Tuesday 21st June 2024 - Monkton Combe to Midford.

The 3 Amigos were back together for todays walk from Monkton Combe to Midford following Midford Brook. We parked at the bottom of Summer Lane and while changing footwear found our first sightings of the day, Buzzard, Swallow and Goldfinch. A house on the edge of the village has bird feeders and here we added Woodpigeon, Blue Great and Coal Tits. Walking through the village Swift and House Martin were flying over the rooftops. Walking towards the brook House Sparrow and Blackbird were found along with several Rabbit's Walking through the fields Carrion Crows were in with the cows and 2 Jay's flew away as we were walking flying into a tree that already contained several Magpie's. A Lesser Black Back Gull flew over and a Tiger Moth that I think was a Garden Tiger flew quickly past. A Kingfisher that zipped past down the stream was our next sighting followed by calling Nuthatches that we think was a family party. Meadow Brown Butterflies were everywhere far to many to count but a single Red Admiral was an easy count. A calling Chiffchaff was the only other sighting on this leg of the walk. In Midford where the main road crosses the brook a Grey Wagtail was on a rock in the middle of the stream. Walking to Tucking Mill on the woodland footpath a Robin was the only new bird but we did see Speckled Wood and Comma butterflies. Nothing on Tucking Mill Lake and the only new bird seen as we walked back to the car was a Wren. A lovely walk even though it was hot at times but the lack of birds is worrying but the lack of butterflies is very worrying in what should have been perfect conditions.

The only other interesting things we saw were 2 species of Orchid including this Common Spotted-Orchid.

Common Spotted Orchid
Bath Birdwatcher

Also this Pyrenees Star of Bethlehem.

Pyrenees Star of Bethlehem
Bath Birdwatcher