Month: May 2021

Posted in Allotment, nature

Finally, a Flash of Blue

Posted on by BITM

For a few weeks, I have been wondering if I would notice any Holly blue (Celastrina argiolus) butterflies this year. However, the week beginning 17th May I was finally rewarded with the sighting of a male (deduced from a lack of dark edges on the wings) making the most of a brief spell of dry sunny weather. As so often with butterflies, it didn’t remain still long enough for me to photograph it.

From one year to the next, Holly blue numbers can vary significantly. This rise and fall in numbers is mostly due to the parasitic Ichneumon wasp, which feeds solely on the larvae of this butterfly. When this wasp has a successful year then Holly blue numbers fall. Consequently the reverse is also true because without adequate Holly blue larvae numbers of the wasp decrease, thus enabling Holly blue butterfly numbers to increase once again. Perhaps this explains why I haven’t seen many Holly blue Butterflies as usual this year; however other factors could be the weather (so far this May has been colder and damper than usual), or maybe I simply haven’t noticed them flying around.

This male butterfly will have been part of the Spring generation (adults which fly from March to May); however there is also a summer generation that I may have more opportunity to witness, later in the year.

As a caterpillar, the spring generation will have been feeding upon Holly (Ilex aquifolium); preferably the buds, berries and terminal leaves of female plants.

The caterpillars of the second generation of butterflies seen flying around between July and September mostly feed in Ivy (Hedera helix); although they will also feed on other plants such as bramble (Rubus fruticosus) Gorse (Ulex spp.), Dogwoods (Cornus spp.) and also Snowberries (Symphoricarpos spp).

Things are moving along at pace at the allotment as well. There are lots of seedlings on the go, fruit is developing and the potatoes are showing growth. The Rhubarb has been harvested for a while now too.

New tenants have taken over plots at the bottom and to the left of our plot. Our new neighbours having made such a headway already means that we no longer have long grass on these two sides. While it is lovely to see the plots being productive at long last, it is a little sad to think we won’t hear grasshoppers during the summer like we did last year.

The removal of the lush grass may explain why we found two frogs (Rana temporaria) on our plot last weekend. They seemed to be seeking refuge on the tiny patch of grass I purposely left for wildflowers. Thankfully for them the predominant thing growing there is still grass highlighted with a few dandelions. As I want to reduce the slug and snail population on our plot, I am happy to encourage these frogs by giving them a home amongst the long grass. Instead, I may move the wild flower area nearer to the shed.

Posted in nature

A Rare Sighting of Hares

Posted on by BITM

While I mostly witness nature in amphibian, insect or plant form, just occasionally I get to see mammals too.

Last week I briefly observed two adult Hares (Lepus europaeus) as I traveled from a job; a garden at a house surrounded by farmland.

They were out in an open field some distance away from the driveway, yet close enough to be able to appreciate their size as well as distinguish the black tips on their long ears along with their distinctive hind legs.

As Hares are usually seen alone, I’m guessing these two were a pair. Perhaps aware of the movement of the electric vehicle, one suddenly crouched down as the other sat bolt upright alongside it. It was lovely to witness these two together in this way. Previously, I’ve only ever seen one Hare far in the distance running across an open field, presumably after being disturbed.

Hares are the UK’s fastest mammal, when disturbed they have a top speed of 45 mph and move in a zig zag formation.

While mostly solitary, these mammals occasionally live apart from one another in loosely connected groups. This explains why, in early spring, when two Hares are seen ‘boxing’ they’re not two males fighting for dominance but actually a female fighting off a male.

Their preferred habitat is a combination of farmland or undisturbed grassland surrounded by woods; enabling easy access to grass and crops for food while giving some protection.

Rather than burrows, Hares live in a form (an exposed depression on the ground). They remain close to their form during the daytime, becoming more active and feeding at night. The two I saw must have been in their form. I wonder if they had a litter? Hares can have three to four litters within a year (between March and July) giving birth to two- four leverets each time. Hares can live for up to four years.

There was one other prominent sighting from last week, that of a Angle shades Moth (Phlogophora meticulosa). I noticed it on Thursday, resting on the milk bottle carrier as I collected my milk delivery.

This is the moths I see more than any other, perhaps because I am surrounded by the perfect habitat for them; a mixture of gardens, parks, woodland and hedgerows containing an abundant food source for their caterpillars. Angle shades caterpillars will feed upon Common Nettle (Urtica dioica), Red Valerian (Centranthus ruber), Broad-leaved Dock (Rumex obtusifolius), Bramble (Rubus fruiticosus) and Hazel (Corylus avellana).
As this is a night flying moth, I carefully transferred it to the nearby wall where it could gain shelter from the daylight.

Posted in nature

Delayed April Showers in May

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Rain showers continued to fall, reviving the ground at last. Between the downpours I noticed Cuckooflowers (Cardamine pratensis) begin to bloom last week.

