Meadow Matures

[SARAH MCKENZIE]

Hi there,

 

Having managed about half our back lawn as a meadow for the last five years, we have been rewarded this summer with a breeding colony of Common Blue butterflies. We had seen the odd male over the last two years, but only as a fleeting visitor. For the last week we have had up to 8 males and thee females, with mating observed on 25th, 30th and 31st July 2009.

 

A prelimininary botanical survey revealed 20 broadleaved species and 6 grasses (more work needed here).

 

I can think of nothing better than to sit in a  reclining chair, sipping tea with 3 male Common Blues battling around my toes (while listening to Test Match Special and England beating the Aussies!)

 

Marbled Whites next?

 

Sarah McKenzie

[Michael Paul Hillman]

Hi Sarah

Its good to know that your hard work has paid off. I have been in hospital over the last 18 months and my back garden has become a meadow without having to do too much work, but I can say that I (and the neighbours) have never seen so many butterflies in the area before.  I have had Common Blues, Comma,s, swallowtails and  painted ladies.  I shall keep my small meadow every year now and hope it becomes better.

Regards Mick Hillman  

2009/8/2 SARAH MCKENZIE <sarahmckenzie493@...>

Hi there,

 

Having managed about half our back lawn as a meadow for the last five years, we have been rewarded this summer with a breeding colony of Common Blue butterflies. We had seen the odd male over the last two years, but only as a fleeting visitor. For the last week we have had up to 8 males and thee females, with mating observed on 25th, 30th and 31st July 2009.

 

A prelimininary botanical survey revealed 20 broadleaved species and 6 grasses (more work needed here).

 

I can think of nothing better than to sit in a  reclining chair, sipping tea with 3 male Common Blues battling around my toes (while listening to Test Match Special and England beating the Aussies!)

 

Marbled Whites next?

 

Sarah McKenzie

[Theresa Greenaway]

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On our garden meadow this year we have had uncountable quantities of gatekeepers, only 1 male & 1 female common blue, meadows browns, commas etc., but also every year we get male & female white legged damselflies in our 'meadows', even though these do not seem to be breeding in our pond.

 

Theresa

 

----- Original Message -----

From: bugman.hillman4@...

To: adastra@...

Sent: Sunday, August 02, 2009 8:53 PM

Subject: Re: [Adastra] Meadow Matures

Hi Sarah

Its good to know that your hard work has paid off. I have been in hospital over the last 18 months and my back garden has become a meadow without having to do too much work, but I can say that I (and the neighbours) have never seen so many butterflies in the area before.  I have had Common Blues, Comma,s, swallowtails and  painted ladies.  I shall keep my small meadow every year now and hope it becomes better.

Regards Mick Hillman  

2009/8/2 SARAH MCKENZIE <sarahmckenzie493@...>

Hi there,

 

Having managed about half our back lawn as a meadow for the last five years, we have been rewarded this summer with a breeding colony of Common Blue butterflies. We had seen the odd male over the last two years, but only as a fleeting visitor. For the last week we have had up to 8 males and thee females, with mating observed on 25th, 30th and 31st July 2009.

 

A prelimininary botanical survey revealed 20 broadleaved species and 6 grasses (more work needed here).

 

I can think of nothing better than to sit in a  reclining chair, sipping tea with 3 male Common Blues battling around my toes (while listening to Test Match Special and England beating the Aussies!)

 

Marbled Whites next?

 

Sarah McKenzie