We're way past No Mow May, well beyond Too Soon June and are currently in Leave it High July, so I'm wondering if Blades Gathering Dust August is a thing? Yes, we're talking about the green, green grass of home and the distinct lack of lawn at Burnbank. The edges of the front and back gardens have had a path cut, and also the area around the pond, but the even the drying green has been left to its own devices and is now a sea of Cat's-ear, Self-heal and White Clover. The small area which we designated as meadow is a riot of Yellow Rattle and the wildflower patch is festooned with Fox and Cubs, Red Clover and Ox-eye Daisies. The hard-standing where Megan parks her car is a edged with Mayweed, whilst in the front garden the orchids have had their day and have disappeared under a canopy of Meadow Vetchling. The rockery has benefitted from the occasional light weeding, allowing the geraniums, pinks and assorted alpines to rule the roost, but there will not be much mainten...
The last few days of Alan's holiday with us featured a run of island trips. Megan took him to Graemsay when she was wildlife guiding there, then we all went to Flotta for a day and, after that, spent the next one over in Hoy. The forecast for the Flotta trip was grim, but the rain held off until lunchtime, so we were able to see plenty of wildlife before we were soaked on the return journey. Fortunately, the community cafe was open, so we could have a hot brew and a little respite from the showers. The day belonged to Common Blue butterflies. They were everywhere, fluttering along verges and nectaring on Bird's-foot Trefoil. As the rain approached, they began to congregate in sheltered places, in ones, twos, threes, fours and fives. Megan found a few newly-emerged Six-spotted Burnet moths, and then whilst waiting for the ferry home, a Common Marbled Carpet, which had taken cover in a bike shelter. Northern Eggar caterpillar A female Blue-tailed Damselfly Three Common Blues Four...