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Dates: 4th July 2024
Price: £75 per person per day Places available
Price Includes: Services of the guide, transport, trip report
Not included: Lunch, drinks & snacks
Meeting place: Shoreham-by-Sea train station
Leader: Terry Goble
Group Size: Minimum of 3 and a maximum of 10 guests plus 1 leader.
Holiday Highlights
- Enjoy a summer day out in Sussex for butterflies & other wildlife
- Led by local naturalist Terry Goble
- We will visit key locations to look for our main target the Purple Emperor
- Other butterfly highlights we may see include White Admiral, Silver-washed Fritillary, Dark Green Fritillary, Marbled White, Silver-studded Blue, and a host of other species
- Perfect for a family trip and equally excellent for a group of friends or natural history group gatherings
- Relaxed pace to full appreciate the wildlife and landscapes & ideal for photography
We invite you to join us for a summer day out in Sussex, looking for ‘His Majesty’ the Purple Emperor, plus other butterflies!
Your Guide
Terry Goble has undertaken voluntary work for the RSPB, Bat conservation Trust, Butterfly Conservation and fund raising for many wildlife charities.
Later he studied for a degree in Environment and Conservation. During his degree years he focused on his passion for butterflies and studied the fluctuating populations of butterflies on the South Downs. He enjoyed tracking the spread of species such as Silver-spotted Skipper, but was alarmed at the decline of some much-loved species. He continues voluntary work to help restore habitat and conserve these precious but diminishing populations.
After university Terry started to look to change his career and stumbled upon leading tours for wildlife holiday companies, which seemed to fit his profile of interests for travel, animals and of course people.
Over the ensuing years he has now led many butterfly tours to Europe including Hungary, Croatia, Romania and Greece and has also enjoyed learning to identify butterflies in some more exotic locations. He has had the opportunity to unravel some of the myriad species of butterflies in the Americas, ‘glasswings’ being a particular favourite. He also very much enjoys sharing knowledge with others and is equally happy to learn from people as well.
These two day trips focus on some of the finest habitat and butterfly species in Sussex.
On day 1 (3rd July) we will explore some fine downland in the region and semi-ancient woodlands. We will be searching for Dark Green Fritillaries flitting over the orchid strewn grassland in the company of Small Blues, Marbled whites and a host of other species. This is a truly iconic downland scene.
On day 2 (4th July) we will explore the Sussex Heathlands for Silver-studded Blues, Dartford warblers, Tree Pipits and Woodlarks.
Another of the more spectacular butterflies is the Purple Emperor himself, and we will spend time looking for them on both days.
We will be searching for this majestic butterfly among the oak woodland edges and rides. We will be hoping the empress descends to the sallow scrub to lay eggs and is followed by males or if we are fortunate, to see them spiral down to the woodland floor to absorb minerals from the muddy rides. In addition, the rich semi-ancient woodlands also host our largest fritillary, the Silver-washed and the gliding White Admirals, always a joy to see.
Finally, there is a supporting cast of wildlife that should cater for most tastes. We can spend time looking for small mammals (Voles, Shrews and mice), reptiles (Adders, Grass Snake and wall Lizards) and dragonflies. And in case this is not enough wildlife, there are also some scarce birds such as the Nightingale, Turtle Dove, White stork and many more, to enjoy!
Finally, we will not be neglecting some of the unique flora searching out downland specialists and the intriguing carnivorous sundew plant on the heathland.
Day 1 – Wednesday 3rd July
This day starts with meeting up at Shoreham-by-Sea Train Station. From here we will set off to explore the flower strewn dowlands in the region Here we will search for the Dark-green Fritillary, often settling on Knapweeds and Pyramidal Orchids. Other species we should come across are clouds of Marbled Whites, the diminutive Small Blue along with other common Downland species.
After a brief convenience stop for loos and to purchase lunch we will then turn our focus to the specialities of the semi-ancient Sussex woodlands. Walking the rides we should spot the Uk’s largest fritillary, the Silver Washed and the gliding White Admirals, often found low down on the bramble flowers.
Another of the more spectacular butterflies is the emperor himself. We will be searching for this majestic butterfly among the semi-ancient oak woodland edges and rides. We will be hoping the empress descends to the sallow scrub to lay eggs and is followed by males or if we are fortunate, to see them spiral down to the woodland floor to absorb minerals from the muddy rides.
Finally, there is a supporting cast of wildlife that should cater for most tastes. We can spend time looking for small mammals (Voles, Shrews and mice), reptiles (Adders, Grass Snake and wall Lizards) and dragonflies. And in case this is not enough wildlife, there are also some scarce birds such as the Nightingale, Turtle Dove, White stork and many more, to enjoy!
