April 2022

insectsandflight.com
all pictures © robin williams

April 2022: wildlife, from the Somerset Levels.

April 26th 2022. Romey and I parked at the entrance to Westhay Moor NNR on a most superb afternoon, still a bit chilly from an east wind, but bathed in sunshine. There were plenty of people around, but these soon vanished into the reserve and we saw no-one until we reached our destination, the platform hide in the middle of reeds and water. It was full of people, so we waited a while and soon a couple left, leaving room to swing a lens. Two exciting things had happened prior to that; a Cuckoo Cuculus canorus was heard calling in the distance; while a couple of Bitterns Botaurus stellaris were booming, one really close and loud, the other further off, though they have such characteristics that you can never be certain where and how far. Nowadays, cuckoos are usually found on similar areas to our reserve, with wet reedbeds, even so they have become rarities which few people have heard. Bitterns are common round here but, in my experience, have become less usual to spot. There are so many acres of reed bed, it is a miracle we see them at all. It is always good to see Gadwall, remembering they were utter rarities when we first visited many years ago. The drake is in an unusual late stage of his moult; he ought to be full changed at this time.

Gadwall, Anas strepera

Greylag geese were active for much of my visit. They were in their pre-nesting stage, active, but unable to sit still for long. I am not sure where they go for much of the year but at this time they are found all over the place, vying with Canada geese Branta canadensis in the size of their flights.

Greylag goose, Anser anser

I had hoped for sightings of Hobbies (Falco subbuteo). In theory, they are past the early date for arriving out on the moors, but the best I can say is that I did see a couple briefly, so high in the sky I almost wondered if they were there, until silhouetted against an extra-white cloud. I also hoped to see the resident pair of Marsh harriers who nest out in the middle of the largest area of reeds. In this I was briefly lucky when a fine female sailed past, head down, on one of her hunting expeditions. According to another photographer, they take off every hour throughout, though only one actually flies off hunting. This particular bird came from the west, so probably was not part of the local residents.

Marsh harrier, Circus aruginosus f

April 24th 2022. I had a splendid morning sitting on the terrace observing the range of insects starting to appear, though there were fewer than I had hoped. This wicked, cutting east wind persisted even as the sun shone strongly. One of the most obvious insects, because of her speed of movement and the high-pitched sound of her wings, was a female Anthophora plumipes. The books quote this bee as being similar in size to a bumblebee but to my eye they appear smaller. I know bumblebees vary considerably but it is a general, overall impression. In flight, the females appear an uncompromising black, but she has largely hairy, highly visible palest yellow back legs. Unusually, the male also sports similar structures. Flower bee is a fine name, but spring bee would be even more appropriate for this species, the most obvious first to appear.

flower bee, Anthophora plumipes f

Earlier impressions have altered. The only bumblebees to be seen are all Bombus pascuorum. Included among the queens, are a few males, making a very early appearance for their short period of usefulness.

bumblebee, Bombus pascuorum m

It is good to see the tiny, predominently black, Platycheirus albimanus present in numbers. This species has always been the most commonly seen of the smaller hoverflies in our garden. I say tiny, not so much in length but their generally slender whip-like appearance in flight. This species is readily recognised by its slightly blue, pale makings on the abdomen. They are among my favourite little hoverflies, seemingly curious about the watcher, delicate but tough.

hoverfly, Platycheirus albimanus f

This next hoverfly had me really puzzled. I spent ages looking at pictures, reading descriptions, before coming to a conclusion. I am still not absolutely certain, but as near so as I can get. Markings can be seen on the abdomen that fit her, allied with those on her back legs. It is not at all uncommon, yet I have never seen one previously. The Somerset Levels is quoted as one of its strongholds. So I give you Lejops vittatus; any other thoughts would be more than welcome.

hoverfly, Lejops vittatus f, (?)

April 16th 2022. Good drying weather implied that the tracks at Loxley Wood would be more solid than they have been recently. I was anxious to see how the Spring flowers were doing and to check whether Nomada cuckoo bees had yet turned up. The eastern end of the main track has been outstanding for these fascinating, colourful creatures. As with so much nowadays, change was in the air everywhere. The Woodland Trust, owners of the site, have been busy on their continuing work to improve the area for both people and wildlife. On each side of the main track they have cut the scrub down. Not just an even amount on each side but lovely sweeping curves in alternate areas. Although these have not been long done, they were alive with Bluebells Hyacynthoides non-scriptus, Celandines and glorious white Wood anemones Anemone nemorosa. A number of trees have been removed, mainly conifers, their a stumps left as convenient seats for walkers. It was wonderfully peaceful, a place where people pass-by and are absorbed in the quiet beyond almost instantly. Although, to be absolutely accurate, at the start of the track it can very noisy when bikers show-off on the main road that it is only yards away at that stage. It turned out that the cuckoo bees were present. At lest three different species were photographed. Why this particular area? Why not earlier on the ride? All the pictures of these were taken on Goldilocks buttercups Ranunculus auricomus, of which there was a large stand.

