Butterflies, bees and blackberries

Perhaps you have noticed it too? We have spotted a great upswing in the number of butterflies, bees (and other pollinators) in our gardens this year. Butterfly varieties included Tortoiseshell, Comma, Peacock, Red Adminal, Cabbage White and Small Blue. Dragonflies made an appearance too but were a little camera shy. A huge variety of bees were spotted enjoying the pollinator-friendly planting which Fingal County Council and many of the gardeners across Castleknock have embraced. These have included lots of Bumble bees (White, Buff and Red--tailed, Common Carder and Garden), Irish native honey bees along with wasps and hoverflies too. Great to see the abundance of blackberries in the hedgerows now. So, as the days shorten and Summer fades into Autumn, pick a few berries while you can!