Day 2 – Thursday 4th July
This day starts with meeting up at Shoreham-by-Sea Station. From here we will set off to explore the heathlands of North Sussex. The main target here will be the beautiful Silver Studded Blue found among the Cross-leaved Heather. The will of course be other species and in the scrub we may find Silver-washed fritillary as well as more common species such as Comma, Peacock and Red admiral. This is a great site for dragonflies and we should find the Black Darter, Keeled Skimmer and with luck the UKs longest dragonfly the Golden-ringed, a gorgeous beast. We will of course also look out for the healthland specialist birds as the Dartford Warbler, Woodlark and Tree Pipit can all be found here. There are also Nightjars but unlikely to be seen during the day.
After a brief convenience stop for loos and to purchase lunch we will then turn our focus to the specialities of the semi-ancient Sussex woodlands. Walking the rides we should spot the Uk’s largest fritillary, the Silver Washed and the gliding White Admirals, often found low down on the bramble flowers.
Another of the more spectacular butterflies is the emperor himself. We will be searching for this majestic butterfly among the semi-ancient oak woodland edges and rides. We will be hoping the empress descends to the sallow scrub to lay eggs and is followed by males or if we are fortunate, to see them spiral down to the woodland floor to absorb minerals from the muddy rides.
Finally, there is a supporting cast of wildlife that should cater for most tastes. We can spend time looking for small mammals (Voles, Shrews and mice), reptiles (Adders, Grass Snake and wall Lizards) and dragonflies. And in case this is not enough wildlife, there are also some scarce birds such as the Nightingale, Turtle Dove, White stork and many more, to enjoy!
Day 1 – Tuesday 11th July
This day starts with meeting up at Hassocks Train Station. From here we will set off to explore the flower strewn dowlands in the region Here we will search for the Dark-green Fritillary, often settling on Knapweeds and Pyramidal Orchids. Other species we should come across are clouds of Marbled Whites, the diminutive Small Blue along with other common Downland species.
After a brief convenience stop for loos and to purchase lunch we will then turn our focus to the specialities of the semi-ancient Sussex woodlands. Walking the rides we should spot the Uk’s largest fritillary, the Silver Washed and the gliding White Admirals, often found low down on the bramble flowers.
Another of the more spectacular butterflies is the emperor himself. We will be searching for this majestic butterfly among the semi-ancient oak woodland edges and rides. We will be hoping the empress descends to the sallow scrub to lay eggs and is followed by males or if we are fortunate, to see them spiral down to the woodland floor to absorb minerals from the muddy rides.
Finally, there is a supporting cast of wildlife that should cater for most tastes. We can spend time looking for small mammals (Voles, Shrews and mice), reptiles (Adders, Grass Snake and wall Lizards) and dragonflies. And in case this is not enough wildlife, there are also some scarce birds such as the Nightingale, Turtle Dove, White stork and many more, to enjoy!
Day 2 – Wednesday 12th July
This day starts with meeting up at Hassocks Train Station. From here we will set off to explore the heathlands of North Sussex. The main target here will be the beautiful Silver Studded Blue found among the Cross-leaved Heather. The will of course be other species and in the scrub we may find Silver-washed fritillary as well as more common species such as Comma, Peacock and Red admiral. This is a great site for dragonflies and we should find the Black Darter, Keeled Skimmer and with luck the UKs longest dragonfly the Golden-ringed, a gorgeous beast. We will of course also look out for the healthland specialist birds as the Dartford Warbler, Woodlark and Tree Pipit can all be found here. There are also Nightjars but unlikely to be seen during the day.
After a brief convenience stop for loos and to purchase lunch we will then turn our focus to the specialities of the semi-ancient Sussex woodlands. Walking the rides we should spot the Uk’s largest fritillary, the Silver Washed and the gliding White Admirals, often found low down on the bramble flowers.
Another of the more spectacular butterflies is the emperor himself. We will be searching for this majestic butterfly among the semi-ancient oak woodland edges and rides. We will be hoping the empress descends to the sallow scrub to lay eggs and is followed by males or if we are fortunate, to see them spiral down to the woodland floor to absorb minerals from the muddy rides.
Finally, there is a supporting cast of wildlife that should cater for most tastes. We can spend time looking for small mammals (Voles, Shrews and mice), reptiles (Adders, Grass Snake and wall Lizards) and dragonflies. And in case this is not enough wildlife, there are also some scarce birds such as the Nightingale, Turtle Dove, White stork and many more, to enjoy!
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