The Two Tunnels Nature Blog

Species: Brown Argus (2) Comma (2) Common blue (1) Green-veined White (1) Meadow Brown (6) Peacock (2) Silver-washed Fritillary (1) Small Copper (1) Speckled Wood (10) Brown Argus - Tucking Mill 27-08-2022 The weather was fine and sunny as I emerged into the light from the Combe Down tunnel on the 27th. The temperature was on the wane but was still around 23c at 3.30pm in the afternoon. I headed out towards Midford, stopping briefly at the embankment that borders the fields owned by Wessex Water. There were few butterflies to be seen. Midford Viaduct as it was in May 2022 I headed on towards Midford and continued across the Viaduct, which had been cleared of vegetation since my last visit. This is both a shame and understandable. A shame because it removes the nectar sources that attract a range of insects to this warm and sunny spot. Understandable because the larger shrubs that take hold here are likely to damage the 150+ year old structure if left. My destination, a few hundred met...

Species: Grizzled Skipper (1) Brown Argus (3) Common Blue (6) Gatekeeper (1) Green-veined White (3) Large White (1) Meadow Brown (6) Silver-washed Fritillary (2) Small Copper (1) Speckled Wood (3) Grizzled Skipper - Tucking Mill 21-08-2022 Cloudy with sunny intervals was the best way to describe the weather on the 21st. My first destination was Horsecombe Vale, and as I made my way along the footpath from the cycleway I saw a very faded and tattered, male Silver-washed Fritillary feeding on Buddleia. Silver-washed Fritillary - Horsecombe Vale 21-08-2022 Horsecombe Vale itself was pretty quiet when it came to insect life. There was a lone Hornet taking an interest in some of the Hoverflies that were feeding on the umbellifers that grow alongside the footpath.  Hoverfly (probably Xylota Sylvarum) - Horscombe Vale 21-08-2022 The footpath through Horsecombe Vale is often visited by Dragon and Damselflies and today was no exception. A Common Darter dragonfly zoomed past me and perch ob...

Species: Brimstone (2) Brown Argus (2) Comma (6) Gatekeeper (8) Green-veined White (1) Holly Blue (1) Large White (4) Meadow Brown (16) Peacock (2) Silver-washed Fritillary (6) Small Copper (2) Small Skipper (1) Small Tortoiseshell (2) Small White (1) Speckled Wood (6) Small Copper - Tucking Mill 07-08-2022 It was a warm (23c), sunny afternoon when I arrived at the Tucking Mill viaduct on the 7th August. I headed on towards Midford and over the viaduct towards Wellow. Just past the first gate there are several Buddleia bushes growing near the path. This is a good spot for butterflies at this time of year.  Silver-washed Fritillary - Midford 07-08-2022 Several Silver-washed Fritillary butterflies were s wooping around, occasionally settling on the nectar filedl flowers. A pristine Large White was also making good use of the food on offer. Comma - Horsecombe Vale 07-08-2022 Heading back towards Tucking Mill, I paused for a while to survey the tall Wych Elms that grow on the embankme...

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...