Whether you're watchng garden wildlfie or visiting the best wildlife locations in the world, watching wildlife is always unpredictable. Even at soemwhere with as many eyes watching as we have at Minsmere, smething unexpected is just around the corner.
This month the surprise as come from butterflies and moths. After the huge influx int he spring, it's perhaps not surprising that there are thousands of painted ladies around now. And peacocks. Red admirals have been well and truly outnumbered, but it's been good to see a few small tortoiseshells after last year's dismal showing. Perhaps the commonest butterfly recently though is the familiar, and to gardeners perhaps unwelcome, large white. There was an incredible influx last week. It's amazing to think that many of these butterflies have flown all the way form Africa!
Among the flocks of butterflies have been a few notable moths. We've been watching broad-bordered bee-hawkmoths and hummingbird hawkmoths on the buddlieias. These impressive insects are always a joy to see.
The biggest surprise, though, has been the arrival of a purple emperor butterfly at Canopy Hide. They've never been seen at Minsmere before. These large butterflies love to stay in the tops of the oak canopy, joining our regular purple hairstreaks, so Canopy Hide offers a rare chance to get close views at eye-level. It's likely that the purple emperor originated form a recently introduced local population, but it's still a treat to see it.
I had my own surprise a couple of weeks ago at our Snape Maltings Information Centre. Looking upstream from the tidal sluice, I noticed a movement at the base of reeds. As I stood, an otter swam out from almost beneath my feet and played int he weed for five minutes! As I left, elated, a barn owl fluttered over the adjacent field. All this at 10 am.
Returning to the centre, my colleague was annoyed to have missed the otter. His frustration grew when a visitor reported one walking across the path later that day. Otters are so elusive, so it really was a lucky day for both of us.
Why not visit us during August for our busy programme of events for all ages and abilities. Look at the events pages for details.