Sunday 8 November 2015

Another Week of Leaves - 8/11/2015


Spent most of the day clearing
more leaves out of my pond
which had fallen during the week.


At least the most had stayed on the surface
which made removing them alot easier.








Sunday 18 October 2015

Picking up Leaves - 18/10/2015


The arrival of Autumn signals the start of the neverending task of clearing the garden of fallen leaves.  

Keeping on top of this ensures that any leaves that have fallen into the pond are removed quickly to avoid them decomposing and turning the water stagnant.


With a huge tree hanging over the garden
there is always plenty to pick up each day!


My cat seems to enjoy
watching me hard at work.







Saturday 26 September 2015

First Autumn Tidy Up - 26/9/2015


A selection of photos taken
during the first Autumn pond tidy up.

I had a tidy up of the little wildlife pond,
cutting back the Iris plants and splitting one
of the Scirpus Cernuus plants into two pots.

Wildlife Pond Project #1
after a tidy up.

One half of the Scirpus Cernuss repotted.

The other half of the Scirpus Cernuus.

My Wife planted
a couple of Black Dragons,
from another plant which had multiplied.


I divided the Scirpus cernuus
in the bigger pond too.

That's a total of three in the big pond now.
These should provide good cover
for the frogs next year.

Wildlife Pond Project #2
after a tidy up.

Wildlife Pond Project #1 and #2

Wildlife Project #1 and the Bug Hotel.


I've resisted thinning out the elodea crispa
as keeping it the pond stops the leaves that
fall in from sinking to the bottom.

This is a lesson I learnt the hard way last year.

A view of the hairgrass plant which
provided cover the tadpoles in Spring.


This is where some of the
young frogs have been hanging out,
in the long grass next to the old bike shed.

Sunday 13 September 2015

Frogs & Butterflies - 13/9/2015


I was able to spend some time relaxing in the garden this morning and managed to get some photos of the froglets that have now left the pond.  Some are are bigger than others as you can see in the photos.


I can spot four in the photo below,
can you see them too?



The little frog below had just exited out 
of the pond and climbed onto the rock.


Whilst putting away some garden furniture I discovered that some of the frogs that have left the pond have moved into one of the little sheds at the side of the house.  I'm not sure if these two frogs are ganging up on this spider or are just happy to be in it's company:


My youngest daughter found
a butterfly in the garden:


I think it's a 'Speckled Wood'

Saturday 12 September 2015

Autumn Fast Approaching - 12/9/2015


It's hard to believe that 
Autumn is nearly upon us, 
where did the Summer go?

I know I spent June taking part 
in the 30 Days Wild Challenge,
but as for July and August
those months just seem to come and go.

I can't remember what I got up to
during those months but I do know
that I hardly spent anytime on
my home computer blogging. 

Here's a quick update 
on what's been happening:


Nearly all the tadpoles have developed into froglets and I've enjoyed spending many an evening watching them hopping around the garden or being chased by my cat!  I'm impressed just how many garden nooks and crannies have a resident froglet now.

They vary in size but it does look like alot made it out safely which is good news, although my Dad does warn me that sooner or later I'll be swamped with them!


I only have to sit near the pond for a few
seconds before I see movement in the grass.


The Water Mint in the
 Wildlife Pond Project #2
did well this year and flowered
for  the first time:


I've seen plenty of movement in the Bug Hotel
and insects do seem to be coming and going.


Recently I noticed a hole had been seeled over
in one of the wooden blocks I'd put in the hotel.

Not sure what has moved in
but I'm sure it'll stay until next Spring now.


The little wildlife pond seems to be attracting the more mature frogs and I think that might be due to the mosquito larvae that seems to be abundant in it most of the time.

I like to top this pond up with water regularly as without the top ups it tends to dry up thanks to the rather thirsty Irises.


Speaking of frogs, whilst taking some photos of the little pond, this handsome little chap decided he wanted his photo taken.

He's not one of the usual resident frogs as he's much smaller and I'm guessing he's one of the first frogs that developed from the spawn this year.


I was able to get a close up too:


It won't be long now before the leaves
begin falling and I will be forever
picking them out of the pond.


It's been a good year so far in the garden
and what great wildlife I've had.

I've had hedgehogs, newts, frogs,
tadpoles and for the first time goldfinches too.