Yes, a Wasp Nest. Absolutely lovely to look at and I could ignore it except we are having a chap here next week to give us an estimate for doing the sash cords on the back windows. He won't be pleased to see this! Can't deal with it ourselves, as Tam and I don't do heights, and Keith, who does, can't do ladders these days. Can't get to it through the window - as it doesn't open!
This is another "I've never knowingly seen it before" plant - growing (x 4 on the bank in our new garden. It is fairly unusual. It is a Broad Leaved Helleborine. Mostly gone to seed but hopefully there will be more next year.
Above and below: this Fritillary is one which has been hurtling round the garden in the sunshine this week, but never stopping until today, when it was sat on the Marjoram, happily feeding. It's a male Silver Washed Fritillary I have been told.
The homestead under gloomier skies today. The wasp nest can just be seen under the apex of the biggest upper window (a bit of tree over that dormer). My new herbaceous border is all planted up - I just have to straighten the edges as a little out of alignment. You can see from this photo that the bottom windows are in alignment with the lawn. Some folk wouldn't like this but I love having the birds on the lawn just outside. The cats also like to come in when the window is open!
The fritillary is a rare find - not incredibly so, but they are a very good spot in Wales. There are dark green fritillaries (quite similar) in Pembrokeshire near St Govan's but I have not seen a SWF in wales for many years.
ReplyDeleteThat's pleased me no end Mark, you telling me that. Where we lived before, there was a localized habitat for the (rarer?) Marsh Fritillary and we used to have Fritillaries in our garden but flying too fast for ID. More like this one though, rather than the more chequered Marsh Frit.
ReplyDeleteThis is a special garden, it seems, though at the moment the big bushes of lavender and marjoram are drawing in the insects. The bird life is amazing too. The cottage up the lane is Chaffinch Central at their feeders - here we are Greenfinch and Bullfinch central!
Amazing wasps nest - if only it wasn't on the house!
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts entirely Sue - I would far rather let them be if I had a choice, but I don't.
DeleteWhen we had a wasp nest it was a job for the Council. Although it wasn't bothersome at the time, he said within three weeks they'd have been stinging everything that came near. It was over our front door, so imagine! Lovely flowers in your garden. Funny how such an orange coloured butterfly is called Silver Washed.
ReplyDeleteThe Council (here anyway) no longer do pest control. Hence having to employ a private company.
DeleteGlad you liked the garden. There's a white border to the wings on the butterfly, so perhaps that's where the name came from.
At least the wasps' nest is outside!
ReplyDeleteEbb Tide is a beautiful rose. I have seen it in a friend's garden...who does a fair bit of sailing...
I've seen them go under the roof tiles too though gz . . . Perhaps they outgrew that site.
DeleteEbb Tide is the perfect rose for a sailor's garden.
Wonderful news about the Broad-Leaved Helleborine and the Silver Washed Fritillary.
ReplyDeleteYour house looks lovely - I would so love to live in a place like that!
Wasp nests are beautifully constructed but I can see why it would be difficult with the window man coming to quote!
The roses are very beautiful.
Take care.
There are houses like this in our part of Wales RR (and v. competetively priced!) It suits us well.
DeleteWe felt it was very silly to leave it to be when there would be Window Man working beneath it and banging about.
The roses are an absolute joy.
Ooooooooh honey, NEVER welcome a wasp nest like that!! That's the nest of a bald-faced hornet and you do NOT want that on your property. Call a professional to take that down immediately. Please! ~Andrea xoxoxo
ReplyDeleteWe don't have Bald-faced Hornets here Andrea. There are UK Hornets, I've seen them, but don't know where they are holed up. This is definitely common or garden wasps. They're going to be eradicated today, worry not.
DeleteWasps can be very aggressive and being allergic and phobic, you picture gave me a real shiver. You really must have it professionally removed?
ReplyDeleteYour new home is beautiful!
Wasps - will be sorted lunchtime today.
DeleteGlad you like our new home.
It is a beautiful house! If I were there, I would take care of your wasps. I am good at that. I can also live trap and relocate skunks. *smiles modestly*
ReplyDeleteA shame you don't live nearer Debby!! Glad we don't have a skunk problem .. .
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