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APPENDIX: Details of Purple Emperor Sightings in the UTB area during 2009

 

 

DATE

OBSERVER

 

LOCATIONa

 

grid reference

MICRO-LOCATIONb

grid reference

NUMBER SEEN AND SEXc

TIMEd

WEATHER CONDITIONS

BEHAVIOURe and comments

25.6

Wendy Wilson

Langley Park TQ015819

About 200m south of the main car-park in Billet Lane along a mown grass section of the Colne Valley Trail (known here as the Wellingtonia Avenue) at its junction with a path called Bennett Walk near a wooden sign saying Bennett Walk.

1M

midday

Hot and sunny

It flew low over the grass ride, did a couple of slow circuits and settled on a bare patch of ground for a minute.  (Excellent sighting through binoculars.) Then a noisy helicopter flew over and it shot up to the oak trees behind the Wellingtonias on the Billet Lane side. 

25.6

Chris and Pat Dennis

Oakley Wood

 

1M

12-00 noon

Hazy sunshine

Settled on main track down from car park

27.6

Mick and Wendy Campbell

Moorend Common

Oak tree territory SU8014790503

1M

13.55

 

Exhibiting typical territorial behaviour, chasing birds etc

28.6

Mick and Wendy Campbell

Waterperry Wood

Along main track and surrounding trees. SP6063309289 and SP6058609137

2M 1F

 

Hot and sunny

Two males flying around trees by the track, for about 5 mins.  Before disappearing. Onere-appeared, landed on birch, and then resumed flights at lowish trajectory. Female seen being pursued by a Meadow Brown or Ringlet before landing on Sallow, staying there for 15 mins with its wings open

28.6

Jim Asher

Finemere Wood

Down on main track

1M

 

 

Hind wing with a chunk out of it: bird attack?

28.6

Dennis Dell

Little Wood

Large Ash tree at top edge of wood; SP625157; established master tree

1

16.20 to 16.30,then 16.50 to 16.02

Hazy sunshine, hot

Several very brief  flights around and close to the top of this Ash, which has been seen to be used for the last few years

28.6

Chris & Pat Dennis

Oakley wood

Start of main track and footpath entrance to car park.

1M

10-45am

Bright sun

Came from the tall oaks bordering the car park flew close to the ground up and down the main track then Settled for very short time.

29.6

Mick and Wendy Campbell and Tony Croft

Rushbeds Wood

1.        Ash edge territory SP6663115863

2.        Railway SP6727715453

3 [2 on territory, 1 by railway]

14.50 to 16.45

27 deg., sunny then overcast

1.  Two  in the 'territory' ashes near the gate into the meadow. Lots of flights of one PE commencing at 2.50pm in ideal conditions, 27C, then joined briefly by a 2nd PE which flew off over the trees.

2. seen flying over the trees along the railway line edge

29.6

Dennis Dell

Finemere Wood

1.        Oaks at southern end: SP721216 and 720215

2.        northern edge territory SP714222

4/5

14.30 to 17.05

27 deg., sunny then overcast

1. Saw briefly flying around two large Oaks [2]

2. from 15.32 to 15.45, two males clashing, and  very brief flights in the canopy. Back at 16.19 until 16.40; no canopy activity, but one male low down on small Ash under Oak at top corner

29.6

Malcolm

Brownsword

Oakley Wood

Beneath oaks close to car park

2 M

12.50-13.05

27C   Hazy sun

The first dived from the oak trees and flew  along the verge on the west side of the path at a height of  approx. 4 feet. It then alighted on the path several times. The second one, minutes later also  flew along the path at an altitude of approx. 4 feet and alighted on dog faeces close to the red bin for depositing such material! It then flew along the path, alighting briefly twice before flying off. The two males were seen simultaneously for approx. 1 minute.

