The Banded Demoiselle - Calopteryx splendens

A splendid insect to watch. They flutter like tiny birds around the water's edge. The brilliant metallic blue males dance, showing off to the glimmering green females. You may not notice them as they rest in the long grass of the water meadows, but they fly up at your approach, truly beautiful.

Banded Demoiselle (male)

"The blessed damozel leaned out
From the gold bar of Heaven;
Her eyes were deeper than the depth
Of waters stilled at even;
She had three lilies in her hand,
And the stars in her hair were seven." Dante Gabriel Rossetti

More information about Dragonflies and Damselflies at the British Dragonfly Society

http://www.british-dragonflies.org.uk/home

Oak Currant Gall - Neuroterus quercusbaccarum - Oak Apple Day

Looks like red currants growing on an Oak Tree? No, it's the Oak Currant Gall, created by Neuroterus quercusbaccarum, a small wasp of the Cynipidae family.

Oak Currant Gall, Woking Palace 12th May 2014

Woking Palace Weekend, May 2014

It was windy and sometimes rainy at Woking Palace for the May weekend Open Days. This didn't deter the visitors who were able to take a guided tour and learn about the history of the site. The Vault was open, laid out with a Tudor feast lit by candlelight, and finds from the archeological excavations were on show. Surrey Wildlife Trust were also on hand to explain their work.
Visitors were offered a taste of my honey, to talk about bees and we wondered how the honey might have tasted when King Henry VIII visited in days gone by.

Woking Palace Open Day - Honey Tasting

My thanks to the Friends of Woking Palace for letting me be part of this excellent event and for keeping the tents firmly attached to the ground.

An April Swarm

I was called out to collect a swarm on Maundy Thursday, 17th April, after a spell of lovely sunny days.

Easter Swarm
Photo : Marion Malcher

Dandelion Time

With their bright golden flowers full of nectar and pollen, Dandelions are a treasure for bees.

Photo by Guérin Nicolas CC

The Red Kite: Milvus Milvus, Tudor Legislation and the Little Ice Age

Walking down the street in Woking, I looked up and saw a magnificent bird of prey circling over the houses - a Red Kite ( Milvus Milvus ).

Red Kite, Photo by Thomas Kraft  CC BY-SA 2.5

Wildlife Trusts' Action Plan to restore natural flood defences

River Wey in flood, Old Woking, Jan.2014

More rain on saturated ground and the River Wey rose above it's banks, shown here at Old Woking Palace on 4th January 2014. Are there natural, sustainable solutions for flood control?

Woking Palace meadows in flood

The River Wey at Old Woking Palace is brim full.

A Winter Solstice Butterfly

Red Admiral Butterfly

Today is the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, and here is a surprise, a winter butterfly! A Red Admiral (Vanessa Atalanta)

Candles for Christmas 2013

WOKING CUSTOMERS ONLY! Now is the time to order your handmade candles for this Christmas.

1 x 19cm Pure Beeswax Candle Pair, £7.50

All are made with 100% pure beeswax from my own bees in Woking and near the Devil's Punch Bowl.
Pure beeswax candles make a lovely gift, but why not have a jar of Woking honey too?
Delivery is free for customers in Woking, or you may collect.
Call Marion, the beekeeper on 01932 349828 or visit my Candle Shop to see candles for mail order.

National Honey Show 2013

Marion Malcher is presented with the Silver Jubilee Bowl at the National Honey Show by Dr David Aston, Chairman of the British Beekeepers' Association.

Silver Jubilee Bowl Presentation, National Honey Show 2013

The Silver Jubilee Bowl is awarded for beeswax in Class 150 of the National Honey Show.

A beautiful Rosemary Beetle (Chrysolina americana)

Whilst delighted to find this jewel like beetle in my garden, I was less pleased when I discovered she will be eating my rosemary and lavender bushes.

Rosemary Beetle, photo M.Malcher

Water

Water?  here in modern Britain, apart from the occasional hosepipe ban in an exceptional summer, all we have to do is turn on the tap. But how can we be sure it will always be as easy as that?

Good News for Red Squirrels

Red Squirrel by Paul Whippey

The Red Squirrel is the native squirrel of the British Isles, the American Grey Squirrel was only introduced in the 1870's. Sadly, the two kinds of squirrels do not co-exist and Britain's Red Squirrels have declined greatly in number, but there has been some good news in recent days..

Planting Bulbs for Bees

What could be nicer than planting bulbs to bring a splash of colour in the Spring? and the bees will appreciate the flowers too!
Older people living in more than 150 of Anchor Care's retirement properties and care homes are planting bulbs as part of their Bee Friendly national campaign over the next six weeks. I was delighted to be invited to help launch their campaign at West Hall, West Byfleet in Surrey.

Bee Friendly Launch at West Hall

What bulbs will you choose?