Tuesday 26th May 2020

Butterfly Species: Holly Blue (1), Speckled Wood (1), Common Blue (6), Grizzled Skipper (4), Meadow Brown (1), Dingy Skipper (1)

Grizzled Skipper - Tucking Mill 27-05-2020

A morning trip today taking in the section of cycle-path between Tucking Mill and Midford as well as the surrounding footpaths. The weather was fine with the temperature around 20c. 

Two species were particularly evident, Common Blue and Grizzled Skipper. These occupy the grassy west facing hillsides adjoining the cycle-path. I first discovered them last year, so it's good to see them again this year.

Grizzled Skippers have declined significantly in recent years and is now a 'High Priority' species for Butterfly Conservation. 

Grizzled Skipper - Tucking Mill 27-05-2020

Flying alongside the Grizzled Skipper, and equally scarce is the Dingy Skipper. These can be seen flying alongside the aforementioned Grizzled Skipper and have a liking for the same type of habitat.

It was also nice to see the first Meadow Brown butterflies of the season starting to appear. It won't be long before this species will appear in large numbers as they do each year.

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