Brown is the new brown

The switch from meadow browns to gatekeepers was about half a week ago now. Yesterday I visited the Island and saw all manner of butterflies; lots of marbled whites, some ringlets and one I haven't identified yet.

Saturday, as I trudged around the garden in the heat I seemed to be herding insects wherever I went. Grasshoppers in the front garden, bees along the drive and, by the buddleias behind the house, butterflies. Mostly, in this corner, there are peacocks, with a few tortoiseshell (and meadow browns and gatekeepers). Red admirals visit occasionally.

As I passed the buddleias this morning there was a rapid and strong flighted butterfly that moved so quickly I could hardly make out its colour. It's July (check), Wimbledon tennis is on the telly (check) and we have had some warm Southerly breezes (check) - must be a painted lady. This turned out to be the case when the insect finally settled in sight.

These aren't the sounds you're listening for

I went out to put the tools away from the garden. Large moths fluttered silently, seeking nectar, or mates. Dark spiders sped across the paths, emboldened by the dusk, perhaps hoping to stumble upon the moths. Two thirds of a moon showed.

Light and colour were fading. The slightest opal glow touched the bottoms of the patchy cloud layer from sun rays already attenuated from their multiple reflections beyond the horizon.

I tuned into the sounds. Train leaving the station, far distant dog, neighbour whistling the only song I know by the Turtles, conversation, ticking of cooling house. Listening for that very particular sound of scratching, of scrabbling, of occasional buzzing and heavy chitinous collisions. I fear it is a little chill tonight. No stag beetles yet.

Flying and flowering

Three weeks now of meadow browns, recently joined by all the summer favourites. No painted ladies yet.

Young birds practice their dances on the lawn or in the fruit trees: blackbirds, robins, dunnocks, house sparrows, gold-finches, jackdaws, crows and starlings.

Lawn clippings today seemed largely hawkweed and clover. Three boxes for the whole thing.