It’s a constant source of wonder and delight to me just how much activity there is on a daily basis in my relatively small wildlife garden. Something is always either chirping, flapping, buzzing or crawling about.

The other day, as I was stepping out into the garden, I was greeted by the cheerful chirping of house sparrows, perched high up in the cherry tree. And as I moved towards the vegetable patch, a squadron of cabbage white butterflies was attempting to break through my green netting defences to lay siege to the purple sprouting broccoli. It was then I caught sight of an orb spider by the nettle patch, tucking into its breakfast of freshly trapped soldier beetle. These nettles provide a food source for a variety of butterflies such as small tortoiseshell, peacock, red admiral, comma and the occasional painted lady.

Passing the rambling rector rose bush, covered in greenfly which attracts ladybirds, I made my way over to the pond. Crouching down next to the beautiful creeping Jenny plant with its vibrant yellow flowers, I gently turned over a large lily pad to reveal a host of pond leaches and water slaters, which are closely related to wood lice. Both the leaches and slaters feed on the detritus in the pond. I also went to check on the solitary bee house and found several entrances sealed off with leaves.

Every day is different in a wildlife garden, so who knows what I’ll find tomorrow. I can’t wait to find out.

LB LOXLEY