A Peacock I photographed last year. Not one have I seen this year. There seems to be a consensus that the vicissitudes of the weather have had a detrimental effect on insects generally.

 I was talking to John Shipton of Shipton Bulbs yesterday while placing an order for various bulbs and bare root plants. I asked him how growing conditions have been and he said good with the amount rain we've had. Then noted he has not been able to gather the usual quantities of Bluebell seed. He speculated this may be due to the lack of insects.

 I was interested to hear that because I have made a similar observation. Plenty of flowers but not the insects to pollinate them.