Knepp Castle and a Buzzard, Purple Emperors and Fallow Deer

Buzzard, Buteo buteo

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On Wednesday July 2nd I visited Knepp Castle Estate and was given a tour of the varied habitats prior to starting a micro moth survey. Knepp Castle Estate implemented a rewilding project in 2001: http://www.knepp.co.uk/ This area is clear of fertilisers and insecticides so I hope to find a diverse population of micro fauna. The highlight was seeing a Buzzard perched 20 metres away.

The following day Dan and I joined Neil Hulme on his Purple Emperor survey of the estate during which I saw 34 PEs in the air, including a male-female chase at the end.

Cinnabar larva, Tyria jacobaeae

Coleophora species

Coleophora species

Coleophora species

Common Nettle-tap, Anthophila fabriciana

Dusky Pearl, Udea prunalis

Enoplognatha species with prey

Garden Grass-veneer, Chrysoteuchia culmella

Harlequin Ladybird pupa, Harmonia axyridis

Harlequin Ladybird, fifth instar larva, Harmonia axyridis

Microplitis wasp

Mirid bug, dead, Deraeocoris flavilinea

Mirid bug, early instar Nymph, Plagiognathus arbustorum

Moth Fly, Pericoma species

Rosy Tabby, Endotricha flammealis

Scorpion fly, Panorpa species

Spotted Longhorn Beetle, Rutpela maculata

Spotted Longhorn Beetle, Rutpela maculata

White Cloaked Shoot, Gypsonoma sociana

Thursday's Emperor tour:

Cinnabar larva, Tyria jacobaeae

Cinnabar larvae, Tyria jacobaeae

Fallow Deer, Dama dama

Garden Grass-veneer, Chrysoteuchia culmella

this moth landed on my car window

Hammer Pond

Meadow Browns mating, Maniola jurtina

Neil points out the Purple Emperors in flight

The male Purple Emperors patrol their territory at the top of the tallest oaks, attacking any intruders, including birds! The also 'sallow search' for females, darting in and out of any nearby sallows.

Purple Emperor, Apatura iris, high above an oak

Purple Emperor, Apatura iris, high on the oak canopy