SPOT THE BEE FLY ETC. ETC. Update 2nd September 2022
Back again, having enjoyed a lovely cruise along the Douro River in Portugal, however, a day after arriving home we both tested positive with Covid! All’s well, not suffering too much.
Kicking-off this update are a couple of observations from Bernard, - the only one of you to pick up on my deliberate(?) mistake! Thanks Bernard.
“Mike, Your Curlew looks a lot like a Whimbrel!”
Bernard has further commented on Rob’s photograph of the Willow Emerald Damselfly:
“The report of Willow Emerald and Rob’s great picture, is very interesting. I do not know if that has been recorded in Lightwater Country Park before. It is on the NBN Atlas from Windlesham Arboretum in 2020.
Below is a piece from the British Dragonfly Society and a map of the pre 2021 records, with 2021 records as blue dots.”
“Just a decade ago, the Willow Emerald Damselfly had only been reliably recorded in the UK on 2 occasions, in 1979 and 1992. A single individual was then recorded in south east Suffolk during 2007, followed in 2009 by a sudden boom of 400 records of the species from this same general area (SE Suffolk/NE Essex). Since this time, the Willow Emerald has spread rapidly across the south-east of England, gaining footholds in new counties on a yearly basis.”
Bernard
One more observation from Bernard, - you will love this video clip, you must take a look, exceedingly funny! Thanks for forwarding Bernard:
“Subject: Hedgehog;
This person put some food out of the reach of a hedgehog but a bit stupid to put it on top of the hedgehog box. https://www.facebook.com/100016758467132/videos/434411538731038/ Bernard”
Next up is this lovely photo sent in by Richard Thomas, it looks a really well made nest. Thanks for forwarding Richard.
“Hi Mike & Jenny, I found this when pruning a holly in my front garden, I think it might have been a Robins nest, I have at times been shouted at by a Robin from this very tree! Richard”
Then another contribution from Mike Tooms of this rather cute young Green Woodpecker on his lawn, I responded to Mike that this is one bird that I have so far failed to photograph. Thank you Mike
“Possibly of interest, this young green woodpecker on what’s left of our lawn. Cheers, Mike”
To round off the photos, here is one from us from our Douro River cruise, a lovely mixture of colours. Note the water level mark…
Unfortunately, as we were away on holiday we were not able to attend the ‘Afternoon Tea & Cakes’ at Joan and Bernard’s. We understand from those who did attend that, as usual, they were all royally entertained. Disappointingly though, attendance was very low which was a shame after all the effort in preparation by J & B.
Sadly, it has been decided to cancel the planned walk hosted by Steve and Sue Outram at Old Basing later this month.
We believe you all know that Bernard and I have a close association with the Surrey Heath Museum and each year we work with a small group of the volunteers to create an annual calendar on behalf of the museum. This year we have chosen Nature as our theme and the first copies rolled off the press last week. Our President Dr Pat Morris has kindly written a review for us and so you can see that CNHS has played a major part in the production of the calendar. It is on sale now in the museum for just £7.50.
If you would like to learn more about the calendar it will be the subject of our free Lunchtime Talk on Thursday next week, 8th September at 1230pm, presented by Bernard, Alan Meeks, and I at the Heritage Gallery.
Please keep your contributions coming and help keep the ball rolling.
Don’t forget our web site: https://www.camberleynaturalhistorysociety.org.uk/
Regards to all, Mike and Jenny