Sunday 12th June 2022

Species: Brimstone (2) Comma (1) Common Blue (3) Dingy Skipper (3) Green Hairstreak (1) Large Skipper (5) Marbled White (2) Meadow Brown (4) Painted Lady (1) Peacock (1)

Comma - Tucking Mill 12-06-2022

It was about 4pm on the 12th June when I emerged from the Combe Down tunnel. I had decided to cycle on towards Midford and Wellow and then work my way slowly back. I crossed over the Midford viaduct and onto the permissive section of path. 

Brimstone larva - Midford 12-06-2022

It was here I noticed two male Brimstone butterflies. These butterflies do fly well into June most years and this is a location where I have regularly found the early stages of this insect. It wasn't long before I found a Brimstone larva on one of just a few Buckthorn bushes that line the path.

Beautiful Demoiselle - Midford 12-06-2022

One of the features of this stretch of path at this time of year are the frequent, large damselflies. These are invariably Beautiful Demoiselles. Today a metallic blue-green male perched low enough to photograph.

Large Skipper - Midford 12-06-2022

A Large Skipper butterfly was also on the wing here, one of five I saw that day.

Painted Lady - Midford Viaduct 12-06-2022

As I returned over the Midford Viaduct a Painted Lady was feeding on the Valerian flowers that line the verges. It promises to be a good year for this migrant butterfly.

Peacock - Tucking Mill 12-06-2022

Leaving my bike behind, it was time to head up the slope and into the fields at Tucking Mill. At the bottom of the slope a lone, and rather worn, Peacock was sunbathing on the path. They always seem to be here. Each year between April and June you can guarantee seeing at least one in this location.

Comma Hutchinsoni - Tucking Mill 12-06-2022

Further up the slope a summer brood 'Hutchinsoni' Comma butterfly was sunning itself in the late afternoon sunshine. The dark grey/brown underside is replaced with an intricate patterning of light browns in this summer form of the species.

Green Hairstreak - Tucking Mill 12-06-2022

The fields were still alive with insect life despite the waning sunshine. A Green Hairstreak butterfly was fluttering around the Rock Rose that grows in profusion on the upper slopes and a very tattered Dingy Skipper was flitting around in the longer grass.

Dingy Skipper - Tucking Mill 12-06-2022

Also appearing there were a number of orchids. I pass both a Pyramidal and a lovely Bee orchid as I made my way down the hillside.

Pyramidal Orchid - Tucking Mill 12-06-2022

Bee Orchid - Tucking Mill 12-06-2022

Several Common Blue butterflies flew up from the grass as I brushed by. One looking remarkably like an  Adonis Blue, but I decided on second glance it was indeed a 'Common'. It is sometimes difficult to tell the two apart when the individual is in less than perfect condition. The blue seemed more 'Common' than 'Adonis'.

Common Blue - Tucking Mill 12-06-2022

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