Earlier in the year I wrote on the forum of the large numbers of ladybirds over wintering. Despite the very cold conditions they came through and on dispersal could be be found everywhere. Now they appear to be scarce and very few are to be found, here in N.E.Essex anyway. Is this the same all over the county?
Could it be that the cold and extremely wet late spring and early summer has interfered with breeding patterns?
There was a report on TV that Bug-Life are concerned about the well being of a number of species due to the wet conditions
Butterfly numbers in our garden are very low, Large and Small Whites have been visiting regularly, but others are just very occasional singletons. Painted Ladys are noteable by their absence and only one Silver 'Y' has put in an appearance.
It looks to have been a disasterous year all round, except for mosquitos which are being a real pest while trying to sit out on our odd warm evening.
Could it be that the cold and extremely wet late spring and early summer has interfered with breeding patterns?
There was a report on TV that Bug-Life are concerned about the well being of a number of species due to the wet conditions
Butterfly numbers in our garden are very low, Large and Small Whites have been visiting regularly, but others are just very occasional singletons. Painted Ladys are noteable by their absence and only one Silver 'Y' has put in an appearance.
It looks to have been a disasterous year all round, except for mosquitos which are being a real pest while trying to sit out on our odd warm evening.