Wildlife in my garden
Our garden is certainly not a big one, a small plot backing onto fields belonging to a farmer. The view across these the fields is an ever-changing wallpaper with the seasons. Not only is it a wonderful view but the openness of the space is a thriving wildlife haven, in both summer and winter. Wildlife does not understand the meaning of fences so we are very lucky to meet a few very interesting visitors in our small garden because of this.
Attract wildlife
Although we are lucky in as much that we are pretty close to nature here in our garden, one thing we never do is use pesticides or insecticides. If one year we have a garden pest problem, for example aphids on the roses or on the Philadelphus we just let nature take its course. Some years are certainly less problematic than others, but by not using chemicals I am sure we encourage a larger variety of insects and wildlife into the garden. Mowing, pruning,weeding,dead heading, digging, clearing, composting are the only methods we use here. No sprays, no weed killers.
The other reason we have for this non-use of chemicals is that the garden is also a children’s play area.
A damsel fly
It may only be a small pond but if you look carefully you will find a variety of wildlife hiding under the lily pads or in the surrounding vegetation. Without too much interference from man a pond becomes a wonderful little nature reserve all of its own.
Yesterday we spotted a damsel fly (Coenagrion puella) resting on a lily pad enjoying the warm sunshine. I think it’s a female because of the dark markings down its body. From a distance in this position it could be mistaken for a twig on a leaf.
[...] with a little garden talk about the wildlife in my garden. Our little pond here is so full of wildlife. Not only are there damsel flies but [...]
[...] difference between the two is that dragonflies when resting have their wings outspread, while the damsel fly folds its wings down by its abdomen. In the UK we have around 30 species of dragonflies still, but [...]