Wednesday 1st August 2018


Butterfly Species: Brimstone (1) Small Tortoiseshell (1) Comma (1) Holly Blue (1) Small White (4) Green Veined White (7) Large White (1) Common Blue (7) Meadow Brown (6) Red Admiral (2) Silver Washed Fritillary (4) Gatekeeper (11) Clouded Yellow (1) Brown Argus (2)

Silver-washed Fritillary (var. Valezina) - Midford Viaduct 01-08-2018
Today's Trip did not get off to a promising start. As I set off the clouds were filling in the blue sky and the temperature was hovering around 20c. The overcast sky meant I did not see a single butterfly by the time I entered the two tunnels.

Holly Blue - Tucking Mill 01-08-2018
Happily, although the clouds did not disperse significantly, things began to improve once I got to the Tucking Mill section of path. Here I spotted a solitary Holly Blue butterfly nectaring on a tall flower. This is only the third of this species I have managed to positively identify here this year.

Small Tortoiseshell - Midford Viaduct 01- 08-2018

The day got even better once I got to the Midford viaduct. Here a number of small Buddleja bushes provide a nectar source to hungry butterflies. As the sun made a brief appearance so did a number of butterflies including three Silver-washed Fritillary. One of two females was of the 'Valezina' type only occasionally met with in southern woodlands with between 5-10% of females being of this form.


'Valezina' (Above) - Normal form below
Midford Viaduct - 01-08-2018



On returning along the path, there was one more treat in store. As I passed a line of Buddleja I notice a flash of sulphur heading for the shrub. It turned out to be a passing female Clouded Yellow which briefly settled on one of the flowers. These migrant butterflies are so very erratic in their appearance they come as a surprise every time!

Clouded Yellow - Tucking Mill 01-08-2018

Silver-washed Fritillary - Var. Valezina



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