@Sheps, @LunarSea yes, so pleased to see one, it's only the second I've ever seen and never so close before. It even fed on a crushed blackcurrant we put out for it.
They like stinky stuff @scroggin! I saw them at Knepp last week and they were putting down poo etc to lure them in. Mind you, you obviously managed well on the luring in anyway! Another reason for fewer butterflies is last year's heat - the plants they/their caterpillars feed on/lay eggs on died off which means a lack of next generation this year.
@Crazybeelady, yes I was aware of their liking for 💩. It was just a lucky accident that we saw it, we were on the allotment picking currants, I went into the greenhouse, which has the door wide open 24/7 at this time of year, and it fluttered above my head. It stayed long enough for my better half to go to the house for her phone and camera. We put the crushed currant to see if it wanted some " sugar" , it put out it's proboscis and seemed to be feeding.
Our doe is back with her new kid. We hadn't seen her since late April when she looked very pregnant but she re-appeared on Sunday. The previous day I thought I saw her but that deer turned out to be a muntjac.
Our resident does have been wandering through, but the fawns are still being kept hidden. This was taken through the window and across the pasture - they don't come as close!
New England, USA
Metacomet soil with hints of Woodbridge and Pillsbury
Our 3 swallow chicks will fledge in a couple of days, it’s been amazing to see them grow every day and to watch the hard work of the parents. They are wonderful parents, from first light until dusk they fly back and forward feeding them and then at night they sleep on the edge of the nest, one either side guarding their precious chicks. I’ll miss them when they go 🥺
Mum is back …
and a bit later Dad is back and in place for the night …
Posts
I play with plants and soil and sometimes it's successful
Another reason for fewer butterflies is last year's heat - the plants they/their caterpillars feed on/lay eggs on died off which means a lack of next generation this year.
Mum is back …
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...