We’ve had a few new species in the Garden during April, and the following two have very little in common, one being a True Bug and the other a Beetle. Apart, that is, from their vernacular name being Tortoise. The Tortoise Beetle, recorded on the 20th April 2025. These odd but very pretty looking beetlesContinue reading “A couple of Tortoises”
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A fat fly and a tiny spider
It’s unusual for us to be playing catch-up on announcing new species in March, but thats the nice position we have recently found ourselves in, with several new species recorded in the last week or so. And here are two more… Our fat fly is a Clusterfly called Pollenia rudis. These are very common andContinue reading “A fat fly and a tiny spider”
Limoniidae species & a new spider record
We could only identify the following insect down to family level. The family being Limoniidae (we think), close relatives of the true Craneflies. The main difference (that is easy to observe) between true craneflies and limoniidae when viewed in the Garden, is that they hold their wings differently when at rest. Our short species accountContinue reading “Limoniidae species & a new spider record”
Another species of Springtail
Our Springtail species list hit double figures with the following species, we think belonging to the genus Isotomurus, recorded yesterday. We suspect it may be Isotomurus maculatus, but there is just enough doubt in our minds not to record it to species level. It was recorded heading towards a large clump of moss. Moss beingContinue reading “Another species of Springtail”
Big Garden Bird Count
Last weekend we decided to take part in this years Big Garden Birdwatch, an RSPB survey conducted every year at the end of January. The general idea being that for each species you record, you note the maximum number of that species you see landed in your garden at any one time. This hour canContinue reading “Big Garden Bird Count”
Daddy Longlegs
In most parts of the country the insect we refer to as a Daddy Longlegs is one of a number of similar looking flies called Craneflies. Although some people also call Harvestmen, arachnids rather than insects, by the same title. We very recently (24th December 2023) uploaded a video to you tube showing what aContinue reading “Daddy Longlegs”
First new species record of 2024
Nature, as we know, is pretty amazing. You don’t have to wait long before something new comes along to surprise you, making encouraging, observing and recording wildlife so rewarding. This proved the case yet again on new years day 2024 when out in the Garden we spotted a new species of fungi, our first newContinue reading “First new species record of 2024”
The Common Chrysalis Snail
Today we confirmed our first ever record of the normally very common land snail, Lauria cylindracea. Sadly we only found it’s shell, the animal itself obviously recently perished. It was attached to some Nostoc (a cyanobacterium) in amongst the mosses on the concrete steps as shown below. Known as The Common Chrysalis Snail, we assumeContinue reading “The Common Chrysalis Snail”
Wildlife Garden 