The garden seems full of colour at the moment as more flowers start to bloom.
Cat's Ear now in flower in the "No Mow" Zone
Must admit I am not a lover of Rhodendrons but the flowers are quite striking.
Osteospermum
I haven't a clue what this flower is - it self-seeded in one of the raised beds. If anyone knows the identity I would love to know.
Choisea is still flowering.
The pond is starting to look a little overgrown - OH is not happy about the duckweed!!!
Yellow Flags are finally flowering in the bog garden.
Foxgloves, so popular with bees, self-seed themselves all round the garden. Am really pleased a white one has appeared in the front garden this year. Will get a photo when the buds open.
The Astrantia I bought last year has re-appeared.
Geums
It never ceases to amaze me how plants can do well one year and badly the next. I bought this Papaver a few years ago and, although it flowered well the first year, last year it never even appeared. However, this year it is full of buds.
"Money" seeds are starting to form on Honesty. I thought an Orange Tip was laying eggs on this plant but haven't yet found any caterpillars.
Storksbill geranium.
Valerian much loved by Humming-bird Hawk-moths and many other insects.
The Humming-bird Hawk-moth did re-appear briefly on Saturday morning and even stayed around until I had fetched the camera. Sadly, it whizzed between around a few flowers and then flew off over the garage roof again. Rather annoyed I didn't get even a record shot!
Garden Birds
Had the first visit of the year at the weekend from a family of Greenfinches who visited the feeders.
News on the Blue Tit chicks is not good. There is only one remaining chick. Hopefully, the parents can find enough food to raise just this one.
Garden Moths
A new species for the garden
Silver-ground Carpet (Xanthorhoe montanata)
The larvae feed on various herbaceous plants such as Hedge Bedstraw, Primroses and Cleavers (plenty of the latter in the garden!!).
I've put the trap out tonight - really hoping for something other than Heart and Dart, Shuttle-shaped Darts and various Pug species which escape before you can pot them!
Nice photos, the pond looks nice even with the duckweed. Sad news about the Blue Tits, fingers cross the remaining one makes it.
ReplyDeleteThanks Ian. It is very upsetting about the Blue Tits - not sure what was the problem whether it was because there was a lack of food or that the parents were useless.
DeleteFlowers are looking lovely and nice to see you are getting some new moths. Love the Foxglove, I bought a yellow one for the front garden and it's looking rather nice.
ReplyDeleteOther news, have recorded all my plots for Plantlife going to do some plots at Inventory Level...as one plot, the stream had no flowers at all for Indicator Level. I was going to give up on Sunday morning as I just could not get what was going on!! then I found comments people had left on their blog (Plantlife) and it all just came together and I feel a lot happier. Putting all the photos,maps and information all together on it,s own blog.
How are you doing with yours?
Cat news, going to move the chrysalis to a larger space, is there anything I should put in for the Butterflies when they emerge , eg twigs damp sponge to drink ?
Thanks...
Amanda xx
Thanks Amanda :) Well done on the Plantlife Survey and thanks for letting me know there is a blog which sounds really helpful. Am embarrassed to say I still haven't revisited mine. The main problem is that its not a place I would want to walk and spend ages on my own but if OH came he would be totally bored at the time it would take to set up the plots and record stuff and take photos. D has a few days off soon and I will see if I can persuade him to come along with me - I can bribe him with a pub lunch!! The other problem is lack of access. There are two public footpaths but car parking is a huge problem for both. One I could perhaps park at a farm activity centre (if it was open) but the other I would have to park a long way away and walk for a mile or so before I actually got on the square. Will let you know if I do actually manage to attempt!!! Just so wish I hadn't volunteered so early and been allocated a square - would have been much better if I could have picked my own!
