Sandy Bees, Wasps and Friends

On Monday afternoon, we transferred to the Beewolf Wasp colony nearby. Unfortunately, the rain came as we arrived but was not heavy enough to stop photographing and we spent an hour or so with the Sand Wasp (Ammophila sabulosa), Pantaloon bees (Dasypoda hirtipes), Common Blue Damselfly, Red-legged Bug and Field Grasshopper. The weather then brightened and activity started on the mound with Beewolf Wasps and Pantaloon Bees busy digging out their burrows. We saw one wasp carrying its honey bee prey but by then it was late in the afternoon

RSPB Sandy Bugs, Fungi and Hobby

Yesterday was the RPS Nature Group outing to RSPB HQ at Sandy. It was postponed from previous week and the weather was slightly improved as largely dry but still windy and cool. However, we did manage to find a good selection of plant bugs, crickets, butterflies and  dragonflies.  Mike and I took an early morning walk round and spotted a Hobby and quite a few unseasonably early fungi.

Latest Garden Safari

Some of the species recorded in the garden in the last couple of days including two new species the Square-headed Wasp and a minute White Fly that looked like a piece of detritus until it landed for a photograph.

Fly Time in Toft

 I decided to concentrate on photographing the variety of flies in the garden yesterday. Amazed at just how many I found in half an hour!! Image 9 is a leaf hopper Agallia consobrina.

Lackford Lakes

Yesterday was unexpectedly warm and sunny and not windy - very unexpected after recent rain and winds. Here a few images from a CCC visit to Lackford Lakes starting with a Wasp Spider and its prey the Field Grasshopper. The Tortoise Beetle is a new one for me Cassida nebulosa and Beewolf Wasps are now busy burrowing into the banks along the paths. The Marsh Harrier gave us a great display with a food pass - unfortunately I was resting my camera at that moment!!