What's buzzing or flying near you 2024 ?

This morning a small flock of swallows over the garden talking to each other. Then at lunch time 4 acrobatic swifts in and out for some time. Still not a lot of birds but great to see what we do see and hear.

 

Yes, we could do with a few less here too - no blueberries for us this morning, but at least we had food - blackbird pies!

 

Noted these two on a window when I went outside.
Procreating?

 

Know of a Robin who would love them too....

 

If said robin was patient, he could have the two of them, plus dessert!!

 

It seems so early for crane flies. I've always associated them with Autumn.

 

Me too. But we've been inundated with them.

 

Brown Thrasher.

 

That's a smasher @hydrogardener - and a lovely pic. Looks like a cross between a couple of our birds over here.

The small birds here were all thoroughly enjoying the pond yesterday for their ablutions - loads of little sparrows, while the robin looked on and thought of joining them - which he did later on. Getting some colour on his chest now too.
The young blackbird had a go too - after a good tussle with a slug. Where was he a month ago when I needed him! There was a young female giving one a good thrashing a few days ago as well. Not sure if she actually ate it though.

 

I love your pond @fairygirl I always think that when I see your photos of the birds and their ablutions, it’s perfect for them

 

That's very kind of you @CatDouch . I can see it really well from the kitchen [and my bedroom window] so a lot of the photos are taken from there, hence the slight haze of Fennel which is below one of the kitchen windows! I always enjoy standing for a while watching them all.
The only problem is, I've moved the beached area to that bit where the birds are bathing in the pix, and the cotton grass often blocks the view at this time of year when they bathe there. That was the problem I had when the robin was in.
First world problems eh?

 

Well I was sitting quietly having a read in the sitting room, something caught my eye. Turned my head to see a hornet walking along the top of the sofa! We managed to catch it and put it outside where it flew off. This is now the 5th hornet in the house. The same one coming back or 5 different ones?

 

The ants are getting ready to fly. I've seen a few this afternoon.
Time to close the windows to prevent them coming indoors. It'll mean a feast for the birds - particularly the gulls.

 

A walk around a wet Lodmoor reserve in Weymouth.
Great Egret (one of three).


Summer plumage Black Tailed Godwits and Dunlin.




Common Tern.


Cormorant with an eel.

 

Sadly not even bees or hover flies to date. All my roses, hollyhocks, and colourful flowers have been in bloom for some time that attracted them last year including wild garden in the corner also very few birds. However there are plenty of snails and slugs in the garden.