So named because it flowers from late April, around the time male Cuckoos (Cuculus canorus) are heard in the UK once the birds return from Africa; signs that spring is well underway.

The last time I heard Cuckoos was in Shropshire many years ago. At the time, I only heard the males call of “cuck-oo’ in the distance. I have never witnessed the females call which can be heard here (Garden birds). I have never seen these birds either; perhaps one day, although their conservation status in the UK remains red (reasons for this is explained by the BTO website).

I love witnessing wildflowers being pollinated; yet more proof that patches of wildflowers are essential for pollinators. Last Sundays walk resulted in such a sighting. As I walked past an area where White dead-nettles (Lamium album) were blooming I became aware of a gentle buzz. A solitary Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum) was visiting the patch of flowers.

These long-tongued bumblebees require deep flowers to collect nectar (a pollen basket can be clearly seen on it’s leg).

An insect that I became aware of later in the week was a Violet ground beetle. I have never seen one of these beetles before; it was so mesmerising as it glistened in the daylight.

This shiny insect is one of our largest beetles in the UK at 20-30mms. (Photo enlarged to show detail more clearly.)

It could have been one of two species of Violet ground beetle, either Carabus violaceus or Carabus problematicus, as they are difficult to tell apart (it’s all down to the amount of dimples and ridges apparently). As both can be found in gardens, if I had to make an educated guess, I would say it was a Carabus violaceus ground beetle (the more common of the two, especially in gardens). The Carabus violaceus can also inhabit farmland and meadows where as Carabus problematicus is predominantly found in woods and heathland.

Active at night, it doesn’t fly but will rely on running fast to capture pray and find shelter if disturbed. During the day, it predominantly hides under logs or stones; however I noticed this one when I moved a clump of soil. I was very conscious of taking its photo as quickly as possible before I covered it up once again. This adult beetle, along with their larvae, feeds on other insects alongside slugs, snail and worms.

Posted in nature

Flowers Bloom in Spite of the Weather

Posted on by BITM

Much needed rain arrived last Wednesday evening, lasting through the night; followed by another short downpour later in the week. Unfortunately, these weren’t enough to replenish the parched ground which currently resembles crazy paving. It’s hard to believe we experienced a cold damp winter when cracks in the earth are so deep.

Somehow, even with of the lack of rain, wildflowers still bloom regardless. Buttercups (Ranunculus), Cow parsley (Anthriscus sylvestris) and Stitchwort (Stellaria) have joined the early spring bloomers; replacing the faded Lesser Celandine (Ficaria verna). Unlike the pinks of the ornamental Cherry trees (currently blooming), the predominant colours lower to the ground are blue, yellow and white.

Forget-me-nots (Myosotis) and Cowslips (Primula veris) around the edge of a woodland park.
Green alkanet (Pentaglottis sempervirens) mixed with yellow archangel (Lamium galeobdolon) in a garden border.

Another plant I noticed was Ground ivy (Glechoma hederacea).

Usually found on damp ground, amongst woodlands, hedgerows, wasteland and in lawns, It’s violet flowers appear between March and June. Surprisingly, it was flowering last week, even with the current dry conditions.

The common name, Ground ivy, is rather misleading as it belongs to the same family as dead-nettles (Lamiaceae) and isn’t ivy. This evergreen perennial most likely obtained the name due to its spreading nature, which occurs overground, rooting from stolons. In fact this plant has numerous common names including, Alehoof, Gill-over-the-ground, Creeping Charlie, Run-away Robin and even (during medieval times) Our Lady’s Vine. A more comprehensive list can be viewed on the RHS website, along with how to grow it if you want to introduce it into your garden.

This herb releases a scent when disturbed. As I crushed some leaves, the smell reminded me of a slightly medicinal thyme aroma, actually quite pleasant.

In times past Ground ivy was used to flavour beer, thanks to its bitter taste (before it was replaced with hops) and as a rennet substitute in cheese making.

I am always intreagued at a plants ability to thrive in unusual places or difficult situations; I love spotting plants growing in such circumstances. Last week I was amazed to see a foxglove (Digitalis) growing without soil on an old wall.

Normally I would only see plants such as Buddleja, Ferns or Yellow corydalis (Pseudofumaria lutea) thriving in this way; their shallow root systems able to anchor themselves amongst the bricks.

Last week wasn’t solely dominated by plant observations. After the previous weeks sighting of the Tawny Mining bee (Andrena fulva), see Auburn Beauty Spotted, it was nice to follow up with sightings of some Mining bee nests. Unfortunately I don’t know whether these nests had or were housing Tawny or Ashy Andrena cineraria) mining bees.

This nest was found on a lawn by my partner.
This nest was spotted on a once grassy area in my local woodland park; the “volcano” like mound partially washed away after a short downpour.

The second nest was spotted on Saturday, while going for a lovely walk with friends. On that sunny day we also witnessed three Speckled wood (Pararge aegeria) butterflies flitting about; clearly enjoying the sunshine and great company as much as I was.