Sunday, 30 April 2023

Short'list And Sweet!

An afternoon wander around the fringes of Bowland yesterday, mainly to look and see if the Redstarts had returned, but resulted in a no not yet.

The Redstarts were found here the same date of 29 April last year, when I saw them checking out the Ash, and I was able to watch and admire the aerobatic skills of the male. This is also the same date I found a stunning male Whinchat on Harrisend.

Tawny Mining-Bee Andrena fulva. Pete Woodruff.

From the footpath towards Holme Wood, this Tawny Mining-Bee was weighed down with a pollen overload, also seen, a Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler. With just a few strides into the woodland, a singing Blackcap, Nuthatch and a Treecreeper. In the air from the road by Harrisend, 4 Buzzard soaring together, and a male Stonechat atop of gorse.  

Calling in at Birk Bank to see if the bog would perhaps show an end of April Large Red Damselfly drew a black, but a Cuckoo compensated, heard calling somewhere to the east. At the top of Stock-A-Bank, I counted 12 Whimbrel, with a peak count of 75 being made earlier in the day, per LDBWS. The fields around this area are an annual stop-off on their spring passage for the Whimbrel.

And Finally.


Can't resist featuring this excellent image of the European Bee-eater with a Humming-bird Hawk-moth in the firm grip of its bill....Thanks to Ana Minguez.

Also, thanks to Howard Stockdale for the header image at Cam Brow, with up to 30 Sand Martin present and excavating there on Thursday.  

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4 comments:

  1. Anonymous30 April 2023 at 19:23

    That's a cracking Bee-eater. For the first year in many, Willow Warblers seem to be doing well this Spring down here. Take care.

    Marc

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  2. Richard Pegler1 May 2023 at 12:15

    That's a super shot of the Tawny Mining-bee, Pete. Did you watch Ana's video of the Bee-eaters? I just loved the sound on it. Howard did a lot better than me with his great shot of the Sand Martins. I resorted to video in the end as I was just not managing to capture the action at our local Sand Martin wall.

    Best wishes - stay safe - - - Richard

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  3. Pete Woodruff1 May 2023 at 13:37

    Marc....Good to hear from you again, also good to hear the warblers are doing well down south.
    Looking forward to the dragon season kicking off again, no doubt that's already happened in your neck of the woods, but I couldn't even find my first Large Red in calm sunny and warm conditions yesterday.

    Richard....Not sure about the 'super shot' of the bee, but thanks for that Richard. My Sony camera died on me recently, so having to make do with the Canon Powershot which is a bit rubbish to be honest.

    Regards to both....Pete.

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  4. Ian Mitchell1 May 2023 at 21:31

    Thanks for the update Pete.
    That bee looks really loaded down.

    Regards

    Ian

    ReplyDelete