Easter sunshine

7 days ago
2 min read

It was lovely to see the woodlands coming alive in the Easter sunshine. We saw so many butterflies that we gave up counting. Comma, brimstone, peacock, painted lady, large white and small tortoiseshell.

There were so many ladybirds resting on the skylight in the yurt.

Ladybirds in the UK are vital garden predators, with 26 recognisable species (e.g., 7-spot, 2-spot) that feed on aphids and mildews. They undergo a four-stage life cycle, laying yellow eggs that hatch into alligator-like larvae which, along with adults, are effective natural pest controllers. Larvae are often black/grey with orange spots, taking 2–3 weeks to reach pupation.

Eggs are laid in clusters on the underside of leaves and hatch in 3–10 days.

Larvae Characteristics: Larvae are active, predatory, and often described as looking like small black/grey "alligators" with spines and yellow/orange markings. They go through four growth stages (instars), shedding their skin, over 3–6 weeks.

Diet: Both larvae and adults feed on aphids (greenfly/blackfly). A single ladybird can consume roughly 5,000 aphids in its lifetime.

Common UK Species:

7-Spot Ladybird: Red with seven black spots, mm in length.

2-Spot Ladybird: Very common, small (4-5 mm), and red with two black spots.

Harlequin Ladybird: A non-native species, larger (up to 1 cm) and spikey with orange stripes.

Orange Ladybird: Orange with white spots, usually found on deciduous trees.

Habitat and Behaviour: They prefer gardens, woodlands, and field crops. They are ectotherms, becoming active when temperatures reach around

.Lifecycle Timing: Adults emerge from hibernation in March, with larvae most abundant around June. Ladybirds are considered highly beneficial,

Steve is no good on ladders anymore and Mary has a torn rotator cuff so sorting the bird hide was going to be an impossibility for us. Luckily two lovely lads out for an afternoon stroll down to the river were very happy to help Big thanks and much appreciation to Sidney and Bramwell. The work was done quickly and the hide is looking so much better.

We are looking forward to seeing the hide greening up.

Lots of spring activities. We saw the longtail tits completing their nest. We also saw broken eggshells, so the foxes are busy. The wrens have nested again underneath the guttering on the shed. There is activity by the blue tits around the nest box on the front of the shed.

Steve spent a delightful morning wandering around the native wildflower nursery and came back with a fabulous collection of plants. We know the Muntjac deer don't eat the primroses.

After the disappointment about the 100 native bluebells we just planted 1 primrose and it has survived. We wait to see how the other plants do.

We planted:

Alexanders, Smyrnium olustrum. They were introduced by the Romans.

Vipers buglos, Echium vulgare

Milk Parsley, Peucedanum palustre.

Dog violet, Viola riviana.

Wood anemome, Anemonoides nemorosa.

Honeysuckle, Lonicera periclymen.

Primrose, Primula vulgaris.

Oxlip, Primula elatior.

Wild garlic (Ransoms) Allium ursinum.

Snowdrops, Galanthus nivalis.