Goldilocks buttrcup, Ranunculus auricomus

cuckoo bee, Nomada signata m

Cuckoo bee, Nomada goodeniana

One other species of bee intrigued me. Ignore the standard of photography; the picture represents an interesting creature, not a perfect technical results. I left my monopod behind and was wobbling through patches of scrub at the time. I think the picture represents a process of elimination, taking ages, as it appeared on the computer. I may not be correct in this identification, but a methodical study of bee-information appeared to take me to this conclusion. Andrena synadelpha is not rare, but it fits the two pictures I managed, while the location and time appear correct. If anyone has differing ideas I would be delighted to hear them. Half the fun is going through pictures on the screen, attempting to lead to some sort of faithful conclusion.

mining bee, Andrena synadelpha m

There were numbers of bee-flies in the low scrub, flashing from one flower, then stopping an inch or so above the next, as if all brakes had been put on with great force. Close examination reveals that the insect's wings are vibrating so fast they appear solid.

bee-fly, Bombylius major f

On returning home, I photographed a few hoverflies, always enjoyable. The terrace flower-beds are brightening as the days go by; many of these seem particularly attractive to the tiniest near-black hoverflies.

hoverfly, Melanostoma scalare f

hoverfly, Syrphus vitripennis f

April 15th 2022. I had a rather strange afternoon at Catcott Lows. My first picture of the Great white egret, is not the greatest, but it does show early signs of the full breeding plumage; the long feathers that Victorian women coveted for their hats. It also shows the black bill that can so easily trouble identification. For the rest of the year it is a deep, rich yellow.

Great white egret, Egretta garzetta

Geese are gathering on the water ready for breeding, indeed one Canada goose is sitting on one of the little islands. If Catcott is famous for anything, it is that period when it is full of goose families, both Greylag and Canada, a wonderful sight as the flotillas sail round, showing off their youngsters.

Canada goose, Branta canadensis

Greylag goose, Anser anser

My next picture is of a rather distant Redshank, taken at the end of the visit, when I had given up any hope of seeing one. During much of the time, Redshank were calling strongly in the background, but could not be seen. There must have been a number out there, so all this courtship might lead to a permanent presence, if we are lucky. Waders have been largely absent this year, the water levels (controlled) have been rather too high, which is a shame.

Redshank, Tringa totanus

The visit ended with a Little egret sailing across in front, wisps of cloud showing off the dead-white colouring of the bird. Both the other egret species have somewhat creamy tones.

Little egret, Egretta garzetta

April 13th 2022. There was only a short break in the persistent easterly winds, while shopping took precedence too. Nevertheless, I managed a short break at the right time, photographing two common but beautiful species. The first shot of the bumblebee shows the strain put on wings, with signs of crumpling under pressure. The hoverfly illustrates the flexibility of the abdominal surfaces. Females often show this when they are full of eggs, though I have once seen it on a male.

bumblebee, Bombus pascuorum

hoverfly, Platycheirus albimanus f

April 9th 2022. The weather is perfect, sunshine and light wind along the terrace where I perched on my stool watching a variety of insects coming to life. Only one of the so-called common species of bumblebees put in an appearance, a worrying trend I feel.

bumblebee, Bombus pascuorum f

This little hoverfly is one of the commonest species duing much of the year. The blu-grey spots on the abdomen are characteristic.

hoverfly, Platycheirus albimanus f

hoverfly, Syrphus ribesiii f

April 8th 2022. A beautiful sunny day, though a sharp breeze persists across the terrace. It is so good to be outside, warmly clothed and observant, with more insects appearing each day. It was particularly pleasing to see the female flower bees darting from flower to flower, hardly touching base as they do so. Her yellow pollen brush looks prominent in the pictures but is hardly noticed in life. Life is lived at super speed and blurs reality.

flower bee, Anthophora plumipes f

hoverfly, Eristalis tenax

hoverfly, Helophilus pendulus f

hoverfly, Platycheirus tarsalis m

April 3rd 2022. A magnificent day spent in a number of sessions in the garden, mainly sitting by the bed flanking the terrace. The sun shone and the wind was less strong than it had been, nearer the south than the east as it has been recently. Rather than sticking strictly to real time, it is more interesting to show the pictures as related species. The first, a male flower bee, has been rather scarcer than expected but nonetheless welcome.

flower bee, Anthophora plumipes m

The next section consists of bumblebees, the natural Spring insects appearing strongly at this time of year, provided we have this period of sunshine we expect. Perhaps the most unexpected was the appearance of Bombus jonellus - perhaps a comment on the state of the garden, as it is a heathland bumblebee, although found here most years!