Not as sunny as previous few days, and in fact just as I arrived home it started to rain. At least it held off on my walk.
Another good day with Blackcaps, Common Whitethroats, Swallows and House Martins seen along my walk, and today the Ivy Bees have emerged. The earliest I have come across them in 3 years.
First Seen Last Seen
10 Sep 19 - 6 Nov 19
11 Sep 18 - 25 Oct 18
19 Sep 17 - 1 Nov 17
With the Ivy out in flower there were dozens of hoverflies, bees and wasps about. And today I had both Volucella zonaria and Volucella inanis, with the former outnumbering the Lesser Hornet Hoverflies for a change.
Here are a few images and videos from today:
In the butterfly reserve were two Common Whitethroats picking off the Blackberries. The second bird was a bit camera shy.
And another. I make no apologies but it does mean though I will be featuring this little bee on and off until they disappear at the end of October, beginning of November.
Another good day with Blackcaps, Common Whitethroats, Swallows and House Martins seen along my walk, and today the Ivy Bees have emerged. The earliest I have come across them in 3 years.
First Seen Last Seen
10 Sep 19 - 6 Nov 19
11 Sep 18 - 25 Oct 18
19 Sep 17 - 1 Nov 17
With the Ivy out in flower there were dozens of hoverflies, bees and wasps about. And today I had both Volucella zonaria and Volucella inanis, with the former outnumbering the Lesser Hornet Hoverflies for a change.
Here are a few images and videos from today:
This is a Yellow Shell (Camptogramma bilineata)
A male Chalk Hill Blue
And its underwings
Possibly a Garden Grass-veneer
Penn's Copse and today in amongst the flowering Ivy, were my first Ivy Bees of the year. 8 days earlier than last year.
Left and Centre are Ivy Bees along with a Tapered Dronefly
Another Ivy Bee with a Common Wasp (left) for company
Here we have a Tapered Dronefly (left) a Dead-head Hoverfly (bottom left) and a Hornet Mimic Hoverfly (top right)
Hornet Mimic Hoverfly and a Tapered Dronefly below
Church Ope Cove a lot lot quieter than the past 4 months or so. To the right is the coast path where today........
........there were more Ivy Bees.
The grounds of St Andrew's Church were host to a.....
.........Peacock Butterfly and a Hornet Mimic Hoverfly sharing a Buddleia
I'm pretty sure this is a Broad Centurian - Chloromyia formosa, which was on a Japonica leaf in Penns Wood
Now I dont know what he was playing at, but Ted.......
........was playing a bit of Hide and Seek today.
Reptiles Recorded: Wall Lizard (Podarcis muralis)
Butterflies Recorded: Large White, Small White, Speckled Wood, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Red Admiral, Peacock, Common Blue and Chalk Hill Blue
Moths Recorded: Garden Grass-veneer (Chrysoteuchia culmella) and a Yellow Shell
(Camptogramma bilineata)
Wasps Recorded: Common Wasp (Vespula vulgaris)
Hoverflies Recorded: Marmalade Hoverfly (Episyrphus balteatus), Dead Head Hoverfly (Myathropa florea), Hornet Mimic Hoverfly (Volucella zonaria), Common Dronefly (Eristalis tenax), Tapered Dronefly (Eristalis pertinax) and Lesser Hornet Hoverfly (Volucella inanis)
Flies Recorded: Broad Centurian (Chloromyia formosa)
This is the British High Speed Craft "BR35 2" on its way from Portland Harbour to an unknown destination. More on this vessel Here.
This is the British Pleasure Craft "X Lars" following/supporting the High Speed Craft "BR35 2". More on this vessel Here.
This is the Container Ship "NYK Venus" flying the flag of Panama. It is on its way from Le Havre (France) to the Suez Canal (Egypt). More on this vessel Here.
This is the British Tanker "Paramount Hatteras" on its way from Corpus Christi (USA) to Wilhelmshaven (Denmark). More on this vessel Here.
Ships Today
This is the Passenger Ship "Jewel of the Seas" flying the flag of the Bahamas.
