www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

Has anyone seen a purple emperor yet this year (in the UK)? They were on the wing by this time last year - I saw one near Oxford on 29th June and photographed another individual the next day. I'm quite surprised not to have seen any piccies on this site yet, given that it's such an early year. Or have I missed a post?

I haven't seen any here in the mountains either, but I've heard of them in lowland Europe.

Guy

Hi Padfield.
Cetainly they have been seen this year. I was watching two sparring yesterday at Goose Green on the Alice Holt forest complex but the trouble is they are always up high and they have sense.I think they dont like to get their feet wet.
They have also been seen at Bently Wood near Salisbury, again either just a fly-by or up high in the oaks.

Hope this answers your question.

Regards

Colin

Thanks, Colin. That's reassuring to know. It seemed strange they hadn't figured on these pages yet, given that they are always so lovely to watch.

I see they do appear on the 'sightings' section, with their first appearance on 19th June.

Guy