Flower power

Our garden exists for one purpose and that is to provide sanctuary for the wildlife that is to be found around West Dumpton. Most of our plant choices have been made with insects in mind - moths being number one consideration! Not everyone's favourite group of insects; I happily accept that.
Today has been a wonderful testament to our vision, the garden has been "buzzing" with insect life. The major draw, at present, is the huge bank of flowering buddlieas that stretch the entire length of our northern boundary. I have been outside for the majority of the morning - hoping that a Hummingbird Hawk-moth might show up. It didn't happen.



Butterflies abound, I recorded Large, Small and Green-veined Whites, Peacock, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Small Tortoiseshell, Comma, Painted Lady and Red Admiral; all of which are to be expected. The Speckled Wood and Common Blue, however, are far less predictable in their appearances.

 

A splendid Migrant Hawker dragonfly rested for a while and several Ancistocerus sp. Mason Wasps were hunting around the dead flowers; all very sinister. A cracking morning to be outside, several Willow Warblers and a Blackcap were transient visitors with a couple of pulses of House Martins heading south overhead