Spot the Bee Fly update 1st April 2023
Hello again, we have a couple of observations for this update from Ian & Viv and from Bernard, plus a couple from us. Obviously, the weather has not been conducive to getting out and about hence not too much activity being recorded. Anyway, thank you to our contributors for this update.
First from Ian & Viv, whom you may recall were in Spain at the same time as we were, - what we did not tell you was that they had the misfortune to succumb to Covid whilst they were there, which obviously restricted their movements but despite all they managed the next couple of photos for us:
“After we recovered from Covid, we had one walk before we came home and photo’d this partridge and a red squirrel. Not much wildlife from 2 weeks away. Kind regards. Ian & Viv”
Next up, Bernard’s contribution, as ever, always out involved in some form of conservation work, this time checking and repairing bat boxes:
“Mike, Steve Bailey and I were checking and repairing some bat boxes today, in part of the Wellesley Woodlands in Aldershot. We had quite a few Soprano Pipistrelles already in boxes but were most excited to find four Natterer's bats in one box. This is the first time I had seen Natterer's bats in any of the Blackwater Valley boxes, so a red letter day. Best wishes, Bernard.” Bernard’s photo below.
I responded accordingly to which Bernard added the following:
“Mike, we actually had a total of 22 Soprano Pipistrelles, matching the highest total in our normal September checks. We also have Long-tailed Tits building a nest in the Berberis in the front garden.”
So well done Bernard and Steve, - things are happening out there!! Taken in our garden last year.
Taken in our garden last year.
Our pair of Mandarin Ducks have turned up again, busily feeding beneath the bird feeder and taking the occasional swim in the pond.
Our Siskins are always with us and this one landed on the feeder, along with another this week and we were struck by the brightness of its (their) plumage:
Finally, this Chaffinch stayed in the garden for several days, - it appeared to have something wrong with its legs, they seemed short and were not visible, being covered by the feathers. We thought it must be unwell for it was easily approached but when it did fly off there were no signs of weakness, - it was probably down in the dumps because of the weather!
That’s all for this time, please keep them coming!
Regards to all, Mike and Jenny