Sunday, 5 May 2024

Don't Bother Going to Look

A week ago I was going to write a blog post about how great the triangular park with the chapel in it at the end of our street was looking. It was a riot of wild flowers in the grass, with orchids, clover, buttercups and daisies. Just as well I didn't get to it, because the day after I took these photos it was mowed by a municipal worker. What a waste. 


Early Spider Orchid Ophrys sphegodes (Fr. Ophrys araignée) in the flower rich sward.

Early Spider Orchid Ophrys sphegodes, Indre et loire, France. Photo by loire Valley Time Travel.


Park, Indre et loire, France. Photo by loire Valley Time Travel.


Park, Indre et loire, France. Photo by loire Valley Time Travel.


Female Hairy-footed Flower Bee Anthophora plumipes (Fr. Anthophore aux pattes poilues) nectaring on Red Clover Trifolium pratense (Fr. Trèfle des prés).

Hairy-footed Flower Bee Anthophora plumipes, Indre et loire, France. Photo by loire Valley Time Travel.

Mowing should be done at this time of year (April to August) to create a mosaic, so you mow bits this month and other bits next month. This allows different lengths of vegetation, which suit different species, ensures all plant species get a chance to flower and set seed, and that there is a continuous supply of nectar for insects that need it.

No comments:

Post a Comment