Butterfly Count 2019 - Summary
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| Grizzled Skippers, Near Tucking Mill - 21st April 2019 |
I started my observations along the cycle-path between Tucking Mill and Midford (near Bath) in the spring of 2018. I didn't know back then, that 2018 was destined to be an exceptionally good one for butterflies generally. However, I know from experience that no two years are alike when it comes to butterflies and every year has its surprises.
I decided at the start of the 2019 season that I would concentrate my efforts on the stretch of path between the Midford viaduct and the start of the tunnel near Tucking Mill. This was due to a couple of factors. Firstly, I knew I would have less time to devote to the count in 2019, and I also wanted time to explore the footpaths around this area to contextualise the observations on the path.
I was really pleased to be joined by several other people who offered to carry out a similar count along a separate stretch of cycle-path between Radstock and Kilmersdon a few miles to the south. (See later in this report)
Comparisons
Given the changes to the frequency and area surveyed, direct comparisons are not possible. However, it was clear that there were, in general, fewer butterflies about even on the same stretch of path.
There were also some variations in the numbers of individual species. Specked Wood, Common Blue and Comma were seen far less frequently than the year before. White-letter Hairstreak were seen again this year but in much lower numbers.
There were also some variations in the numbers of individual species. Specked Wood, Common Blue and Comma were seen far less frequently than the year before. White-letter Hairstreak were seen again this year but in much lower numbers.
Four species recorded in 2018 were not seen in 2019. These were Clouded Yellow, Essex Skipper, Brown Argus and Marsh Fritillary. Brimstone and Peacock butterflies recorded the same number of sightings and two butterflies were more commonly seen (Small Skipper and Holly Blue). There were also three species recorded in 2019 for the first time. (see below). The total number of species recorded across the two years stands at 29.
New Sightings
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| Dingy Skipper - Tucking Mill 13-05-2019 |
The 2019 count did throw up three additional species that weren't recorded in 2018. Dingy and Grizzled Skipper, and a lone White Admiral were seen for the first time.
My exploration of the surrounding area revealed both Dingy Skipper and Grizzled Skipper butterflies flying in good numbers. The focus of these populations was in a field running alongside the cycle-path. On the 13th May I came across both species flying on an embankment alongside the cycle-path a couple of hundred meters from the field. I also managed to spot both Dingy and Grizzled Skippers flying along a woodland path nearby.
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| White Admiral - Near Wellow 28-06-2019 |
The big surprise for me this year was nearly cycling over a White Admiral butterfly. It flew up from the cycle-path just in time as I headed out towards the Wellow end on June 28th. This butterfly is usually seen in woodland and I have not seen it in the Bath area before. I reported the sighting to the recorder of the Somerset Branch of Butterfly Conservation, and he confirmed that there were no recent records of this species in this area. It was the only one I saw.
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| Silver-washed Fritillary - Tucking Mill August 2019 |
Radstock to Kilmersdon
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| Painted Lady, Comma and Silver-washed Fritillary Butterflies - Photos Robert Gilderthorpe |
Early in the year I was offered additional help to survey butterflies along the cycle-path. A big thank you to Rob Ladd, Robert Gilderthorpe and Shona Milford for their help with this survey
It was agreed that they would survey the cycle-path between Radstock and Kilmersdon about 6.88 km (4.27 miles) south-west of the edge of my survey area. This is a stretch of the path beyond my cycling range which I would loved to have surveyed, so the offer of help was very welcome. Between April and September 2019, I received twenty-seven reports. 308 butterflies were counted, and 20 species recorded.
Large White, Ringlet, Meadow Brown and Marbled White were the most frequently recorded. Sixteen Small Copper butterflies were recorded along this path compared to just one along the Tucking Mill to Midford stretch.
Just two Speckled Wood were seen along this stretch which mirrored the comparatively low figures from my own count. Gatekeeper sightings were also low with just one recorded.
There was one sighting of a Silver-washed Fritillary along this stretch of path. A rather battered individual was seen on the 5th of September. Interestingly, this sighting was well away from the species usual woodland habitat. This is in line with the sightings between Midford and Wellow where the species was seen in more open terrain.
Conclusions
Although this survey is far from being a detailed scientific investigation, over the two years twenty-nine different species of butterfly were seen along the two sections of cycle-path surveyed. Some of these species are far from common. This rather underlines the importance of these formerly disused railways in supporting declining species and providing a corridor for wildlife generally.I found the prevalence of Silver-washed Fritillary of particular interest. This is a butterfly we just never saw back in the 1960's, when as boys we walked along the newly closed railway. Since then the embankments have overgrown and trees have invaded, providing a (very) long narrow 'glade' for this butterfly to explore and spread out along. A wildlife corridor indeed!
Over this coming year, I will no doubt continue to visit this stretch of path and hopefully it will provide yet more surprises and a lengthening species list.
Alan Yeodal
February 2020
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