Saturday 14th August 2021

Species: Peacock (1) Silver-washed Fritillary (4) Meadow Brown (7) Small White (1) Red Admiral (5) Comma (2) Green-veined White (2) Speckled Wood (7)

Comma butterfly - Tucking Mill 14-08-2021

The weather was warm and sunny with broken cloud for my second run along the cycle-path to Tucking Mill. The temperature reached 22c that day.

Red Admiral - Tucking Mill 14-08-2021

The Red Admiral must be mentioned as the 'star' butterfly that day. A total of 5 were to be seen at various points along and around the cycle-path, many in good condition.

Sliver-washed Fritillary - Tucking Mill 14-08-2021

The Silver-washed Fritillary butterflies came in a close second. I saw four individuals on and around the cycle-path. Many are now in a faded and battered state and I am sad I missed there peak during my absence.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

One Square Kilometre

Image
I have come to appreciate the landscape around Tucking Mill and Midford as a special place for nature and have frequently been surprised at the species I have seen there. All the species and photographs in this post were recorded between 2018 and 2024, in just one square kilometre centred on the Tucking Mill viaduct. The valley contains varied habitats, which include broadleaved woodland, species rich grassland and various bodies of water. This diversity, added to its isolation from intensive agriculture, has allowed the survival of many species that you just do not normally see elsewhere in the countryside around Bath.  The area's wildlife and geological history has been well documented over the years and I am mindful that I am just one of many people who have taken a keen interest in the area's biodiversity.  Tucking Mill valley from near Summer Lane Wessex Water, as one of several landowners in the valley, recognise its environmental sensitivity and have surveyed and maint...
Read more

Saturday 2nd September 2023

Image
Species: Brown Argus (2) Common Blue (2) Meadow Brown (2) Red Admiral (6) Small White (1) Speckled Wood (5) Brown Argus - Tucking Mill 02-09-2023 The afternoon of the 2nd September was warm and sunny with the temperature peaking at 22c. I first headed towards the grassy embankment, just south of the Tucking Mill viaduct. Spotted Flycatcher - Tucking Mill 02-09-2023 There were few butterflies on the embankment itself but my attention was drawn by a small bird fliting in and out of a Elder tree. It appeared to be a Spotted Flycatcher. Devil's Bit Scabious - Tucking Mill 02-09-2023 The field on the other side of the fence was thick with flowering Devil's Bit Scabious. I see this plant growing in various locations in the valley, but this year is is proving abundant. Common Darter Dragonfly - Horsecombe Vale 02-09-2023 In Horsecombe Vale there were a few Red Admiral butterflies and quite a few Common Darter dragonflies. At this time of year, in an early September afternoon, the woo...
Read more

Saturday 24th June 2023

Image
Species: Common Blue (4) Ringlet (1) Comma (8) Silver-washed Fritillary (1) Meadow Brown (7) Small Skipper (6) Marbled White (9) Black-tailed Skimmer - Tucking Mill Viaduct 24-06-2023 A late afternoon visit on a warm (26c) but cloudy day led to few butterflies being about, but some interesting sightings nonetheless. A Black-tailed Skimmer was basking on the path that traverses the Viaduct. Not a species I have seen before in this location.  Beautiful Demoiselle Damselfly - Tucking Mill 24-06-2023 Also near the path was another Odonata species, this time a Damselfly. A Beautiful Demoiselle flew past and perched on a tree. Comma - Horsecombe Vale 24-06-2023 In Horsecombe Vale I had just a brief glimpse of a Silver-washed Fritillary but there were a number of Comma butterflies still flying. Variimorda villosa  'Tumbling flower beetle' - Horsecombe Vale  24-06-2023 It was in the valley I saw an unusual looking beetle feeding of a Bramble blossom. After some online research I...
Read more