Two Tunnels Butterfly Count

Species: Brimstone (1) Comma (7) Common Blue (2) Gatekeeper (8) Green-veined White (5) Meadow Brown (12) Peacock (6) Red Admiral (3) Silver-washed Fritillary (6) Small White (2) Brimstone (2) Peacock - Tucking Mill 30-07-2022 A short visit on the 30th July was my first for a while. The previous weeks had seen temperatures soar to record levels, so I was interested to see what impact there had been on the butterfly population. Meadow Brown- Tucking Mill 30-07-2022 The temperature had fallen to around 22c as I headed out towards Midford. I noticed a good number of Meadow Brown butterflies along with a similar number of Gatekeepers. A comma could be seen perched on a bramble leaf, one of seven I was to see that day. Comma- Tucking Mill 30-07-2022 Further along the path towards Midford , I paused to see if I could spot any White-letter Hairstreaks in the canopy of some tall Wych Elm trees. None were seen. Red Admiral - Midford 30-07-2022 As I approached the Midford Viaduct a  Red Admi...

Species: Comma (6) Gatekeeper (4) Green-veined White (1) Large White (1) Marbled White (1) Meadow Brown (7) Ringlet (2) Silver-washed Fritillary (6) Small Skipper (1) Small White (2) Speckled Wood (1) White-letter Hairstreak (2) Male and female Silver-washed Fritillary - Midford 09-07-2022 The cool of the Combe Down tunnel was welcome as I headed towards Tucking Mill on Saturday 9th July. It felt hot (23c) and humid as I arrived at 3pm. I headed off towards Midford and stopped on the cycle-path just below Midford Castle. I checked the tall Wych Elms for any sign of White-letter Hairstreaks. None were spotted. This is a little disconcerting as this is the second year I have failed to see them in this location.  Silver-washed Fritillary - Midford 09-07-2022 At this time of year, I would expect to see Silver-washed Fritillary flying in this location. The semi-wooded landscape in the valley seems to provide the right conditions for this butterfly to thrive. The first of the day was fly...

Species: Comma (3) Gatekeeper (3) Green-veined White (1) Holly Blue (1) Marbled White (11) Meadow Brown (5) Red Admiral (1) Ringlet (7) Silver-washed Fritillary (4) Small Skipper (7) Silver-washed Fritillary - Horsecombe Vale 05-07-2022 I decided to head out early today, the 5th of July. The forecast was for the early sunshine to be replaced with near complete cloud cover by 11.00am. As it turned out I was greeted by a grey sky when I arrived in Horsecombe Vale at around 9.30am Small Tortoiseshell Larvae - Combe Down, Bath 05-07-2-22 I was on foot today, Labrador in tow and as I set off down the footpath from Combe Down I noticed a larval web on the nettles that line the path. These appear to be Small Tortoiseshell caterpillars. Most years I only manage to find one or two, but this year I have seen maybe fifteen to twenty. Interesting! Horsecombe Vale first summer after Ash Die-back clearance - 05-07-2022 My plan for the day was to walk through Horsecombe Vale, up to the fields near Tu...