Tuesday 20th to Saturday 24th April 2021


Female Orange Tip - April 2021

I made a couple of trips along the cycle path in late April. This can be a difficult time for butterflies weather wise with varying temperatures and sunshine hours.

Tuesday 20th April

 Butterfly species: Orange Tip (3) Brimstone (1) Speckled Wood (1)

Some sunny spells and temperature hovering around 14c for my morning cycle ride. Nevertheless, there were a few butterflies on the wing. Nice to see the Orange Tips, as these really do represent the start of spring.... for me at least. As usual the males, with their distinctive orange tips, patrol the cycle way continuously flying and rarely pausing.

A lone Speckled Wood was spotted basking in the weak sunshine, already looking a little faded. Meanwhile the familiar sight of a male Brimstone flew along the edge of a wooded section of the path.

Saturday 24th April

Butterfly species: Speckled Wood (2) Holly Blue (1) Orange-tip (3) Brimstone (6)

A better day for butterflies. The weather was fine and a little warmer than Tuesday (16c) with the result of more insect activity.

Cycle path between Tucking Mill and Midford - April 2021

The cycle path is now showing a full array of spring flowers with Bluebells, Ramsons (wild garlic), and Garlic Mustard all coming into bloom. Orange tips lay their eggs on several different plants with Garlic Mustard a firm favourite.

Away from the path my tally of species increased by two with sightings of both Peacock and Comma butterflies. On one path which winds it's way alongside a wood in Horsecombe Vale, I found several Orange Tip eggs on a scattering of  Cuckooflower.

Orange Tip egg - Horsecombe Vale, April 24th 2021



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