No Emperors

Saturday began at Collingham, where the drake Scaup was still present with the Tufties. Elsewhere around the site, there were 3 Curlew on the Silt Lagoon and 2 purring Turtle Doves. Butterflies included single Common Blue, Small Copper and Brown Argus along the footpath on the east side of the Silt Lagoon. 

Scaup

Scaup

The afternoon saw us head to Cotgrave Forest, in search of the Purple Emperors seen there recently. Unfortunately there was no sign, and the two other butterfly seekers we encountered hadn't seen them either; at least it saves me the quandary of deciding whether they're genuine or releases. No fritillaries either, other than a rather distant and rapid fly-by - presumably one of the Dark-greens. I did pick out a Purple Hairstreak though.

Cotgrave Forest