Marbled Whites Roosting in Garden

When I designed our garden in Toft back in 2001, I could never have predicted that a species not breeding in many areas in the UK then would be mating and roosting and hopefully egg laying in the garden in 25 years time. Among the habitats I created (inspired by my flower-loving disabled 88-year-old mother) were woodland, shingle/Mediterranean  dry area, pond and marshland, hedgerow and  meadow. In the spring, the meadow is full of cowslips but by June, long grasses, scabious, knapweed and chiccory are the dominant vegetation attracting lots of butterflies including Skippers, several White species, Meadow Brown and Marbled Whites (a 'Brown'). They all nectar on the various cultivated scabious and composite species in the surrounding borders but were seen pairing up and settling to roost in the long grass regions. Here a set of images taken in strong evening contrasty light rather than the softer approach which works so well for these delicate butterflies. The first two are both males with the black markings, while the female on the scabious in the second image is being approached by a male.

Caldecote Old Rectory Garden

The Old Rectory garden in Caldecote is open this weekend for Coffees and Teas (10.30-17.30 17th and 18th May 2025). It was looking very good yesterday when I took a few photos of the wilder areas - plenty more to see including formal areas and a pond with water features etc.We walked across from Toft through the wonderful Buttercup meadows - the Yellow Rattle is already in bloom.

An Evening at Trumpington Meadows

The meadows at Trumpington are spectacular with swathes of Oxeye Daisies, Hawksbit and Quaking Grass together with many other meadow species including hundreds of Bee Orchids and a good stand of Pyramidal Orchids. Here an impression of the visit - just needs sound added of Skylarks, Cuckoo, Meadow Pipits and, notably, Corn Buntings - songs reminiscent of this area in the 1960s before agricultural practices and building removed their habitats. After very heavy showers all day, yesterday evening was clear skies and even a hint of warmth in the sun. 

King's College Cambridge

King's College grounds are looking at their best at the moment with the natural and planted meadows fully grown.  In 2020, they transformed a section of their lawn into a colorful wildflower meadow filled with poppies, cornflowers, and oxeye daisies. This was part of an effort to boost biodiversity and adapt to changing climate conditions.The meadow supported three times more plant and insect species than the remaining lawn, including 14 species with conservation designations.

Garden Project 18 - Maturity

 I try to remember to document the garden through the year as part of my project to produce a Wildlife garden with as many habitats as I can in the smallish area of my front garden. Here a snapshot of a (late)summer garden when flowers are beginning to die back but still plenty of wildlife in the Herbaceous borders, Pond, Hedgerow, Woodland and Meadow. Some of the inhabitants are shown with their chosen plant.