Close Encounter of the Arachnid Kind (a post mainly about bees)

 

I was wandering round our wild garden this afternoon, hoping that the sun might have enticed a Brimstone or Red Admiral. As it happens, I saw just one butterfly, a Small White. My gaze, however, was distracted by a little drama of the arachnid kind. As the bee alighted on the insect house, quick as a flash two long dark legs appeared as if from nowhere, followed by the spider you see in the image. I wish the quality of the picture was better, but at least I caught something on camera. 

Spiders have to eat, of course, but I found myself on the side of the bee, hoping it had survived its unexpected ordeal.

  

The second photo shows how (presumably) bees have been at work, sealing up the holes. Last Christmas, I was given a copy of Simon Armitage's book, Dwell, inspired by the Lost Gardens of Heligan. I absolutely love the poem about the bug hotel!  

It was a joy to see a bee, several in fact, scouting out our hanging bee house:

 

The bee in the next photo preferred a warm spot in the sun on the hotel roof ...

 

 

The insect houses are close to a white flowering Cherry. In previous years, Leaf-cutter bees have sliced their circles from the Cherry tree leaves. The blossom has been wonderful, but the leaves are still pretty small ...

 

 

* 

The photos below were taken in our garden back in 2020.
 

Bee caught in the act

The disc of leaf has almost been removed

Arriving with the rolled disc of leaf for nest-cells

 

 

Flatford Mill, Constable Country

Bridge Cottage, Flatford

 

Saturday was dry in our neck of the woods. It was sunny at times (sufficiently sunny for an ice cream 😊), but largely cloudy. We took a trip to Flatford, where the RSPB Wildlife Garden has been saved and will continue under the National Trust. 

2026 marks the 250th anniversary of John Constable's birth and there are a number of commemorative events and exhibitions this year, including three exhibitions in Christchurch Mansion, Ipswich.   

 

There were several newts ...

... and pond-skaters

 

in or on the wildlife pond. 

The Kingcups were stunning. 

Water meadows to the left of the River Stour

Looking back through the lock gates

The blossom was out of this world. 

I'm guessing these are Dock Beetle eggs ...

  

A beautiful way to spend a spring afternoon. 

Spot the Sutton Hoo Dragon

 

Bluebell season, this afternoon: sunny and a bit blustery at times

A Small White in among the Bluebells

Do you remember 'In and out the dusty Bluebells'?

I played this singing game at Nursery School in Kent in the 1960s - see here for origins.

A good day for grazing

Foy my updated garden species list, see here. 

Trailcam: a Hedgehog After All

Having thought we had had no Hedgehog sightings yet, the Trailcam proved me wrong. 

A chilly evening

Fat Mouse (or a descendant) looking as cute as ever

Have you been watching 'Attenborough's Secret garden: the Wildlife on our Doorstep'? The mouse narrative in the episode we watched tonight was extraordinary, not forgetting the Swallows. 

 

Previous post: an Adder at Minsmere - here.  

RSPB Minsmere

 

A male Adder in the sunshine

 

 

What a bonus to see an Adder this afternoon, and only minutes after we had seen a Water Vole. Peacock butterflies were showing well in the sheltered spots. 

 

The Adder photographs were taken on a Zoom lens from the safety of the railed boardwalk. 

Above: Looking up the coast towards Dunwich Heath. 

Below: 'his' and 'her' treats back at the Visitors' Centre, with Sand Martins overhead.  

Below: shades of things to come ... Sizewell C. 

Last photo: Minsmere today, and surely as it should be.  

2026 RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch: My Results

 

I have just taken part in the annual RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch. It is always interesting (and fun) to sit down with a mug of coffee, a notebook and a pair of binoculars. The Jay and the Goldfinch (a single one, which is unusual) were a close call at the end, and sadly the semi-regular Greenfinches failed to show up during the hour. I have a hunch I saw many more Blue tits than the figure suggests, but I only recorded the number I definitely saw at a given time. I was surprised that there was only one Wood Pigeon. 

If you haven't taken part, you can still do so today (24 Jan. 2026) or tomorrow.  

 

 

 

 

My total: 

 

 

One or two 'quick pics' taken during the hour...

 

 

Dunnock

Blue tit

Blue tit and Great tit

Jay

I wonder why my results were lower than average for this year. We don't often see five Magpies at once and the Jay is only an occasional visitor, but perhaps these larger birds were keeping some of the smaller ones away. The House Sparrows failed to show up and since they tend to move in a small flock, they would have boosted the total somewhat. We have noticed a decline in Blackbirds, so were pleased to spot a male and a female.  

  

 

'Polar Corona', my Poetry Pamphlet on Antarctic Exploration (2)

 

Polar Corona, my poetry pamphlet on Antarctic exploration ... is out and available for £7.99 (in the UK). For further details, click here.

