Tree top visitor

The cold Northerly and grey skies over East Anglia of late have made for limited Butterflies on the wing. However, there’s always something to see. Indeed the cold windy weather had perhaps driven a usual tree top dweller down to eye level on one butterfly tour last week.

I’ve always wanted to see the unusual looking Snakefly. However, they rarely come down from the tree canopy. Thanks to Tim, friend and guest on a tour last week, I eventually crossed it off my bucket list when he found a couple one of which was this female. It was friend James that ‘keyed it-out’ for us to identify it to Oak Snakefly, one of the four British species.

That neck – just amazing.

White, Blacks and Purples

On the Wood White and Black Hairstreak day a couple of weeks ago we managed one or two of each. However it was the appearance of a Purple Emperor at a site in Northamptonshire – a first for the wood we visited – that was a total surprise. Next years tour is open for bookings – https://www.wildlifetoursandeducation.co.uk/tours/special-day-tours/

 

 

Purple Emperor Day

Our day tour to Northamptonshire for our Purple Emperor Tour was a complete success. At times it was as if we couldn’t get away from Emperors and Silver Washed Fritillaries, Next years tour is open for bookings on the website here. White Admirals and White letter Hairstreak and several other species thrown in too!

Scarcities on the wing

A trip into Northamptonshire last month spawned a day trip for next year (see this link) in search of Wood Whites and Black Hairstreaks. Wood Whites are like floating pieces of tissue paper whereas Black Hairstreaks, one of the UK’s scarcer species,  are tree top dwellers but it’s possible to find a few at ground level … as per the photos. Let me know if you’d like to make a booking.