Fennel and Friends.

Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) is native to the Mediterranean region and southwestern Asia. It is a highly aromatic erect perennial herb, that has become naturalised in the UK. It is one of three herbs used in the manufacture in Absinthe. The bulb, foliage, and seeds of the fennel plant are widely used in many of the culinary traditions of the world. It has many "medical" uses, from treating flatulence to calming bronchitis and coughs, but it is also the host to many insects. Several species of lepidoptera use it as their food plant, and many more feed on the pollen.

It think it has a very attractive, if understated glaucous green leaves and stems with tiny yellow flowers.

The leaves grow up to 40 cm long; they are finely dissected, with the ultimate segments filiform, about 0.5 mm wide.

The flowers are produced in terminal compound umbels 5–15 cm wide, each umbel section with 20–50 tiny yellow flowers on short pedicels. Here a Ladybird is just landing. I didn't identify this at the time, but it may well be a Harlequin Ladybird, a non-native pest species that is threatening our native species.

Common Wasps appear to be one of the commonest visitors.

This is one of the Hoverflies, I'm still working on the species ID.

This is another wasp mimic. again, I'm waiting for my copy of Micheal Chinnery's new book, which I hope will help identify it.

Swallows nest building - a use for the car park!

Swallows generally arrive back at St Margaret's from April onwards and they are besting from the beginning of May onwards. Although the population of Swallows has always fluctuated, being dependant of climatic conditions during migration, the general trend is believed to have been widespread declines in Europe since 1970. The swallow is included on the Amber List of Birds of Conservation Concern because of its adverse conservation status Europe-wide. The reasons are complex and can be seen on the RSPB site

One of the problems have during hot dry summers is finding wet mud for nest construction and repair, particularly for second broods. It is there pleasing to report that one of the uses the puddles have in the Bay car park is to provide building materials for either new or refurbished nests for a second brood.
As well as mud they use pieces of dry grass and straw to bind the mud together. If you have an out building suitable the RSPB Website has an interesting page on how to encourage breeding.

When they arrive the males have extremely long tail streamers. The better the streamers the more likely the male is to attract a female to nest. Obviously there must be a balance between the streamers and the ability to fly and manoeuvre.

Having collected a beakfull it then time to fly off to the nest site, both birds were taking part in this activity.

They disappeared over the top of the cliff, but were back quite quickly, so they were nesting in a building not far away.

Garden Safari Extension - Copperfield

During the Garden Safari I didn't manage to get out and about to see the other gardens, but I did meet a few of the owners. Several gave invitations to visit some time and this afternoon I popped over to see Tim Burden at Copperfield in The Rise.

Copperfield over looks Bockhill Farm with views down the valley to the sea. A garden full of interest, with colourful flowers, some nicely scented herbs and good looking fruit and vegetables.

The Shirley Poppy, Papaver rhoeas, is a fast-growing cultivar of the common poppy, and it is available in several colours. They seem to do well here and are in full bloom at the moment.

This Verbena, which I think is a native of South America is a great garden plant for attracting butterflies and other insects.

More poppies with a supporting cast of other plants.

The Sunflowers are reaching skywards and the apples are beginning to fill out.

Nelson Park, Horses and my Imagination!

As you leave the village, travelling in a north-easterly direction, on Station Road, the Nelson Park "estate" in on your right.

After St Vincent Road comes Collingwood Road. This continues for almost a mile and joins with Norway Drove a footpath or bridle-way from Kingsdown Road. Looking across from this junction you can see the back of Hogs Bush. I've always thought that this was a great name for a house, although I don't know its derivation.

At the end of Nelson Park Road is the Braeside Equestrian Centre. This is one of several horse riding stables in the area. I liked the white blaze looking out of the stable door, I'm pleased that the protection on the door leaves him the space to watch the world go by.

In the next field these two were grazing. They did come to see me when I went to the gate, but quickly realised that I didn't have any treats for them and went back to the lush grass. Looking down the valley you can just see the sea in the distance.

I noticed that these Poppy seed heads seemed to be leading a secret life and are turning into cartoon characters. Grandad on the left is looking at the three youths. I do like their hats!

The Pines Pond

This evening I took a walk down to the Pond in the Pines Garden. The trees of different colours and form made a great background. The gardens are beautiful at this time of year.

By the pond, this Globe Artichoke looked a lot nicer than I think they taste. It must be one of the best thistles.

