Langdyke volunteer Jackie Robinson usually writes about events on our reserves. But this month she turns the spotlight on events around her garden pond
Forgive me … I promised to write about more yellow things following my article last month.
Instead you’ve got a piece about Damsels and Dragons in Helpston
I’ve had to postpone Yellow Things Part 2 until next month as I haven’t actually been home since the end of May except for a few days here and there.
I haven’t been to any of the reserves either, not even as a volunteer, or seen much in the UK at all. I did manage a visit to Swaddywell, with a group led by Sarah Lambert, to see the orchids, but we didn’t look at much else on that occasion, but there were so many orchids. Keep your eyes open for the events, it is a great way to learn more about the wildlife and plants.
However, in the last day or so I have manged to look at the pond in my garden and there is quite a bit going on in there.
There are lots of ting froglets and frogs which have mostly left the pond now and stopped me strimming. I started carefully looking out for the Grass Snakes but mid-path they were frantically leaping left and right to get out of my way so that task was abandoned.
I have seen a male Common Newt come up for air and watched many Damselflies guarding their territory on the Iris leaves (devasted by Iris Sawfly – Rhadinoceraea micans) and the bits of long grass hanging over the pond. The Large Red Damselfly is definitely the bully. It chases away all others but sits quite happily while a Blue-tailed Damselfly kept butting it.
I hadn’t realised how quickly Dragonfly nymphs can move back underwater if you disturb them leaving.
I saw what I thought was one emerging, front legs out of the water, I went in to get the camera and when I got back it had gone. I could see it lurking by the base of the plant. I’m now more careful not to disturb them.
Today – June 25 – a Damselfly was emerging from a tiny case, it was very yellow and I wondered if it was an Willow Emerald – I hadn’t seen one so pale before and I see a lot of newly emerged ones around the garden but they are usually a translucent grey colour. I saw it briefly after on a piece of grass but it flew off.
My garden at the moment is no longer a ‘Wildlife’ garden but a ‘Wild’ garden, in the last four weeks it has gone a bit mad, (mostly bird seed self-sets). I have a big job on my hands and my August pencilled in week away might have to be spent in the garden!
I will be registering my interest on a holiday next year though with Wildlife Travel. A week in Le Vercors with Sarah as co-leader and Cliff and Julie as co-travellers was an absolute delight. I didn’t realise there were so many orchids … we saw thirty three different species – unbelievable (and an Asp Viper (Vipera aspis) basking at the side of a stony path).
Have a good summer everyone.
