Nearly drowned a ladybird!

Discussion in 'General Gardening Discussion' started by Ilkley Gardeners, Nov 8, 2013.

  1. Ilkley Gardeners

    Ilkley Gardeners Gardener

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    I was returning to the house a couple of days ago having spent half an hour or so clearing up the frosted nasturtiums in part of my back garden when I spotted something moving in the filler or a watering can.

    It was a somewhat water logged ladybird trying not to drown in the icy cold water within the can. Surprised it still alive after the heavy frost we'd had the night before, but I managed to get a finger of my glove under it and brought it into the conservatory and rested the glove and the ladybird on a hanging basket I had brought in to protect.

    Next day no sign of it and my glove no longer had a ladybird on it. Ah well, I thought, at least I tried.

    Just seen it yesterday enjoying the sun streaming through the glass, warming the conny up gently merrily crawling along the inner eaves bar of the conny, happy as Larry it was.

    Can't see it today, but I've a number of pot plants as well as two hanging baskets being protected from the rough weather currently. Some more to come in out of the cold greenhouse in before the proper onset of Winter (I hope).

    I'm hoping it'll survive or lay some eggs to overwinter..
     
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    • Ellen

      Ellen Total Gardener

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      There's not been many ladybirds this year!
       
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      • Fern4

        Fern4 Total Gardener

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        It's funny you should say that IG because I was clearing a few nasturtiums too and saw a ladybird hidden among the leaves. I was surprised to see one in November. I also saw a single bee flying about visiting a few flowers. Considering we have also had a frost that was another surprise.
         
      • Ellen

        Ellen Total Gardener

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        I saw one in the middle of all my Phlox. Was really surprised to see one in November
         
      • Sheal

        Sheal Total Gardener

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        I've not seen any ladybirds this year sadly.
         
      • Ilkley Gardeners

        Ilkley Gardeners Gardener

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        Well, I was ready to agree with the lack of ladybird sightings, until Sunday that is!

        We opened our Stores Sheds for the last time this year on Sunday and thankfully it was a glorious sunny day and trading was good. Then when we locked up, we pulled the up and over doors back down to lock up to find that two out of the three doors had a couple of dozen ladybirds on them, presumably they had dropped onto the warm doors from the garage roofs?

        There were some ladybirds with 15 or more spots (tired eyes and they are so small, the ladybirds, not my eyes!), at least one black ladybird with 2 or 3 red spots and they were active climbing back up the doors to regain their cover in the garage rafters, and this was November 9th!
         
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