autumn in the garden

Changes are happening in the garden - it's Autumn time here in the UK. I took a few photos around the garden early this morning to show you...

 Rowan tree leaves are also changing colour but have been full of bright red berries since July. The blackbirds have taken a liking to these. Each year is different - sometimes they strip the tree bare of the berries in July/August, other times they pick and peck throughout the summer months and Autumn.

 Birch tree leaves are changing colour and starting to fall

Our Sedum plant is starting to flower - usually if we get a warm September it attracts plenty of butterflies.

I spotted a  shieldbug, or 2 or 3 !?!

 

This is a Hawthorn shieldbug (above)

Below are a younger (nymph) sheildbug and adult Green sheildbug...

Moth trap was out overnight and on opening it I was greeted by this slightly strange green and brown fly. I have yet to identify it.

Moths overnight in the trap were less numerous as it was clear and colder. But we did have 2 Silver Y moths, 2 Angle Shades, some Large Yellow Underwings and 2 Copper Underwing.

I wanted to show you how variable the Large Yellow Underwings are....

I thought it would be nice to remind you what how stunning a brown moth of Angles Shades can be, especially this time of year  with Autumn colours and their camouflage....

And how brilliant Silver Y moths are, flying all the way from Europe. They were quite still this morning due to the cold so I placed them carefully on our flowers and once the sun warmed them up one started 'nectaring' using its proboscis to drink the nectar. Very fascinating to watch closely.

 Here are the 2 Copper Underwing. The name is quite self explanatory really and always difficult to see as these moths are very flighty when you are trying to get a good look at their underwing/hindwing. Quite common in the UK.

A Common Wainscot hasn't been seen for a few a while...

And on the outside of the trap was this beautifully delicate Green Lacewing...

There are still migrant birds and moths on the move around the UK. Keep your eyes peeled!