Two Tunnels Butterfly Count

Butterfly Species: Speckled Wood (3) Comma (2) Small White (8) Green Veined White (6) Large White (3) Common Blue (6) Meadow Brown (10) Red Admiral (2) Ringlet (2) Silver Washed Fritillary (8) Gatekeeper (20) Brown Argus (1) Worn and battered Ringlet Butterfly - 24-07-2018 The weather was warm (24c) and sunny with broken cloud for my walk today. Only one new species was identified today, a solitary Brown Argus near the Tucking Mill end of the path. This was the same grassy embankment where earlier in the year I spotted a pair of Marsh Fritillary. As the summer is progressing and the weather keeping the butterflies active, it is now noticeable how many are showing a considerable amount of 'wear and tear' such as the Ringlet above and Silver-washed Fritillary below. Talking of the Silver-washed Fritillary, This has been one of the 'star' species of this summer along this stretch of path. A total of eight were seen during this walk. Although the path is b...

Butterfly Species: Speckled Wood (1) Small White (4) Peacock (2) Green Veined White (1) Large White (1) Meadow Brown (8) Red Admiral (1) Silver Washed Fritillary (5) White-letter Hairstreak (1) Gatekeeper (7) Clouded Yellow (1) Tucking Mill Viaduct A shorter visit to the path today and fewer butterflies recorded. This was a cooler day temperature wise than of late and increasing levels of cloud. The Buddleja shrubs growing along the path were attracting a few species including Peacock, Silver-washed Fritillary and a lone White-letter Hairstreak. Silver-washed Fritillary on Buddleja - Tucking Mill Silver Washed Fritillary are a common sight along the path between the tunnel and Midford. A total of five were counted on this trip. Both males and the slightly more elusive females were seen. Fewer White-letter Hairstreaks were seen on this trip. The mature Elms near Midford Castle were quiet with only one seen in the canopy. However a Buddleja growing at the begin...

Butterfly Species: Brimstone (3) Speckled Wood (9) Comma (16) Small White (7) Peacock (7) Green Veined White (11) Large White (4) Meadow Brown (20+) Red Admiral (1) Small Skipper (3) Marbled White (7) Ringlet (16+) Silver Washed Fritillary (10) White-letter Hairstreak (4) Gatekeeper (19+) Peacock Butterfly - Summer Brood 10-07-2018 A mid-morning start today with the weather cloudier and slightly cooler than of late. With temperatures forecast to reach 23c later in the day I was not expecting the numbers of butterflies seen on recent visits. Faded Marbled White - Tucking Mill 10-07-2018 The Marbled Whites, Meadow Browns and Ringlets were still common but the Gatekeepers are beginning to outnumber them. The first of the summer broods of Peacock and Brimstone are starting to make an appearance.  Freshly emerged Brimstone Butterfly, Midford 10-07-2018 With the Bramble blossom now fading the Buddleja dotted along the route are proving a useful lure for man...

Butterfly Species:  Small Tortoiseshell (2) Comma (1) Small White (4) Green Veined White (1) Meadow Brown (11+) Marbled White (2) Ringlet (18+)Silver Washed Fritillary (2) Essex Skipper (1) Gatekeeper (4) Gatekeeper Butterfly -  04-07-2018 An earlier start today for my trip along the path. Seeing the White-letter Hairstreaks on my last trip I decided on a morning visit to the Elm trees along the Tucking Mill section of the track. There were two reasons for this. Firstly I wanted to search for them at a time of day when the sun was warming a different side of the trees. Secondly, I remembered from my youth that this butterfly was far more likely to descend from the canopy early in the morning, or late in the evening. Alas they did not oblige. I did however spot some Hairstreak butterflies on trees between the Two Tunnels. Again, they were flying high in the canopy so I can't be sure of the species but I am thinking White-letter Hairstreak given the amount of Elm here...