Spring Markers 2024

I have been recording the flowers out on approximately the same day in March for at least 15 years.With the warm winter, it is not surprising that this year there are more species in bloom at the moment with Cowslips, Plum blossom, Japonica, Comfrey, Alkanet all a couple of weeks ahead of last year. Certainly I have a very large number of wild or naturalised plants already in bloom and attracting insects such this Early Bumblebee, Bombus pratorum on the Mahonia.

Bees, Wasps and Ants, Crete

Bees, wasps and ants do particularly well in hot dry climates so was not surprised to find a good variety of species, including this tiny Jewel, A Ruby-tailed Wasp. The Paper Wasp was a particularly pleasing find on a grass stem at the top of a sandy beach.

Toft Churchyard Insects

Really warm day on Monday (20th) brought out quite a few insects including two hoverfly species and an Early Bumblebee along with Honey bees and pollen beetles. Both hoverflies are migrant species so wonder if brought in by the warm southerlies.

Insects Waking Up

 The warmer weather has brought out quite a few insects in our part of Cambridgeshire including a good number of Honey Bees but also the Buff-tailed and Tree Bumblebees, small Flower beetles, Ant, Ladybird and Sarcophaga fly.