Category Archives: Lockdown Diary

I noticed subtle differences in this hoverfly today and, looking back at previous mentions I realise that this is the opposite sex to the other one featured. Batman Hoverfly Myathropa florea I had wondered, when I planted up the hanging … Continue reading →

When I was a kid I feared little… except being poisoned (my dad had eaten Deadly Nightshade as a kid and his paranoia was liberally shared with us). Murder was rare, pedophilia almost unheard of, the streets were mostly safe … Continue reading →

I’m constantly remodelling the garden… each year one or more areas get something of a make-over, and in between times one pot gets swapped for another or we lose a plant and plant something new. All gardeners try to create … Continue reading →

When they flit about I find it hard to tell a Meadow Brown from a Gatekeeper… especially without reference to judge relative size. Yesterday it was easy as I had both species present on the same plant! Today just a … Continue reading →

Up at sparrow fart to go birding before the crowds arrive. Maggie may never recover from the shock to her system… a morning person she aint! On the road in we slowed twice as Red-legged Partridges ran in front of … Continue reading →

Earlier in the year I posted a picture similar to this one. Red-tailed Bumblebee Bombus lapidarius What I didn’t say at the time (due mostly to my ignorance) is that this is a queen. Today’s picture balances the battle of the … Continue reading →

I am a passionate advocate of wilding, whether it be great estates like the 3,500-acre Knepp in Sussex or Scotland’s 23,000-acre Alladale. I am extremely keen on the local re-wildling of two square miles at West Blean Wood near Canterbury … Continue reading →

Fatsias are grown for their architectural use in the garden. Their large, attractively shaped, evergreen leaves give lush colour all year and their large size from a small base can give necessary height. They do put up a flower stalk … Continue reading →

Another of the ‘background’ plants is ‘Ninebark’, a large deciduous bush right in the middle of the garden. While it is deciduous, most years the leaves do not drop because of our mild, marine micro-climate. In late spring it flowers … Continue reading →

The perennial question asked by borders when they meet a fellow birder in the field is “Anything about?”. Often the reply is “…not much,” regardless of how many rare birds are packed into the field of view. But, as often, … Continue reading →