Summer is a time of plenty, long days, hopefully nice weather and lots of wildlife. Not just out on the farm but in your back garden there are things to see and do. Butterflies are in good numbers as are day flying Moths, a huge range of colours and sizes are out there. One dry, windless, evening try attracting night dwelling Moths by shining a torch or light onto a large white sheet and sitting back to see what drops by.
If you live near fresh water or have a pond in the garden now is the time to admire a true great of the insect world, Dragonflies. Emperor, Hawker, Chaser are all types of Dragonfly one can find in the south west. I strongly advise sitting down and just watching these ancient beasts as they fly around at high speed protecting their patch of water.
Adult birds are now busy feeding young chicks in the nest or taking care of fledged birds in the tree tops. Just a word of warning, however lost or weak a bird may seem in the garden, never pick them up. The adult birds will be near and on hand.
Gareth Williams.