I started moth trapping at the beginning of March when the Garden Moth Scheme started. I always get off to a fairly slow start and so far have trapped just eight species. Here are some photos of a few of them.
Common Plume (Emmelina monodactyla)
Oak Beauty (Biston strataria)
Common Quaker (Orthosia cerasi)
Herbrew Character (Orthosia gothica)
Twin-spotted Quaker (Anorthoa munda)
Emperor Moths are starting to emerge in the wild so I have brought my 3 year old cocoons indoors in the hope that I will finally get a female emerge and I can try "assembling" to see if I can attract any males to the garden. The adult moths can take up to four years to emerge so there is still hope!
We've had three species of butterfly in the garden so far this year - Orange Tip, Holly Blue and Speckled Wood and Tawny Mining Bees are making their miniature volcano shaped nests in the garden.
Bee Flies have been seen round the garden - I find it difficult to get photos but this individual was rescued from a spider's web in the garage and was happy to pose.
Dark-edged Bee-fly (Bombylius major)
White and Red Camellias are flowering really well this year in the garden.
Wood Anemones, Primulas and Grape Hyacinths
When I saw some small white flowers nearby my initial thought was the the Wood Anemones were spreading but on closer examination I was thrilled to find a clump of Wood Sorrel which had somehow made its way into the garden.
Recent Reading
I am fascinated by gargoyles that you see on church buildings - this little book belongs to my son and is full of examples of different types of gargoyles to be found not only in the UK but in Europe.
I usually really enjoy Rachel Hore's books but I didn't think this was quite as good as some of her past novels.
The second Ruth Galloway book I have read and I just loved this story - couldn't put it down and I read it in just a few nights. Have now recommended this series of books to my son and he is enjoying the first immensely :)
If you enjoyed The War of the Worlds by H G Wells - you will like reading this sequel by Stephen Baxter. It is written in a similar style to Wells and tells of the Martians returning to Earth. I did think that perhaps the book was a little over long and could have done with some editing. The chapters detailing the invasion in other parts of the world seemed to me to have been added as an after thought after the main story had been written. But if you like science fiction I would recommend it.
Treated myself to this cake magazine in Sainsburys - it has some superb recipes - in fact I am having trouble deciding what to make first as every recipe looks delicious.
Finally, some bee related items I have treated myself to over the last few months.
This vase was a present from my daughter for Mother's Day (sorry for blurred photo - light was low!).
