The Two Tunnels Nature Blog

Species: Brimstone (1) Comma (7) Common Blue (2) Gatekeeper (8) Green-veined White (5) Meadow Brown (12) Peacock (6) Red Admiral (3) Silver-washed Fritillary (6) Small White (2) Brimstone (2) Peacock - Tucking Mill 30-07-2022 A short visit on the 30th July was my first for a while. The previous weeks had seen temperatures soar to record levels, so I was interested to see what impact there had been on the butterfly population. Meadow Brown- Tucking Mill 30-07-2022 The temperature had fallen to around 22c as I headed out towards Midford. I noticed a good number of Meadow Brown butterflies along with a similar number of Gatekeepers. A comma could be seen perched on a bramble leaf, one of seven I was to see that day. Comma- Tucking Mill 30-07-2022 Further along the path towards Midford , I paused to see if I could spot any White-letter Hairstreaks in the canopy of some tall Wych Elm trees. None were seen. Red Admiral - Midford 30-07-2022 As I approached the Midford Viaduct a  Red Admi...

Species: Comma (6) Gatekeeper (4) Green-veined White (1) Large White (1) Marbled White (1) Meadow Brown (7) Ringlet (2) Silver-washed Fritillary (6) Small Skipper (1) Small White (2) Speckled Wood (1) White-letter Hairstreak (2) Male and female Silver-washed Fritillary - Midford 09-07-2022 The cool of the Combe Down tunnel was welcome as I headed towards Tucking Mill on Saturday 9th July. It felt hot (23c) and humid as I arrived at 3pm. I headed off towards Midford and stopped on the cycle-path just below Midford Castle. I checked the tall Wych Elms for any sign of White-letter Hairstreaks. None were spotted. This is a little disconcerting as this is the second year I have failed to see them in this location.  Silver-washed Fritillary - Midford 09-07-2022 At this time of year, I would expect to see Silver-washed Fritillary flying in this location. The semi-wooded landscape in the valley seems to provide the right conditions for this butterfly to thrive. The first of the day was fly...

Species: Comma (3) Gatekeeper (3) Green-veined White (1) Holly Blue (1) Marbled White (11) Meadow Brown (5) Red Admiral (1) Ringlet (7) Silver-washed Fritillary (4) Small Skipper (7) Silver-washed Fritillary - Horsecombe Vale 05-07-2022 I decided to head out early today, the 5th of July. The forecast was for the early sunshine to be replaced with near complete cloud cover by 11.00am. As it turned out I was greeted by a grey sky when I arrived in Horsecombe Vale at around 9.30am Small Tortoiseshell Larvae - Combe Down, Bath 05-07-2-22 I was on foot today, Labrador in tow and as I set off down the footpath from Combe Down I noticed a larval web on the nettles that line the path. These appear to be Small Tortoiseshell caterpillars. Most years I only manage to find one or two, but this year I have seen maybe fifteen to twenty. Interesting! Horsecombe Vale first summer after Ash Die-back clearance - 05-07-2022 My plan for the day was to walk through Horsecombe Vale, up to the fields near Tu...

Species: Brimstone (2) Comma (1) Common Blue (3) Dingy Skipper (3) Green Hairstreak (1) Large Skipper (5) Marbled White (2) Meadow Brown (4) Painted Lady (1) Peacock (1) Comma - Tucking Mill 12-06-2022 It was about 4pm on the 12th June when I emerged from the Combe Down tunnel. I had decided to cycle on towards Midford and Wellow and then work my way slowly back. I crossed over the Midford viaduct and onto the permissive section of path.  Brimstone larva - Midford 12-06-2022 It was here I noticed two male Brimstone butterflies. These butterflies do fly well into June most years and this is a location where I have regularly found the early stages of this insect. It wasn't long before I found a Brimstone larva on one of just a few Buckthorn bushes that line the path. Beautiful Demoiselle - Midford 12-06-2022 One of the features of this stretch of path at this time of year are the frequent, large damselflies. These are invariably Beautiful Demoiselles. Today a metallic blue-green mal...

Butterfly Species: Dingy Skipper (1) Marbled White (1) Meadow Brown (3) Small Heath (2) Speckled Wood (1) Small Heath - Tucking Mill 10-06-2022 On Friday 10th June my visit to Tucking Mill was on foot. Rather than taking the cycle path through the Two Tunnels, I walked down into Horsecombe Vale accompanied by my Labrador. It was an early trip and the weather rather overcast, although warm at 18c considering it was only 10.15am. Beautiful Demoiselle Damselfly - Horsecombe Vale 10-06-2022 A Beautiful Demoiselle damselfly flew past and perched on a leaf as I made my way along the valley floor towards the Tucking Mill reservoir. It's brown tinted wings and metallic green body identified it as a female. Comma larva on Wych Elm - Horsecombe Vale 10-06-2022 At this time of year I always checkout the Wych Elm trees. In another months time White-letter Hairstreaks will be on the wing, and this is good time to search for the larvae of this species, or the damage they do to the young leaves....

Species: Comma (1) Common Blue (1) Dingy Skipper (1) Green Hairstreak (1) Green-veined White (2) Grizzled Skipper (2) Holly Blue (1) Large Skipper (2) Orange Tip (3) Painted Lady (1) Peacock (1) Speckled Wood (1) Large Skipper - Tucking Mill 28-05-2022 The 28th of May was a cloudy day with the occasional sunny interlude. I arrived at the Tucking Mill viaduct at around 3pm, and headed straight for a section of embankment that often harboured butterflies at this time of year. Common Blue Damselfly - Tucking Mill 28-05-2022 Being rather cloudy, there were not many butterflies to be seen. A lone Green Hairstreak could be seen nectaring on Birds-foot Trefoil the other side of the fence, and some odd looking day-flying moths could be seen in the distance. What was noticeable were the many small damselflies that flew up from the grass as I moved along the fence line. I believe these to be the Common Blue damselflies. Common Carpet moth - Tucking Mill 28-05-2022 On many of my wanderings, I com...