One Square Kilometre


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 maintained their land accordingly. Indeed, they have provided several information boards detailing some of the key aspects of its ecology and geology. 

In other areas, the grasslands appear to be neglected with little or no grazing taking place. Should this continue, some of the rarer plants and insects will struggle to survive.

My observations and records are casual, rather than methodical. I walk the cycle path and footpaths that crisscross the valley carrying a camera to record what I see. My main interest is invertebrates, especially butterflies, moths, dragonflies and damselflies. I record my sightings via the iRecord app. 

I have avoided the grassy fields owned by Wessex Water as here is no public access and I know how well they have been surveyed already. However, I have some knowledge of the species identified during this survey work, which has helped highlight the rare and unusual species that may be seen more widely in the valley.

Below are the species lists for my main sightings. This is not a definitive list of all my sightings.

Butterflies

From top left - Green Hairstreak, Comma, Brown Argus, Silver-washed Fritillary, Grizzled Skipper, Marbled White, Common Blue, Painted Lady

Since 2018 I have recorded twenty-nine species of butterfly within this 1Km square. Adding in a solitary White Admiral, further along the path near Wellow in June 2019, this makes a total of thirty species recorded.

Grizzled Skipper - Tucking Mill 22-05-2022

For me, four species stand out from the list. Grizzled Skipper is not a species I have encountered around Bath in recent decades and is now categorised as 'vulnerable' on the latest Butterfly Conservation Red List. The closely related Dingy Skipper is another species which is scarce locally and has a 'High priority' rating by Butterfly Conservation.

Marsh Fritillary has also been recorded sporadically over the years. I have seen this species only twice here in the past six years, the first time being in 2018. This is a rare and protected species which is known for it's population volatility, seemingly disappearing and reappearing after long absences. 

Dingy Skipper - Tucking Mill 24-04-2022

The appearance of two Small Heath in 2022 was a surprise. This species was once plentiful in the area but is now rarely seen and is also listed as 'vulnerable'. Joining the 'Vulnerable' list is the White-letter Hairstreak. This is present in several locations in the valley, but numbers vary considerably from year to year.

Small Heath - Tucking Mill 10-06-2022

White-letter Hairstreak - Tucking Mill 09-07-2020

Green Hairstreak, although not currently endangered, has seen considerable losses in both abundance and distribution. It is categorised as a 'medium' priority' for Butterfly conservation. Again, it can be seen in several locations in the valley.

Green Hairstreak on Common Rock-rose (A larval foodplant) - Tucking Mill 24-04-2022

The full list of butterfly species is:
  • Brimstone -Gonepteryx rhamni
  • Brown Argus - Aricia agestis
  • Clouded Yellow - Colias croceus
  • Comma - Polygonia c-album
  • Common Blue - Polyommatus icarus
  • Dingy Skipper - Erynnis tages
  • Gatekeeper - Pyronia tithonus
  • Green Hairstreak - Callophrys rubi
  • Green-veined White - Pieris napi
  • Grizzled Skipper - Pyrgus malvae
  • Holly Blue - Celastrina argiolus
  • Large Skipper - Ochlodes sylvanus
  • Large White - Pieris brassicae
  • Marbled White - Melanargia galathea
  • Marsh Fritillary - Euphydryas aurinia
  • Meadow Brown - Maniola jurtina
  • Orange-tip - Anthocharis cardamines
  • Painted Lady - Vanessa cardui
  • Peacock - Aglais io
  • Red Admiral - Vanessa atalanta
  • Ringlet - Aphantopus hyperantus
  • Silver-washed Fritillary - Argynnis paphia
  • Small Copper - Lycaena phlaeas
  • Small Heath - Coenonympha pamphilus
  • Small Skipper - Thymelicus sylvestris
  • Small Tortoiseshell - Aglais urticae
  • Small White - Pieris rapae
  • Speckled Wood - Pararge aegeria
  • White-letter Hairstreak - Satyrium w-album
  • White Admiral - Limenitis camilla


Moths

From top Left - Five-spot Burnet, White-pinion Spotted, Cistus Forester, Hummingbird Hawkmoth, Jersey Tiger, Mother Shipton

Over the years, as well as butterflies, I often encounter moths on my walks in the valley. Most moths are nocturnal in nature, so my sightings are mainly of day-flying moths or others I happen to disturb.

