After a cloudy start, the sun came out this afternoon and with it a few more butterflies and bees. Not only that but in Penns Wood there were 3 Blackcaps, 2 Willow Warblers and a Chiffchaff all singing.
And another Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler and Blackcap just above Rufus Castle.
I had a new butterfly for the year in the shape of a Small White and in Penns Wood there both Hairy-footed Flower Bees and Small Garden Bumblebees on the Comfrey. Up the path from the castle to the museum there were dozens of Grey Mining Bees and one or two Early Mining Bees.
On the Alexanders today there were very few ladybirds but dozens of hoverflies instead. Mostly syrphus, but as to what species I'm unsure. I am also finding Celery flies in other locations now other than on the steps up to Rufus Castle and today there were 2 in the grounds of St Andrews Church.
And a new fly for me today. also on the Alexanders it could be a Trembling-wing Fly or a Fruit Fly. One to ID. In fact it turned out to be an aberrant Celery Fly. Whatever next!!
Here are a few images from this afternoon:
St Andrew's Church grounds where all the action seemed to be today.
On the Weare this Spurge was out in flower.
As to which species of Spurge I have no idea. One to ID.
This is a Red Valerian(Centranthus ruber) just coming out in flower.
On the steps leading up to Rufus Castle are all of these Alexanders. In amongst them were...
.......Celery Flies and ..........
..........one to ID. Either one of the Pallopteridaes or Tephritidaes. Turns out it is an aberrant Celery Fly!!!!
A Wall Lizard up by Rufus Castle
A Grey Mining Bee, sometimes called the Ashy Mining Bee. Dozens of these on the Ivy along the wall Here.
This one got caught up in a Spiders Web, but was soon free.
A 7-spot Ladybird. Not so many about today.
Birds Recorded: 1 Oystercatcher, Herring Gull, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, 4 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff, 3 Willow Warbler, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Linnet and Goldfinch.
Reptiles Recorded: Wall Lizards
Butterflies Recorded: 2 Peacock, 1 Brimstone, 1 Green-veined White and 1 Small White
Bees Recorded: Honey Bee ( Apis mellifera), Buff-tailed Bumblebees (Bombus terrestris), Hairy-footed Flower Bee (Anthophora plumipes), Small Garden Bumblebee (Bombus hortorum), Grey Mining Bee (Andrena cineraria) and Early Mining Bee (Andrena haemorrhoa)
Also Recorded: Celery Fly (Euleia heraclei) and 7-spot Ladybirds
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On this day..........
2018Today's Sightings Here.