June 25, 2015

Sun and song

The bushes and trees have been resounding with  the persistent mutterings of baby birds.  The parents are looking a little the worse for wear with having little time for a bath and preen.  Nerves also seem to be strained going by the adult and teenage  magpie scrap I split up in the garden today. The screaming and shouting was worthy of a good soap.


June and July are the best months  to look for different species of wildflower, butterfly and bee as they all come into their peak season.  Meadows particularly are coming into their most attractive colourful time.





Small Tortoiseshell
The above photograph was taken in my garden whilst sitting immobile for a month with a fractured foot.  Once mobile I  was fortunate to see my first ever Brimstone butterfly at Ness Botanic Gardens.  These are very picky as   they favour Alder Buckthorn on which to lay their eggs.

Brimstone
Each year numbers vary considerably as to  the types of butterfly that will be seen.  As a whole  fewer butterflies have been recorded in Cheshire this year, possibly due to the late spring.  although bumblebees seem to have done quite well. Early or late springs determine the availability of  particular food sources required by the caterpillars of each species.  Migrating Butterflies are also serious effected by weather and climate changes.

Birds have pretty much stopped laying eggs but one or two very late fledglings can be seen and heard.  The adults have stopped singing as they prepare to hide away during the 6 week moulting period.  This silence I find a very long and sad period but I know it will not last for ever.

The Summer Solstice has passed and the season is already starting to wind down as the daylight hours get shorter.