Garden insects

Today the temperature reached the giddy heights of 20 degrees. This actually brought out a few insects.

Mini-meadow and local orchids

Floristically this has got to rank as the best time of year. Although the weather hasn’t turned into a heat-wave, it’s warm enough in the middle of the day, and there are sufficient dry spells, to enjoy what’s on offer. Last week the front garden and mini-meadow were looking their splendid best, and the bees are taking full advantage.

Bishopthorpe sunshine

It’s been a wierd spring, but when the sun comes out, it’s a lovely time of year here.

Spring flower extravaganza

April, as you know, was a complete wash-out for practically everything. However, now May has arrived, catch-up has begun.

Last dregs of summer

Gorgeous weather the last few days has had us cutting the mini-meadow (always a great celebration), and enjoying the last insects of the year.

Goldfinches in the mini-meadow

I haven’t recorded much in the way of macro-fauna in the mini-meadow. A frog is present every year when I cut the hay. A hedgehog visits, judging from the trails through the grass and droppings left behind. So it was nice today to boost that number to three species.

High summer- betony, butterflies and bottoms up

It’s been a glorious week. Lots of new flowers out, and insects on them.

Bees

One of my June pleasures is bee-watching in the front garden; or, as I famously coined after a bit too much beer, meadow-tating. Here’s a selection of what was there today. 

June in the Mini-Meadow

June is the best month by far in the mini-meadow, simply because it’s when the largest number of species bloom together. Here’s what’s on display right now.

Elderflower picking in Acaster Malbis

Went for a great walk today on what is rapidly becoming my favourite jaunt from home: across the fields to Acaster Malbis and back along the river. The “purpose” of this was to collect elderflowers for cordial. But it turned out to be much better than that.