A Very Welcome Visitor

Moth Quiz 5
Aleph, Vav, Yud, Number 1 in April.
Answer: Hebrew Character

Moth Quiz 6

Is this Debrett's favourite beverage? 

Wet stuff

Moth Quiz 4

In like a lion, out like a lamb
Answer:   March Moth 

Moth Quiz 5

Aleph, Vav, Yud, Number 1 in April.


Tuesday, April 28 

What excitement. Early yesterday morning I managed to book a delivery spot on North Walsham Sainsbury's web site. So good to make a large shop on a very easy to use site. Neighbours have been very good about shopping for us, but we don't like to ask them to get too much at a time. Lovely to be independent too.

Delivery day, Friday morning at 11- 12 o'clock 

Meale's should be delivering Alpine grit and growbags to-day. Pam found picking the tender stem broccoli very difficult last year. We're trying bags on an old two-tier strawberry frame this year. Placed outside the back door too, so very convenient.

Our Tuesday two hours out was productive. Rai and Barbara's House Martins performed for me on the way out to the car and we added Lesser Whitethroat and Garden Warbler to the year list.

New growth ivy is a paler, softer, green, which makes it look more vulnerable than the tough, parasitic plant it lives to be. Both birds and insects love it.

 

We left home in light rain and found it to be falling very patchily (is that even a word?). Some roads dry, others wetter that at home. It had obviously increased at home after we left as a wet Adrian had already left with Sam. He was due to plant the beetroot seedlings to-day. We really need the rain after such a long dry spell, it's not enough though. Pam will have to brave it shortly as the sunflower hearts feeders are empty yet again. By far the birds' favourite, although the fat balls go quickly too.

Stop reading now David B, it's moths, many of us love them. 😉

Yesterday's moth catch was the best so far this year. 36 macro moths + 1 micro, making 19 species in all. Including the micro, a Light Brown Apple, five of them new for the year.

Cinnabar

Grey Pine Carpet

Iron Prominent

Silver Y. An immigrant

Minor Escapade

Moth Clue 3: George Fox with make-up
Answer: Powdered Quaker 

Sunday, April 26 

I've recently finished sharpening: 5 pairs of secateurs (don't ask), 1 edging shears, 1 long-handled loppers, and a billhook, using a welsh slate whetstone and oil. I don't really know what I'm doing as I'm self-taught but it seems to work. I once had a gardener laugh when I started and then nod at me when he used the newly sharpened edging shears.

I ended with black oily hands and a right arm which is having difficulty lifting my cup of tea. The whole of the time that I sat outside under the umbrella, an Orange-tip fluttered about, never stopping. How do all those people on Facebook get them to pose long enough for a photo? As for the tiny Holly Blue!

I've missed the House Martins prospecting the eaves of the house opposite again this morning. In such a dry April, we're preparing a tray of wet garden soil for them to use as nesting material. Its positioning is a bit of a problem as we want to view it and make it both viable and safe for the birds to use.

The Black-cap is singing again.

After Adrian's work on Friday, this is what the alpine bed looks like to-day.

 I asked him to take all the rocks off as weeds had embedded themselves under and around them. In the case of the limestone holey one, they'd grown through.

My new plants have arrived and will be tended in situ until the bed is ready for them. Exciting.

We had a short local ride on Friday afternoon, adding a heard only Common Whitethroat to the year list and trying to photograph a hunting male Marsh Harrier. BPW. Better photos wanted.

We had this Diptera sp in the trap on Friday but haven't managed to identify it yet. 

Yesterday, we added a new micro for the year, Acleris literana (Lichen Button) and a Shuttle-shaped Dart, also NFY.

This morning we had the appalling total of 11 moths of 8 species in three traps. One NFY, Angle Shades. which was very camera shy and escaped.

 I've also planted the two cucumber plants in the lean-to greenhouse. The white powder around the base is the only non-organic garden material I use. It's a wood louse killer. Without it, the stems are eaten through.

