Friday 10th June 2022

Butterfly Species: Dingy Skipper (1) Marbled White (1) Meadow Brown (3) Small Heath (2) Speckled Wood (1)

Small Heath - Tucking Mill 10-06-2022

On Friday 10th June my visit to Tucking Mill was on foot. Rather than taking the cycle path through the Two Tunnels, I walked down into Horsecombe Vale accompanied by my Labrador. It was an early trip and the weather rather overcast, although warm at 18c considering it was only 10.15am.

Beautiful Demoiselle Damselfly - Horsecombe Vale 10-06-2022

A Beautiful Demoiselle damselfly flew past and perched on a leaf as I made my way along the valley floor towards the Tucking Mill reservoir. It's brown tinted wings and metallic green body identified it as a female.

Comma larva on Wych Elm - Horsecombe Vale 10-06-2022

At this time of year I always checkout the Wych Elm trees. In another months time White-letter Hairstreaks will be on the wing, and this is good time to search for the larvae of this species, or the damage they do to the young leaves. Wych Elm is a common species in this valley and I have seen White-letter Hairstreaks here most years. Today the only caterpillar I saw was that of a Comma butterfly, high in a young sapling.

Dingy Skipper - Tucking Mill 10-06-2022

As I turned left at the top of the valley and started the climb up towards the cycle-path, a solitary Dingy Skipper flew past me and perched on the overhanging Bramble. It was a faded and worn example, not surprising given the time of year.

Small Heath - Tucking Mill 10-06-2022

A few meters on I was in for a nice surprise. I spotted a small brown butterfly fluttering the other side of a densely vegetated ditch. Through my camera lens I could just make out the distinctive patterning of a Small Heath butterfly.  Being about the size of a common Blue they appear like a miniature Meadow Brown. 

Decades ago, I wouldn't have given it much attention at all, as this species was often abundant back then. Today, I rarely see them in the areas around Bath I frequent the most. Sadly this butterfly is now listed as 'Vulnerable' in the latest 'Red List' of UK butterflies. Sad, but a welcome sight for me and a new species for my list in this location.

Mother Shipton moth - Tucking Mill 10-06-2022

I continue my walk up the hill and into the fields. The Grizzled and Dingy Skippers that occupied these fields a few week earlier where not to be seen. Instead, a number of day-flying moths could be seen flying low across the tall grass. These were  a mix of Mother Shipton and Burnet Companion moths.

Burnet Companion moth - Tucking Mill 10-06-2022

These moths can often cause confusion, as the Burnet Companion in particular can easily be confused with the Dingy Skipper.

Small Heath - Tucking Mill 10-06-2022

Amongst the moths a rather worn and battered Small Heath was fluttering low down amongst the grass, the second of the day. It will be interesting to see if a second generation of these butterflies appear later in the summer.

Thick-legged Flower beetle - Tucking Mill 10-06-2022

Also present were a number of Thick-legged Flower beetles, their metallic green bodies could be seen on many of the flowers.

Marbled White - Tucking Mill 10-06-2022

As I headed out of the field on my way home, a newly emerged Marbled White flew slowly past. This was my first Marbled White of the season.


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