Dazzling summer jewels

The sun continues to shine in rural Bedfordshire, bathing our UK HQ in glorious golden rays.

Many of the hundreds of staff that work here, including me, enjoy our lunch hour by lazing out in the beautiful gardens we're luckily enough to have here. One place that's always busy though is the wildlife pond.

Back when The Lodge was a stately home, this was a swimming pool! However, the only lengths you'll see these days come from our dazzling dragonflies.

Twisting and turning, an emperor darts this way and that as he patrols his pond. Occasionally landing on the reeds, rushes and other water loving plants now inhabiting the pond, it's clear he's in charge!

But it's not just dragonflies that need water during this dry spell. Birds, mammals other insects are also rely upon a reliable fresh water source.

So if you've not built that pond yet, why not think about it? Whatever the size of your garden, you'll be able to fit something in, even if it's just an upturned dustbin lid! In this heat, it's really helpful if you could put out water.

There's loads of helpful advice on ponds pages, and why not have a look at Giving Nature a Home too?

Have a great weekend everybody! And don't forget to let us know if you're digging a pond, or what your favourite visitor is. Can you beat Katie's kingfisher from a couple of weeks ago?