Today was 12-14 C around lunchtime, several Small Tortoise butterflies flew around and on a flowering Willow on a sheltered bank plenty of insects were taking advantage of free pollen.3 bee species and 4 fly species made the most of the opportunity.
Queen Bombus terrestris
This bees pollen sacs were full.
Honey bee
This might be Cheilosia grossa a hoverfly.
A Dung fly
A Flesh fly.
The Dock beetle (Gastrophysa viridula) a lot of these were in evidence too,this is a female with a swollen abdomen.
Good stuff John, ya it was a real taste of summer alright I seen a small tortoiseshell aswell today, and the swallows are back again too.
ReplyDeleteGreat Day John, Good to see the Critters stirring
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