Denizens of the Night

Thanks to Jane at Marigold Jam I've recently found the lovely blog, My Wildlife Sanctuary. The other day Cheryl had some fabulous pictures of a Puss Moth that had been found in her garden. This is a beautiful moth but not one whose company we have had the pleasure of very often in our garden. It made me realise that it's been a couple of weeks since we put out a moth trap so with the weather being dry we put one out last night and I went up about 7.30 this morning to see what was in it. This is the time of year when more species are out and about. The beautiful Muslin Moth (above) regularly comes to light in fair numbers . So too does this Pebble Prominent.

Even more numerous can be the Early Thorn . This was one of 5 we had this morning. The build up of numbers at this time of year will coincide with the 2010 National Moth Night on Saturday 15th May. This year the event, jointly run by Butterfly Conservation and Atropos will be supported by the Bat Conservation Trust because you're being asked to send in reports of both moths and bats. Every scrap of information will help identify the issues facing these nocturnal specialists. Have a look here and read more. We only have a solitary bat who roosts under our fascia board but we will definitely trap moths on the 15th and submit our results.

As I sit here and write this it has begun to rain, something that will have a detrimental effect for sure on our larger cherry tree in the garden. When I was out in the greenhouse yesterday the sun was shining and I noticed how the blossom had suddenly appeared during the four days we were away. When you look around everything seems to have shot up almost overnight! The blossom is so delicate. They look like paper flowers hanging there. I hope the rain doesn't mean they'll be over before they've even begun!

I was slightly worried about leaving my seedlings for a few days despite wet matting under them but this borage is obviously as tough as old boots. Everything survived and is thriving. All the plants we're growing this year have been chosen for the pleasure of our bees. We have a new bed that we're going to dedicate to just vegetables, herbs and a few key annuals and it's sited in the flight path of the hives. Our cold frame is overflowing with nectar rich plants and we're starting the planting this weekend. We're not expecting great things this year but hope to get it started off with gusto. The borage is a voracious self seeder so I'll probably be trying to thin it out next year but bees love it and it is a great companion plant for courgettes , squash and pumpkin.

The rain is a steady drizzle . If it stays like this my cherry tree blossom may be safe and all the other plants will benefit from a gentle watering. The moths are under cover, asleep, and will be released tonight. Whilst I am happy with all of this I have not seen anything of the swallows since our return. That worries me. So does the sight of the magpie hanging around.... and as I write this (truly, truly, truly) the swallows have just flown out of the pig cott! I take it back. All is suddenly all right in my world again.