The Emperor's Purple Clothes

Purple Emperors are famed for their love of dog poo and rotten banana skins and there is plenty of both in Fermyn Woods near Oundle. However, we didn't see any Purple Emperors in Fermyn on Wednesday (20th) but a walk through to Lady's Wood was very productive with around 12 individuals coming to the woodland track (no dog poo or banana skin needed). Great animals- big and beautiful and incredible how they can look black/brown and white until the sun catches them just right (such in the last photo). 

Other Fermyn Butts

Sunday (17th) saw Mike Weedon and I visit Maxey Gravel Pits and Frampton Marsh RSPB. Due to excessive sun and a broken tripod we soon decided a visit to Fermyn Woods near Oundle was in order. However afternoons are no good for Purple Emperors if it is hot (why we didn't go there in the first place I don't know). However Silver-washed Fritillaries showed well and was good to get some decent images.

The White-letter Hairstreak pictured below was seen on Wednesday (20th) when Pops and I returned to Fermyn. All though a little tatty, was good to see as didn't see any at a traditional site near Peterborough later in the day.