Two Tunnels Butterfly Count

I have come to appreciate the landscape around Tucking Mill and Midford as a special place for nature and have frequently been surprised at the species I have seen there. All the species and photographs in this post were recorded between 2018 and 2024, in just one square kilometre centred on the Tucking Mill viaduct. The valley contains varied habitats, which include broadleaved woodland, species rich grassland and various bodies of water. This diversity, added to its isolation from intensive agriculture, has allowed the survival of many species that you just do not normally see elsewhere in the countryside around Bath.  The area's wildlife and geological history has been well documented over the years and I am mindful that I am just one of many people who have taken a keen interest in the area's biodiversity.  Tucking Mill valley from near Summer Lane Wessex Water, as one of several landowners in the valley, recognise its environmental sensitivity and have surveyed and maint...

  Cistus Forester moth - Tucking Mill 27-05-2023 2023 Highlights 2023 was generally a good year for butterflies. The weather was significantly wetter than the exceptionally hot and sunny year of 2022 and I was interested to see whether this has had an impact on butterfly populations locally.  Butterfly wise, there were few surprises and no new species to add to the list. However, the year has thrown up some interesting non-butterfly sightings. Mason bee (Osmia bicolor) - Tucking Mill 07-05-2023 On the May 7th I spotted a bee methodically building a stack of grass stems. This turn out to be a Red-tailed Mason bee (Osmia bicolor). They are species of bee that nests in empty snail shells and then covers the shell with grass. It is classified as a "Nationally Notable" species and certainly one I have not seen before. Cistus Forester moth - Tucking Mill 27-05-2023 Another surprise came on the 27th May . Amongst the Dingy and Grizzled skipper butterflies I saw a small metallic...

Species: Large White (1) Meadow Brown (1) Red Admiral (7) Common Lizard - Tucking Mill 08-10-2023 My last visit of the summer was on the 8th October. It was a warm, sunny day with the temperature due to hit around 22c. This temperature is much higher than average for early October!  Common Darter - Tucking Mill 08-10-2023 I visited the embankment, Horsecombe Vale and the fields. There were very few insects about. Most of the butterflies I saw were Red Admirals and they were very active. I saw Common Darter dragonflies in various locations including the embankment and Horsecombe Vale. Red Admiral - Tucking Mill 08-10-2023 The most interesting observations on this trip were the Common Lizards. I saw three in total this day, having only seen two in total over the preceding years this location.

Species: Brown Argus (1) Large White (2) Meadow Brown (3) Painted Lady (1) Red Admiral (2) Small Copper (2) Small White (2) Speckled Wood (1) Southern Hawker Dragonfly - Horsecombe Vale 15-09-2023 The afternoon of the 15th September was warm and sunny with the temperature peaking at 21c. I head first to the embankment. Common Darter Dragonfly - Tucking Mill 15-09-2023 A Common Darter dragonfly was perched on the barbed wire fence that runs along the top boundary of the embankment. It seems to be a favoured perch for this species at this time of year. Painted Lady on Devils' Bit Scabious - Tucking Mill 15-09-2023 On the other side of the fence, a Painted Lady butterfly was nectaring on the abundant Devil's Bit Scabious. Southern Hawker Dragonfly - Horsecombe Vale 15-09-2023 Horsecombe Vale was quiet butterfly wise but I did spot a Southern Hawker dragonfly perched on some vegetation. This is a common species, but pretty spectacular none the less. Small Copper - Tucking Mill 15-0...

Species: Brown Argus (2) Common Blue (2) Meadow Brown (2) Red Admiral (6) Small White (1) Speckled Wood (5) Brown Argus - Tucking Mill 02-09-2023 The afternoon of the 2nd September was warm and sunny with the temperature peaking at 22c. I first headed towards the grassy embankment, just south of the Tucking Mill viaduct. Spotted Flycatcher - Tucking Mill 02-09-2023 There were few butterflies on the embankment itself but my attention was drawn by a small bird fliting in and out of a Elder tree. It appeared to be a Spotted Flycatcher. Devil's Bit Scabious - Tucking Mill 02-09-2023 The field on the other side of the fence was thick with flowering Devil's Bit Scabious. I see this plant growing in various locations in the valley, but this year is is proving abundant. Common Darter Dragonfly - Horsecombe Vale 02-09-2023 In Horsecombe Vale there were a few Red Admiral butterflies and quite a few Common Darter dragonflies. At this time of year, in an early September afternoon, the woo...