The Grasshopper Season

Every year around this time for a period of about 2 weeks, we seem to have a plague of grasshoppers. They hop into the house both upstairs and downstairs and when we pick them up and put them outside, they come straight back in again. They don't cause a problem, but I would love to know what attracts them inside.

I am not sure which kind of grasshopper this is - a Meadow Grasshopper, perhaps?

Wild Onion

Each year this plant grows in the same spot. But, each year, it gets cut down before flowering, so I have not been able to identify it until now.

It is Wild Onion - allium vineale, sometimes called Crow Garlic.

The stems are about 80cm high and they are hollow with a distinct onion smell when broken.

Slender St John's Wort

Another new wild flower that I have not found in the garden before today, Slender St John's Wort - Hypericum pulchrum.

It was the reddish stems that helped to identify it. And, looking closely, there are black dots along the edges of the petals.

Finally a Fawn Photo

I have not been able to take a decent photo of the new fawn, but luckily I captured him/her on my stealthcam, taken at 5.00am today. Mum is looking on.

He/she still has her spots so is probably less than 8 weeks old.

Roe deer among the buttercups

Each year the field in front of our house is allowed to grow without grazing. There is always a wonderful display of buttercups. Roe deer love it. Each year I try to capture a photo of roe deer among the buttercups. This is this years effort.

After years of trying to take photos through the window, I have realised that I really need to get outside. Of course, there is not much time before they see me and run off. This is one of my better efforts.

Damselflies by the Pond

Lots of damselflies around the pond today enjoying the sunshine - large red and blue-tailed.

Roe Deer fawn

Every year during the Spring Bank Holiday here in the UK, we usually catch sight, for the first time, of the roe deer fawns born this year. This weekend was no exception.

No opportunity for a photo, but mother and child were in the field at the front of our house. The youngster was only just visible in the long grass. I will post a photo as soon as I can get one. Watch this space!