Abbey Meadows

Abbey Meadows

Thursday 22 March 2012

Bee Fly at Ulgham



Bee Fly (Bombylius major)


? on Butterbur


? basking at the ford


Blackthorn flower at Stobswood

Following a walk around the local backwaters of Stobswood and Widdrington I parked the car at Jackson's ford on the river Lyne at the bottom of the hill opposite the Forge pub at Ulgham. This is a favourite spot of mine, I saw my first Kingfisher here in 1974 in the days when the commonest species around here were Water voles. I was having coffee while Bennyboy was cooling off in the burn when I noticed something flitting from Celandine to Celandine. To my delight it was a Bee fly, presumably Bombylius major, the first I have ever seen. It was moving very fast from flower to flower making a whining noise as it hovered. Many other insects around. I have posted a couple of pics taken at the same spot (above) but I don't know what they are.
Lots of Butterflies around today and Chiffchaffs singing in every locality I visited.

6 comments:

Stewart said...

No sign at last nights Math and Bat night at Ulgham Nige? I'll email you a list.

abbey meadows said...

Not sure what you mean Stew

Anonymous said...

Nigel, i think the one on Butterbur is one of the Eristalis Hoverflies.
And the 2nd one looks like one of the Tachina flies.

abbey meadows said...

Thanks Dean, There are several groups of insects that I'm not very good at identifying.

Stewart said...

Nige have you changed your email? I have emailed and texted? Can you send me an email so I can confirm address?

There was a Moth and Bat night at Ulgham on Weds night organised by the wildlife trust.

abbey meadows said...

Thanks Stew, I received your e-mail but I'm temporarily mobile phoneless but I will have a new number very soon.