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GARDEN 25 |
The Garden and Wildlife cont.
During the daytime, the garden is alive with insect activity. Due to its proximity to the downs, it is not uncommon to have several species of downland butterflies joining the resident Holly blues in summer as the lavender and marjoram come into flower. Nettles are cut regularly to provide a mixture of fresh and older leaves as food plants for Red admirals, Peacocks and Tortoiseshells. In some years, the garden is full of Painted Ladies feasting on Buddleia and Verbena. These are regularly joined by migrant Hummingbird Hawk moths that arrive in July and a flush of Clouded Yellows that arrive in August. In 2003, these were joined by a Swallowtail. Sadly, the batteries in my camera were flat and so I missed the chance to get a photograph. Perhaps climate change will encourage more to cross the English channel in future. The vegetable garden and orchard are also good places to spot butterflies more commonly associated with woodland areas as they are bounded by native hedgerow species and the longer grass margins provide good cover and food supplies. You can also spot several species of dragonfly feeding voraciously on smaller insects from July until maybe as late as November.
Not a trick photograph, but on a sunny day in February, butterflies can be fooled into thinking that it is safe to come out of hibernation.
Buddleia "Lochinch" is a magnet for butterflies in high summer.
(L) A Comma sunbathes on the potatoes in the vegetable garden. (R) The "comma" is on the underside of the wings.
A Wall butterfly enjoys the June sunshine.
(L) Holly blues are with us all year round. (C) A small copper is one of our regulars when the marjoram comes into flower. (R) Marbled whites are another downland species attracted into the garden by allowing "weeds" to thrive in odd corners.
(L) Hummingbird Hawk moths are becoming increasingly common in the garden. (R) Perfectly camouflaged against a roof tile, something one hardly ever sees. A hummingbird hawk moth at rest.