Dungeness sea watch from the hide 08.00-11.30:
On the reserve 4 Goldeneye seen from the centre, but billions of midges round Burrowes Pit again made the walk to Scott Hide uncomfortable. 40 Golden Plover over Christmas Dell, 3+ Bearded Tits and 2 Marsh Harriers from Hookers Viewpoint and a Wood Mouse on the return trail were of note. Showing my ignorance, on the sandy bank beside the path to Dennis's Hide, 100s of some kind of what i think may be a Miner Bee sp. (see images below). I would be grateful if anyone can enlighten me.
Red-throated Diver: 14E
Gannet: 42E
Fulmar: 1E
Brent (dark bellied): 576E
Brent (pale bellied): 1E
Shelduck: 7E
Pintail: 1E
Wigeon: 3E
Common Scoter: 36E
Eider: 2E
Red-breasted Merganser: 6E
Oystercatcher: 5E
Curlew: 13E
Sandwich Tern: 71E 23W
Common Buzzard: 1 in off.
3+ Harbour Porpoises off shore.
Lighthouse Garden held 1 Chiffchaff and 1 Black redstart. A Raven was on the pylons.
At the south end of the ARC Pit 1 Avocet and 1 Curlew.
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| Curlew ARC Pit |
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| Wood Mouse |
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| Miner Bee sp. ??? |
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| In burrow entrance |
Hi Martin,
ReplyDeleteI believe these bees are the very distinctive Melecta albifrons. They are a species of cuckoo bee that use the nests of the Flower Bee (Anthophora plumipes)and are normally active from April to July. I have photographed them at Chat Vale,Beachy Head.
Enjoying your blog. Regards, Roger Haggar.