Cath Hodsman
@cathhodsman.bsky.social
Ret'd entomological artist, illustrator & teacher. Active conservationist & wildlife gardener, No pesticides, no-mow, no dig. Green voter.
Did u know? In some plants the seed heads are more impressive than the flowers of that same plant. After pollination, Wild Carrot forms a magnificent goblet shaped seed head that's full to busting with tiny hair-laden seeds that latch onto passing animals, thereby spreading its kind. 🌱🌿🇬🇧🌱🌍💮
November 28, 2025 at 5:23 AM
Did u know? In some plants the seed heads are more impressive than the flowers of that same plant. After pollination, Wild Carrot forms a magnificent goblet shaped seed head that's full to busting with tiny hair-laden seeds that latch onto passing animals, thereby spreading its kind. 🌱🌿🇬🇧🌱🌍💮
Did u know? We might not like cold winters,but small souls like overwintering caterpillars/insect eggs/pupae need cold, dry'ish weather to successfully complete their metamorphic lifecycle. Their great enemy is warm, wet weather that can lead to deadly fungal infections. White is wonderful. 🌱🌿🇬🇧🌱🌍🪲🐙🤍
November 27, 2025 at 5:36 AM
Did u know? We might not like cold winters,but small souls like overwintering caterpillars/insect eggs/pupae need cold, dry'ish weather to successfully complete their metamorphic lifecycle. Their great enemy is warm, wet weather that can lead to deadly fungal infections. White is wonderful. 🌱🌿🇬🇧🌱🌍🪲🐙🤍
Did u know?Some sights lift your soul. My village has a new doctor's surgery & it was fab to see yesterday,that all of the grounds surrounding the new building have been planted up with & will be managed for,pollinators(small section pictured).Such actions are becoming mainstream - hoorah! 🌿🌱🇬🇧🌱🌍🪲🐝🦋🪰
November 26, 2025 at 6:02 AM
Did u know?Some sights lift your soul. My village has a new doctor's surgery & it was fab to see yesterday,that all of the grounds surrounding the new building have been planted up with & will be managed for,pollinators(small section pictured).Such actions are becoming mainstream - hoorah! 🌿🌱🇬🇧🌱🌍🪲🐝🦋🪰
Did u know?As the Xmas season approaches,it's easy to slip into buying huge amounts of plastic- in food containers/presents/Christmas decorations.Every year,I forage for gems from nature & with my daughters, we make our own festive wreaths. Always fun,different & eco. Let the wreathing begin. 🌿🌱🇬🇧🌱🌍
November 25, 2025 at 6:08 AM
Did u know?As the Xmas season approaches,it's easy to slip into buying huge amounts of plastic- in food containers/presents/Christmas decorations.Every year,I forage for gems from nature & with my daughters, we make our own festive wreaths. Always fun,different & eco. Let the wreathing begin. 🌿🌱🇬🇧🌱🌍
Ooo, must look him up Louise. I'm going off this little book. So much useful info. Has he written any books?
November 24, 2025 at 6:16 AM
Ooo, must look him up Louise. I'm going off this little book. So much useful info. Has he written any books?
Did u know? Bruised/rotten apples might not appeal to our palate, but they're nutritious & tasty treats for all sorts of small souls, especially birds, in winter months when other food sources become scarce. Look at the multiple peck marks in this fruity slice. Don't bin, create a feast. 🌱🌿🇬🇧🌱🌍🐦⬛🍎
November 24, 2025 at 6:00 AM
Did u know? Bruised/rotten apples might not appeal to our palate, but they're nutritious & tasty treats for all sorts of small souls, especially birds, in winter months when other food sources become scarce. Look at the multiple peck marks in this fruity slice. Don't bin, create a feast. 🌱🌿🇬🇧🌱🌍🐦⬛🍎
Did u know? I want to grow food in my wildlife garden without damaging the soil by digging, so I'm nurturing no-dig veg patches. I've layered organic brown/green material & will let nature turn it into soil. To stop weed growth, I've covered with wool. When it's "cooked", I'll get my veg in. 🌿🌱🇬🇧🌱🌍🪱
November 23, 2025 at 6:29 AM
Did u know? I want to grow food in my wildlife garden without damaging the soil by digging, so I'm nurturing no-dig veg patches. I've layered organic brown/green material & will let nature turn it into soil. To stop weed growth, I've covered with wool. When it's "cooked", I'll get my veg in. 🌿🌱🇬🇧🌱🌍🪱
Did u know? Now that winter is here finding food is very important for wildlife,so it's important to give the small souls who live in/around your outside space a foraging corridor.Cut holes in wooden fences/unravel part of wire fences to allow access for animals looking for food & shelter. 🌿🌱🇬🇧🌱🌍🦊🦡🐸🦔
November 22, 2025 at 6:13 AM
Did u know? Now that winter is here finding food is very important for wildlife,so it's important to give the small souls who live in/around your outside space a foraging corridor.Cut holes in wooden fences/unravel part of wire fences to allow access for animals looking for food & shelter. 🌿🌱🇬🇧🌱🌍🦊🦡🐸🦔