30.6

Mick and Wendy Campbell

Stanton Gt Wood

Ash territory at south-west edge

2

15.30

Cloudy but hot

This territory was discovered previously by the Campbells. Aerial combat was observed at 5 to 10 minute intervals

30.6

Dave Ferguson

Black Park

Strawberry Wood TQ01228449, TQ01418447, and TQ01298446;

Heathland TQ01158420

 

1 M, 2 F

10.55 to 12.30

Hot and sunny

TQ01228449: at 10.55; male, settled repeatedly on path, staying up to 1 minute

TQ01298446:at 11.10, female,  settled repeatedly on path, staying only a few seconds

TQ01158420: at 11.40, female, flying around sallows 5m up

TQ01418447: at 12.30; as 2 above, almost certainly the same individual

 

1.7

Dave Wilton

Finemere Wood

Territory nr turning circle [1]; big oak at southern end SP72142161 [2]

3

pm

Hot and sunny

SP72142161: between 13.50 and 14.10, one circled gap above ride between oaks and sallows and pines, 50% perching; twice it was joined by a second, in the same area, but there was no interaction. The third was seen at 14.25, in the territory along the ride about 50m from the turning circle

1.7

Dennis Dell

Waterperry Wood

Along main north-south track

5

10.30 to 11.15

Hot and sunny

SP607097: two seen briefly, 5 minutes apart, flying low around the small oaks at the edge of the ride bfore making off above the trees.

SP607094: one flew rapidly low along ride and then away

SP606092; one [male] grounded; a second flew above the Oaks and away

1.7

Chris Dennis

Finemere Wood

1]Turning circle in middle of wood SP718219

2] Oak at SP721422

1] 2F,  4 M

2] 1

14.00

Hot and sunny

1] one female possibly ovipositing; one female flying with four males in pursuit

2] one around Oak [see Wilton 1st July]

1.7

Becky Woodell

Oakley Wood

SP602112

1M

10.45

Hot and sunny

On dog faeces on ride near entrance gate, in shade. Flew into sallow then returned to ride

1.7

Becky Woodell

Oakley Wood

SP604114

1M

11.00

Hot and sunny

On ride, then flew into trees

1.7

Mick and Wendy Campbell

Holton Wood

Public footpath through wood

SP599079

2

15.45

Hot and sunny

One seen flying through big Oak, then up and over; the second was flying at tree top height across the gap in the canopy where the footpath runs through

2.7

Mick and Wendy Campbell, Dennis Dell

Sydlings Copse

1] Ash trees at far end of meadow SP545095

2] field below high point

1M, 1F

1] 13.10

2]14.40

Hot and sunny

1] gliding backwards and forwards over tops of Ashes

2] flying near Sallows, then flew up to Oaks and disappeared

2.7

David Redhead

Shabbington Wood

Turning circle SP627106

1M

 

Hot and sunny

Grounded, taking minerals from moss on the surface;

2.7

Mick Campbell

Oakley Wood

Car park

1

11.00

Hot and sunny

Flying rapidly over tops of trees

3.7

Becky Woodell

Whitecross Green Wood

SP600145

1

p.m.

 

Flew slowly along ride, at about 3’; dropped into grass for several minutes before flying a few metres to a low shrub: ca 4m high; stayed for about 1 min before flying off slowly into the trees nearby

3.7

Wendy & Mick Campbell

Boarstall Wood

High point territory by cottage SP635134

2M, 2F

16.05 to 16.45

Hot & sunny

Males chasing in Ashes behind cottage; females in Sallows

4.7

Dave Wilton

Ham home & Hamgreen woods

1] SP69461885

2] SP69721923

1] 1

2] 2

10.45 to 12.00

Started sunny, became cloudy

1] circling an oak by small pond, brief sighting at 11.10

2] above ride, circle of ashes and oaks; 11.26, landed on oak and stayed until at least 11.50; the second flew around the territory several times

4.7

Nick Bowles

Private woods in Grendon area.

Main north - ride

5

10 to 11

sunny

At least 4 seen all along this long ride; one seen in the ride separating two woods.

4.7

Dave Wilton

Private woods in Grendon area.

Many locations: see ‘behaviour & comments’

16

13.55 to 16.00

Mainly overcast

a) 13.56 flew from road up into poplars

b) 14.45: flight round top of oak where it alighted

c) Between 14.55 and 15.15, saw 8 in tops of oaks; at least two females along sallows

d) At 15.16: flying around small ash

e) Flew across ride at 15.20

f) One

g) Three [2M one F], all on one oak leaf at one point, 3.23; all fell off into  a sallow.

