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Dear readers .. with our busy working lives and perhaps those of a later generation .. we can all be very content in our own gardens. However, do not think that you need to venture into the surrounding country walks to experience wildlife; gardens themselves .. even the smallest .. are often havens for a range of creatures apart from the bird life encounters.
Just as an example... the fabulous Hummingbird Hawkmoth .. a migrant from southern Europe increasingly seen in the UK during periods of high pressure summer days. We had a total of 15 in our garden in 2024. If you have a Buddleia bush .. they cannot resist them for topping up on nectar. They offer an amazing sight as they feed .. as the name suggests .. like a hummingbird .. away from the flowers by dipping their prehensile tongues deep in the head to extract the nectar. Immensely clever. Be on the lookout in June/July .. you may be lucky. |
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Now we are in May you can start looking for the following insect families that are already on the wing on warm sunny days .. Queen Hornets, Red-tailed Bumblebees and Bee-Flies, Comma, Peacock. Small Tortoiseshell and Red Admiral Butterflies and Small and Large Red Dragonflies. NOTES: Do NOT let children get near the Hornet .. just watch quietly from a distance!
How does the Comma get its name? On the UNDERSIDE of the wing there is a perfect white comma shape. Difficult to photograph as the butterfly tends to rest with the wings fully open. (Personally I have not seen a single Comma this year .. a sad sign of the times .. they do have a late second hatching so there is always a chance).
The Bee-Fly is beautiful but deadly .. it is parasitic and is always looking to lay eggs in another wasp family member's nest hole where the grubs emerge and feed on the unfortunate host's offspring !
As the year moves on I will highlight more creatures that you can observe .. sometimes only a few feet from your terrace or patio.
Brian Taylor
How does the Comma get its name? On the UNDERSIDE of the wing there is a perfect white comma shape. Difficult to photograph as the butterfly tends to rest with the wings fully open. (Personally I have not seen a single Comma this year .. a sad sign of the times .. they do have a late second hatching so there is always a chance).
The Bee-Fly is beautiful but deadly .. it is parasitic and is always looking to lay eggs in another wasp family member's nest hole where the grubs emerge and feed on the unfortunate host's offspring !
As the year moves on I will highlight more creatures that you can observe .. sometimes only a few feet from your terrace or patio.
Brian Taylor