Windermere Rd Park/ground Saved

[Astoness]

We have the first of the fruit trees from the orchard in blossom (think it might be cherry)
View attachment 200149

looks like a cherry to me jan...lovely

lyn

 

[pjmburns]

More work over on the fields today. New damson tree planted in the orchard. Small fence woven to indicate a planted area. Plus seeds sown in the meadow - we also have some of the same seeds being brought on in trays for planting out later as seeds in the wild seem a bit hit and miss.

 

[pjmburns]

Also discovered celadine coming out. A hellebore in bloom. More mini narcissus and some snake's head fritilaries (thought there were only 2 but found 5 more in bud).

 

[Astoness]

all looking good jan..you all work so hard...well done and thanks for the photos

lyn

 

[A Sparks]

Lovely flowers!

 

[pjmburns]

A busy week on the fields.
Last Friday the gardener friend (trained that is ) of one of our members showed us how to prune the trees in our orchard. Copious notes were taken for future reference. She is going to come back in January to help again.

 

[pjmburns]

This week we took across and planted lots of wildflower seedlings which 2 of us had brought on in seed trays.
We had poppies, ladies bedstraw, sainfoin, horses knot. The foxgloves aren't quite big enough yet.

 

[pjmburns]

The seedling went into the meadow section to add to the wildflowers already there (we hope) from last year.

 

[pjmburns]

Update on the Fields.
The cricket team who were trying to lease the field seem to have settled elsewhere. So it looks as if our Fields are safe - for now.
The Football team who use the football pitch are trying to get a further pitch marked. The Friends Group are happy with that as it doesn't involve any fencing off.
So good news so far.

 

[pjmburns]

More good news - I bumped into our local wildflower/insect expert on the fields today.
He was clearing brambles to allow a patch of nettles to flourish for butterflies.
He then went to clear grass from around a buckthorn shrub - favoured food of the Brimstone butterfly. While he was doing that a female Brimstone arrived and laid 3 eggs.
He also told me he had seen a Painted Lady and 2 Red Admirals - he suspected these were migrants as smaller that those usually seen
So it looks as if our wildflower planting is paying off.

 

[Astoness]

Update on the Fields.
The cricket team who were trying to lrase the field seem to have settled elsewhere. So it looks as if our Fields are safe - for now.
The Football team who use the football pitch are trying to get a further pitch marked. The Friends Group are happy with that as it doesn't involve any fencing off.
So good news so far.

thats good news indeed jan...

lyn

 

[Astoness]

More good news - I bumped into our local wildflower/insect expert on the fields today.
He was clearing brambles to allow a patch of nettles to flourish for butterflies.
He then went to clear grass from around a buckthorn shrub - favoured food of the Brimstone butterfly. While he was doing that a female Brimstone arrived and laid 3 eggs.
He also told me he had seen a Painted Lady and 2 Red Admirals - he suspected these were migrants as smaller that those usually seen
So it looks as if our wildflower planting is paying off.

how wonderful jan..keep up the good work

lyn

 

[pjmburns]

Would love to get photos of the insect life but they don't stay still for long enough lol

 

[pjmburns]

More good news - I bumped into our local wildflower/insect expert on the fields today.
He was clearing brambles to allow a patch of nettles to flourish for butterflies.
He then went to clear grass from around a buckthorn shrub - favoured food of the Brimstone butterfly. While he was doing that a female Brimstone arrived and laid 3 eggs.
He also told me he had seen a Painted Lady and 2 Red Admirals - he suspected these were migrants as smaller that those usually seen
So it looks as if our wildflower planting is paying off.

Update
- have emailed our expert to see if he can identify it for sure but found this on one of the Buckthorn bushes.

 

[Morturn]

Looks like a ladybird lava to me Janice

 

[pjmburns]

Oh dear.
I don't know but as I said I have emailed Keith, our expert. As it was on buckthorn we were hoping for a butterfly caterpillar (if you see what I mean).

 

[Astoness]

Looks like a ladybird lava to me Janice

this is what i found mort...no mention of being white in colour

Ladybird larvae are typically black or dark gray, but they can also have yellow or orange markings. Some species may also have hairs or spikes on their bodies. For example, the Harlequin ladybird larvae is characterized by having two orange stripes and being spiky.