Noticing Nature Blog

A morning spent in Goodnestone Park Gardens was a pleasant experience despite the heat. As with most other gardens, it was parched, but even with minimal watering only, there were plenty of flowering plants. These gardens are pesticide free and superbly managed for wildlife and today there were masses of bees of several species taking advantage. The Blood Bees, kleptoparasites of other ground nesting bees, caught my attention as well as a newly emerged Ivy Bee. Probable Box-h

There are lots of dragonflies about at the moment. Sadly, they seldom pose conveniently for a quick pic though. However, this immature Ruddy Darter was quite obliging. It blended into the concrete pad very effectively and was perhaps, relying on its camouflage. Ruddy Darter dragonfly

It's Wasp Spider time and this impressive female was in her web in the dry grasses alongside the footpath towards Crixhall Court. The characteristic white zigzag pattern in the web can just about be seen to the right of the spider. She will prey on mostly grasshoppers and crickets. The male spider is smaller and not as brightly patterned. If he survives the mating process, he will tend to keep his distance, as the female will often devour him after the deed is done! Wasp Spid

Showing my age here, but this rather impressive Sunflower did remind me of 'Weed' from Bill and Ben the Flowerpot Men (BBC Watch with Mother 1952-54 and repeated often). The lookalike was in the cover crop at Crixhall Court. The use of cover crops and pollinator strips in a nature-friendly farming regime is designed to increase insect life and with it, predators. This will decrease dependency on pesticides to control pest species. Quex Park near Birchington is now producing p

Even with my dodgy eyes, I could see this lovely splash of purple from some distance. In the currently parched landscape, colour is disappearing fast. There is still water in the Wingham River at Great Pedding but it is no longer flowing, certainly not noticeably. It does mean though that plants here are still thriving and this flowering Purple Loosestrive (Lythrum salicaria) was a welcome sight. Purple Loosestrive

This is my second Clouded Yellow butterfly in Staple this week. It is a migrant, flying here from North Africa and southern Europe and always a joy to see. This one was in the stunning cover crop field on the way to Crixhall Court. Clouded Yellow butterfly