Northamptonshire Birding: Purple Emperors and supporting cast

Hi

This morning was spent in the Fermyn Wood CP/Fermyn Wood/ Lady Wood and Souther Wood complex east of Corby looking at interesting insects.

The star of the show was the Purple Emperor butterfly which is currently showing very well in this warm weather. The majority were males but one larger female was on the wing today. These extraordinary insects can show very well and regularly spend long periods on the ground taking minerals, and it is quite common for them to land on delighted observers in search of salt!

Plenty of other butterflies were on the wing including White Admiral, Silver-washed Fritillary, Purple Hairstreak and White-letter Hairstreak.

The country park ponds attracted Brown Hawker, Emperor Dragonfly, Four Spot Chaser, Ruddy Darter, Large Red Damselfly and Emerald Damselfly. The Long Pond still contained plenty of Great Crested Newts showing well.

A Moorhen family included two adults, three first brood youngsters and three second brood youngsters. Surprisingly the adults were feeding youngsters of both broods even though the first brood birds were easily capable of feeding themselves!

Plenty of common birds in the woods included good numbers of Nuthatch and Marsh Tit. A Crossbill flew over Fermyn Wood and a Siskin was also present. A small party of Crossbills were heard calling in Lady/Souther Wood.

Scanning over Blatherwycke Lake produced a Wigeon, two Black Swans and a Tufted Duck brood.

Regards

Eleanor and Neil