Very hot and sunny. Hottest May Day ever.
Did nothing, too hot. Chance to relax and and check out the finer side of wildlife like more lily beetles!
Nine lily beetles removed today, one on the oak tree. Did some pond skimming to remove the cherry blossom and was pleased to see dragonfly larva. Hopefully another good year.
Spotted a hedgehog this afternoon in the shaded wooded area, appears ok but will keep an eye on it.
Image 1 - Invasion of pigeons.
" 2 - Local cat taken a liking for pigeons.
" 3 - A starling admiring the view.
" 4 - Family of cheeselogs.
" 5 - A hedgehog resting in shade.
" 6 - Lily beetle on an oak leaf.
" 7 - Dragonfly larva.
Hot and sunny all day.
Swifts at last. Three were about for a while at breakfast this morning. Brilliant news, now you little beauties make Boyo and Pump very happy chaps this Summer.
Visitors I like, good to see Boyo, Ben and Anna this morning. Lot to catch up on so a bbq is on the cards for sometime this Summer. Bring it on Boyo.
This afternoon enjoyed afternoon tea and special Fryers Brew over at the Fryers. Euan is growing up fast, will soon be walking him around the garden.
Image 1 - Lily beetles.
" 2 - Blackbird in a coconut shell.
Another sunny and hot day.
Day spent on project decking/pond. All finished now, very pleased with end result.
Photographed a speckled wood this afternoon. Whites, blues and orange tips all busy in the garden today. Not surprising given the sun.
Plenty of bird activity but still no signs of nesting, disappointed or what.
Sunny and hot, like it.
Day out at RHS Wisley with Janet and Colin. The rhododendrons and azaleas were at their best. Stunning colours.
So many butterflies about in this area of the gardens. Who needs the butterfly house when you have all this outside?
Brilliant day, warm and sunny all day. Temp' reached 16c this afternoon.
Day spent on deweeding the wildlife path before gravel was laid, all part of project pond.
Was good to find time to relax in the lodge this afternoon. First day of use this year.
Lily beetles have returned, well one anyway. The only insect I predate. Small white butterfly spotted on the lawn. A small blue was also flying about today as was an orange tip.
Male great spotted woodpecker appeared again tonight.
Was good to see the female pied wagtail back with us tonight.
Image 1 - Small white butterfly.
" 2 - Lily beetle.
" 3 - Male great spotted woodpecker.
" 4 - View from the lodge.
Coldish and wet most of the day. At least the coming days are set to improve.
Visit to Henry Street today for hedgehog food. Eating so much at the moment. Trail camera provided good images of the pair still playing at 'catch me if you can'.
The one fox still out each night, no sign of cubs this year despite the mating procedure captured on film back in January.
Male and female sparrow busy again feeding in the back garden. No sign of the pied wagtail today, should I be worried as clearly been feeding young for the last few days.
Much better day, breezy but sunny most of the day. In fact temperature reached 10c this afternoon.
Difficult day - paid respects to Robin who died two weeks ago. Hit many people very hard, even now hard to believe I will not see him again.
We started work at Lavers on the same day in March 1998, we both had various jobs during our time at Lavers, there was a period when we ran the trade counter a job Robin continued to do until his untimely death.
RIP Robin, you were a well respected work colleague.
