Two Tunnels Butterfly Count

 Species:  Brimstone (8) Comma (3) Holly Blue (5) Orange Tip (5) Peacock (15) Brimstone on Bluebell - Horsecombe Vale 28-04-2023 The day was fine with the sun shining between periods of cloud. The temperature was a tad warmer than my last visit at 14c. I cycled out to Midford to start my survey and it was there I saw several of the eight Brimstone butterflies I would see that day. Spring flowers were more evident despite the cool temperatures during April. As I cycled back past Midford Station, I caught sight of a Brimstone feeding off the bluebells that line the path at this time of the year. (See top). Violets - Tucking Mill 28-04-2023 Making my way back towards Tucking Mill, I stopped to see if there was any activity on the grassy embankment. Violets were beginning to show through the grass, but there were no butterflies and few other insects.  Further along the top of the embankment, the reptile mat revealed two Slow Worms. I have become to expect to see at least one ...

Species: Brimstone (4) Comma (2) Orange Tip (2) Peacock (5) Speckled Wood (2) Orange Tip - Midford 18-04-2023 A morning walk on the 18th April saw me descending down into the valley from Combe Down. It was a cloudy day with sunny spells and a keen north-easterly breeze. The temperatures this April were still low and the weather unsettled. The morning of the 18th saw temperatures of around 12/13c. Peacock - Horsecombe Vale 18-04-2023 Horsecombe Vale was my first destination. A Peacock flew past me and settled on a Ramson leaf. Comma - Tucking Mill 18-04-2023 On my way back up the slope to the cycle path, a Comma was sunning itself on a patch of dry grass. As I approached the derelict Midford Station I noticed two Speckled Wood Butterflies circling around before disappearing into the vegetation. Orange Tip - Midford 18-04-2023 By now it was cloudy and cool but I did manage to spot an Orange Tip butterfly perched on a twig and being bounced around in the breeze. It had its wings open in ...

Species: Brimstone (7) Peacock (5) Small White (1) Peacock - Tucking Mill 07-04-2023 A rather disappointing trip on the 7th April with just three butterfly species seen. I arrived  around 2.15pm in sunny conditions with the temperature around (13c)  Slow worm - Tucking Mill 07-04-2023 I rode rode out towards Midford stopping at the grassy embankment. I checked the old reptile mat and sure enough, an adult Slow worm was hidden away underneath. Brimstone butterflies could be seen along the path past Midford station. The bright yellow males were very active and none were prepared to stop for a photo! Wood Anemone - Tucking Mill 07-04-2023 I headed back towards Tucking Mill and parked my bike for a walked around the lake.  As I took the path up towards the woods, a Small White butterfly fluttered by along with another Brimstone. The path through the woods leads on through the grassy fields that lie to the east of the Combe Down tunnel entrance. Just one Peacock butterfly was ...

Species: Brimstone (4) Comma (1) Peacock (2) Small Tortoiseshell (1) Comma - Tucking Mill 04-04-2023 It was a cool morning after a frosty night for this trip down to Tucking Mill. I walked down steps from Combe Down and then down the slope towards Horsecombe Vale. I saw no butterflies until I got to the far end of the valley were I saw a Small Tortoiseshell.  Dark-edged Bee-fly - Horsecombe Vale 04-04-2023 I worked my way back along the valley. The sun was getting to work and I saw my first bee fly of the year. As it settled I could see it was a Dark-edged Bee-fly. A little further along a Peacock butterfly could be seen flying through the trees.  Embankment - Tucking Mill 04-04-2023 I walked to the cycle path and headed up onto the grassy embankment that adjoins the fields owned by Wessex Water. The fields are known to harbour a number of interesting species and is maintained by the utility company to encourage wildlife.  The embankment side of the fence is not maintain...