The weather has returned to being unsettled but I managed a
quick hour mid-morning. The meadows were awash with even more flowers than last
week with the Marjoram patch and stands of Ragwort glowing and covered in Honey
and Bumble Bees.
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| Marjoram |
 |
| Queen Bombus hypnorum |
 |
worn Bombus terrestris I think
|
There were still Pyramidal Orchids in good nick and a pale
lilac aster turned out to be Blue Fleabane – a new species for me while Musk
Mallow and Meadowsweet were both new for the meadow.
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| Blue Fleabane |
 |
| Musk
Mallow |
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| Pyramidal Orchid |
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| Pyramidal Orchid |
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| Meadowsweet! | |
Marbled Whites, Meadow Browns and a few Gatekeepers at last
were on the wing along with Green-veined Whites and immaculate sunbathing
Peacocks although all had to be on their guard as the first two Brown Hawkers
of the year were patrolling the woodland edge.
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| Gatekeeper |
 |
| Gatekeeper |
 |
| Green-veined White |
 |
| Green-veined White |
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| Green-veined White |
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| Marbled White |
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| Peacock |
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| Peacock |
 |
| Ringlet |
A Silver-washed Fritillary was my first for the site and
among the few Hovers found were Eupeodes
luniger and corolla, Eristalis nemorum, tenax and pertinax, Episyrphus balteatus, Syrphus sp, Sphaerophoria scripta and
Volucella pellucens.
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| Eristalis nemorum |
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| Eristalis nemorum |
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| Eristalis pertinax |
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| Eupeodes
luniger |
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| Eupeodes
luniger |
 |
| Sphaerophoria scripta |
 |
| Syrphus sp |
I found another interesting Nomad Bee and thought I had
something different but despite the fact that the scutellum spots were yellow
and not red, it was still a Nomada zonata
which are apparently very variable and hence their English name!. There is just so much to learn with all
these bees and wasps.
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| Nomada zonata |
At the other end of the scale a stunning Hornet was actively hunting the Brambles making frequent unsuccessful pounces after prey.
 |
| Hornet |
There were less Pollenia
around this week but plenty of little pied spotty flies that I think may be Anthomyia procellaris. A couple of smart
fat Lucilia posed for me and I was
especially pleased to correctly identify a female Protocalliphora azurea whose larvae suck the blood from nestlings!
 |
| Anthomyia procellaris or similar |
 |
| Lucilia sp |
 |
| Protocalliphora azurea |
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| Protocalliphora azurea |
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| Protocalliphora azurea |
There were Bullfinches calling all around me from the Hazels and Blackcaps
were in full song while a young Green Woodpecker was out foraging for ants.
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| Hazel nuts |
The sudden loss of the sun and darkening skies saw me head
back for home just a few spots of rain
began to fall.
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| Labyrinth Spider |
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