Pam's flower plants look really good and my latest veggie ones are trying their best.

Moth Quiz 4

In like a lion, out like a lamb

Lockdown Life

Moth Quiz Clue 2:

You'd need a big box of tissues if you caught one of these.

Answer: Streamer

Friday, April 24 

I'd never have started on sorting the Alpine raised bed if it wasn't for lockdown. We both worked on it yesterday, Pam attacked the conifers and I continued to take out Bluebells and some of the plant which has matted the centre of the bed. Pam finished the conifers and Adrian is now sorting the centre part which I couldn't reach. I used to get up onto the bed to do that. A NoNo these days. Adrian actually managed to break a tine off the fork, probably the gritty soil and/or the deep roots of the conifers which had spread everywhere.
This so-called alpine Broom is lovely, it's days are numbered. It's far too big and has grown over choice plants which I wish to keep. I'll try transplanting it into a border once it has finished flowering and has been cut back.

The Daphne is also larger than expected.

Some years ago, we called into Cley Deli  to buy some lunch. At the counter, I asked for a mature cheddar. Dad was a miner and had extra cheese rations during the second world war. 

Special civilian rations

Persons falling within the following descriptions were allowed 8 oz (230 g) of cheese a week in place of the general ration of 3 oz (85 g):

• vegetarians (meat and bacon coupons must be surrendered)
• underground mine workers

This was always tasty cheddar, bought from the local shop, appearing as a large wheel on a marble slab with a wooden T handled wire attached to the side of the counter. The wire was used to cut the cheese into a triangle with rind on the outside. Howell Powell was expert at cutting the exact amount allowed. He took a pride in it.
I still like mature cheddar best, my present favourite being Tickler or Isle of Mull/Bute which we can get from Sainsbury's. Unable to shop there at the moment, I searched on Amazon and came up with the cheese I'd bought at Cley Deli all those years ago. The serving lady had recommended it, calling it her 'desert island' cheese. As it's also called Snowdonia, Black Bomber, how could I resist it.

I did source another Norfolk stockist at the time, in Coltishall,  but it was stale.

Moth wise, still appalling for the season and weather. We barely broke single figures from three traps last night. Nothing new, Muslin and Lunar Marbled Brown the most attractive.

We suspected that our nesting material holders were being used as there were wisps hanging out. Pam saw a Blue Tit take some last week and yesterday, a Great Tit returned on several occasions to fly off with a beakful. In the shade but one can see its white Father Christmas beard of nesting material. The little ones are going to be comfortable. 

Whilst answering the door yesterday, to give - shouted - removal of side shoots on tomato plants advice to a novice gardening neighbour, Pam saw two House Martins over the house opposite. They nest in the eaves every year. As is their habit when they first appear, they then disappeared. We still have Green Woodpeckers and Nuthatches calling and visiting but the Blackcap and Chiffchaff no longer sing. They have either gone because a mate didn't appear or, they are nesting. Wait and see.

Moth Quiz 3

George Fox with make-up

No Glue was Used....

Wednesday, April 22

Such an exciting day yesterday. We went out twice. Once for the two hour parking locally whilst Sam cleaned, followed by a chiropodist visit. The only bird of interest seen was another lone Swallow.

I did not use any glue at all in the end on the Butterfly feeder bought from The Butterfly Conservation online shop. When I tried to assemble it, none of the dozen pieces of dowel fitted the drilled holes. 

Adrian took it home and he and Sam set to on it. 

 

 

They have since requested that I do not buy any more as they had to file down the dowels and the holes split when they were inserted. 

The padded roller is soaked in a sugar solution, the bucket can also be filled and placed in the indentation behind the roller or, hung from the front.

Big question..... will any butterflies or moths use it?

To-day, I have removed several clumps of Bluebells from the raised alpine bed whilst Pam finished lopping the too big conifers. Neither of us wanted to destroy the trees but it was a case of too big for the situation. 

