This autumn there is a splendid array of fruiting bodies in all stages of ripening, and they are also to be found under the picnic benches in the car park.
Monday, 27 October 2025
Fluted Bird's Nest (Cyathus striatus)
I first noted this fungi on woodchip in the "Phil Haskell Wildlife Garden" two autumns back. However, all that remained were dark empty fibrous cups, set like latticework against the random shapes of decaying wood pulp. There was not enough detail for confirmation to species, so I looked out for them again last year - and they failed to show.
This autumn there is a splendid array of fruiting bodies in all stages of ripening, and they are also to be found under the picnic benches in the car park.
This autumn there is a splendid array of fruiting bodies in all stages of ripening, and they are also to be found under the picnic benches in the car park.
Saturday, 6 September 2025
Garden Wildlife .. recent highlights .. incl. Odanata
Since my last garden wildlife update (see below July 21st) Common Darter (Sympetrum striolatum) has been present on several occasions. A single darter was present in the back garden on Aug 10th. On the 17th a pair were in tandem flight in the front garden, shortly afterwards an individual perched on the hardy fuchsia, provided plenty of opportunity for photography. Suggesting three may have been present?
On the 23rd of August, a Common Darter was in the back garden.
Today, the sightings went to another level, initially a single male Common Darter was staking out New Pond, as the morning progressed a second male appeared and much territorial posturing followed, with neither male giving ground.
I was then completely thrilled when two other Common Darters appeared, one all but briefly, the second was a female and mating and egg-laying quickly took place with one of the attendant males. I managed to capture some terrible video footage of the pair in tandem (and the second male), which I am more than happy to share!
Other recent highlights include a Median Wasp (Dolichovespula media) photographed on the 10th of August and a Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus) which was present on the 15th of August. Singles of Convolvulus Hawk-moth (Agrius convolvuli) and Portland Ribbon Wave (Idaea degeneraria) to 25W Blacklight on the night of 26th August. All four species being “new for garden” (NFG).
On the 12th of August, our neighbour knocked the door and presented us with an Elephant Hawk-moth (Deilephila elpenor) caterpillar – the first time that we have ever seen the larval stage of this species.
Humming-bird Hawk-moth (Macroglossum stellatarum) has been present almost daily with a maximum count of three on the 31st of August – with both Red Valerian (Valeriana rubra) and our neighbour’s Buddleja davidii providing plenty of nectar to attract this species along with a host of bees and butterflies.
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| Common Darter 10th August |
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| Common Darter 17th August |
On the 23rd of August, a Common Darter was in the back garden.
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| Common Darter 23rd August |
Today, the sightings went to another level, initially a single male Common Darter was staking out New Pond, as the morning progressed a second male appeared and much territorial posturing followed, with neither male giving ground.
I was then completely thrilled when two other Common Darters appeared, one all but briefly, the second was a female and mating and egg-laying quickly took place with one of the attendant males. I managed to capture some terrible video footage of the pair in tandem (and the second male), which I am more than happy to share!
Other recent highlights include a Median Wasp (Dolichovespula media) photographed on the 10th of August and a Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus) which was present on the 15th of August. Singles of Convolvulus Hawk-moth (Agrius convolvuli) and Portland Ribbon Wave (Idaea degeneraria) to 25W Blacklight on the night of 26th August. All four species being “new for garden” (NFG).
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| Median Wasp |
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| Convolvulus Hawk-moth |
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| Portland Ribbon Wave |
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| Elephant Hawk-moth caterpillar |
On the 12th of August, our neighbour knocked the door and presented us with an Elephant Hawk-moth (Deilephila elpenor) caterpillar – the first time that we have ever seen the larval stage of this species.
Humming-bird Hawk-moth (Macroglossum stellatarum) has been present almost daily with a maximum count of three on the 31st of August – with both Red Valerian (Valeriana rubra) and our neighbour’s Buddleja davidii providing plenty of nectar to attract this species along with a host of bees and butterflies.
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