Category: Nature

How Many Species of Plant and Animal Does your Garden House? 0

How Many Species of Plant and Animal Does your Garden House?

The other day I was having a discussion with Morgan (who is 5) about the number of species of plants and animals that live in our garden. Ever since he has been going on to me to write a list of every plant and animal that I can think of that we’ve seen in the...

Beehive Site 6

Beekeeping – A Good Location for a Beehive?

My research into starting up beekeeping continues. I’ve been reading lots of books, listening to beekeeping podcasts, lurking (and posting) on various beekeeping forums and have now contacted the local beekeeping association. My main worries have revolved around the location and whether or not our garden would be suitable for a hive or two. I’ve...

Gold Spot Moth 1

National Moth Night 2010

National Moth night is this coming weekend, May 15th to be precise. It is an annual event that is the UK’s  celebration of moths and moth recording. The date varies each year to focus recording efforts on different parts of the season. To take part in National Moth Night 2010 all you need to do...

Skylarks 0

Skylarks

The Skylarks have been in good voice lately. I’ve been spending quite a bit of time in the garden and have been treated to them singing away high above my head from dawn til dusk. They just keep going non-stop all day long. It’s nice to hear them and occasionally see them but I do...

Caterpillar Nest 6

Caterpillar Invasion

We have thousands of caterpillars here again this year. We had quite a few last year on one of the willows at the bottom of the garden, but this year we have several collections of them on both willow and hawthorn. The build a little nest of silk and feed on these plants. As a...

Moth Recording in Ceredigion – A County First 0

Moth Recording in Ceredigion – A County First

I’ve just had an e-mail from the County Moth Recorder in VC46 comfirming that my recent record of a Chamomile Shark is the first ever recorded in the County. Always exciting when that happens. Alan: Have been conferring with Ian over the last week, pondering your Chamomile Shark record which is a first for VC46....

Beekeeping in West Wales 1

Beekeeping in West Wales

Amazon.co.uk Widgets I’ve wanted to become a beekeeper for a while now, but as with many things such as this the barriers of entry are quite high. First, there is a lot to learn and it is a little daunting. Not only is there a whole new vocabulary to learn, but there are techniques and...

Our Garden 3

Landscape Gardening

I always enjoy gardening, especially the planning and landscaping of a garden, but here on the coast of West Wales, gardening of any type is challenging. We have to contend with poor soil (sand to be precise), strong winds and salty air. Coming up with any sort of a ‘garden’ is difficult and most people...

Flame Shoulder 0

Flame Shoulder – Ceredigion Moths

It was a little warmer last night, but still dropped to 4ºC so it wasn’t a great night for moths, but at least there were a few in the trap this morning, including a Flame Shoulder (Ochropleura plecta) which was new for me and a lovely looking moth 4x Shoulder Stripe 2x Hebrew Character 2x...

Chamomile Shark 3

Chamomile Shark – Ceredigion Moths

Things have been quiet in the moth trap here lately thanks to the cold overnight temperatures, but there was a new species for me in the trap last night: 3x Hebrew Character 1x Chamomile Shark* The Chamomile Shark feeds on chamomile and feverfew and we have loads of feverfew in the garden. I don’t think...