Now we have the roots to deal with. The base of the bed is rubble including broken bricks as padding. This was in order to try and replicate the plants' natural conditions and to save on the use of JI 3 and alpine grit which makes up the planting medium. The tree roots are well embedded.

Several of the diminutive Little Princess alpine tulips are now opening their faces to the sun.

.

The onions have grown well. The net supports have been left in place to deter the pheasants from trampling all over them. Looking carefully, one of their dust bath indentations is visible back right.

The last of the fruit trees to blossom is the Conference pear. Although the days are warm, nights are cold, I hope that there isn't any frost whilst the flowers set 

The potatoes keep poking their heads through too, I don't think that they can be soiled up any more than they have already. The pheasants have trampled those too. I like nice neat furrows - so does Adrian.

The cold nights have not improved the moth catch either but we keep trying. You've got to put the trap out because you never know..........

One new for 2020 yesterday, a Nutmeg.

Moth Quiz Clue:

You'd need a big box of tissues if you caught one of these.

Reminder: the answer is one of the moths we have trapped this year.

Puss, Hawk and Seeds

Monday, April 20

Whilst awake in the night, I was making up crossword clues where the answer was the name of a moth we have already trapped this year. As you do....... 

e.g. Verdigris ice lolly.

We found 13 moths of 8 species last night, which included two new for the year. The lovely Puss Moth, one of my favourites.

 

This one has been in the wars, probably a 'nearly got you' hungry bird.

The other was a Poplar Hawkmoth, much livelier than is usual for this species. It was warm in the sun lounge. We shall have to move outside again when there isn't as strong and cool a wind as there is today.

The others included a Frosted Green, Early Grey and one each of the usual four Orthosias.

Yesterday was open the bag and see what's sprouting time. Plenty was the answer. The three vegetable seeds I placed in damp compost inside a plastic bag last weekend were well sprouted.

I use some, now elderly, planters for larger seeds. When ready for planting, the containers open out enabling easy removal and less root disturbance when planting. I love them and am still nursing them along. I bought them from Agriframes.

Sitting on a perching stool - a legacy of Pam's second hip replacement - in a warm greenhouse, I planted all three veggies.

Runner Bean Wisley Magic

Dwarf French bean Nomad

 

 

 The sweetcorn I have used very succesfully for the last ten years is Lark.

I was not happy at the end of last week's INR blood test, neither was the nurse. My next appointment in two weeks time, did not have a time slot - I had to phone up on the day. A new venture which nurse obviously thought was likely to fail. There is an alternative drug to Warfarin. I booked a telephone appointment this morning, stated my case - the danger of frequent visits to the surgery. I needed have bothered. Doctor Young, boss man, was all for it and has been trying to encourage the change. Excellent. I pick up the prescription to-morrow and start immediately, with the warning that it can cause stomach upsets. Let's hope that my mother's pronouncement that I had a 'cast iron stomach' is still true.

I try not to read about side effects when starting a new medfication........ too late.

Answer : Frosted Green

Planting Time

Saturday, April 18

Happy Birthday, Sue. 

Trapping is so slow at the moment, April is usually reasonably productive. This handsome Lesser Swallow Prominent was new for the year. The pale triangle or cheese wedge helps to distinguish it from Swallow Prominent.

There are fewer Orthosias so the catch is more varied. Only 13 moths but 6 species this morning. Early Grey, Muslin and Brindled Beauty are always welcome. The Ps had a lovely Lime Hawkmoth in their Briston trap yesterday. We get about one a year if we're lucky. Early too.

My tomato seedlings, well-tended by Pam, are ready to plant in the leanto greenhouse. I need the propagator for the Sweetcorn, French and Runner Beans which are sprouting in damp compost in a poly bag.

With the addition of compost and fertiliser, the soil is rather piled up. To be dealt with later.

Pam's assistance was invaluable in passing plants etc.