4.7

Field meeting, 18 participants

Bernwood forest

Oakley car park, main [Piccadilly] track to turning circle; track to York’s wood and Hell Coppice

18

10.30 to 14.00

Fair, cloudy and sun, ca 20 to 23 degrees

Cannot write details in full. Seen mainly in car park and along Piccadilly; in particular, between SP6229010845 and turning circle, 8 seen, gliding between trees, perching and clashing’

Dave Redhead’s separate group saw one  at SP612103

5.7

Monica Jones

College Wood

SP790330

1F

 

 

grounded

5.7

Chris Hazell

Black Park

Strawberry Wood

1M

9.30 to 11.00

Partly overcast, warm, sunny periods

Gliding around large oak, seen for about 20 seconds

5.7

Field meeting, 10 participants

Bernwood forest

Oakley car park, then track [Piccadilly] to turning circle

10

10.30 to 14.00

Not so good as yesterday; a lot of cloud, rain for 15 mins, sunny at end [20 degrees]

One seen on dog faeces in car park at 9.30; 11.00: two sheltering low in trees [oak and wild service] at SP612113; a 3rd flew over. 11.40: flying over oaks at SP6213910906; 11.50, two clashing at SP6231410823; 12.10: one flying in the rain at top of oak at SP6264310657; on return: two clashing at SP6204311022 at 12.45; at 13.00. one flew low across low part of Piccadilly track at SP6139611226; back in car park, a male put on a fine display, landing on fingers, cars giving plenty of photo opportunities

 

5.7

Mick Jones

Dancer’s End reserve

Anthill SP90020939

1F

 

 

In duke of burgundy habitat; flying low around scrub for 2 mins, before flying further away out of sight; appeared again shortly after, flying at about 20’ following the ash, field maple and willow contours at the western edge of the clearing

5.7

Penny and Gerry Kendall

Oakley Wood

On track 50m down from car park

1

p.m.

Fair: about 20 degrees

Circling oak

5.7

Wendy & Mick Campbell

Little Wood

Territory at high point edge

5

13.00 to 13.10

Hot & sunny

SP6232015811: one flying along tops of oaks

SP6245515768: two on big ash, chasing

SP6247915798: two on oak, chasing

5.7

Cathy Harris

Warburg reserve

Canopy near car park SU717878

1

Late pm

Hot & sunny

Flying in mixed deciduous canopy

5.7

Wendy & Mick Campbell

Moor End Common

1]South meadow

2]middle meadow

3]near power lines & road

3

15.10 to 16.15

Late afternoon

1] SU8030790349: flew from sallow then  over an oak

2]SU SU8013190731: flying over large oak in new area across the road from middle meadow

3]SU99490514: perching & flying in oak near power lines & road

5.7

Wendy & Mick Campbell

Piddington Wood

1] wood edge SP6304416305

2]’vista’ SP6284816025

3]footpath by meadow SP6295116152

1] 4

2] 4

3] 1

1] midday and 13.55

2] 13.25

3] 13.45

Hot & sunny

1] flying around sallows, oak and ash

2] all ash trees occupied; very active, chasing

3] flying and perching on oak

7.7

Wendy & Mick Campbell

Piddington Wood

Wood edge SP6304416305

3

 

poor

Activity during short sunny spells

7.7

Colin Williams

Finemere Wood

Turning circle

2/3

12.00-13.00

Between showers

 

9.7

Dave Wilton

Waterperry Wood

Along main north-south ride

4

13.10 to 15.00

 

Female at northern end, flying around sallows and settling; one about halfway along, and another two males a bit further along

9.7

Dennis Dell

Private wood in Grendon area.

Southern half of wood

5

14.00 to 16.00

Mixed cloud and sun, about 19 degrees

Three near southern end of long main north-south ride, one female further north, and the fifth along ride to the east

9.7

Wendy & Mick Campbell

Penley Wood

SU764294014

1

12.20 to 13.00

 

Same territory as in previous years. Tall Ashes encircling 2 large sallows. 3 sightings in this period

9.7

Becky Woodell

Rushbeds Wood

Above car park SP673154

1

13.25

 

Brief flight at tops of trees above car park before settling

10.7

David Redhead

Bernwood forest

1] SP627106

2] SP629102

 

2

p.m.