Did u know? For the small souls in your garden, the very cold weather can be as dry as very hot weather,so always provide daily fresh water. To slow freezing rates, put balls, sticks & other objects into your ponds/birdbaths etc. It'll leave tiny areas underneath that are ice-free for longer. 🌿🌱🇬🇧🌱🐦⬛🌍
November 21, 2025 at 6:06 AM
Did u know? For the small souls in your garden, the very cold weather can be as dry as very hot weather,so always provide daily fresh water. To slow freezing rates, put balls, sticks & other objects into your ponds/birdbaths etc. It'll leave tiny areas underneath that are ice-free for longer. 🌿🌱🇬🇧🌱🐦⬛🌍
Did u know? We hate waste in our house &, wherever possible, recycle, reuse or repurpose. This is one of our blackbirds enjoying some of our food waste. It turns out they love to feast on the leftover porridge oats scraped out from the saucepan. It's always gone within a couple of mins. Bless 🌿🌱🇬🇧🌱🌍🐦⬛
November 20, 2025 at 5:37 AM
Did u know? We hate waste in our house &, wherever possible, recycle, reuse or repurpose. This is one of our blackbirds enjoying some of our food waste. It turns out they love to feast on the leftover porridge oats scraped out from the saucepan. It's always gone within a couple of mins. Bless 🌿🌱🇬🇧🌱🌍🐦⬛
Did u know? It's lovely when you get to spend time with your wild garden family.Yesterday, my compost heap robin took full advantage of the couple of hours I spent in that part of the garden. He's getting very confident now,coming up so close to me,pecking up small morsels I uncover as I work.🌿🌱🇬🇧🌱🌍🐦⬛
November 19, 2025 at 5:49 AM
Did u know? It's lovely when you get to spend time with your wild garden family.Yesterday, my compost heap robin took full advantage of the couple of hours I spent in that part of the garden. He's getting very confident now,coming up so close to me,pecking up small morsels I uncover as I work.🌿🌱🇬🇧🌱🌍🐦⬛
Did u know? Sometimes it's good not to bother to fix things. Meet our leaky front gutter... or our Clematis self watering *system*. 🌿🌱🇬🇧🌱💧🌍
November 18, 2025 at 5:55 AM
Did u know? Sometimes it's good not to bother to fix things. Meet our leaky front gutter... or our Clematis self watering *system*. 🌿🌱🇬🇧🌱💧🌍
Did u know? In wildlife friendly gardens things don't have to be *attractive* to be useful to small souls. This straggly upright is a Hawthorn sapling that self-seeded in our rambling rose hedge. Our resident birds love to perch on it to view their kingdom, like this feisty little robin. 🌱🌿🇬🇧🌱🌍🐦⬛
November 17, 2025 at 5:00 AM
Did u know? In wildlife friendly gardens things don't have to be *attractive* to be useful to small souls. This straggly upright is a Hawthorn sapling that self-seeded in our rambling rose hedge. Our resident birds love to perch on it to view their kingdom, like this feisty little robin. 🌱🌿🇬🇧🌱🌍🐦⬛
Did u know? It's been a fab year for Ladybirds. So wonderful to see them in such large numbers. Now, they're looking to find quiet corners to overwinter. I had a hunt for these sleepy heads in my garden yesterday & it was amazing how many I found - every nook & cranny.Sleep well,little ones. 🌿🌱🇬🇧🌱🪲🌍🐞
November 16, 2025 at 6:28 AM
Did u know? It's been a fab year for Ladybirds. So wonderful to see them in such large numbers. Now, they're looking to find quiet corners to overwinter. I had a hunt for these sleepy heads in my garden yesterday & it was amazing how many I found - every nook & cranny.Sleep well,little ones. 🌿🌱🇬🇧🌱🪲🌍🐞
Did u know? These are reasons to garden for wildlife - to cut out chemical use that poisons/disrupts; to celebrate indigenous wildflowers(*weeds*)by allowing some to grow; to allow nature to find its own equilibrium; to help save our planet; find joy,knowing that you've given nature a home. 🌱🌿🇬🇧🌱🌍🪲🐦⬛🦎
November 15, 2025 at 6:19 AM
Did u know? These are reasons to garden for wildlife - to cut out chemical use that poisons/disrupts; to celebrate indigenous wildflowers(*weeds*)by allowing some to grow; to allow nature to find its own equilibrium; to help save our planet; find joy,knowing that you've given nature a home. 🌱🌿🇬🇧🌱🌍🪲🐦⬛🦎
Did u know? This might not look like an inspiring pic, but as summers get hotter & drier, storing precious water becomes more important. Installing water butts is a great way to collect 100's of gallons of water for tough times. We use the water in our butts to top up our wildlife ponds. 🌿🌱🇬🇧🌱🌍🐸🦎💧
November 14, 2025 at 5:55 AM
Did u know? This might not look like an inspiring pic, but as summers get hotter & drier, storing precious water becomes more important. Installing water butts is a great way to collect 100's of gallons of water for tough times. We use the water in our butts to top up our wildlife ponds. 🌿🌱🇬🇧🌱🌍🐸🦎💧
