Wildlife Garden Progress (6)

I redesigned my wildlife garden in January 2020 and did regular reports through the year. I intend to continue this as I attempt to expand the overall range of species. The first image shows Salad Burnet, Corncockle, Knapweed, Plaintain, Trefoil, Buttercup. One area has been dug, raked and sown with various new species. The main wildflower beds are showing healthy plants of Knapweed, Red Campion, Foxgloves. The other areas - grassland meadow, shade area, pond, bee-attracting border and bee houses are all waiting for the warmer weather to flourish.

Dream Filter and Flowers

I have a few Cokin effects filters left from my film photography days and decided to have a play with the Dream filter. It has a central hole and an outer circle of smaller holes (image2). Here are a few flowers etc which worked reasonably well.

Flies and Bees in the Churchyard

 Our local churchyard is a mass of primroses and celandine at the moment and is attracting lots of insects so fun with the macro lens and then the task of identifying them. Having spent a few years getting to grips with Hoverflies (first two images) and other flies (3,4 Bee Fly and 5 Flesh Fly) and I trying to improve on the bees!

Yearly Markers

 Each year around March 21st, I photograph the wild or naturalised flowers in my garden to see how the years compare. This spring has seen below average temperatures so not surprised that the spring flowers such as Coltsfoot were slow to show (now hosting lots of Mining bees and beetles). Compared to last two years, the flowering species list is much lower with Comfrey, Spurge, Japonica, Plum blossom,Yellow Archangel, Marsh Marigold not yet showing flowers or even buds for some.

Spring is in the Air

Wonderful to hear a couple of Skylarks trilling away at Trumpington Meadows - not enough for the collective  'Exultation of larks' but still enough to raise the spirits. Plenty of other activity among the rooks, waterbirds, gulls and jackdaws