Activity On and Around the Pond

Yesterday was hot and sunny in Cambridgeshire and our pond area was alive with Red and Azure Damseflies laying into the weed, Pondskaters on the surface of the pond and lots of insects etc in the surrounding vegetation including a Small Copper (first sighting in the garden I think)

Garden Pond and Meadow

The only downside to having a wildlife garden for me is the amount of time I spend merely watching the plants and animals rather than working in it!! Here some images taken in very bright conditions - there were at least 8 pairs of Red Damselflies and 2 pairs of Azure Damselflies egg laying, plus Pond Skaters, Newts and Wasps coming for water for nest building. The Buttercups are giving way to Common Vetch, Yellow Rattle and Scabious

Garden Project 13 - In the Summer Heat

The garden is a mass of flowers and insects at the moment. Here are photos from the small  meadow, vegetable patch, pond, flower beds and woodland meadow area. The best insect species are the teasels, scabious, wild carrot and wild parsnip, knapweed, ragwort, linaria, marguerites and evening primrose.

Damselfly Bonanza

The warmer weather for last week has resulted in a mass emergence of Damselflies in our area. They are now busy mating and laying eggs in our pond - so far identified  Large Red and Azure Damselflies. At one time, I counted more than a dozen pairs jostling for position on the lily pads and weed.