Wood Ants at Arne

Despite the very cold temperatures the wood ants at Arne were fairly active and provided a great macro subject.

RSPB Arne's Elusive Dartford Warbler

Our target for the RPS Nature Group visit to Arne was obviously the Dartford Warbler. It was certainly very elusive with brief views at quite a distance. However, with mainly sunny weather I enjoyed our walk around the reserve in great company. Life in the gorse  included Dartford Warbler, Dunnock, Stonechat - male and female, Robin, Chiffchaff, and Tree Pipit

Birds on Brownsea Island

We visited Brownsea Island yesterday on a bright sunny day but with a very strong northerly wind. Red Squirrels were sheltering and were not seen but the hides over the lagoon produced some sightings including Greyshank and Redshank, Avocet and Black-tailed Godwit. The Black-headed and Mediterranean Gulls (black heads and no black on primaries) were beginning to pair up. Most exciting view was of a Peregrine repeatedly flying at the flocks of waders.

Stormy Skies at Hengistbury Head

I am spending a few days in Dorset and, having travelled through snowstorms yesterday afteroon, decided a visit to Hengistbury Head might would give a good view of the sunset. In fact, the sun sets a bit too far over the land for good sky reflections but great views across to Bournmouth one way and to Isle of Wight the other.

 

Late March Snow

We had quite an early covering of snow this morning to say farewell to March giving us two seasons in one for some pictures of blackthorn blossom and snow falling. The snow thawed and then refroze to give large crystals on the cowslips and other plants in the garden

Comberton Churchyard Bees and Flies

I have started another wildlife survey area for this year  - Comberton churchyard. It is a large area covering a wide range of habitats - thanks for the invite Teresa. Here is a set of some of the bees and flies encountered yesterday staring with Mrs and Mr Adrena fulva, a very attractive red and orange bee on the wing at the  moment. This is one of the very many mining bees that live in colonies in the grass or banks. The third image is another Adrena species A. nigroaenea followed by a Honey bee to show  the different leg structures. The Hairy-footed Flower bee is well named and is evidently on the wing at the moment with very loud buzzing. The visitor to the grape hyacinth is a bee-mimic, the Bee Fly, which lays its eggs in mining bee nests. Even more numerous in species and numbers yesterday were other  members of the diptera family including hoverflies and 'flesh' flies of various types.