Festive Fact

The staff at Rothera Research Station in Antarctica have been given a Royal Mail 'lamp' postbox in time for Christmas. For further details, see here. 

How about a Stocking Filler? 'Polar Corona', Official Release Day

 

And the mice? See page 14

 

TODAY'S THE DAY...

Are you looking for a stocking filler? Or a small gift for yourself? Take a look here. 

Today, Thursday 18th, Flake Appreciation Day (see here), marks the Official Release of my new snowbound poetry pamphlet, Polar Corona (Hedgehog Poetry Press, £7.99). 

*'Signed copy' orders: see here for ordering instructions. You can DM me on Facebook or leave a comment on this blog. Copies ordered up until 3pm/15:00hrs via these methods for UK destinations will be posted First Class this afternoon.* 

 

 From the blurbs: 

“Caroline Gill has produced a beautifully crafted cycle of poems, in which the final line of each one is taken up by the next until the final poem brings us back to where we began, in a perfect round. These poems bring the Antarctic to life, a vast world of ice and snow, a world of astonishing loveliness, illuminated by the stars, and at the same time a world in which human beings and creatures such as penguins live out a perilous existence... To read these poems is to be confronted with a terrifying beauty, and with courage in its purest form.”

– Professor J. R. Watson, University of Durham

“In Polar Corona, Caroline Gill offers a vivid and precise depiction of Antarctica’s landscape and wildlife, especially the seasonal rhythms of penguins’ lives, interwoven with a poignant exploration of human fortitude in this most testing of environments. Her marvellous ear for the music of a poem is evident throughout and the intricate pattern of mostly half rhymes cleverly accentuates the pervading sense of risk and unpredictability...”

– Susan Richardson Author of Where the Seals Sing (William Collins, 2022) and Words the Turtle Taught Me (Cinnamon Press, 2018), shortlisted for the Ted Hughes Award

 

“When we introduce people to objects, artworks and archives in our polar collections, they are transported to a time and place far removed from our museum in Cambridge. In Caroline Gill’s evocative Polar Corona, she closes the distance and brings the ‘heroic age’ of polar exploration to life. Her words open a window in our imaginations directly onto Antarctica’s remote sights and sounds.”

– Dr Charlotte Connelly Former Museum Curator, The Polar Museum, Scott Polar Research Institute, University of Cambridge

 

'Polar Corona', my Crown of Sonnets about the Antarctic

I am excited to say that I have just received advance copies of Polar Corona, my prize-winning 'crown-of-sonnets' poetry pamphlet, published by the Hedgehog Poetry Press.  

 

For further details: click here. 

 

From the blurbs:

“In Polar Corona, Caroline Gill offers a vivid and precise depiction of Antarctica’s landscape and wildlife, especially the seasonal rhythms of penguins’ lives, interwoven with a poignant exploration of human fortitude in this most testing of environments. Her marvellous ear for the music of a poem is evident throughout and the intricate pattern of mostly half rhymes cleverly accentuates the pervading sense of risk and unpredictability." 

 – Susan Richardson, Author of Where the Seals Sing (William Collins, 2022) and Words the Turtle Taught Me (Cinnamon Press, 2018), shortlisted for the Ted Hughes Award 

“Caroline Gill has produced a beautifully crafted cycle of poems, in which the final line of each one is taken up by the next until the final poem brings us back to where we began, in a perfect round. These poems bring the Antarctic to life, a vast world of ice and snow, a world of astonishing loveliness, illuminated by the stars, and at the same time a world in which human beings and creatures such as penguins live out a perilous existence."

– Professor J. R. Watson, University of Durham 

  

“When we introduce people to objects, artworks and archives in our polar collections, they are transported to a time and place far removed from our museum in Cambridge. In Caroline Gill’s evocative Polar Corona, she closes the distance and brings the ‘heroic age’ of polar exploration to life. Her words open a window in our imaginations directly onto Antarctica’s remote sights and sounds.”

– Dr Charlotte Connelly, Former Museum Curator, The Polar Museum, Scott Polar Research Institute, University of Cambridge

 

 

Snow Buntings at Landguard, Felixstowe

 

 

As we entered the Landguard Nature Reserve at Felixstowe last Sunday afternoon, we noticed that 'Snow Buntings' were included on the Bird Observatory list of species recorded that day. 

 

We were just about to head for home as the sun was setting fast when, thanks to a tip-off, we were able to enjoy a few minutes in the company of a pair of these beautiful creatures. 

 

My grainy photos are barely record shots, but the light was fading and my zoom lens was finding it hard to focus. Never mind. It was such a joy to see the birds that we headed for home with smiles on our faces.