FRIDAY, 27TH FEBRUARY

Lots of flowers are now appearing on clumps of Primroses in the garden

and a few flowers are starting to appear on Cowslips.

WEDNESDAY, 25TH FEBRUARY

Garden Moths and First Wasp of the Year


I found a Satellite (Eupsilia transversa) on the garage window last night - the second garden moth of the year.

Satellite

I've put the moth trap out for the second time this year as it looks very mild tonight - around ten degrees Centigrade.




I found a wasp flying very angrily round the garage today. A really poor photo (even for a record shot!!) but she wouldn't keep still and I didn't want to mess around for too long before releasing her from the garage.

It seems very early to me but I suspect she has woken up from hibernation due to the mild weather and I hope she finds somewhere else to find shelter.

TUESDAY, 24TH FEBRUARY

Garden Bird List for 2015

Juvenile Great Spotted Woodpecker on garden feeders the summer before last



I can't remember when my year Garden Bird Species List got off to such a poor start - only 15 species seen so far this year.


Carrion Crow
House Sparrow
Robin
Blackbird
Magpie
Wood Pigeon
Blue Tit
Dunnock
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Great Tit
Goldfinch
Coal Tit
Long Tailed Tit
Stock Dove
Wren


Sadly, no Chaffinches, Greenfinches or Lesser Redpolls. I think weather may be playing a part or perhaps there is plenty of natural food available this Winter so there is no need for birds to visit feeders. This year we haven't had much snow (any that has fallen has melted within hours). In past years when snow has covered the ground for several days more unusual species, such as Fieldfare, Redwing and Pied Wagtail, have visited the garden.

SUNDAY, 15TH FEBRUARY

First Garden Moth of the Year



I put out my moth trap (a 15w Actinic Skinner Trap) last night for the first time this year.

There was nothing in the trap but I did find this Spring Usher (Agriopis leucophaearia) close by on the house wall

(Sorry poor photo - the battery for my own camera was charging so attempted to use the new bridge camera and sadly I still haven't had the time to read the manual and get to grips with how it actually works!!).




Saturday, 14th February

Min Temp 4.7 degrees centigrade

Spring Usher x 1 (New for Year) and even better a New Species for the Garden!

FRIDAY, 6TH FEBRUARY

Primroses (Primula vulgaris) are just coming into flower in the garden.

THURSDAY, 5TH FEBRUARY

Green Man Patio Pot

The Green Man Patio Pot was a Christmas present from my daughter - she'd had it specially made :) I went to the nurseries last weekend to try and buy some snowdrops and winter aconites to plant but unfortunately there were no aconites and the snowdrops were rather expensive. So I decided to buy some winter flowering pansies which once they start growing and flowering should make a colourful display :)