Garden residents

Tree frog

The frog is small but loud: more often heard than seen.
There is usually one in the bougainvillea around the terrace or by the garden steps.
The one in the photo suddenly hopped to join us for a few moments at dinner one evening.

Glow worms

For a few magical weeks in late May and early June they transform our garden into a fairy realm.
Thousands of these small insects flash brightly as they fly through the dark looking for food or a mate.
It is a truly amazing phenomenon – almost every evening I stand in the garden and gaze at them in wonder.

Geckos

A number of these live on the exterior walls: agile and harmless, like the lizards in the garden beds, welcome residents.

Praying mantis

You may be lucky enough to see this fascinating creature in the garden.
This one was in the box hedge next to the grill in the summer of 2007.

Death's-head hawk moth

(Acherontia atropos)
These lovely moths come at twilight to drink the nectar of the garden flowers. They are the size of humming-birds, and their flight is very similar. If you remain still, they will come quite close: a true privilege to be able to observe such a creature.

Bats

While renovating the house, we installed a bat box on the northern wall. Droppings below show it already has residents.
Further along the same wall is a swift box. Swifts nest every year in the adjacent house and we have hopes that they will soon extend their colony.

Birds

Details of species I have seen around the house and in the area.