Showing posts with label wildlife. Show all posts
Showing posts with label wildlife. Show all posts

Tuesday, 23 June 2009

Knock before you dig...

Because you don't know who's in! Well that is when it comes to compost bins!
"Hello"


"This is my best side, aren't I handsome?"


A good couple of months or so ago I found a Slow worm on the bottom patio...on his back! I don't know if a bird had dropped him for I doubt they roll over on their back voluntarily.I thought he was dead but to my delight the warmth of my hands brought him to...so I carefully put him in the compost bin and he whizzed away at lightning speed. Then about a fortnight later I found this little chap when I was moving the compost bin a couple of foot to the left. I don't think he is the same one unless they grow quite rapidly because the other one was a fair bit smaller. I put him in a bucket with some compost whilst I finished moving the bin ( just incase! They are a protected species so I know how precious they are and didn't want him to come to any harm ) and then put him back in when I had finished.


We found our first ever Slow worm in the compost over 5 years ago so it is a real thrill to know they are still around...we must have created just the right environment for them. I think they mate in June so it looks like I did my maintenance at just the right time. I gave up turning my compost years ago , it really doesn't seem to need it once it got established, it kind of looks after itself...so... I hope we will be blessed this year with a family of little slug gobblers...Now I know the Slow worms haven't deserted us it looks like I won't need or indeed want to use slug pellets anymore. :o)
Doxie :o)

Green Beetle, green beetle who art thou?


I am trying to identify the species of a beetle found on one of my succulents.I have narrowed it down to the family Oedemeridae... if my classification skills are clearly way off please let me know...I'd love to know who this little fellow is ( and the ever present biology geek in me wants to know why...hence the interest in Genus species LOL )
Doxie... who is definitely lacking in the Insectology department.

Thursday, 28 May 2009

How small was the chick?

We found a little egg shell in the garden, I think it's a robin's perhaps...just imagine how tiny that baby chick was! Just look at the size!