Sunday 21st August 2022

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 obilgingly for a photo.

Common Darter Dragonfly - Hoursecombe Vale 21-08-2022

After visiting Horsecombe Vale I walked up to the footpath, over the entrance to the tunnels and into the fields that slope up from the cycle-path. The vegatation was showing the signs of the long hot summer and was dry and brown, very different from the field in spring. 

There were a number of Common Blue butterflies still on the wing and among these at least three Brown Argus. 

Brown Argus - Tucking Mill 21-08-2022

The big surprise of the day was a single Grizzled Skipper which was feeding on a small Ragwort plant near the bottom of the field. I regularly see Grizzled Skippers in this location during the spring and I know they can produce a partial second brood, but I have not seen this happen here before. I suppose it's not surprising given the extreme weather.

Brown Argus - Tucking Mill 21-08-2022

The Small Copper butterfly is seen occasionally in the valley and it was less of a surprise to see one today. These matallic copper butterflies are rarely seen in large numbers, so it was nice to end my visit with an opportunity to photograph this butterfly.

Small Copper - Tucking Mill 21-08-2022


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