Insects dancing, dawdling and droning have been an important feature in our West Oxfordshire garden this year. Our daily insect watch is still focused on the nectar walk - a 20ft path in full sun between plantings of nectar-rich plants that act as a lure to butterflies, bees, hoverflies and hawk-moths.

Down one side, perennials playing host to insects include low clumps of pink marjoram, a mass of small tangerine dahlias, annual marigolds, the starry white flower heads of tufty garlic chives, spires of soft purple teucrium on floppy stems, and stiff pink spikes of hyssop.

At face level we can watch hoverflies, bees and butterflies close-up on flat yellow umbels of fennel and purple pompons of tall purple verbena.

Along the other side of the path, two huge buddlejas, 'Royal Red' and lilac 'Lochinch' are spangled with butterflies, from Red Admirals and Painted Ladies to Commas and Small Tortoiseshells. From the fat flower spikes they can flutter down to the pink landing pads of sedum 'Autumn Joy' and the large daisy flowers of several Aster amellus varieties, including blue 'King George', purple 'Rudolph Goethe' and 'Violet Queen', with her vibrant flowers that last through most of October.

At the border's end, bees, butterflies and hoverflies are lured to two tall Michaelmas daisies - magenta 'Alma Ptschke' and cerise 'September Ruby'.

One notable visitor that ignored the nectar treats on offer was a White Admiral butterfly - a rare sighting in our garden. Contrary to its name, it has dusky brown wings banded with white. Its flight too is distinctive, with short flits followed by elegant glides.

Near the cottage windows, clumps of red valerian, Centranthus ruber, are a daily attraction for the hummingbird hawk-moth that hovers over the flower heads, pushing its long proboscis into each tiny floret. Here we watch its quivering movements at close range, before it takes off in fast circles for the lush spikes of buddleja in the nectar walk.

Elsewhere in the garden, fallen fruit and ivy flowers will give insects a final feast before winter.

Words by Elizabeth Seager and pictures by Stuart Seager