 

1] female flying along rideside trees

2] female flying in N-W direction in M$0 compensation area

10.7

Wendy & Mick Campbell

Stanton Little Wood

SSE edge of wood

6

12.00 to 12.45 and back at 16.50

Sunny intervals

Four patrolling above tree line between SP5898711220 and 5891511144.One flew away from wood.  One at 16.50 at SP5848211039 ; flew out of Sallow

10.7

Dennis Dell & Richard Soulsby

Finemere Wood

 Eastern ride, whole of main north-south ride and at northern edge Ash territory

5

14.25 to 16.45

Mixed cloud and sunshine, about 19 degrees

SP721216; flying around large oaks.

One in turning circle, briefly

One, maybe two, typical very brief flights in ash canopy at northern end

200m further east along edge, one flew from meadow low towards trees

Between turning circle and ride junction, flying around tops of small oaks

10.7

Wendy & Mick Campbell

Stanton Gt wood

Along eastern edge

6

From 14.00

 

This edge is the lowest point of the wood; flying over ash/oak; one at SP59070, one at 5912709504, four at 5921609355; two flew across field towards waterperry

10.7

Colin Bell

Moorend Common

Garden in cottage by south meadow SU802902

1

 

 

Resting on winter flowering viburnum about 5m from ground for about 15 mins

12.7

Linda & Stuart Hodges

Finemere Wood

Main central ride at SP719216

1M

16.45

 

Landed in Oak about 15’ up for about one minute then flew towards turning circle

12.7

David Redhead

Hell Coppice

SP610101

1M

2.22 to 2.34

 

Old car park; 4 short flights in tree tops

12.7

Chris Dennis

Whitecross Green Wood

Central ride crossroads

SP602146

1F

12.45

sunny

Flew past up to Ash; landed near top; flew twice in and out of this Ash

12.7

Wendy & Mick Campbell

Homefield Wood

High point SU8103487310

1

14.40

Cloudy, little sun

Patrolling high up in canopy

12.7

Chris Dennis

Finemere Wood

Just south of the turning circle

1M, 1F

14.00

sunny

Flew down from oaks and then back up over the other side

13.7

Rob Hill

Finemere Wood

Main ride

1

 

 

 

13.7

Steve Croxford

Sheephouse Wood

Centre of wood at rides x-roads

1

noon

Mixed sunshine and showers

Flying high in the oaks near x-roads; seen during a sunny spell

14.7

Dennis Dell

Runt’s Wood

SP7242623185

1F

14.05 & 15.45

Cloudy, 19 degrees

On large sallow at edge of public bridleway; seen again [or a dofferent one] nearly two hours later on different sallow a few metres away

14.7

Wendy & Mick Campbell

Chinkwell Wood

Several places within and at edge of wood: see behaviour

9

12.25 to 14.50

Poor; heavy rain at first, then cool & cloudy with a few sunny spells

SP6676814398: two flying above ashes overlooking salix caprea along main ride.

SP6678314450: two flying over & perching on conifers behind stand of salix caprea

Same spot: one female flying low over sallow; all three flying together at one point

SP6677714696: one flying over top of conifers at high point [410’] overlooking salix caprea

SP6664114506: two flying over tall conifers

SP66825914535: one ‘wood-edging

14.7

Steve Croxford

Finemere Wood

Along main ride about 100m from entrance

3

17.10

Bright with gusty wind

Flying around tops of oaks on either side of the track; the gusty wind was making them fly hard in short bursts

14.7

Andrew Bolton

Combe Wood

SU359596

1

 

 

Exactly the same spot as last year

14.7

David Redhead

Shotover Park

Tree line on shotover plain SP567061

1

9.00 am

 

 highest oak trees at 08:58am;  male Purple Emperor flew from out of the left hand oak, along the front of the two oaks and disappeared around the back of them. Stayed for nearly another 10 minutes without a further sighting

15.7

Dennis Dell

Chinkwell Wood

 main track

1

15.00

Very windy, some sun

Flying high across ride through middle of wood

15.7

Dave Wilton

Finemere Wood

1]SP719216

2]SP719217

3]SP720215

1] 1

2] 1

3] 2

1]15.04

2]15.40

3]15.45

 

1] along section D of transect, flying along oaks and sallows

2]along main ride, G, flying at mid-height around oak

3] also along main ride G, low level clash, lasting about 30 secs; then female settled on hazel, and other flew off

16.7

Dennis Dell

Private wood in Grendon area.

