recent work, towards the end of the last century? It is only because of this that the vast swathes of naturally regenerating sallow developed, leading to the creation of the Purple Emperor Mecca we see today; you can't have one without the other. We know from bitter experience, since the mid 20th century, that it is the lack of large scale woodland management which leads to the local, regional and potentially national extinction of some woodland butterflies, particularly the early successional habitat specialists.

It will be interesting to revisit this topic a few years down the line, but for now I would appreciate that any further comments are placed in a separate forum thread; it's very difficult to find the time to maintain this diary while so much is going on out there! Good luck with your visit this weekend; I'm confident that you'll see plenty.

BWs, Neil