Another day spent in the back garden. So many jobs to do, but at least there was some good wildlife to keep me company.
Overhead there were more Siskins heading north. There must be thousands in the UK now, as everyday for the past week or so, there have been hundreds arriving from the continent.
Also noticeable were more Meadow Pipits and finches making their way up the island. And in the opposite direction a few Swallows headed south. Very briefly a Chiffchaff flew into the garden, but didn't stay long.
In the garden where the Slow-worms are normally found, I came across a juvenile Common Toad which was just a bit bigger than my thumb. Meanwhile in the pond, there were 2 juvenile Common Frogs and an adult. No sign of any Palmate Newts though.
Elsewhere in the garden were a few Large Whites and a nice surprise a Green-veined White. Also found was solitary Tapered Drone Fly. More noticeable than ever now, are the number of Garden Spider webs, which in some cases stretch for 5 or 6 feet.
It's been awhile since I've come across a Toad in the garden. This very small juvenile was under the corrugated metal sheet, where until today was where you would normally find the Slow-worms. A very welcome addition to the garden, especially with so many slugs roaming the flowerbeds.
In the garden where the Slow-worms are normally found, I came across a juvenile Common Toad which was just a bit bigger than my thumb. Meanwhile in the pond, there were 2 juvenile Common Frogs and an adult. No sign of any Palmate Newts though.
Elsewhere in the garden were a few Large Whites and a nice surprise a Green-veined White. Also found was solitary Tapered Drone Fly. More noticeable than ever now, are the number of Garden Spider webs, which in some cases stretch for 5 or 6 feet.
The garden pond looking very clear and.............
..........home to at least 3 Common Frogs. This is an adult.
One of the juveniles............
.............and the second one. No doubt there are probably more in the pond.
Just the one hoverfly seen, a Tapered Dronefly
Not everybody's favourite insect a Garden Spider.
Amphibians Recorded: 3 Common Frog and 1 Common Toad.
Butterflies Recorded: 2 Large White and a Green-veined White
Bees Recorded: Honey Bees (Apis mellifera), Buff-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris), Common Carder (Bombus pascuorum) and White-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lucorum)
Hoverflies Recorded: Tapered Dronefly (Eristalis pertinax)
Spiders Recorded: Garden Spider (Araneus diadematus)