Two Tunnels Butterfly Count

Species: Brown Argus (2) Comma (2) Common blue (1) Green-veined White (1) Meadow Brown (6) Peacock (2) Silver-washed Fritillary (1) Small Copper (1) Speckled Wood (10) Brown Argus - Tucking Mill 27-08-2022 The weather was fine and sunny as I emerged into the light from the Combe Down tunnel on the 27th. The temperature was on the wane but was still around 23c at 3.30pm in the afternoon. I headed out towards Midford, stopping briefly at the embankment that borders the fields owned by Wessex Water. There were few butterflies to be seen. Midford Viaduct as it was in May 2022 I headed on towards Midford and continued across the Viaduct, which had been cleared of vegetation since my last visit. This is both a shame and understandable. A shame because it removes the nectar sources that attract a range of insects to this warm and sunny spot. Understandable because the larger shrubs that take hold here are likely to damage the 150+ year old structure if left. My destination, a few hundred met...

Species: Grizzled Skipper (1) Brown Argus (3) Common Blue (6) Gatekeeper (1) Green-veined White (3) Large White (1) Meadow Brown (6) Silver-washed Fritillary (2) Small Copper (1) Speckled Wood (3) Grizzled Skipper - Tucking Mill 21-08-2022 Cloudy with sunny intervals was the best way to describe the weather on the 21st. My first destination was Horsecombe Vale, and as I made my way along the footpath from the cycleway I saw a very faded and tattered, male Silver-washed Fritillary feeding on Buddleia. Silver-washed Fritillary - Horsecombe Vale 21-08-2022 Horsecombe Vale itself was pretty quiet when it came to insect life. There was a lone Hornet taking an interest in some of the Hoverflies that were feeding on the umbellifers that grow alongside the footpath.  Hoverfly (probably Xylota Sylvarum) - Horscombe Vale 21-08-2022 The footpath through Horsecombe Vale is often visited by Dragon and Damselflies and today was no exception. A Common Darter dragonfly zoomed past me and perch ob...

Species: Brimstone (2) Brown Argus (2) Comma (6) Gatekeeper (8) Green-veined White (1) Holly Blue (1) Large White (4) Meadow Brown (16) Peacock (2) Silver-washed Fritillary (6) Small Copper (2) Small Skipper (1) Small Tortoiseshell (2) Small White (1) Speckled Wood (6) Small Copper - Tucking Mill 07-08-2022 It was a warm (23c), sunny afternoon when I arrived at the Tucking Mill viaduct on the 7th August. I headed on towards Midford and over the viaduct towards Wellow. Just past the first gate there are several Buddleia bushes growing near the path. This is a good spot for butterflies at this time of year.  Silver-washed Fritillary - Midford 07-08-2022 Several Silver-washed Fritillary butterflies were s wooping around, occasionally settling on the nectar filedl flowers. A pristine Large White was also making good use of the food on offer. Comma - Horsecombe Vale 07-08-2022 Heading back towards Tucking Mill, I paused for a while to survey the tall Wych Elms that grow on the embankme...