When I went outside this morning I was really thrilled to see a red and black moth fluttering against the perspex - a Cinnabar (Tyria jacobaeae) and a garden tick! Instead of getting the camera and trying to get at least a record shot I made the stupid mistake of trying to pot it. Result - one escaped moth. I won't tell you what I said but it wasn't very polite! Typical for once I get a colourful moth and fail to get a photo but if you are not familiar with the species its wings are black with red lines along each outer forewing and two red splotches at the base of the wings.
Hidden inside one of the egg boxes was, if my id is correct, another new species for the garden - a Common Swift (Hepialus lupulinus)
Common Swift
Also trapped was a Shuttle-shaped Dart
and new for this year the micro moth Tachystola acroxantha. This was another moth that managed to escape my potting efforts so I've "cheated" a bit and used a photo I took of this species last year.
This brings the number of moth species in the garden this year up to 16 and the total number of moth species since I started trapping up to 138 species.
Garden Flowers
I took some photos of garden flowers last weekend when it was still cloudy and cold!
The Alium I bought a few weeks ago is now in flower - hopefully the warmer weather will mean more insects in the garden visiting flowers like this
The seedlings are growing well in the nectar friendly pot I planted with Nasturtiums, Candytuft and Calendula or Pot Marigold.
Clematis is putting on a superb display this year
Aquilegia's don't usually do very well in our garden but this one seems to like this spot. This flower is also known as Columbine or, my favourite, Granny's Bonnet.
More Azaleas plus Yellow Poppies are starting to bloom
A couple of pictures of the wildflower "meadow" - you can see the difference between the well-established part and the part re-seeded earlier this year. I suspect we may get lots of poppies later this year.
Another photo of Red Campion which is self-seeding in flower borders! I really do love this flower.
White Camelia
When Thyme starts to flower it is usually covered in bees but even though its so much hotter there still seems little bee activity in the garden.
10 comments:
Nothing wrong with your Common Swift id, Caroline.
Dean- Thanks so much for confirming my id :)
Well done with your new moth ticks. It'll be niceto see how your wildflower meadow progresses, I expect it'll be a good pull for nectar loving insects. Aliums and Aquilegas are favourites of mine, super flowers, Linda
Linda - Many thanks. Last year we had a lot of insects and bees in the "meadow" especially on the St Johns Wort so I am hoping for the the same this year! Strangely though it didn't seem to attract many butterflies. I've wanted some aliums for years - the trouble is I keep buying plants and we are running out of space :)
Exciting the new finds....love your flowers and garden right now. I'm thinking your Alium will definitely succeed in attracting the moths. This plant will have them covered. I have a shot from last year where I got a great shot of a moth sitting on top of the flower part. Good luck with your choices. Last year I placed a lot of wonderful butterfly friendly plants in the garden....this year has been a lot of fun as I've had them all over! Heat seems to be the factor. As it's getting hotter here, there are many many more moths and butterflies than before. Enjoy:)
Chris - Many thanks. Its getting hotter over here by the day so hopefully more butterflies and moths soon!
Well done on the moths Caroline but bad luck on the escapee, at least you saw it though. I do think trying to photograph wildlife is the most frustrating thing! The times I have had the perfect bird or butterfly photo in the frame and just as I press the button...gone!
I have Clematis 'Nelly Moser' in my garden too and she always performs well with zero help from me ;-) I also have Columbines and those Yellow Poppies but can only grow Azaleas in pots as we don't have acidic soil.
Another interesting post and lovely photos.
Shy Songbird - Many thanks glad you enjoyed the post and photos.
I have to agree about wildlife photography - I did smile at your comment :) It seems the story of my photographic life!
Clematis does seem to thrive without any help :) Our soil is very sandy and acidic and the azaleas do well although some species of plant/flower don't!
You have some good captures there don't you?
Your garden is lovely, I wish I had that much space - oh and the strength to tend to it.
Toffeapple - Many thanks. Yes, I was really pleased with the Cinnabar and Common Swift especially.
I must admit I love our garden - the size of it was the main selling point of the house. Although my husband has totally altered it over the 30 years we have been here. Have to admit I just "potter" Brian does all the hard work :)
Post a Comment