Paxton Breeding Bird Survey and Mining Bees

Yesterday was the first Breeding Bird survey of 2024 at Paxton - a windy but warm 7am start to the walk to catch the early song was rewarded by singing Chiffchaffs, Blackcaps and Willow Warblers on our route and elsewhere Garden Warblers and Reed Warblers announced their presence while Nightingales are here singing in the private areas of the site. Later in the morning I went to look for Mining bees in a favourite location and the bramble leaves were teaming with different species - haven't identified all yet (shown are the Early Colletes female and male, ?Orange-tailed Mining Bee, Small Sallow Mining Bee, Tawny Mining Bee and Red Mason Bee

RSPB Otmoor (2) Small Birds

 For about 15 minutes I was entertained by a very large flock of mixed small birds - warblers, Chiffchaff and Black Cap, Blue Tits and Goldfinches feeding on the abundant midges (!) and seeds respectively. Such a pleasure to see large numbers of small birds after a difficult summer for them with the hot dry weather.