26 May 18

Broadcroft Quarry and Pools.

A very quick walk this afternoon. A few Common Blues on the wing, plus  Red-tailed Cuckoo-bees (Bombus rupestris) and Common Carder Bees. I came across my first Swollen-thighed Beetle (Oedemera nobilis) of the year feeding in a Buttercup.

A few Swifts overhead and two Common Whitethroats calling from the brambles.

Also two new flowers Sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia) and Bloody Cranesbill (Geranium sanguineum).

Here are a few images:

Lots of these out in flower.............

..........Sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia). Most likely plants where the seeds have been wind blown from local gardens. More on this plant Here.

Wherever they have originated from they are very popular with Common Carder Bees.........

.......and Red-tailed Cuckoo Bees.

A Wall flower, very common on the island.

A female Swollen-thighed Beetle (Oedemera nobilis)...............

.......also known as the false oil beetle or thick-legged flower beetle.

This is Bloody Cranesbill (Geranium sanguineum)...........

.....and is a wild geranium. More on this plant Here.