Species: Comma (1) Common Blue (1) Dingy Skipper (1) Green Hairstreak (1) Green-veined White (2) Grizzled Skipper (2) Holly Blue (1) Large Skipper (2) Orange Tip (3) Painted Lady (1) Peacock (1) Speckled Wood (1)
 |
| Large Skipper - Tucking Mill 28-05-2022 |
The 28th of May was a cloudy day with the occasional sunny interlude. I arrived at the Tucking Mill viaduct at around 3pm, and headed straight for a section of embankment that often harboured butterflies at this time of year.
 |
| Common Blue Damselfly - Tucking Mill 28-05-2022 |
Being rather cloudy, there were not many butterflies to be seen. A lone Green Hairstreak could be seen nectaring on Birds-foot Trefoil the other side of the fence, and some odd looking day-flying moths could be seen in the distance. What was noticeable were the many small damselflies that flew up from the grass as I moved along the fence line. I believe these to be the Common Blue damselflies.
 |
| Common Carpet moth - Tucking Mill 28-05-2022 |
On many of my wanderings, I come across moths as well as butterflies. Amongst the grass and damselflies, a Common Carpet moth settled into the grass long enough for me to take a picture. These common moths are well worth a closer look for their intricate patterning.
 |
| Oxeye Daisies - Midford Viaduct 28-05-2022 |
Next I headed off towards the Midford Viaduct. The Oxeye Daisies were at their best along with the Valerian. This is a good spot for butterflies even when the weather is less than I deal, as the warm stonework provides respite for butterflies to maintain their body temperature when the sun decides to hide.
 |
| Painted Lady - Midford Viaduct 28-05-2022 |
Sure enough, as I cycled slowly across the bridge, a worn and faded Painted Lady flew up from the warm tarmac to settle and feed on the Valerian flowers that line the path at this time of year. Its dishevelled appearance could be forgiven in light of the fact this butterfly probably started life a few weeks before, somewhere in southern Europe.
 |
| Holly Blue - Midford 28-05-2022 |
As I headed back towards Tucking Mill, an equally faded and battered Holly Blue butterfly flew across the cycle path and perched on a fence. These butterflies first appear at the beginning of April most years, so this was indeed a veteran butterfly.
 |
| Speckled Wood - Tucking Mill 28-05-2022 |
Leaving the cycle path, I headed off along a footpath that would eventually bring me to the fields close to the tunnel entrance. A lone Comma was patrolling the side of the path along with one of three Orange Tip butterflies I was to see that day. Also, a fresh looking Speckled Wood perch in the sunlight on the brambles. This butterfly over-winters as both a caterpillar and chrysalis. This one was likely the product of the former.
 |
| Large Skipper - Tucking Mill 28-05-2022 |
Arriving at the fields I was greeted by my first Large Skipper of 2022. These pugnacious little butterflies start to appear at the beginning of June and continue to fly well into August.
 |
| Beetle (Possibly Chrysolina staphylaea) - Tucking Mill 28-05-2022) |
What I really like about these fields is the way they will always spring a surprise given the richness of the biodiversity they host. I noticed a small beetle with red legs crawling up a grass stem. I don't know exactly which species it is... (Possibly Chrysolina staphylaea)... but I will attempt to find out.
 |
| Common Rock-rose - Tucking mill 28-05-2022 |
The upper slopes of the field are now covered in the yellow flowers of Common Rock-rose. This is being slowly added to by the flowers of Common bird's-foot-trefoil. These two plants provide the foodplants for several of the butterflies here including The Dingy Skipper and Green Hairstreak.
 |
| Dingy Skipper - Tucking Mill 28-05-2022 |
With time creeping on into evening I start to head home. As I do, a solitary Burnet moth moves out of my way. This I believe to be a Five Spot Burnet, although with this individual the five spots had merged into an attractive pattern of red and black.
 |
| Five-spot Burnet moth - Tucking Mill 28-05-2022 |
Comments
Post a Comment