Members Update 12th June 2022

SPOT THE BEE FLY UPDATE 12TH JUNE 2022

Here we are again, a longer break than intended but I have been rather busy with various Platinum Jubilee events and spending a lot of time working with our small team in the museum on preparing next years’ calendar.

We kick-off this time with this lovely rainbow photo taken by Mike Tooms from his garden in Camberley. Nice Rainbow, - and a nice garden Mike. Thank you!

“Hi Mike,   Not sure whether this unusual full bow rainbow is of sufficient interest. Caught last week after rushing into the garden after Pam saw it through the window, Best,   Mike”

 

Rob Agar continues to amaze; we know he loves nature but there are extremes – though they don’t seem to bother him.

We had been chatting and he had told me of an Emperor Dragonfly about to emerge from his garden pond and his plan to sit by all night and watch and photograph, he invited me to join him but I declined and said I’d wait for the photos!

Here’s how the event progressed:

“Subject: RE: Emperor Dragonflies. In my pond an Emperor is starting to climb a water reed, so if you want to see it, ring me.....could be a long night ‘til 4am when they hatch and fly off....just getting my seat out...lol Rob”

“Absolutely amazing....I have photos of about 10 subjects....gone mad with the cameras....will look through and post....one or two are of a sexual nature....damselfly orgy with about 7 couples on a plant...lol Rob”

I asked how long he sat by the pond……

“Hi, a sample, started watching at 6.30 pm until 12.30 am....then at 3.45 am when it had gone...most amazing thing I have seen. I will send you a sequence of events. As I said been very busy in the Ash Vale area with the camera”

 

Ken and Pauline Crick visited WWT Slimbridge recently and have sent us a selection of the varied wildfowl seen on the day,- thanks to both of you!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next, we have a note from Mark and Simon following up on their experiences with their Box hedge, they pose a question that maybe Joan can answer as she seemingly propagated the resilient one!

 

“Hello Mike and Jenny,   Thank you for your recent messages.

We hope all is going well for you.

One matter of interest to us has arisen concerning the Box Moth caterpillar.

We have treated the long established hedges as described last time with a measure of success.

Some years ago we purchased a box hedge rooted cutting at a CNHS bring and buy plant stall.

This cutting has slightly different leaves to the established ones in the garden.

So far the CNHS cutting box has not shown signs of moth attack.

Are some varieties immune?

We believe the CNHS box hedge cutting was propagated by Joan.

With Good Wishes to all,   Mark and Simon.”

 


 

Yesterday whilst wandering around our garden I found three Stag Beetles each spread far apart from the top to the bottom of the garden, they were all females and were crawling through the lawn. I rescued each and parked in safe places for we have found a few odd beetle wings on previous days!

 


 

We currently have three Great Spotted Woodpeckers in the garden, I took the following photo yesterday through the kitchen window.

 

 

Finally, to round-off this update, - a few dates to place in your diaries if you have not already done so……

Wednesday 6th July:

A morning walk with Irene Draper at the Crabtree Plantation, which is located on the London Road at Old Basing, the post code is: RG24 7HB

Meet in the car park at 10.30am.

Please phone Irene if you require any further information: 01252 870470

 

Saturday 30th July:

Mike & Jenny’s Garden Party

2 pm until 4 pm. Bring some cakes please.

 

Sunday 28th August:

Joan & Bernard’s Garden Party

Full details nearer the dates.

 

Thank you again to our contributors, please do all possible to keep the ball rolling, photos not necessary, just let us know where you have been and what you saw when you were there!

 

Please look at the web site, Graeme is doing a great job in keeping it updated.

https://www.camberleynaturalhistorysociety.org.uk/

Regards to all,

Mike & Jenny

PS. I pre-forwarded the email from Mark and Simon to Bernard and he has responded as follows:

“It would be good if the variegated version of Box was immune to Box moth but that is not the case with those in our garden. I did have a suspicion that one of the variegated varieties, with smaller leaves, was less susceptible but other variegated ones certainly do get eaten as I found to my cost, when I missed a pot with the spray.      I think Simon was just lucky that his shrub was avoided this time, or maybe it is not so noticeable to the moth as a fully green one.

There are many people locally, that are digging out their box bushes.     Bernard”