Spotted

Such a beautiful last day of August.  We popped out this morning to take two boxes of bits and bobs to a charity shop where we could park near the donation point as they were quite heavy.  Back home work has been done in the garden followed by the treat of an ice cream eaten in the shade at the top of the garden. 

The sun has encouraged butterflies and dragonflies to visit the garden.  Including the ubiquitous white butterflies, two small brown ones flitting around each other plus a Red Admiral and a Peacock butterfly. 

Peacock

Red Admiral

We were also visited by a Common or Red Darter dragonfly.

It seemed to enjoy lazing in the sun on top of the bean sticks.

Paul's photo (above) is far better than mine, he identified the dragon fly.

Earlier this year we saw the Bug Snugs at Trentham, I think I mentioned them in a post at the time.

We decided to build our own bug snug in the garden using the cuttings from the meadow area at the top of the garden now it has been cleared.

 It has been inspected by the foxes and badgers and also some of the local cats but it is still standing.  It will be a nice warm habitat for insects over winter.

 

The sweetpeas have been wonderful but unfortunately they are infested with greenfly.  The lupins have also been affected.  I've never known that happen before.  Does this mean that whatever predates the greenfly isn't around this year?  We've seen a few hoverflies around the garden but no ladybirds or lace wings.  I can't think when I last saw a ladybird.  That and the dearth of butterflies is quite worrying.

 

I've added a collage of some of the flowers in the garden at the moment.  Echinacea, Cosmos, Helenium, Poppy and Japanese Anemone.

 

All for now, see you in September, I hope.