Spring is Progressing with Damselfly Pairing and Painted Lady

The Jumping Spiders have really thrived in the hot dry weather and whenever I am weeding, whether at ground level or, as here, in the currant bushes, one of them is eyeing me up. Fortunately he caught a leaf hopper soon after this. First Painted Lady of the season and the Red Damselflies and Azure Damsels are paired up and laying in the pond. The Weevil is exquisite in the detail for a very very small beetle - I haven't yet found a suitable match. 

May 3rd Garden Insects

Some insects from the garden yesterday when the temperatures were still high - very different feel today with a cold breeze!! There were several Red Damselflies prospecting around the pond but I didn't see any paired up yet. The Hornet Queen was a very impressive insect - although I am happy for her to nest ion my log pile, it is a bit close to the bungalow and right next to where I park the car so hopefully she will have found a quieter spot. The Spotted Lacewing (no.3), Tachycixius pilosus, is a new one for the garden list and good to see most of the Bee hotels being used.

Garden Species 18-20th April

Some garden species photographed over past 2 days - good to see a small Cuckoo wasp and the first Holly Blue. Otherwise a mix of species. First Red Damselfly in the garden today but wasn't carrying camera at the time (dates for previous years range from May 25th in 2010 to April 13th in 2020).

Garden Activity Increases with Temperatures

There was a definite increase in activity among the mini-wildlife in the garden yesterday with the warmer temperatures at last. The Red Mason bees were found coupled in various areas, while this is the first time I have recorded mating Pardosa spiders. I am always happy to photograph the wonderfully spotty/stripey Speckled Bush Cricket nymphs with lots of other species including several Shield and other Bugs (Parent, Birch Catkin Bug, Green, Hairy). Lots of Large Red Damselflies and the first Azure Damselfly.