I made my first ladybird records of the year yesterday. Since December, through all the rain, frost and snow of January, through Storm Gorblimey, these two 7 Spot Ladybirds, Coccinella septempunctata, (which had a good year), had been huddled up on a Yew planted a few years ago precisely to give overwintering shelter for invertebrates. But rather than seeking shelter they were clamped to the tip of a branch in the most exposed spot possible. I was starting to wonder if they were alive, or semi-alive (parasitised), but when I took their photo (without touching or disturbing them as far as possible), they wandered off in a huff and settled down again a few inches away.
In the afternoon, clearing out the garden nestboxes, I found a 2 Spot Ladybird safe and warm in a cozy woodcrete winter home. Sadly, I did have to evict this one in order to clean out the box, but yesterday was warmer so it will be fine.
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