Saturday 7th May 2022

Species: Brimstone (2) Comma (1) Dingy Skipper (4) Green-veined White (2) Grizzled Skipper (2) Holly Blue (2) Peacock (3) Small White (1) Speckled Wood (1)

The cycle path between Tucking Mill and Midford 07-05-2022

The weather was promising when I set off on my trip on the 7th May. It was warm and sunny with broken cloud as I exited the tunnels at around 2:30pm. 

However, the few clouds that slowly drifted across the sky were not playing ball. Much of this excursion would be under cloudy skies, limiting the number of butterflies active and visible.

I decided to ride on over the Midford Viaduct and out towards the village of Wellow where the off-road section of path finishes. It was on this section of the path where I saw the distinctive shape and flight pattern of a Beautiful Demoiselle Damselfly fly pass me in the opposite direction.

Red Campion - Midford Station -07-05-2022

With the sun still firmly stuck behind a slow moving cloud, I then made my way slowly back towards Midford and Tucking Mill. 

The spring flowers were still very much in evidence as I passed between Midford and Tucking Mill. The white flowers of Ramsons, mixing with the Bluebells with Red Campions adding to the mix.

Dingy Skipper - Tucking Mill 07-05-2022

I split the rest of my time between a section of grassy embankment alongside the path and the fields near the mouth of the Tunnel near the Tucking Mill Reservoir.  

Again, at both sites the sun was not playing ball. This didn't deter the Dingy Skippers though, with a total of four buzzing around, low to the ground in both localities. I lingered at the latter site to see if I could spot any Green Hairstreaks. Sadly, none were seen, but from previous experience I know these elusive butterflies are best search for during sunny, warm spring days. With the clouds building further, I decided to call it a day and return home.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

One Square Kilometre

Saturday 2nd September 2023

Saturday 24th June 2023