The 'Forester moths' are the most interesting given their growing scarcity. I first saw these moths at Tucking Mill in 2023 and tentatively identified them as Cistus Foresters (Adscita geryon). It was the first time I have seen Forester moths in the Bath area since the late 1970s. Back then, they were fairly easy to spot on Bannerdown Common on the opposite side of the city.


Below is a list of the more interesting moths I have encountered over the years.


Beetles

From Top left - Red-headed Cardinal Beetle, Long-horn (probably Rutpela maculata), Tumbling Flower Beetle, Click Beetle, Soldier Beetle, Black-headed Cardinal beetle, Bloody-nosed Beetle, Green Dock Beetle

I have not made any great effort to find beetles on my walks but have observed a number of species over the years.

One species always manages to make me smile. There is one stretch of footpath near the cycle path where I have regularly seen Bloody-nosed Beetles.  I have often seen these large black and violet beetles bumble along in broad daylight, seemingly oblivious of my presence. 

Bloody-nosed Beetle - Tucking Mill 24-06-2023


Listed below are some of the species I have photographed and recorded during my walks. 
  • Red-headed Cardinal Beetle - Pyrochroa serraticornis (May 2023)
  • Black-headed Cardinal Beetle - Pyrochroa coccinea (May 2023)
  • Soldier Beetle - Probably Cantharis rustica (May 2023)
  • Tumbling Flower Beetle - Variimorda villosa (June 2023)
  • Bloody-nosed Beetle - Timarcha tenebricosa (June 2023)
  • Long-horn Beetle  - probably Rutpela maculata (July 2023)
  • Green Dock Beetle - Gastrophysa viridula (July 2023)
  • (Possibly) -  Chrysolina staphylaea (May 2022)
  • Thick-legged Flower Beetle - Oedemera nobilis (June 2022)
  • Click Beetle - Agrypnus murinus (April 2022)

Dragonflies and Damselflies

From top left - Broad-bodied Chaser Dragonfly, White-legged Damselfly, Beautiful Demoiselle Damselfly, Banded Demoiselle Damselfly, Common Blue Damselfly, Black-tailed Skimmer Dragonfly

The valley contains several water bodies. The fishing lake, along with Midford brook, and a number of smaller streams provide a variety of different water body types for a variety Odonata species. From the smaller 'blue' damselflies, such as the White-legged Damselfly, to the spectacular Beautiful and Banded Demoiselles, there is always a lot to see during the spring and summer months.

White-legged Damselfly - Tucking Mill 21-07-2023

Below are just some of the species I have managed to photograph to date. 

  • Beautiful Demoiselle Damselfly - Calopteryx virgo (July 2022)
  • Banded Demoiselle - Calopteryx splendens
  • White-legged Damselfly - Platycnemis pennipes (July 2023)
  • Black-tailed Skimmer - Orthetrum cancellatum (June 2023)
  • Southern Hawker Dragonfly - Aeshna cyanea (Sept 2023)
  • Common Darter Dragonfly - Sympetrum striolatum (Sept 2023)
  • Broad-bodied Chaser Dragonfly - Libellula depressa (May 2022)

Reptiles

From left to right - Slow Worms, Grass Snake, Common Lizard

A number of reptiles are known to inhabit the valley. Personally, I have seen three species.
  • Slow worm - Anguis fragilis (April 2023)
  • Grass s+nake - Natrix helvetica (2023)
  • Common lizard - Zootoca vivipara (2023)
Adders have also been recorded during reptile surveys, but I have not seen this species myself. I have photographed a Palmate newt further along the cycle path towards Wellow. 


Juvenile Grass Snake - Tucking Mill 17-10-2023

Hoverflies, Bee-flies and Bees

From top left - Volucella inanis, Osmia bicolour, Volucella pellucens, Chrysotoxum bicinctum, Eristalis-Nemorum, (Possibly) Eupeodes Luniger

My knowledge of these insect families is limited, although I do photograph any unusual looking 'flies' I come across. I then use a combination of guidebooks, internet searches and specialist social media groups to confirm an identification, before recording the sightings on iRecord. It is encouraging that nearly all of my sighting of Bee-flies and Hoverflies have been accepted as 'correct' or 'considered correct'.

