Saturday May 20th 2023

Species: Small Copper (2) Brown Argus (1) Common Blue (3) Grizzled Skipper (7) Dingy Skipper (11) Brimstone (3) Orange Tip (3) Holly Blue (1)

Black-headed Cardinal Beetle (Pyrochroa coccinea) - Horsecombe Vale 20-05-2023

The weather was fine on the 20th May and I arrived at around 3pm. The conditions were sunny with broken cloud and the temperature of 18c.

In Horsecombe Vale there were several beetles flying around. One was a bright red Black-headed Cardinal Beetle (Pyrochroa serraticornis). 

Red-tailed Mason Bee Nest- Tucking Mill 20-05-2023

I was keen to visit the grassy embankment where I spotted a Red-tailed Mason Bee camouflaging its snail-shell nest during my last visit a week ago. 

Red-tailed Mason Bee - Tucking Mill 20-05-2023

I was  surprised to see how large the heap of dry grass had got. Very impressive. I also managed to find a second nest close by.

 Grizzled Skipper - Tucking Mill 20-05-2023

At the Grassland slopes that rise above the Combe Down Tunnel the Grizzled Skippers were flying in good numbers. I managed to count seven settled on the vegetation there. They were not as numerous as the Dingy Skippers, but already showing in greater numbers than last year. 

Brown Argus - Tucking Mill 20-05-2023

Also in the fields a Brown Argus and Small Copper, both 'first of the season' for me.

Small Copper - Tucking Mill 20-05-2023

Another flying beetle caught my eye. This was a species of Soldier Beetle which can be tricky to identify accurately. This one was likely a Cantharis rustica.

Soldier Beetle (Probably Cantharis rustica) - Tucking Mill 20-05-2023


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

One Square Kilometre

Image
I have come to appreciate the landscape around Tucking Mill and Midford as a special place for nature and have frequently been surprised at the species I have seen there. All the species and photographs in this post were recorded between 2018 and 2024, in just one square kilometre centred on the Tucking Mill viaduct. The valley contains varied habitats, which include broadleaved woodland, species rich grassland and various bodies of water. This diversity, added to its isolation from intensive agriculture, has allowed the survival of many species that you just do not normally see elsewhere in the countryside around Bath.  The area's wildlife and geological history has been well documented over the years and I am mindful that I am just one of many people who have taken a keen interest in the area's biodiversity.  Tucking Mill valley from near Summer Lane Wessex Water, as one of several landowners in the valley, recognise its environmental sensitivity and have surveyed and maint...
Read more

Saturday 2nd September 2023

Image
Species: Brown Argus (2) Common Blue (2) Meadow Brown (2) Red Admiral (6) Small White (1) Speckled Wood (5) Brown Argus - Tucking Mill 02-09-2023 The afternoon of the 2nd September was warm and sunny with the temperature peaking at 22c. I first headed towards the grassy embankment, just south of the Tucking Mill viaduct. Spotted Flycatcher - Tucking Mill 02-09-2023 There were few butterflies on the embankment itself but my attention was drawn by a small bird fliting in and out of a Elder tree. It appeared to be a Spotted Flycatcher. Devil's Bit Scabious - Tucking Mill 02-09-2023 The field on the other side of the fence was thick with flowering Devil's Bit Scabious. I see this plant growing in various locations in the valley, but this year is is proving abundant. Common Darter Dragonfly - Horsecombe Vale 02-09-2023 In Horsecombe Vale there were a few Red Admiral butterflies and quite a few Common Darter dragonflies. At this time of year, in an early September afternoon, the woo...
Read more

Saturday 24th June 2023

Image
Species: Common Blue (4) Ringlet (1) Comma (8) Silver-washed Fritillary (1) Meadow Brown (7) Small Skipper (6) Marbled White (9) Black-tailed Skimmer - Tucking Mill Viaduct 24-06-2023 A late afternoon visit on a warm (26c) but cloudy day led to few butterflies being about, but some interesting sightings nonetheless. A Black-tailed Skimmer was basking on the path that traverses the Viaduct. Not a species I have seen before in this location.  Beautiful Demoiselle Damselfly - Tucking Mill 24-06-2023 Also near the path was another Odonata species, this time a Damselfly. A Beautiful Demoiselle flew past and perched on a tree. Comma - Horsecombe Vale 24-06-2023 In Horsecombe Vale I had just a brief glimpse of a Silver-washed Fritillary but there were a number of Comma butterflies still flying. Variimorda villosa  'Tumbling flower beetle' - Horsecombe Vale  24-06-2023 It was in the valley I saw an unusual looking beetle feeding of a Bramble blossom. After some online research I...
Read more