Insect Mimics; Hoverfly and Bumble Bee

There were a few more insects around at Attenborough Reserve on Thursday - mostly Midges but great to see Eristalis intricaria hoverfly and and Bumble Bee that it mimics on the same plant.

Attenborough Nature Reserve Nottingham Birds

 I visited this large nature reserve on the River Trent yesterday.  It was overcast but warm and lots of birds were setting up their territories including Chiffchaff, Tree Sparrow and Reed Bunting.

Insects at Botanic Gardens Cambridge and Toft

Sunday was the first day that I had seen any insects on the move other than Honey Bees. At least one had come to a sticky end on the Sundew in the glasshouse. Not sure on the complete ID of all the species as yet from the Botanics but a Bee Fly and Platycheirus albimanus from Toft

Jade Vine is in Flower at Cambridge Botanic Gardens

Such an unusual colour for a flower, the Jade Vine always attracts attention. I am attempting to work out the best way to get reliable sharp images with the Fuji XT-10 and Zeiss Touit 50mm macro lens so good excuse to visit the gardens and take a variety of flowers shots inside and outside. It was quite windy so a challenge for the slow continuous focus on the XT-10.

Rye Meads RSPB Reserve Waders and Gulls

After the heavy morning rain, it started to clear in the afternoon with beautiful lighting to show off the Lapwings and Black-headed Gulls displays - even a rainbow as a backdrop. Bit distant but good to see Green Sandpiper and Snipe (from Draper Hide)

 

Perfect Weather for Ducks at Rye Meads

For the first time on a visit to Rye Meads RSPB Reserve, we failed to see a Kingfisher - for most of the time, it was raining heavily so we can't blame them. However the ducks, Shoveller, Teal and Gadwall, and other water birds, Little Grebe, Coot and Moorhen were happy.