Red-tailed Mason Bee (Osmia bicolour) - Tucking Mill 20-05-2023

For me, two sightings stand out. The first was on the 20th May 2023 when I spotted a small bee creating a mound of dry grass. I spent a while photographing and videoing this behaviour. I identified this as Osmia bicolor, a species known to lay its eggs in empty snail shells, and covering the shell with grass. (See video above).

Downland Bee-fly (Villa cingulata) - Horsecombe Vale 08-08-2024

The second was in August 2024. Having participated in the Bee-fly watch scheme earlier in the year, I was maybe a bit more alert to Bee-fly like insects. On the 8th of August whilst walking along a woodland path I noticed a Bee-fly hovering and briefly settling on the bare earth path. This was most likely a Downland Villa Bee-fly, however although the species has been recorded in the valley, this is a grassland species not normally seen in Woodland.

Downland Bee-fly (Villa cingulata) - Horsecombe Vale 08-08-2024

Wildflowers and Plants

From top left - Ramsons, Bee Orchid, Wood Anemone, Pyramidal Orchid, Devil's-bit Scabious, Spiked Star-of-Bethlehem, Common Spotted-orchid, Common Rock-rose

Botany is not a specialist area for me, and I have a fairly basic knowledge in this area. However, as you wander along the footpaths of the valley, particularly in spring and summer, you can't help appreciate the diversity of the trees, shrubs, plants and flowers. 

Midford Station (Two Tunnels Greenway) April 2022

In spring, before the canopy closes, the cycle path and woodland rides are dominated by Bluebells, Ramsons (Wild Garlic) and Wood Anemone. These provide vital nectar sources for many early insects. 

 
Pyramidal Orchid (Anacamptis pyramidalis) - Tucking Mill 12-06-2022

By June, two orchid species can be seen in several places in the valley. Common Spotted and Pyramidal Orchids appear, and on a couple of occasions I have seen a solitary Bee Orchid. 

Bee Orchid (Ophrys apifera) Tucking Mill 12-06-2022

On of the most interesting plants that can be seen here is the Spiked Star-of-Bethlehem - Ornithogalum pyrenaicum, sometimes referred to as the Bath asparagus. This latter name is because of the species once being common around the city. I have seen this plant in a couple of locations south of the city and it is an impressive sight when in full bloom, standing up to a metre high. 

Spiked Star-of-Bethlehem (Ornithogalum pyrenaicum) - Tucking Mill 10-06-2023

Of course, many of these plants provide foodplants for butterflies and moths. In one area of grassland Common Rock-rose predominates, providing breeding habitat for Green Hairstreak butterflies and Cistus Forester moths.

Flowering Common Rock-rose - Tucking Mill 10-06-2023

In some areas, later in the summer, large stands of Devil's bit Scabious can be seen. This is the primary foodplant of the Marsh Fritillary butterfly mentioned above.

Devil's-bit scabious - Tucking Mill 02-09-2023


Birds

From top left - Long-tailed Tit, Buzzard, Spotted Fly-catcher, Nuthatch, Kestral, Marsh Tit

With all my focus on insects, I have greatly overlooked the birds that inhabit and pass through the valley. The bird songs and calls that accompany my walks are varied. The 'mewing' call of Buzzards, occasional drumming of Woodpeckers are part of the backdrop as I walk the footpaths. 

Spotted Fly-catcher - Tucking Mill 02-09-2023

Two birds I have particularly enjoyed seeing were Spotted Fly-catcher in 2023 and a Marsh tit in 2024. Neither bird is particularly rare, but both drew my attention with their unfamiliar songs. 

The Marsh Tit was very focal as it flew rapidly back and forth between the cover of a Hawthorn bush and a group of thistle seed heads a few meters away.

The Spotted Fly-catcher was seen in September 2023 perched in a hedgerow with a good view of the late summer fields.

Marsh Tit - Tucking Mill 14-09-2024

In Summary

What the past six years has taught me is that not only is this location an outstanding one for wildlife but also, if you make the effort to slow down and observe closely a single location over a longer time scale, it's amazing what you can see.

The Tucking Mill valley is just one quiet location, a fifteen minute bike ride from suburban Bath where you can immerse yourself in nature at anytime of the year. As far as I know it has no formal status as a nature reserve or any other official designation that can protect it, however, for now it remains a great place to escape in nature and firm favourite for me.

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