Noticing Nature Blog

This circular bed behind the pond in the churchyard, is full of Redshank (Persicaria maculosa) and nothing else. It's a native wildflower. Last year it was a magnet for hoverflies so, in the absence of any better ideas, I decided to let it flourish again.

Ragwort is a wonderful plant but I do accept that the equestrian community may offer a different opinion. However, Ragwort supports a wide range of insect species and that was very much in evidence today in the churchyard. Below, is just a small selection of what was feasting on this very important wildflower. Cinnabar Moth caterpillars on Ragwort Clockwise from top left: Common Red Soldier Beetles mating, a Drone Fly (Eristalis nemorum), a female Swollen-thighed Beetle and a

Another common hoverfly the Common Twist-tailed Hoverfly (Sphaerophoria scripta) looking lovely on a Ragwort flower. There are a lot of insects about at the moment, with the current ideal conditions of warmth and sunshine. Food plants are looking good too as the soil is moist from recent rain. Common Twist-tailed Hoverfly

Not the best picture but it wasn't hanging around. At first glance a bumblebee. However, this is a hoverfly that mimics a bumblebee. It's a Bumblebee Hoverfly (Volucella bombylans var. plumata). Widespread and common but often overlooked. Bumblebee Hoverfly

Bryony Mining Bee This little bee is probably a Bryony Mining Bee (Andrea florea). These are quite rare nationally and only present in south-east England. They only collect pollen from White Bryony flowers. So, it was quite pleasing to find a few in the churchyard, enjoying the plentiful White Bryony that we encourage here.

The Marbled White butterflies have arrived! What a superb insect and there are good numbers of them around Staple. They need unimproved grassland and the Miller Woodland Trust site in Chalkpit Lane is an ideal site. The adult butterflies show a strong preference for purple flowers as this one is demonstrating by feeding on a Spear Thistle flower. Marbled White butterfly