In central area where most observations are made

2

12.35

19 degrees, 30% sunshine

One circling sallows, one at corner of sections G/H.

16.7

Wendy & Mick Campbell

Stanton Little Wood

Outside of wood: see behaviour

 3 F, 1M

12.45 to 13.40

Mostly cloudy with short sunny spells

SP5860110962: one female flying low near salix caprea

SP5851311014: one male flying over top of oak; one female flying low by small sallow

SP5877811055: one female flying halfway up oaks, 50m from salix caprea

16.7

Wendy & Mick Campbell

Piddington Wood

SP6304716306; south-east corner

1M, 1F

15.00

Sun only for 5 mins

Male flying over top of oak territory, female flying in salix caprea

16.7

Dave Ferguson

Finemere Wood

Main track, 250 m from entrance, SP72012164

1F

14.00

Warm, cloudy

Flying around sallow to west of track, about 4m up

16.7

Alan & Juliet Gudge

Moorend Common

Bridleway under power lines

1

16.15

 

Flew at high and low level over bridleway

18.7

Chris Dennis

Whitecross Green Wood

Car park

1

13.50

 

On \oak at edge of car park

18.7

Wendy & Mick Campbell

Sheephouse Wood

Northern end, rides x-roads SP7015423626

1F

noon

Warm with sunny intervals

Flew out of salix caprea and perched in nearby birch

19.7

Dennis Dell & Matthew Oates

Finemere Wood

Turning circle

2F

14.00 to 16.30

Very poor;  17 degrees; raining with just one 20 minute sunny interval

The two were busy in and around the sallows; ovipositing was definitely taking place, in both a big broad leaved sallow and also in a small narrow leaved sallow.

20.7

Wendy & Mick Campbell

Between Romer &Woods and between Greatsea & Balmore Woods

1]SP7120722555, bottom of wide ride

2]SP7143123044, trees on either side of main track

2 M,  2 F

11.30 to 15.30

Mainly cloudy with sunny intervals

1] one seen flying out of salix caprea, 2nd flying above oaks above sallow; brief interaction before they flew off; probable male seen again above oaks before it settled in small oak 20’ up, probing for sap;’ watched if for 10mins

2] 1st seen flying along main track, over top of conifers above sallow; 2nd was female; flew out of sallow and perched low on conifer; at 12.30; male seen again above conifers at 15.30

21.7

Loren Eldred, Gary Roberts

Penn Wood

SU923962 large car park adjacent to penn st village church

1F

10.30

Damp, overcast

Resting on surface of car park with closed wings; after 1 minute it flew off into the trees surrounding the car park; looked quite worn.

22.7

Wendy & Mick Campbell

Waterperry Wood

SP6009

5

 

Moderate, sunny, quite windy

Seen at SP6062609241, SP6037708994, SP6030709026, SP606092, SP6093909951.

The locations at SP603 are the first along this ride

22.7

Wendy & Mick Campbell

Piddington Wood

SP6284816038

1

 

Strong gusty wind

This is the ‘vista’ territory

23.7

Dave Ferguson

Waterperry Wood

1F

 

Sun and showers

Female flying around a sallow by the main ride.

23.7

Wendy & Mick Campbell

Wendover Wood

SP8864207968 & SP8963407911

2

 

Moderate, some sun and then rain

These two localities are far apart, indicating how widespread iris is in this wood

25.7

David Redhead

Whitecross Green Wood

 

1F

 

 

Flew across car park at half tree height and disappeared into trees

25.7

Wendy & Mick Campbell

Chinkwell Wood

SP6667814180

1M, 1F

 

Warm, sunny spells, light breeze

 

28.7

Don Otter

Ashridge Park

SP984143 Ringshall

1F

 

 

Very worn, flying around Sallow

31.7

Wendy & Mick Campbell

Stanton Little Wood

SP5902311318

1F

 

Warm and sunny, but very windy

Very worn

 

 

 

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