Wow, what a beautiful warm sunny day and what I surprise I got at the top of the steps by Rufus Castle. There, flying in amongst the Ivy, was a Hummingbird Hawk-moth
To be honest I thought I would have more chance of seeing a Wall Lizard or even my first butterfly of the year, but neither were tempted out by the sun. Yesterday a Hummingbird Hawk-moth was seen in Southwell and like this one today has most likely migrated here.
Other than the moth, there were dozens of Honey Bees, White-tailed Bumblebees, plus Common Droneflies, Marmalade Hoverflies and Spotted Meliscaeva Hoverflies
Spring is just around the corner and on the beach were 2 Rock Pipits, a pair possibly, as every now and then the male would break into song.
Here are a few images and videos from today:
It seems "Spring" has arrived early with Robins singing.
Blue Tits singing and even.......
Here it is again soaking up the sun.
There were a fair few Honey Bees out in the sun today, especially on the Mahonia at the top of Penns Wood.
And the sun brought up dozens of hoverflies like this Marmalade Hoverfly.
And another Marmalade Hoverfly on Alexanders flower head.
And it wasn't just Marmalade and Spotted Meliscaeva hoverflies, but also dozens of Common Droneflies.
Not a fly but a hoverfly and another Common Dronefly.
A Common Green Shieldbug, just losing its dark brown Winter colours.
And another Common Green Shieldbug almost in its green Summer colours
Hmm a fly, but as to what species, I'm not sure.
It was a better day at the cove weather-wise, but the only birds on the beach were a pair of Rock Pipits.
Birds Recorded: Herring Gull, Wood Pigeon, 2 Rock Pipit, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Long-tailed Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, House Sparrow, Chaffinch and Goldfinch
Moths Recorded: 1 Hummingbird Hawk-moth (Macroglossum stellatarum)
Bees Recorded: Honey Bees (Apis mellifera) and White-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lucorum)
Hoverflies Recorded: Marmalade Hoverfly (Episyrphus balteatus), Common Dronefly (Eristalis tenax), Spotted Meliscaeva (Meliscaeva auricollis) and a Syrphus torvus
Bugs and Beetles Recorded: 2 Common Green Shieldbug (Palomena prasina)
Flies, Craneflies, Gnats and Midges Recorded: Kelp Fly (Coelopa frigida) and a fly sp.
This is the Cargo Ship "Sea Ruby" flying the flag of Barbados. It is on its way from Antwerp to Ayr. More on this vessel Here.
Flies, Craneflies, Gnats and Midges Recorded: Kelp Fly (Coelopa frigida) and a fly sp.
Ships Today
This is the British Tanker "Lizrix" on its way from Falmouth to Southampton. More on this vessel Here.