Family Fun Day Bug Hunt

Despite the heavy rain the day went okay. I started with as introduction to urban invertebrates and a perception quiz to show that even the invertebrates we think are dangerous or damaging to gardens have a  very important role in the ecology of the garden.

We then hunted for invertebrates in an overgrown area of the grounds and discovered many invertebrates including the following.

Centipede
Black Millipede
Wolf Spider
Small white slugs
Small black slugs
Earthworm
Earwig
Woodlice common
Woodlice pygmy
Pill bug
Garden snail
Red ant
Beetle larvae
Peacock butterfly

Some of the smaller invertebrates were observed using dinocams attached to laptops

A wolf spiders hairy legs

The peacock butterfly was quite a surprise because of the weather. This species overwinters as an adult so can be seen quite early in the year. We had hoped to see bees, hoverflies etc but did not find any because of the weather.

We then explored the pond. Armed with nest the children collected some invertebrates from the pond to observe close up and discuss. This included the whirligig beetle that whizzes around on the surface film and pond skaters that also travel on the surface film. The whirligig beetles feed mainly on mosquito larvae and similar creatures while the pond skater specialises in feeding on insects that fall into the pond.

The list of animals observed include the following.

Whirligig beetles
Beetle larvae
Mayfly larvae
Water boatman
Lesser water boatman
Spider (on surface film - not seen close up)
Pond skaters
Blood worm
Leech
Pond snail

We also observed frog spawn and juvenile sticklebacks.

Whirligig beetle and stickleback

Leeches can change the shade of their body to match their surrounding

We observed some of the animals up close using the dinocams and laptops

We discussed the importance of ponds to wildlife in general.  We discussed how many of these insects/larvae are transient, capable of travelling from pond to pond. They survive underwater with the aid of breathing tubes, gills or by carrying a bubble of air with them. Despite the weather everybody seemed to enjoy the day

More frogs and spawn.

I pulled back the curtains this morning and disturbed a large number of frogs in the pond, all diving at the same time. I noticed that the was more frog spawn than before.

Last night it rained hard and the frogs were in fine voice - a proper frogs chorus.

First tortoiseshell butterfly

A nice sunny day and I spotted the first tortoiseshell butterfly in our back garden.

More frogs and frog spawn

Very heavy rain all night and still just as heavy this morning.

At least the frogs seem to have enjoyed it as there are now over a dozen frogs in the pond and about 5 clumps of spawn.

Robin song

A lot of bird activity at the moment - must be the sunny weather, as many seem to be starting courtship and securing territories. I noticed a lot of blackbird activity down the track. The robin is continuing to sing. Being a relatively nice day I started some gardening, clearing the greenhouse and planting a few tomatoes, beans and sunflowers. While I was in the garden, the robin came very close and I snapped the pics below.

There was also a very vocal blue tit in a neighbours garden also seemed to be courtship. Not the usual blue tit foraging/calls behaviours.

First frog spawn

First clump of frog spawn this year in the pond.

Only one frog visible.

A robin has taken up singing today from the apple tree that overlooks our back garden and from other trees nearby.

First butterfly of the year

I was making lunch when I spotted this beautiful red admiral butterfly on the purple crocuses on our rockery.  It appeared to be feeding, but I did not want to get too close to check incase I disturbed it.

Interestingly it appeared to take no notice of the yellow crocuses. Once only a summer migrant, it has been believed for some time now that a small population now manage to overwinter. It is early sightings like this one that has led to this conclusion.