What's buzzing or flying near you 2024 ?

The bees don't care about the decimated foliage, and neither do I once the bees get stuck in

The Amelanchier berry thief was in for a visit...

...and a few sunflower hearts

 

Portland Bill today. Distant Gannets, Little Owls and the first 'Autumn' returning Wheatear.

 

Love seeing wheatears - spot them regularly up here, on and around our hills in spring.

 

Considering the dearth of pollinators this year, especially bees, I was pleasantly surprised this morning to find a pair of bees inside a squash flower that I was about to hand pollinate.

 

Our buzzards have been making a lot of noise lately all day long.

Yesterday one parked itself in the oak tree at the bottom of our garden and was very vocal. Then it took off and sailed over our back garden at no more than roof height - it was close enough to see its beak opening amd closing as it cried out.

Lots of bees especially in the echinops.

 

We too have this and suspect it to be a young bird constantly calling for food. We had the same last year around this time.

 

I do wonder what they find to eat in this suburban area. There are squirrels (not many), but not much else - except kittens! If I had a new kitten I would be worried.

 

Voles, mice and any roadkill.

 

Has anyone seen this month's Garden Answers magazine? I get it as my free "Lifestyle Benefit" with my bank account. Anyway, it's got a two page photo spread titled "Late Flowers for Hungry Bees", and a caption saying "Honey bees enjoying a good drink of nectar ..." and all the text talks of nothing but bees. But the picture is of hoverflies, their big fly eyes just shout out at you!

 

Mice are certainly a favourite buzzard snack. Always plenty of those around.

In my weird brain, all buzzards are called Bob. It comes from a TV series back in the 80s [?] called A Very Peculiar Practice, which had a character called Bob Buzzard, played by David Troughton [ son of Dr Who's Patrick.] It starred a future Dr. Who - Peter Davison.

 

Must have been a hatching as so many dragonflies on the wing this morning darting all over the place. Lovely.

 

I find they appear in greater numbers in late summer early autumn.

 

Delighted today when a Banded Demoiselle appeared in the garden. First time ever and rather surprising as they're a species associated with moving water and we have neither pond nor stream.

 

@LunarSea Beautiful.
This little bee on the Onopordum acanthium


It would keep buzzing around so photo not brilliant.