Reflections 1

Reflections 2

I was hoping for some dragonflies and Damselflies and this large Hawker type Dragonfly appeared after a few minutes. It is a female laying eggs. It wasn't until I look closely at the pictures that I realised how badly damaged its right wings were. It didn't seem to inhibit the way it flew.

From this angle you can see it laying eggs on the submerged vegetation, and how damaged it is.

Half hidden through the reeds it is easier to see that it is a female Emperor Dragonfly, Anax Imperator. Originally an African species it has expanded northwards through Europe over the last few decades. The male is bright blue with a central black line down the abdomen. They fly with a slight droop to their abdomen, other large dragonfly hold their bodies in a straight line.

Amy Temple Cottages

Walking along Chapel Lane, past the pond and nearing the school entrance you become aware of a neat row of roofs belonging to four small, reasonably modern cottages. These are the Amy Temple Cottages.

The numbers are intriguing at first, number four, followed by one, two and three. Then a closer look shows that number four, although identical in design is a more recent addition.

I haven't done a huge amount of research, but as far as I understand money was left by Amy Temple for the provision of these cottages for single ladies in the village. The trust is still operating and it looks after cottages. The three originals were joined by the fourth some years later, and its more recent pedigree is betrayed by the newer looking roof.

Baby Hog

When we got back to the house in the early hours this morning, Pam saw a small Hedgehog as we drove through our gates. We assumed that it was with its family. We were surprised, this afternoon, to find it curled up asleep, by the path. It should have been snuggled up with the rest of the family so we decided to take it in.

When it was curled up it was little larger than a tennis ball with spines. Here in an old hamster cage eating cat food. Tomorrow his off to an animal rescue centre where they are experienced in rearing orphaned animals, so he should have a good chance of survival.

Common Carder Bumblebee

The Common Carder Bumblebee, Bombus pascuorum is one of the Bumblebees most frequently found in the garden.

It can be separated from the other common Bumblebees by the lack of a buff, yellow or white markings on its rear end. It is a surface-nesting bumblebee which constructs its nest in cavities such as old mouse runs and among mats of moss in lawns.

Nests can contain up to 200 workers. Only the young fertilised queen survives the winter, having hibernated in a protected place such as a hole or under moss. She emerges in spring, either starting up her own colony or taking over an existing one. The queen makes pots of wax and pollen into which the first eggs are laid. After about three weeks the first infertile female workers emerge and take over the nectar and pollen-gathering and cell building, while the queen concentrates on egg laying. The larvae are reared on pollen and nectar. The males appear in summer. Towards the end of this season, both male and female bumble bees fly out and mate. Males are allowed to re-enter the nest after mating and soon die. The fertilised queen starts searching for a safe place to hibernate but all the workers and the old queen will die with the first frosts or spell of cold weather.
This species is a long-tongued bee which prefers flowers with a long flower tube such as red and white clover, lavender and members of the Labiate family. You can also attract this bee to nest in your garden with a bee nest box. For information about these threatened insects there is a good site for The Bumblebee Conservation Trust.

Hummingbird Hawk Moth

Normally the views I get of a Hummingbird Hawkmoth are of it dashing about nectaring on Red Valerian or Buddleia.
Finding one in the Moth trap yesterday morning was a good opportunity to photograph one when it was still.

Perhaps because it hadn't warmed up, it even let me take a picture of its underside.
It is a strange moth, with an oddly flattened body compared to other Hawkmoths.

This scene caught my eye, probably because I'm not good with heights. They seemed to be having problems getting the trunking down the chimney, but they chose the right day. We haven't had many calm dry days this week.

Anyone for Tea

The Old Chapel stands near the junction of Reach Road and Sea Street. The building is about 100 years old and is owned by the St Margaret's Trust.

Recently the Chapel has been opened as a Tea Shop. It is run by Linda and Brian with the help of young adults from their Looking Ahead Project. They also have a similar venture in the basement of the Salvation Army building in Canterbury. Now that it's been cleaned and tidied up the premises look very smart and as well as the flowers in the tubs and baskets they are also selling garden plants that they have produced.

Inside the nicely decorated room there is currently an art exhibition with exhibits from local artists. As well as tea, coffee and cakes they do a good lunch menu, but be warned, don't plan to eat a lot for dinner if you lunch here. My plate had so much food I only needed a snack in the evening.

On a nice sunny day, and there may still be some to come, you can take your food outside and sit in the fresh air. Pam and I thoroughly enjoyed our lunch, and we noticed a couple of young Swedish visitors tucking into some very generous helpings of chocolate cake. It's good to see a new facility in the village, I hope it does well.