Final moult
When I caught sight of this Drake Mackerel Mayfly on a bank of bramble and nettles down at Cleeve Prior Mill this afternoon, I wondered what on earth she was doing sitting out in the open like this: they’re usually … Continued
Smiley face
Tired after yesterday’s surfeit of fun, I didn’t put in much effort today, and more or less pottered the day away. Because it was rather dark and cold I wasn’t expecting much insect activity either, so I was surprised when … Continued
Successful
I’m beginning to lose count now, but just based on the number of exuviae I’ve collected, this is at least the tenth successful Southern Hawker emergence this season from our little wildlife pond. That said, for a while I thought … Continued
Relationship
As far as I know, invertebrates don’t go in for existential philosophising, but I can’t help but feel that it must be a little strange to be in a relationship, albeit temporary, with your former skeleton. Though to be fair, … Continued
Southern Hawker factory
The tiny wildlife pond R dug out and installed for me as a Covid lockdown project – it’s maybe four feet by three, and about eighteen inches at its deepest point – has suddenly turned into a bit of a … Continued
Orange-vented Mason Bee
I found it very satisfying to step out of my front door this morning, take two steps across the lawn, and find this pretty female Orange-vented Mason Bee (Osmia leaiana) nectaring on the thistle I’ve left there. I wish I … Continued
Transformation
When I walked around the garden this morning, looking for insects, I was surprised to find that the weather had suddenly turned autumnal – dark, windy, and none too warm. I found a few invertebrates, but none that really interested … Continued
Dragon day
After all the moaning I’ve been doing about the dearth of dragons around here this year, today turned out to be a Very Good Day Indeed. R and I were tidying the garden this afternoon, in preparation for the family … Continued
Just resting
R chugged into my study this morning while I was still wondering what to do with my day, and told me that he’d just spotted a damselfly nymph climbing one of the pond plants, and if I got a shift … Continued
