Summer Butterflies in the Fens

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 Having been unable to visit Woodwalton Fen last year due to a broken ankle, I decided to try this year in search of the Purple Emperor butterflies so I duly set off yesterday morning early. I got to the turning down to the centre but signs all indicated that the road was shut and a diversion was in place so I duly followed the diversion which was about 10 miles  However I was frustrated to find it was also shut that direction so decided I had better return home but as Monks Wood wasnt far I stopped off there on the way.  I was pleased I did as I had a very obliging silver washed fritillary and a sighting of a White Admiral, my first for the year.  I also met a photographer with whom I discussed my morning frustration and he told me I should have ignored the first signs as the road was only shut after the the centre!  I should have zoomed in on the googlemaps before I came which would have shown me.  

I decided to have another attempt today although the sky was cloudy as the forecast was for the sun to break through.  However, although the sun was visible through the cloud, it never came through fully.  This wasnt a problem for many of the butterflies and there were plenty of peacocks, large skippers, meadow browns and ringlets about..    

The place I was looking for was the house on stilts known as the Rothschilds bungalow which has a thatched roof which is apparently attractive to the Purple Emperors due to the creosote!    However although there were indeed two or three on the roof, they stubbornly refused to move or open their wings!  I did spot a couple flying high over the tall oak trees.

So slightly disappointed I at least knew where to find them another time.


Silver washed fritillary




White Admiral

Meadow Brown


Rothschilds bungalow





Four spotted chaser

peacock

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