Smooth Newts Arrive!

While keeping on top of the duckweed in our small garden pond, I accidentally scooped out two little efts (young newts). You can still see the gills at the back of the head and in front of the front legs.  I'm delighted and honored that these little fellas have chosen our pond to hold up in. That's two ponds and two breeding groups! These are common/ smooth newts.  Can only hope that we may at some time in the future, be blessed with a colony of great created newts to top the bill... Time will tell. Regardless of possible future events, any newt sighting is a real pleasure. The only downside to finding great crested newts is we won't be able to catch, disturb or handle them without a license! A small price to pay if we have made a habitat that GCN's can thrive in.

Common Blue - Polyommatus icarus.

At about 5pm in a sunny spot in the meadow, there were three or four common blue butterflies visiting the wild flowers. The main target flowers as shown in the picture were Birdsfoot Trefoil. 

 

Wildflower Meadow - Year 1

 

Well it's still only the first year and the cornfield annuals are putting on a show. Will be a few years yet until I can think of it as a wild flower meadow, but very pleased with this early result as a start. 

Emperor Dragonfly

This female Emperor dragonfly is laying her eggs just under the surface on this pontederia (pickerel) weed plant. Several males and females can be seen in dogfights over the water surface.

 

Grass snake on pond

 

Great to see this shy newcomer take up residence! - My wife however was less than thrilled!

Small Copper Butterfly on on Corn Marigold flower

 

First year of sowing cornfield annuals and pleased to see that they are supporting the butterflies which have been quite scarce thus far. Hope to see numbers improve over time  as I increase the diversity of flora and supporting habitat over the next few years.