Tuesday 23rd July 2019


Butterfly species: Small White (3) Holly Blue (1) Silver-washed Fritillary (4) Peacock (5) Gatekeeper (6) Green-veined White (4) Meadow Brown (9) Marbled White (5) Small Skipper (2) Comma (2) Large White (2) Red Admiral (2) Brimstone (1)

Peacock Butterfly - Tucking Mill 23-07-2019
It was one of the warmest days of the year when I set off down the path last Tuesday. The ambient temperature when I got to Tucking Mill was approximately 27c. The temperature that day had been as high as 30 degrees.

Elm 'Die Back' - Tucking Mill 23-07-2019
My first stop along the cycleway was just before the Tucking Mill viaduct where a large Wych Elm tree sits back from the path. It was here last year where I spotted several White-letter Hairstreak butterflies and I was hopeful to see the same this year. On a previous visit I had noticed just two flying around the tree, fewer than last year. What was noticeable was the first signs of Dutch Elm disease appearing in this otherwise healthy tree.

Comma Butterfly - Midford  23-07-2019
Further along the path there are several Buddleia bushes lining the edge of the cycle-way. The most common butterfly here was the Peacock which now seem to be in full flight. These would be the offspring from the over wintering adults earlier in the year. As I progressed along the route, I notice quite a few Ringlets and Meadow Brown butterflies still on the wing. On another Buddleia there was a comma butterfly.

Brimstone - Midford 23-07-2019
I continued my journey all the way through to Midford over the bridge and up towards the gate where the permissive path starts. Just beyond this gate there is a widening of the embankments and here there were several butterflies gathered around yet another Buddleia. There were Red Admirals a Brimstone and several Silver-washed Fritillaries. This latter species I've seen pretty much all the way along the path, from Tucking Mill through to Wellow, at different stages during the last two years. A true wildlife corridor for the species.

Old Siding - Midford 23-07-2019

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