Animal-life in our gardens and surrounds 2018

[Graham Catlow]

I think it’s a Leafcutter Bee.

Thanks Steve, that seems to be what it is. I had never heard of one let alone seen one.

[Steve Garvie]

Thanks Steve, that seems to be what it is. I had never heard of one let alone seen one.

They’re quite useful wee beasties Graham. They do “manicure” the odd leaf but they are great pollinators (better than Honey Bees as they don’t wet the pollen they collect and so are more efficient pollinators).

[Mark Griffiths]

A couple of days ago I had a strange find.

I had a plant of Helichrysum corralloides plunged in a greenhouse bed which suddenly looked worse for wear. I checked and it wasn't dry. I lifted the pot out of the sand and noticed a number of tunnels / galleries in the sand with dead insects in them.

They look like Common Froghopper, Philaenus spumarius but what were they doing tunnelling in the plunge and why did they all die? I found about 15-20 just around a 3.5 inch pot.

[Graham Catlow]

They’re quite useful wee beasties Graham. They do “manicure” the odd leaf but they are great pollinators (better than Honey Bees as they don’t wet the pollen they collect and so are more efficient pollinators).

I see what you mean Steve. Whilst doing some general garden maintenance this morning I noticed that the bee is partial to deciduous Rhododendron (Azalea) leaves. Some of the holes are almost circular and all are very neat. These leaves are very close to the ground and had I not been weeding in the vicinity I wouldn't have noticed. As you say this wont do the plant any harm. Good to know that I have been of service to this useful creature.

[Maggi Young]

Had to share this pic of a family of baby skunks that  Gabriela has  in her Canadian garden at the moment  - I don't think she is too keen to  have them around indefinitely, though. 



From other links and comments it seems that  baby skunks won't spray unless greatly provoked - it is debilitating for  them.  Also that skunks don't re-locate very well. ......

From a  link shared by Lori Skulski  of a pdf  from the Alberta Institute for Wildlife Conservation..... some tips for those with a skunk invasion!

[Gabriela]

Someone mentioned relocation? but I'm soooo cute!


Skunks are always around many neighborhoods here. As long as they don't settle on a property they do no harm, just taking their stroll at night to feed on various.

Yes relocation is not good but in this particular case is the best option; the den is on the neighbor property and he can, at any time, call  a Pest Control removal, who supposedly will catch and relocate them humanely 

I hope to be ahead of him and relocate in a controlled manner, meaning making sure there is a source of water nearby and food provided for a while until they get their ways around the new place.
The rate of survival after the first winter (even without relocation) is 10%.

[Maggi Young]

These cute little guys are lucky to have you on their side, Gabriela!  Their  survival rate at the best of times is not good - hope you can help this bunch beat the odds.

[Roma]

I found one in my garden yesterday and another today.  Haven't made much impression on the Willowherb.
Caterpillar of Elephant Hawk Moth.  Would love to see the adult.  I need to make a point of walking round the garden at dusk in June when they should be about.

[Roma]

Insects seem to have multiplied rapidly since we've had some rain.
Hoverflies on Allium wallichii



There are some good clumps of heather (Calluna vulgaris) in my ponies pasture which get well trimmed in winter.  They are past their best now but were attracting Small Copper Butterflies and Ladybirds.  Also lots of ladybirds suddenly appeared in the garden. 

[angie]

Roma the other day I thought it was raining but it was all the hoverflies bouncing off the conservatory windows . I have never seen so many.

Angie 

[Leucogenes]

We were in northern Tuscany for a week. In the mountains of Monte Albano. Every evening we got a visit from different lizards on the house walls. I was able to take one. Unfortunately I don't know the exact name of this beautiful species.

Thomas

[ruweiss]

Moorish Gecko (Mauergecko) Tarentola mauritanica
Enjoy your holidays!

[Leucogenes]

Moorish Gecko (Mauergecko) Tarentola mauritanica
Enjoy your holidays!

Hi Rudi

Thank you for the quick identification.

I've seen other lizards. Unfortunately, most of them were too fast for photography. Also very impressive was the sound colissa through the cicadas.

We really enjoyed our stay...I think the following picture says it all...

Ciao Ragazzi 😎

[Gabriela]

We were in northern Tuscany for a week. In the mountains of Monte Albano. Every evening we got a visit from different lizards on the house walls. I was able to take one. Unfortunately I don't know the exact name of this beautiful species.

Thomas

Beautiful indeed Thomas and perfect mimicry - well, a gecko as Rudi said.

Picture-perfect Tuscany!

[fermi de Sousa]

We occasionally have small flocks of red-browed firetail finches (Neochmia temporalis) in our garden. presumably feeding on grass seeds and small insects.
Colloquially they are called "red-bums" for obvious reasons
cheers
fermi