Pondering 🤔

So! Four months in and no sign of damselflies or dragonflies.

I have to ask myself the question “Why?”

To answer that I’ll have to consider the following points.

• Location
• Sunlight
• Temperature
• Wind
• Water quality 
• Water depth
• Water movement
• The food chain
• Predators 
• Emergent plants 
• Pesticides.

The pond is situated at the bottom of the garden, near the house.

It is a sunny spot in the morning, but shady during the afternoon and evening.

It is protected from the wind by a high boundary wall, tall Aucuba Japonica shrubs, as well as the house. Heat is retained by the concrete patio slabs and surrounding walls.

So that covers the first four points.

The water quality is good, the water being clear and no signs of any blanket weed or algae.

The water depth is about 340mm. I know that some dragonfly species prefer at least 600mm but other species prefer shallower water. So this point is covered for some.Maybe the aeration, which causes water movement, deters them. I’ll temporarily switch the pump off to see whether there is a difference at the risk of algae forming. Perhaps I’ll have to turn it on momentarily periodically.

The pond is full of “Wrigglers”, blood worms, and other minute insect life. Hoverflies defend the air space above.

The water is aerated (oxygenated) and its movement attracts more insects to the food chain.

There are no predators within the pond as I don’t keep fish. However there has been the odd sighting of a toad and frog elsewhere in the garden. The pond was created after their breeding season, so there was never any hungry tadpoles.

The pond is bounded by the Aucuba which is at least 2m high and receives some sunlight.

There are emergent plants within the pond, such as Iris versicolor, Mares-tails, Pickerel and Typha. (The latter two are 600mm in height now) So there would be support for the larvae to emerge and metamorphasize into adults, a place to dry and inflate their wings before bidding us adieu.

The final point is easily covered as we don’t use pesticides in our garden and there is no opportunity for run off into the pond either.

The frustrating thing is that this time last year before the pond was built a damselfly was sighted on the Aucuba Japonica.

Beautiful Demoiselle (Calopteryx Virgo)

A Southern Hawker dragonfly was seen sunning itself on the 

Tree Fern at the top of the garden.

Southern Hawker (Aeshna cyanea)

Furthermore, today, Mrs S saw an unidentified dragonfly whilst working at the top of garden by her greenhouse. It is the hottest part of our garden.

So what conclusion can I now draw?

It is either likely to be a lack of sufficient sunlight or the water depth.

I cannot do anything about this, if indeed these are the salient factors.

However, it is still a healthy and viable pond nonetheless and who knows what the future holds.

Will third time be unlucky?

 I so hope NOT!

Gatekeeper (Pyronia tithonus)

If you look closely at the above image of a Gatekeeper butterfly, resting on our Bay Tree,  you will see that there are a couple of nicks out of the trailing edges of the hind wings. 

I suspect that these are marks made by the beaks of birds attempting to dine out but the butterfly outsmarted them.

You will see more clearly in the enlarged image below.

This is how they look unmolested.

There once was an ugly duckling…

 With feathers all stubby and brown.

You may well remember the classic song “The Ugly Duckling”  It was composed by Frank Loesser for the musical version of the fairy tale of the same name and sung by Danny Kaye. The famous tale was written by Hans Christian Anderson.

The plot, as I am sure you will recall, revolves around an ugly duckling abused and mocked by its peers. One day, however, the ‘duckling’ matures into a beautiful swan. 

Well there is a parallel that I could draw (ish). Don’t worry I can’t sing, so I’ll just tell you about it.

But first a question.

What can you do with a stick?

Answer, leave well alone and wait…

At the end of last summer I had cut back the honeysuckle which had run rampant over my prized Fern Tree. I placed the cuttings in a bin. Later as I transferred them into the garden waste recycling bin I found said stick, as mentioned above.

This stick (The ugly duckling) is the caterpillar of the Elephant Hawk Moth. The moth lays its eggs on honeysuckle, upon which the larvae can later feed. So now I know where this fellow came from. I’m so glad that I hadn’t harmed it during my endeavours. I never saw it at that time.

Now for the beautiful swan.

May I present to you the Elephant Hawk Moth.

Elephant Hawk Moth (Deilephila elpenor)

This beauty was found by Mrs S on our kitchen floor last evening. It appeared to be resting. I am led to believe that they are not affected by the current high summer temperatures. I carefully picked it up and ushered it outside, where I released it under a lavender bush, away from prying and preying eyes.

To attract them for yourself, plant Rosebay Willowherb and Honeysuckle in your garden.

Coincidently, last evening Gardeners’ World aired an item highlighting them.

Teasel do…

What?

Historically teasels were used to card wool. They are the dried flower heads of The Common Teasel.

Their hooks would help to raise the nap of the cloth making it fluffier and softer.

They were set in rows around large cylinders which revolved (Teasel Gigs) and the projecting teasel hooks carded the woollen cloth.

Teasel Gig (Victorian era)

Gardens were once created to grow them en masse in order to meet the demands of the cloth makers.

Nowadays machinery with metal hooks has replaced them.

Well, nearly.

Some artisans use them in their bespoke work, preferring the traditional methods as well as their natural qualities. They are least likely to damage the finished cloth.