The large plant pots next to the plant make watering easier and much more efficient as the wet goes directly to the roots. In hot weather, the concrete slabs are wetted and the plants sprayed to produce the necessary moist air. 

I've planted 4 Ferline, two Big Daddy and two Sungold cherry. A few spares were gratefully accepted by neighbours. I haven't grown far too many this year !! I just can't bear to throw good seedlings away.

We had another go with the Emperor moth lure on Friday, Another blank. 

The Nuthatch and both Jays are regular visitors to the feeders as well as Blue, Great, Coal and Long-tailed Tits. I hear the Marsh Tit, which always calls as it approaches - and then disappears into the shrubbery. When the Goldfinch mob is here, The Twitters, other birds disappear. They are very aggressive, but a Greenfinch braved a feeding perch at the sunflower hearts yesterday.

Pam went ot fetch my camera from the greenhouse and used it to take another photo of the alpine irises this morning, light rain falling - at last.

I re-planted my Saxifrage trough last Autumn, mostly in order to get rid of the Bitter Cress which had tightly permeated all the plants.

The Dianthus in the front trough are new this spring, a special offer from Thomson and Morgan when I bought my seeds.

Having removed a lot of overgrown and past their best plants from the raised Alpine bed, it was a good reason to order some new ones. I had a lovely time looking at Potterton's (Alpine specialists, nursery in Lincolnshire) catalogue and website. The bulbs will not be dispatched until the Autumn but the plants will be with me shortly. I may regret the size of the order when it comes to planting them!

 

Pheromone Lures

Thursday, April 14

I haven't totally run out of patience......very nearly though. My PC is playing up and I can't fix it. It sets off OK and then freezes. 

I wanted to copy the photos I needed onto a memory stick - and the PC would not open the stick.

 I tried to load some new photos onto my laptop, ready for editing and was told that there wasn't enough memory to do so.

I then spent some time removing big programmes from my laptop, then I could upload my photos. Hurrah. Hm. 

My editing programme then decided, for the first time ever,  to not allow me to make any changes and kept crashing, deleting the photo as it did so.

Believe me, this a precis of the time I have spent on this. 

Another beautiful, sunny day without rain. The sprinkler was on the potatoes and onions again, they're thirsty crops. The local farmer was setting up an irrigation system on a nearby potato crop as we returned from this week's INR test at the surgery in North Walsham. A two-week gap before the next one. There seemed to be more cars around to-day - and a long queue of trolley-pushers, the recommended two metres apart - outside Lidl. The queue stretched for the length of the car park.

There was a cold bite to the wind to-day, as I found out when sitting outside watching the pheromone lure trap.

Female moths exude sex pheromones in order to attract males for breeding. These males have one desire: find the female moth before others of their kind beat them to the punch. Many female moths are sedentary, its the males who are most often found in moth traps. 

Thought. I wonder how factually correct the latter part of that statement is. 

To-day, we were using the Emperor moth lure. It's a day-flying moth which we have seen in the garden once before. Not to-day. It was so easy last year in the Western Hebrides, they were everywhere and easily lured.

NOT MY PHOTO

The recommendation is that the lure, (an impregnated cork in this instance), is placed in a sunny position, at about chest height and left for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, it can be moved 50 metres for another 20 minutes. After two sessions, the wind drove me indoors.

 Helping to entertain us was a Blue Tit, nesting in the bamboo thicket and using our weeping Silver Birch as its song post. The noise gets tedious after a while - it's non-stop.

There was also a visit from a much less welcome visitor. A rat. Clearing up under the bird feeders. They appear to be more obvious in general. One theory being that there isn't any fast food around for them so they have to forage elsewhere. We don't have any food outlets in the village, it's normal dyke dwelling beasties looking for an easy meal when they have a litter. 

Keeping up the garden flowers folder........

Alpine Irises. Pam thinks that they're lovely, I'm ambivalent.

The white flowered shrub growing in the front border, is known as 'Pat's shrub'. It was a present and the name tag has gone. Previous gardener I suspect.

