Kitchen Garden Forum

Humming Bird Hawk Moth spotted today in the garden at work....this morning around the Blackberries...and this afternoon on some Regal Pelargoniums that are resting behind the potting shed.
I'm told that one was also sighted on Sunday on Phlox in the border behind the Stables...

They have been spotted around the gardens in previous years...but the difference this time is that I got to see one...

Clive.

They are wonderful to watch, aren't they, Clive? The way they sort of move sideways from flower to flower. I have yet to see one this year though we have had them in the garden in previous years, they particularly liked the red valerian.

We found a beautiful forest (also called brown or red-legged) shield bug at our open kitchen window yesterday. It's about an inch long, much larger than the commonly seen green shield bug. Apparently, the forest shield bug lives on trees and especially at the edge of forests. As we have lots of trees all around us, it's not surprising to see one, but it is the first time for us.

How strange, didn't know such a thing existed until this posting and then my neighbour (who's big on bugs) told me he'd seen one yesterday morning! My eyes are now peeled

Perhaps they are more prolific this year than usual? The colder and drier winter might have favoured them.