SPOT THE BEE FLY ETC. ETC. UPDATE 5TH AUGUST 2023
Hello again, still the contributions keep on coming, all very encouraging so a big thank you to those Update contributors for your submissions.
First up is Mike Reed from Lightwater:
28th July “Hi Mike, in the front garden I have a large clay pot and on the top was a dish with Ivy in it. The pot had two open handles on each side. Look what I found when the dish was removed. Regards, Mike R.”
Wow Mike, did you replace the dish?
“No the egg was actually in the bottom of the pot, we put it in the nest, can anybody give a clue as to what bird laid it? Mike R”
Any answers to Mike’s question? I would suggest Blue Tit…. Mike
Next: Mike Clift from his home in Ferndown sent the following note and photos. Mike is a keen Orchid enthusiast, with an excellent knowledge of the subject. He grows them at home and is always out and about looking for species growing naturally in his area.
30th July “As it was fine yesterday afternoon, I went to Longham Lakes and walked around the larger lake. I noticed some silvery Dragonflies above the water and one actually perched just by me, so I took a shot, this I will attach. Later, a Brimstone Butterfly flew about, a Red Admiral was on the path too, but not a lot of bird life, Mute Swans, Black Headed Gull, some Herring gulls, a Rook and some Coots. On Tuesday I went to Blashford, again
there was not a lot of bird life either apart from quite a number of Egyptian Geese. I photographed two orchids that were in flower and used the ring light to help.”
Black Tailed Skimmer:
Dendrochilum abreviatum Paph Schaetzchen
An interesting observation from Steve and Sue in Old Basing:
1st July “Hi Mike and Jenny, Sue spotted this spider while gardening this morning. When disturbed it hid on the leaf underside leaving the blue-green egg case behind. It came back for the egg case as soon as it was quiet. The egg case is 4mm diameter so the spider is not very big in spite of its long name (enoplognatha ovata). Apparently it is quite common and there was, in fact, another one on same plant. Cheers, Steve and Sue.”
I think it might have been a bit of a struggle to lay that egg!!
enoplognatha ovata:
Bernard is next, I can’t believe he is making an apology, poor chap has been feeling a bit under the weather lately, - good see you are getting about now Bernard.
3rd August “Mike, I feel bad that I have not been contributing much to the Bee Fly but I really have not been out and about as much as I would have liked. Today I did find something special in the garden, this is the caterpillar of an Alder Moth. I was initially surprised that we would have this species in the garden but the larvae feed on other trees, such as Silver Birch.
This picture shows a special aspect of behaviour, the full grown caterpillar is digging into a piece of soft wood where it will pupate and spend the winter. The small brown pile of sawdust is by the head end of the caterpillar. Kind regards, Bernard”
Alder Moth Caterpillar
Graeme Parker next with some nice close ups: 5th August “Hi Mike, some additions for your Bee Fly records taken in my garden. Not sure what the fungi is called?”
‘Another Fly’ ? Hover Fly over Fly
Graeme, - I would guess this is a Pufball Fungus…
A couple of photos from me, - Jenny and I visited London WWT Centre last Sunday and like Mike Clift’s experience of his wetlands trips there wasn’t too much about, however, we were lucky to spot a couple of distant Green Sandpipers and a not so distant Common Crane.
Green Sandpiper
Common Crane
Next a short note from Ken regarding the ‘Panther’ fungus in the last Bee Fly – “On the 11 July we found Grey Spotted Amanita not Panthercap as reported in Bee Fly”. Thanks for checking it out Ken!
Last, but not least, a message from Joan………
“Hopefully, most of you will have received your copy of our last report, ‘CNHS Fondly Remembered’, and I’m sure you will agree that it is an excellent publication designed to give happy and everlasting memories.
This of course could not have been completed without the support of Dr Pat Morris. Not only our President for over 40 years but continually giving his support and encouragement to a great many people (not least me, enabling me to produce the programme). This booklet is a fine example of his help as he designed, produced, contributed and arranged the printing. So much to thank him for.
Thank you Pat, for all for your years of service not only as President of our Society, but also as a good friend and mentor to us all.”
We would appreciate any feedback you may offer and thankyou to all who contributed.
Joan Morrad
Note: Don’t worry if you have not yet received your copy, it is in the post!
That’s all for now, - thank you again to our contributors and please keep them coming.
Regards to all,
Mike and Jenny