GMS Week 10 - Saturday, 4th May
Minimum Temperature 5.1 degrees centigrade
15w Actinic Skinner Trap
I am still not trapping many moths but Saturday's catch included a rather cute Muslin Moth
2187 Common Quaker (Orthosia cerasis) x 1
2063 Muslin Moth (Diaphora mendica) x 1 (NFY)
I ran the trap again last night - min temp 4.1 degrees centigrade.
The catch included a Shuttle-shaped Dart (Agrotis puta) (new for year)
a Clouded Drab and a Common Quaker
Blue Tit Update
The female Blue Tit finally started to incubate her eggs today and we finally got chance to see how many she had laid (last week when leaving the nest in the daytime she was covering them up that well that we couldn't see how many). She's laid ten - really pleased as its more than were laid in previous years. Since we bought the nest camera the number of eggs have been 2010 seven, and six in 2011 and 2012. This year's eggs should hatch between about 19th and 21st May.
Butterflies
The warm sunny weather has resulted in several butterfly species been sighted in the garden for the first time this year - 1st May Holly Blue, 5th May Small White and delighted to finally see the emergence of Orange Tips. Is there a lovelier butterfly and a sure sign that Spring really has arrived :)
Garden Flowers
Bleeding Heart is in flower in the garden.
Brian treated himself to some new Hanging Baskets and we've actually planted them early this year.
I thought I had lost my acer last year but was thrilled recently to see its survived and in full leaf. Just need to find a place somewhere in the garden for it and get it out of its pot.
The new waterfall is slowly weathering and looking more natural and we've put more plants in the rockery.
Marsh marigolds are starting to flower by the pond.
Violets have self-seeded all over the garden
and Wood Anemone (Wind Flowers) are flowering.
Tawny Mining Bees (Andrena fulva) have appeared over the last few days and are starting to build their miniature volcano shaped nests on the second lawn.
Cowslips are flowering in the mini wildflower meadow and have started to self seed. Now have six plants rather than just one.
Those who've been visiting for ages may remember that Brian re-seeded part of the wildflower meadow last year to try and get rid of couch grass and encourage the return of poppies. We also planted some Garlic Mustard seeds and I was over the moon to notice earlier this evening that a few plants have appeared this year and are just starting to flower.
Camelias are still in flower and
at long last winter flowering violas have started to put on a colourful display.
Love your new waterfall and how wonderful to have so much colour in your garden.
ReplyDeleteInteresting moths you get too.. must admit I don't know much about them!
Tricia Ryder - Thanks so much Tricia - the garden has perked up the last week or so :)
ReplyDeleteMoths are fascinating and trapping is very addictive - have been trying to get Pete interested - LOL!!!! :)
The Muslin moth is cute! I was delighted to see my first Orange Tips of the year, too, last week (although not locally; I'm still waiting to see them here). And that's great news about the wild flower meadow. Lovely photos.
ReplyDeleteThat first moth is a beauty.
ReplyDeleteYour garden looks very good, the waterfall especially so.
The only butterflies I have seen so far are Brimstones.
Wendy - Thanks Wendy - the first moth always reminds me of a teddy bear :)Orange Tips seem to have emerged en masse now - am seeing them everywhere:)
ReplyDeleteToffeeapple - Thanks so much. Top moth is rather cute :)
Glad you like the garden.
Not seen too many species of butterfly myself yet - although more around over the weekend.
I've never seen a muslin moth - it's beautiful. Great to see your garden coming to life. Mine is just about starting now although I think we're probably three weeks behind everyone else, even a couple of miles down the road the beech is starting to come out....not here!
ReplyDeleteEm Parkinson - The Muslin moths are lovely - the female is white.
ReplyDeleteLots of new growth (leaves and flowers) around here over the last week. Hope your garden catches up soon. Its amazing how gardens etc. can vary within a small area due to differences in altitude, locations etc.
An interesting and varied read yet again and its good to see the moths and butterflies starting to increase in variety isn't it. I love all the wildflowers too, you certainly have a beautiful garden which is full of life :-)
ReplyDeleteHi Caroline :-) So interresting to read your garden news and see the lovely photos. The Muslin moth is very attractive with its furry 'cape'. Wow, ten eggs! That's quite a clutch and if they are hopefully all successful will keep mum and dad very busy, I do hope all goes well.
ReplyDeleteI particularly liked the photos of the Bleeding Heart and the Cowslips. The Cowslips growing wild in my grass are only just in bud. Your waterfall and rockery has come on well and looks pretty already. Are your Camelias in pots? Our soil isn't acidic enough to grow them in the ground. I may have asked that before, apologies if I have.
Thank you so much for all your caring words regarding my health recently Caroline, so kind of you! At the moment it has been a bit one step forward and two back and of course it has been so frustrating to miss the entire period of good weather :-(
David Turner - Many thanks for your lovely comment :) The garden seems to have come on in leaps and bounds in the last few weeks at long last!!
ReplyDeleteShySongbird Hi Jan - So sorry to hear you are still poorly :( Everytime I see a Spring wildflower I have been thinking of you and hoping you have been feeling well enough to get out and see them yourself. Really do hope you feel a little better soon. It must be so frustrating for you :(
Thank you for your lovely comments :)Muslin moths must be one of the cutest :) Keeping fingers crossed about the Blue Tit nest - will issue updates. Tried to get a record shot of the eggs but every time she leaves she covers them up so well you can hardly see them. Have only seen the whole ten on one occasion!
The cowslips even within our garden are at different stages of development - some have "gone over", some are in full flower and a few just with buds. The camelias are in the ground but we have very sandy acidic soil here - you haven't asked before btw :)
re: York Minster and vandalism to windows. Have re-read that section of Souvenir Guide but it doesn't mention when vandalism occurred.
Take care Jan and hope you feel better soon.
Caroline, you really have some nice things growing in your yard. I love the pond and all the flowers.....and the hanging pot is cool. Beautiful!!! Now the dragonflies will begin their flight....:)
ReplyDeleteChris Rohrer - Thanks so much :) Hoping for some dragonflies and damselflies soon :)
ReplyDelete