Last year I put a large plastic container, filled with rain water, in the garden with the view to attracting wildlife. I put some large rocks in the bottom and purchased a tiny water lily (frog-bit). Not much happened apart from the proliferation of water snails.
Late yesterday afternoon I was delighted to see that a toad was quite happily immersed in the water cooling off in the humidity. Patience paid off and I think the container pond is here to stay.
Here is a close up of toady. The water is so clear. I haven't seen him? today. He is probably hiding among the shrubs in the garden.
It has been a good early summer for the tayberries. They came free with some fruit trees a few years ago. I planted them up against the washing line post and the fruit has been a bit hit and miss until this year.
My 'new' water feature has had a few casualties. I tried to save this damselfly? when I saw it lying sideways on the water. Unfortunately it didn't survive.
A new addition to the garden is this small but perfectly formed argyranthemum. It is only tiny at the moment but I hope it will spread and fill out.
How absolutely brilliant having a toad move in ... and those tayberries look delicious!!
ReplyDeleteI spend my life trying to save creatures, particularly bees at the moment!
V x
I love having the toad move in Vivienne but I hope Gizmo doesn't spot him! I save a lot of bees when they fly into the conservatory and can't find their way back out. x
DeleteHi Simone, not sure if my comment was wiped so will try again. I was just saying that I have a load of bees buzzing about in my garden but I worry for the grandchildren that they don't get stung accidentally. I have an aversion to frogs and toads but can appreciate them from afar in your garden! Love the washing pole idea and that little flower is a gorgeous colour. x
ReplyDeleteI don't think bees are a problem unless they are provoked. I love frogs and toads but my aversion is to ladybirds!!! :)
DeleteAlways lovely to get a peak into your garden, Simone. Seeing your happy little fellow should bring you much joy and a satisfaction knowing that you're creating a healthy living space. Every time I spot a toad here I rejoice in our decision to work hard at being chemical free on our few acres. We're very worried about not seeing many bees this year. Our nearest bee keeping neighbor reports that he lost all of his bees this winter. He's hard at work rebuilding his hives. We struggle despite being surrounded by commercial farming that relies heavily on herbicides and pesticides. And so with each toad spotted, each butterfly that stops and sips at our blooms, every bee that visits our flowering weedy "lawns" we celebrate the little safe havens we can provide. I hope you do as well.
ReplyDeleteI don't use chemicals in the garden Sharon either. It is difficult though to be organic when the surrounding countryside use chemicals. You can't say to creatures 'come into my garden - it is safe here!'. It is no wonder that bees and other insects aren't thriving. I definitely celebrate the little safe havens created for wildlife. :)
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ReplyDeleteI have often wanted to put some kind of small pond in the Bijou garden but with 5 furries I don't think frogs etc would last long. One of them bought a frog in a few years back and we had to take it over to the park pond. I didn't realise that frogs can scream until then, it was making such a noise and apparently they do this to scare of predators.
ReplyDeleteBriony
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I suppose having a small garden and 5 cats could be a bit of a problem when it comes to keeping wildlife safe! Frogs screaming is a horrible sound. When I kept chickens I once saw a pair of frog legs hanging out one of their beaks - before I could do anything the frog was gulped away! x
DeleteLovely to have Mr Toad using your pond and living in your garden, the pond looks wonderful. There do seem to be more casualties in the garden at this time of year as birds and insects try hard to make it through to adulthood. Hope the weather isn't too warm for you:)
ReplyDeleteHi Rosie. The 'pond' is just a small black plastic container about 18 inches across but has been an asset in encouraging various wildlife. The weather is definitely too hot for me (well it was yesterday). I tend to shop early and stay indoors on days like these. x
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