Insects.

No one is posting letters in the village for now. Bees have taken up residence in the postbox and are flying in and out through the letterbox. (It's the perfect entry size for them but has always been very annoying if the letter or card that you want to send is anything other than small.) Attempts have been made  to remove the bees but so far without success.

We called in on our neighbours three doors down the other day. They've removed their border hedge in order to have a borrowed view of the surrounding fields. It looks lovely. HOWEVER, now the deer can make a little leap into their garden, wander at will and nibble at whatever they fancy........and they fancy a lot! If you're wondering what the little building is,  by the way, it's the old outside lavatory!

They've planted wildflowers and left the grass to grow in their orchard in order to attract pollinating insects. It is noted that we have a sharp decline in the number of swifts in the country, a direct result of the loss of wildflower habitats and the consequent reduction in insect life. Tomorrow's Gardeners' World programme is going to feature what gardeners can due to alleviate the problem.

 

The deer have wandered into their orchard as well, and there is a line of cropped foliage at the comfortable height for nibbling!

In our own garden the scarecrow seems to be working well. It certainly scared Maeve, a friend's Irish terrier. Hackles up and barking until I removed the scarecrow's hat and gave it to her to inspect.

I shall try to plant wild flowers in the grass for next season.

Meanwhile the garden is rioting!