Glue and I

Tuesday, April 14

Feeling very guilty, we spent two hours touring very local woods' car parks this morning. Bacton, Pigney and then, Walcott front, whilst Sam cleaned the house. It seems like the safest thing to do. So many cars parked there. One young man drove up with a bike atop his car, stopped, strolled off to relieve himself, freed the bike and rode off into the woods. How many regulations was he breaking?

We did see our first Swallow at last, flying away from us off a roadside wire perch. 

Pam received this as a Christmas present, producing it late last week, requesting that it be assembled.

Glue and I are not easy companions. I keep looking at the kit. I even unpacked the pieces once. I hastily add that I have put together numerous flat packs in the past, including the sun lounge's sofa and two chairs. No glue involved in those though. 

Sellotape and Clingfilm are not my friends either.

Maybe to-morrow?

Manana.

The wind shifting to a northerly direction has meant cold nights and fewer moths. This morning was particularly poor, a few Orthosias and an Early Grey.

Yesterday was pleasing in that the catch was only 18 of 7 species, but one of them was a Dark Swordgrass, an Immigrant. 

We also added Double-striped Pug to the previous weekend's Brindled Pug. 

My garden plants photo folder is increasing. 

 

Alpine Tulips and Daphne

Name label has disappeared - bought from a specialist nursery near Inverness. Uncommon.

Cowslips

It's well time that my tomato plants were planted out into the soil floor of the lean-to greenhouse. Some have flowers coming and I had to side shoot them yesterday. The lean-to started life as next door's sunroom, taken down when they had an extension built. That was at least thirty years ago and it's on its third door. One side has also been re-built as the wood had rotted. I'd done my best with filler and pieces of wood but we had to call an expert in. I use canes to support the plants and can no longer get on a step to tie them up to the roof wires. Adrian did that this morning.

I used to renew the soil every three years or so, sterilise with Jeyes Fluid and insect bomb the house. I still do the bombing but Jeyes is no longer available nor desirable.

The back wall is painted white, has a trellis fitted and the cucumber plants grow up that. They don't seem to mind being in close proximity to tomatoes, although the books say that they are uneasy companions. 

One of our coffee morning group friends sent me photos of all the seed trays + plants that she is growing for the first time ever. All vegetables. And thoroughly enjoying it. I'd read that there has been an enormous increase in veg seed sales and in flour too. Enforced staying at home has brought back once common place activities such as baking. I wonder if it will continue beyond Covid19 isolation.

Meales, the Stalham garden centre/produce shop, have just phoned to confirm the order I made online and will deliver this afternoon.  They will also deliver bird food, Pam's ordered some sunflower hearts.

Justine shopped for us yesterday and Sam and Mark are going to Waitrose this afternoon. S and M are strict vegans who produce our weekly multi-seed brown loaf.

 

The Boss

Monday, April 13

No, not Bruce Springsteen. We are blessed (!!) by a multitude of pheasants visiting the garden. Mainly females, but by this time of year, one female and a boss male who sees off any other visitors. This is the present boss.

His female doesn't seem to have nested yet, she is still walking about. We'd prefer it if she didn't, even though we no longer have cats. Our last cats were actually very wary of the adults so the chicks prospered. 

A much better moth catch on Saturday night. We put the actinic trap out in place of the MV as Andy had posted on our What's App group that he was getting better numbers and species using the former. We had 31 macro moths which included seven new for the year.

Both are views of a dark Frosted Green

Streamer

Powdered Quaker

Swallow Prominent

Waved Umber - very active, it waved goodbye as it flew out of the door

Nut-tree Tussock

Lunar Marbled Brown 

 

Both of the above photos are of Purple Thorn, from above and the side.

The lone micro was the dimunitive, delicate, Many Plumed.

The Australian shrub, Grevillea, has lasted the winter well - again - despite being neglected in the greenhouse.

Even more Petticoats out to-day.