What's buzzing or flying near you 2021?

3 bubble bee's out flying + 1 honey bee feeding on the snowdrops

 

We’ve spotted a few bumble bees and a mason bee. We’re big bee fans in our house so it was a scramble to get ‘bee world’ sorted ASAP! Also fired up the mason bee tubes!

 

Saw a peacock butterfly enjoying the sunshine this morning.

 

Three Brimstones on a walk this morning and another through the garden this afternoon.

 

Went in search of butterflies on Thursday and Friday, but didn't see any more Brimstones after Wednesday. When I was almost home a Comma flew in front of me into woodland. Will try again lunchtime.

Still a few Fieldfares around, haven't seen Redwings in ages, lots of Meadow Pippits and Skylarks, the stonechats haven't been seen for several days, Canada Geese showing renewed interest in the local pond.



Saw these a few days ago, never seen them here before, there was about 5 or 6 of them @strongylodon will know what they are, I thought they might be Lesser Redpolls.

 

@Scrungee Nice, I haven't seen one for several years now.

Siskins back in the garden again.

 

We had a new pair of visitors to the garden this morning...

not easy to make out, as they were settled in and feeding, but a pair of mallards.

It was lovely to watch them on the pond, then get out and have a preen. They went a-wandering around the garden, and are now back in the pond again. (They do make the pond look very small though - bigger and better next time!)

 

This was our pond visitor last Sunday - a heron eating a frog...

 

First Chiffchaff I've seen this winter, maybe an over wintering one as hardly any migrants have arrived yet and would have fresher looking plumage.

 

Spoonbill at Arne this morning, but doesn't show well in such dull overcast weather.


The birds in the garden cleared earlier on wonder why?

 

Well I never... we live in an urban area but look who's visiting the back garden today


A Sparrowhawk! It didn't look hurt and I only spotted it when it flew from this hiding place behind the mini pond to the fence and then back. It has stayed in the ivy wilderness now for a while, and posed quite peacefully in the fading light.

I hope it's all right. It's not quite normal to see such a bird hiding in the undergrowth just a few meters from the house. However, as it's not in an obvious distress I'll do nothing and just am delighted to see such an unexpected visitor

 

Seen a bat flying around tonight

 

A bumblebee buzzed past me in the garden this afternoon, and yesterday spotted a butterfly.
Both very early I would think?
We were surprised to see a small flock of hedge sparrows on the feeders also today, as we rarely see a sparrow here, our usual visitors are more colourful ones.
Must say, the quality of the wildlife photos on here are marvellous, well done.

 

Saw the first butterfly in my garden about a week ago, I think. But the really pleasant surprise of 2021 has been the extremely high number of early bees, I have been gardening for late Winter/early Spring ones for a few years now but this has been by far the most impressive year, they are even appearing on plants I have never seen them on before! Best year for bumblebees too, have seen at least thirty-odd so far!

Nick