Makers of the fine baize snooker table cloth continue to use them too.

I find them structurally fascinating. 

Where the leaves join the stem, little wells, that fill with rainwater, form.

In which small insects are drawn. Some to breed and some to succumb.

Look out for their spiny stems when handling them though.

We have five planted in front of our top bench. One is seven feet tall and has a dozen heads. Three are reaching six feet with six or so heads. The fifth is about four feet with three heads. They can grow to ten feet in height though.

The Common Teasel (Dipsacus fullonum)

This head is filling up with mauve coloured florets from either end, eventually meeting in the middle, whereas the one below is starting at the top. Others, that we have, start around their middle.

I stare up at them throughout the day from my lounge chair and expect them to walk off.

Anyone remember ‘The Day of the Triffids’, penned by John Wyndham?

Sometimes you’ve just gotta…

Scratch that itch

Ah! Now that’s better.

For now.

Ignore the data stamps on the videos as the times and dates are wrong. I had to reset the camera due to a minor glitch and forgot to set the correct time etc.

This was recorded between 3 a.m. and 4 a.m. this morning.

Bush Pig?

Just a colloquialism.

May I introduce to you our latest visitor, Heggarty the hedgehog.🦔

We had been concerned lately at the absence of our prickly friends.

We would normally expect to see at least one every night and at times up to four. 

This year their presence has been marked by their absence.

Until last evening that it is, when our cameras recorded this season’s debutante.

European Hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus)

Here in Devon hedgehogs are also known as hedgy-boars. Throughout the rest of the west country they are either referred to as furze-pigs or fuzz-pigs. Hedgepigs in the south of England and prickly-pigs in Yorkshire.

What do you call them where you live?

Have you ever seen a saw fly?

Well! I seen a horse fly

I seen a dragon fly

I seen a house fly

I seen a peanut stand, heard a rubber band,

But I be done seen ‘bout ev’rything, when I see an elephant fly.

You could hardly miss seeing Dumbo fly, but these creatures are so small you would have had to have gone to Specsavers.

I’m talking about Sawflies, of which there are numerous species. They are less than 5mm in size and of a wasp like appearance.

How come I raise this subject I hear my imaginary follower say.

Are you sitting comfortably?

Well! Mrs S and I were, upon our new patio chairs, Saturday afternoon just gone.

She discovered on her finger the smallest pale caterpillar ever.

It was less than 6mm long and less than .25mm wide.

I had to find out.

We were sitting beside our Goat Willow and therefore it was reasonable to assume that it had fallen from there.

Goat Willow (Salic caprea)

Around midday today, whilst sharing another cuppa together, my attention was caught by a ladybird.

This ladybird to be precise.

Fourteen Spotted Ladybird (Propylea quatuordecimpunctata)

 A fourteen spotted ladybird to boot.

Now that I was stood up, close and personal, I could see blisters on the willow leaves. These were galls about 6mm long and emanated from either sides of the leaves.

They appeared to have been made by the Willow Redgall Sawfly.

I believe that in Canada they are referred to as the Red Bean Sawfly. I assume that as the galls are red they look like red beans, or maybe they just live off red bean leaves.

Willow Redgall Sawfly (Euura proxima)

To see ladybirds in my neck of the woods these days is a treat. On the rare occasions that I do, they and their larvae are spotted (forgive the pun) on said Willow. 

I have never seen aphids on the Willow, but the Blue Tits are regularly hanging upside down there foraging.

Ladybirds will prey on the sawfly larvae when available.

Another way ‘Mother Nature’ checks the balance.

It’s true. One good thing does lead to another.

Recently we replaced our old patio furniture, with a more up to date and comfortable bistro set. The former was getting tired and in need of a spruce up, much like me.🤣

The set was delivered at noon on Wednesday inst. I unpacked and assembled it, before transferring it to the patio.

Thursday, we were heavily preoccupied with a ‘cake monster’, also known as ‘Captain Chaos’ whom others know as our grandson William.

But! It is now Friday. Breezy, warm and sunny and so to the patio for a further trial.

You can imagine my surprise at having to wait to be seated, as Country Living had not yet taken all the photos that they required, due to a certain someone not having finished the set.

A stifled harumph! later, place mats and coasters set. Freshly cut home grown sweet peas middling the table. The vase suitably angled for optimum photographic opportunity and voila! 

Snap! Snap! Snap! And I was ensconced.

Very comfy indeed, a table with an excellent view.

Momentarily, I went into the lounge to fetch my iPhone, when I heard a commotion. “Come quick, come quick.”

I ran back outside to investigate.

As I ran, I thought to myself.

Had some insect had the temerity to alight on the sweet peas?

Had some garden bird disgraced itself and fouled the furniture?

Had we been taken in by some bogus journalist and photographer?

I quickly surveyed the scene and satisfied myself that all was well.

“Come here” says Mrs S “Look”

There behind the trough, between it and the wall surrounding the steps which lead to the upper garden, half in the shade, half in the sun and feasting on a slug was…..

Ta da! 

Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Freddy

Common frog (Rana temporaria)

A photo opportunity taken, directions offered and who has the biggest smile competition begins.😁