Action Stations At this time of year the resident male (Cob) Mute swan spends much of the day chasing off new arrivals with little success! The Challenge.
Water, water everywhere! The water marker at the Loch on Friday afternoon before the torrential rain over the weekend. The water marker Monday afternoon!
Bugs and caterpillars. A small ‘bug’ barely 3mm in length found in the garden a few weeks ago which eventually a few weeks later turns into ……… the colourful Hawthorn Shield bug (15mm in length). Another garden find, this caterpillar 25mm in length will go through the pupa stages to become ………. the Grey Dagger moth (Wingspan 30 to 40 mm), given its name from the black dagger line markings on its forewings. and this caterpillar 60+ mm long will eventually become ……. The Elephant Hawk moth (wingspan 45 t0 60mm).
Butterflies -On the Buddleia at the Loch. Nowhere near as many numbers or species this year. Common White. Small Tortoiseshell. Red Admiral.