As July wore on the hot weather stayed with us and we basked in a profusion of butterflies, nectaring on Verbena bonariensis, including an aged Painted Lady, 
which has since been joined by several freshly hatched ones. This is an excellent plant, as the flowers hold their nectar over a long period compared to Buddleia, which needs regular dead-heading to encourage fresh spikes.
The hedgehogs are prospering with five all in clear view one evening, which delighted a friend who was staying with us. The sound of them snuffling and crashing through the undergrowth in the dark can be a little intimidating for the uninitiated, but what lovely animals they are.
The hot nights also brought out a tidal wave of moths, which in turn encouraged the bats to appear – Serotine, all three species of Pipistrelle and Greater Horseshoe. A Pipistrelle managed to find its way into our bedroom – quite difficult to encourage such a creature to leave in the midst of it flying laps around our heads, but in the end a butterfly net was brought into use and we gently eased it out of the window.
It worked! Moles really do not seem to like the smell of coffee grounds in their runs, although it is necessary to repeat the process a few times. Apparently they simply dislike the smell. Eventually they will be encouraged to move away, completely unharmed I might add. The only problem – the garden smells like a barista’s delight!
We paid a visit to Bystock Nature Reserve in the middle of our grandchild minding duties. It was a shame that the weather was not better, as we would have seen many more butterflies, dragonflies and birds, but we did get to see the carnivorous sundew plants growing in amazing profusion amongst the sphagnum moss, far more than when we last visited several years ago..
There has been a lot on TV recently about creating wild flower meadows. We planted up a tiny area last 
autumn with clay ‘bombs’ filled with wildflower seeds, and it has worked. Our aim is now to expand this area and to see if we can improve on things.
Late breaking news – Toni saw and heard a pair of Rose-ringed Parakeets in the garden and they are still being seen around the village.
Paul Lister 01404 841696