I've found the video & cropped it, but now it's gone really blurry. The Tardi is to the top right of the long leaf-like structure. Try to ignore my hubs slamming doors in the background & the lights flashing....like I said, a bit heath robinson. 🤣🦠🦠You can just about see its legs moving about. ☺️
November 13, 2025 at 7:04 AM
I've found the video & cropped it, but now it's gone really blurry. The Tardi is to the top right of the long leaf-like structure. Try to ignore my hubs slamming doors in the background & the lights flashing....like I said, a bit heath robinson. 🤣🦠🦠You can just about see its legs moving about. ☺️
Did u know? Autumn & Winter are times for planning in the garden. It's when I ensure pollinators have enough food for the next season. By taking cuttings of plants like Lamb's Ear & Penstemon I'm guaranteeing food for all sorts of solitary bees, bumblebees, butterflies & hoverflies. Go cut.🌿🌱🇬🇧🌱🌍🪲🦋🐝🪰
November 13, 2025 at 5:42 AM
Did u know? Autumn & Winter are times for planning in the garden. It's when I ensure pollinators have enough food for the next season. By taking cuttings of plants like Lamb's Ear & Penstemon I'm guaranteeing food for all sorts of solitary bees, bumblebees, butterflies & hoverflies. Go cut.🌿🌱🇬🇧🌱🌍🪲🦋🐝🪰
Did u know? You don't get much for free in life,but used cafe coffee grounds are one of them. If you see them being given away in cafes, grab some & add them to your compost heap. They're rich in nutrients that plants need to thrive, are great soil conditioners & great for acid loving plants. 🌿🌱🇬🇧🌱🌍☕
November 12, 2025 at 5:42 AM
Did u know? You don't get much for free in life,but used cafe coffee grounds are one of them. If you see them being given away in cafes, grab some & add them to your compost heap. They're rich in nutrients that plants need to thrive, are great soil conditioners & great for acid loving plants. 🌿🌱🇬🇧🌱🌍☕
Did u know?Butterfly numbers were better this year,but they continue to struggle.If you'd like to see more in your garden,let thistles grow.These beautiful leaves belong to Milk Thistles(Silybum marianum).Their name comes from the milky lines on the leaves & b'flies go nuts for their blooms. 🌿🌱🇬🇧🌱🌍🦋🪲
November 11, 2025 at 6:09 AM
Did u know?Butterfly numbers were better this year,but they continue to struggle.If you'd like to see more in your garden,let thistles grow.These beautiful leaves belong to Milk Thistles(Silybum marianum).Their name comes from the milky lines on the leaves & b'flies go nuts for their blooms. 🌿🌱🇬🇧🌱🌍🦋🪲
Did u know?This is one of the most important organisms on earth - moss. It's amazing what it does to maintain healthy ecosystems. It minimises soil erosion; captures carbon; harbours tiny souls in its unique habitat & filters & purifies water & air in its dense structure - make room for moss. 🌱🌿🇬🇧🌱🌍🦠
November 10, 2025 at 5:54 AM
Did u know?This is one of the most important organisms on earth - moss. It's amazing what it does to maintain healthy ecosystems. It minimises soil erosion; captures carbon; harbours tiny souls in its unique habitat & filters & purifies water & air in its dense structure - make room for moss. 🌱🌿🇬🇧🌱🌍🦠
Found some...Deffo, dirty work...🤪
November 9, 2025 at 6:25 AM
Found some...Deffo, dirty work...🤪
These are fabulous George. Lots of plants & lots of life. They remind me of our wildlife ponds. I'll see if I can find a pic of my hubs digging ours...
November 9, 2025 at 6:21 AM
These are fabulous George. Lots of plants & lots of life. They remind me of our wildlife ponds. I'll see if I can find a pic of my hubs digging ours...
Did u know?This might look mundane, but leaving areas of grass to grow long & stay long is one of the best things you can do to help small souls in the chilly months.For e.g, many b'fly caterpillars feed on grass throughout the winter - Small Heaths,Meadow Browns & Ringlets,so leave it long. 🌿🌱🇬🇧🌱🌍🪲🐛
November 9, 2025 at 5:47 AM
Did u know?This might look mundane, but leaving areas of grass to grow long & stay long is one of the best things you can do to help small souls in the chilly months.For e.g, many b'fly caterpillars feed on grass throughout the winter - Small Heaths,Meadow Browns & Ringlets,so leave it long. 🌿🌱🇬🇧🌱🌍🪲🐛
Did u know? Autumn/Fall is such a wonderful season in nature. It's a time when life quietens down for a winter's break & everything is touched with mellow colours of gold,russet & amber. It also brings out the child in me. Who still loves to do this through the fallen leaves?..That sound too..🍂🌱🌿🇬🇧🌱🌍
November 8, 2025 at 5:48 AM
Did u know? Autumn/Fall is such a wonderful season in nature. It's a time when life quietens down for a winter's break & everything is touched with mellow colours of gold,russet & amber. It also brings out the child in me. Who still loves to do this through the fallen leaves?..That sound too..🍂🌱🌿🇬🇧🌱🌍