DeleteGlad to hear the butterfly news. I think the really important thing is propped up twigs so they have somewhere to climb to dry their wings. Emperor moths don't feed as adults so I didn't have to worry re: food/water and in the past when I've raised butterflies I released them as soon as they could fly. I think you can provide a damp sponge soaked in 1 part sugar 4 parts water if you can't release them straightaway. But don't put sugar solution in a dish as if they get really sticky feet it can cause problems! So exciting - you will be over the moon when they emerge :)
I've been thinking about your plot for Plantlife and why don't you hand it back, I have read people have done this. They are adding new plots all the time , especially if you are not happy to go there on your own. It needs to be right as we should be going every year. I would wait for something a little more to your liking. I have now been three times and need to go again to gather more data, it has taken a lot of work to set up, next year should be easier as I will have everything in place. I don't mind to much but they should have said it will take more time than simply popping along twice a year. I all so think this has put a few people of... have a think.
DeleteAmanda xx
Hi Amanda - Thanks so much for your very thoughtful comment. You are so right especially as its something we are supposed to be doing year in and year out. The square I surveyed the previous two years has just completely disappeared off their map of squares so I can't ask for that again. I did have a quick look some time ago at the squares available and there was one (quite a lot further away) that looked more suitable. Am starting to panic a bit as there is so little time left to do the early summer visit. If my son will come with me I will try and visit the one I've been allocated and walk along the public footpaths before I completely decide to let it go. If the worst comes to the worst I may have to leave it until next year and start afresh either with the same square or with a new one. I do agree with you about the fact that its not as straightforward as they make out - there seems to be such a lot to record (i.e. percentages of this and that). Fair enough if you are an experienced botanist it probably is all a bit of a doddle but its certainly far more complicated than the old Plantlife one which I suspect was meant more for amateurs. Its very kind of you to give me such good advice. Been out today and tonight but when I get a second I will look at the forum you mentioned. Will let you know what I decide.
DeleteDid manage to add the bioblitz information at the end of last week. There were a couple I had problems adding but in the end I just left them off.
Glad the Hummingbird Hawk-moth returned but a shame you weren't able to get a pic. Still seeing it is the main thing and it must have been a special moment when you did spot it.
ReplyDeleteLovely to see all the flowers though I'm afraid I can't help with the ID of the mystery flower. I'm sure I've seen it before but the name escapes me. I also have a love-hate relationship with Rhodendrons for though I know they are an aggressive & invasive plant, they nevertheless remind me of my childhood home in Nidderdale where we had lots of it in the garden.
Hope the last of the Blue tit chicks manages to fledge and kindest regards to all :-)
PS. Fingers crossed for a rich variety of moths :-)
Thanks so much David - yes it was the sighting that was the important part :) In fact, these days sometimes when I go out I don't take the camera as it means I can appreciate everything more rather than trying to take photos all the time!
DeleteIts fascinating how childhood memories of flowers etc.,remain with you always. Have just been writing about that in a post on RR Nature Notes. The older I get the more sentimental I seem to become over childhood memories!
Still not getting too many moths - but trapped the first Silver Y and Riband Wave last night :)
Best wishes to you and your family David :)
Mystery plant is Oxalis I believe, but this looks like an ornamental variety. Mostly they are very annoying weeds which have a tendency to infest all my pots of geraniums and their creeping roots mean I cannot get rid of them!
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about the blue tits - hope they can feed the remaining chick. Like all the floral pics, your garden must be looking colourful. I love Valerian too. :-)
Millymollymandy - Thanks so much especially re id of Oxalis. By coincidence I suddenly cottoned on yesterday that the leaves were similar to the wild variety and yes, we have loads of it here too!
ReplyDeleteI am really chuffed that Valerian has self-seeded in several places round the garden :) I don't know if the white variety attracts pollinators in the same way but would quite like a white one too :)
Sad news re: Blue Tit - the remaining chick has joined its siblings. As I mentioned in another comment am not sure if it was due to lack of availability of caterpillars or the fact that the parents were totally useless - suspect it was the latter!! Very upsetting but we've had clutches fail before and other years all the young have fledged successfully.