Butterflies and moths
It’s true to say that this summer you could not avoid bumping into butterflies and moths.
The range of species and numbers sighted have been brilliant. We set our front field, the one behind the Bee Shack Cafe, aside as a meadow two years ago. Before the whole area was grazed. Now we restrict and rotate the grazing to allow the various grasses and wild flowers to flourish. The rewards have been terrific. As well as having a beautiful old fashioned meadow to enjoy, the wildlife has positively bloomed.
Sightings include Peacocks, Meadow Browns and Gatekeepers butterflies all enjoying the Buddleia which is still in flower.
We also have a large family of Buff Tip Moth caterpillars that have eaten every leaf of a young Hornbeam. We hope the tree will survive and look forward to moth sightings.
Grasshoppers abound and the swallows are constantly swooping over this 24/7 insect buffet.
We will rotovate some more strips in this field in the Autumn which we can then hand sow with wildflower seeds. We’ll include bee friendly species such as Phacelia and red clover.
Prettywildseeds on ebay have proved to be very good in our opinion. We used their bumble and insect friendly wildflower mix for clay/acidic soil.
So, hopefully next summer will be even more beautiful and you’ll join us on a Bee Shack Cafe open day. You can laze in a deckchair and soak up the rays and the view.
