Singleton Scotch Argus on the grass verge just outside boundary, 16th August but had found strong colony a few miles into the hills earlier in the day after many previous abortive searches. Males only so far so presumably it’s quite a late season. No doubt Scotch Argus will eventually be seen in garden once the “re-wilding” has made sufficient progress by next season.
Also seen in garden during the six weeks since I have lived here: Meadow Brown, Speckled Wood, Tortoiseshell, Red Admiral, Peacock (caterpillar), GV White with Ringlet not far away.
Torties keep coming into the house to hibernate – one on ceiling above this computer as I write). It will get too warm indoors during the winter so eventually will transfer in a plastic container in an outhouse. When there is a really cold spell, the box will be moved into the fridge (temperarure some 4 to 6C as this has worked well in the past and prevents them waking too early in the spring).
Birds on feeders are the usual plus Coal Tit and Great Spotted Woodpecker. Buzzards nesting [noisily] in nearby woods. Osprey seen once (apparently breed not far away) and Swallow, Rooks and Starlings by the thousand. One Red Squirrel in coniferous woods and apparently Pine Marten locally but not yet seen.
The wildflower garden has a reasonable base having been neglected for many years. I am now working to decreases the fertility with sand and fine gravel. The excessive hawkweed and white clover is being reduced and reseeding in patches will begin soon. Thanks to Paul for the Yellow Rattle seeds but later amazingly, just happened to come across a moorland roadside bank with an ample source of more seeds.
It’s good to be online at home after a six week wait. Satellite broadband is giving an adequate 6 megs speed but that might well increase.
Finally, a view from the back fence.
Jack
