My first visit to Slade Wood last week, though a wonderful wander, did not produce any sightings of the particular butterfly I was hoping for. So, when I read on Twitter that evening that they had been seen in a particular spot, and knowing that these butterflies can be territorial so would probably be faithful to that location, I just had to go back for another look. And I’m so very glad I did.
By sheer coincidence, Frank, the person who had provided the site details, was there when I revisited Slade Wood last Friday. We had brief views of one butterfly but it wasn’t until I met Frank again along the main woodland ride that we had these exceptionally close views of another.
The butterfly, the one true glider of the 59 British butterfly species, is a White admiral (Limenitis camilla) and, as it was patrolling a small territory and defending that territory from other, passing butterflies, it was probably a male. It was amazingly confiding, and I felt incredibly fortunate to be able to observe this gorgeous creature so closely.
What a wonderful sight. Thanks for sharing it.
Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks! 🙂
Very cool that he let you take those pictures!
It was a special encounter, for sure. 🙂
Hi Annie,
Glad to see you got your White Admiral at Slade Wood. And, looking at your photos it seems to me you saw WA in the same location as I did on 2 July. Mine flew at about 10 feet above the ground and landed on Elm leaves. I wondered if it was feeding on aphid honeydew or if it was a female and was looking to lay eggs. I guess I`ll never know !
Gareth.
Thanks, Gareth. This WA stayed on this one low tree, never more than a few feet away and right in front. It was magical!