The Two Tunnels Nature Blog

Butterfly Species: Green-veined White (6) Brimstone (2) Speckled Wood (6) Marsh Fritillary (2) Cow Parsley in full bloom With sunny weather and temperatures in the low 20Cs, there were plenty of butterflies on the wing. Just three species were identified but many more unidentified 'whites' were seen. These were likely to have been mainly Green-veined Whites rather than Small White given their flight pattern and size. The first part of the route between Tucking Mill and Midford is now much shadier with the canopy now starting to close over the path. There were however many (10+) Demoiselle Damselflies along this stretch, many more than a week earlier. Also noted along this stretch were two Marsh Fritillary over-flying the grassy embankment from the field beyond. The fields around Tucking Mill are a known locality for this rare and protected species after the laval nests were discovered by an ecologist working for Wessex Water the year before. After passing over the...

Butterfly Species: Small White (1) Brimstone (2) Orange Tip (1) Large White (2) Green-Veined White (2) Quite a low total today (8) mainly due to the weather. Although the temperature was around 17c, high cloud diffused the sun and reduced butterfly activity. What was a surprise was the absence of Speckled Wood given the high numbers a week earlier. I would expect to see these to be flying in diffused sunlight. The only new species seen on the cycle-path was a day flying moth, The Orange Underwing (Archieris Parthenias). Two of these were seen flying quite low over a grassy bank towards the Wellow end of the path. Slightly off the path, two Dingy Skippers were spotted in a field a metre or so from the boundary fence. The field is close to Tucking Mill and is owned by Wessex Water. It adjoins the top of the embankment and the habitat is similar the path side of the fence. There is potential that this species could also be found on the path in this area. The Hawthorn blos...

Butterfly Species: Peacock (1) Small White (2) Green-Veined-White (2) Brimstone (3) Large White (3) Speckled Wood (8) Orange Tip (5) Demoiselle Damselfly A cooler day (15c) and consequently fewer butterflies on the wing with a total of 18 counted. Again this number does not include a number of 'Whites' which were not easily identified in flight. Along one stretch of shady path approaching the Wellow Trekking Centre, there were a large number (10+) of  Demoiselle Damselflies. This is a stretch of path where a small spring runs alongside for 100m or so. This watercourse is now nearly completely obscured by vegetation. Cycle Path nearing Wellow Trekking Centre Near Midford Castle, it was a treat to see a number of small and medium sized Wych Elms in fruit. Wych Elm near Midford Castle

Butterfly Species: Brimstone (8) Small Tortoiseshell (1) Speckled Wood (13) Orange Tip (9) Holly Blue (1) Small White (2) Peacock (1) Green-Veined White (1) Cycle Path - Approaching Midford Station The warmest day so far and not surprisingly the highest numbers of butterflies recorded to date (36).The top three species being Speckled Wood, Orange Tip and Brimstone in that order. The flora has changed subtly with Wild Garlic (Ransoms) now predominating  in many places. Checking the Garlic Mustard flower heads revealed several eggs of the Orange Tip butterfly. Orange Tip Egg on Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata) Green-veined, Small and Large Whites were also on the wing. As these species are very similar and very restless in the heat, it was difficult to positively identify them in flight. Consequently, I have probably under-recorded these species. Demoiselle Damselfly Other sightings include a brief glimpse of this Demoiselle Damselfly. It is either a Beautif...

Butterfly Species: Speckled Wood (8) Orange Tip (5) Holly Blue (1) Brimstone (3) Comma (1) Brimstone - Male (Gonepteryx rhamni) A week on from my last visit and three new species to add to the 2018 list. Speckled Wood, Orange Tip and Holly Blue are all on the wing. Speckled Wood topped the list with a minimum of eight spotted during the walk. Speckled Wood (Parage aegeria) Both male and female Orange Tip were flying in good numbers with the latter beginning egg laying on the small patches of Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata). Orange-Tip - Female (Anthocharis cardamines) Recently laid (white) Orange-tip egg Cycle path near Midford Station

Butterfly Species: Brimstone (5) Peacock (2) Small Tortoiseshell (2) Comma (1) Small White (1) Scarlet Tiger Moth Larva (Callimorpha dominula) Two weeks on from my first trip and the temperature has risen to between 14-17c. More butterflies are present including my years first Small White. It was noticeable how much greener the route looked compared to my first trip. Many more flowers had appeared including the first Bluebells. Both male and female Brimstone butterflies were on the wing and were the most commonly met with of the five species seen. The other notable sighting was a single Scarlet Tiger Moth larva. This was spotted feeding on a Common Comprey plant near the Wellow end of the path. This species has extended its range considerably during the latter half of the 20thC. Heading back towards the tunnels, as I passed and area cleared by volunteers in March, I noticed a small Grass Snake disappearing down one of the many holes that perforated this section o...

Butterfly Species: Brimstone (1) One of the first warm sunny days of the year and the first of my weekly trips through the tunnels to Midford. With the temperature settling between 12-15c I was hopeful of seeing some of the first butterflies of my butterfly year. Wood Anemone - Anemone nemorosa (Near Midford Railway Station) Many of the common spring flowers are out including Primrose and Wood Anemone. Despite the warm and sunny weather only one butterfly was spotted on this trip, a single male Brimstone close to the abandoned Midford Railway Station. Further out towards Wellow the verges widen and I was struck by the abundance of Primroses. These have colonised the maintained embankments with spectacular effect. Further on as I neared Wellow, an impressive display of what I guess are the spikes of Great  Horsetail pushing through. Primroses - Primula vulgaris Primroses - Primula vulgaris