Time is flying and so are so many butterflies, I feel I have seen so many more painted ladies than I have seen in the recent years which is quite heartwarming!
If you haven’t already contributed to the Big Butterfly Count, you have until the 9th of August! I might have been a bit late with that alert but what is definitely early are the blackberries! Have you spotted any ripe ones yet? I assume they must have been brought on early by the hot and dry weather. Although a dry spring was a blessing in many ways, these hot summer days are likely taking a toll on our wildlife. Often species are driving to desperation in search of water, everything from moles to owls make perilous attempts to drink of water sources that are too deep to be safe for them. Think about where, near you, your wild neighbours might have access to water. It you want to help provide a safe watering place near you, you can make a mini pond from a shallow tray, fill with water, add leaves and sticks and stones in it to make sure animals of any size can easily access and leave the new haven you’ve created.