New Species - Buff-tailed Bumblebee

I am pretty sure this is Bombus terrestris rather than the White-tailed bumblebee as there is a definite hint of buff on the tail and the yellow bands are darker than would be the case on Bombus lucorum. This is my second attempt at bumblebee identification - hopefully I'll add a few more next year.

New Species - Red Bartsia

As the summer is coming to an end it is becoming unusual to spot any new flower species so I was delighted to spot this single example of this elegant flower. It seems that this one flower that has two subspecies and this one is Odonites vernus ssp serotinus which is the subspecies you would expect to find here.

Feisty swallows

I was a bit too late with the camera so you'll have to trust me that the picture of a buzzard shows a buzzard retreating after being mobbed by swallows as it sat on the roof of the barn containing a swallows nest. A few weeks ago I saw a single swallow chasing away a medium sized bird of prey, about sparrowhawk size, who couldn't move away fast enough. It is impressive to watch small birds see off much larger enemies as they use their agility and speed to make up for the difference in fighting weight. I was reminded of Arctic Terns attacking Great Skuas and in turn being seen off by the tiny Wilson's Storm Petrel but in terms of size differential this is just as impressive.

Waxcaps in a new place

I have been waiting for the waxcaps to appear in the field that has put on such a good waxcap show in the last couple of years but nothing so far. Meanwhile two species of waxcap have appeared in a field where I had not seen them previously. They are the Blackening Waxcap (Hygrocybe nigrescens) and the Butter Waxcap (Hygrocybe ceracea) neither of which had I definitely identified from the 'waxcap' field. I am wondering whether the appearance is due to the timing of the cutting of the hay in that field (it was done relatively early in mid July) or whether I just hadn't spotted them in previous years when the grass was longer at this point. I am still waiting anxiously for the normal waxcap field to deliver. Pictured is the Butter Waxcap.

Jay vs Woodpecker

No contest really. The Jay had size and aggression on its side but the Greater Spotted Woodpecker has got a fearsome bill and was not showing any signs of being afraid. The Jay retreated once it realised that the Woodpecker was not budging. The Greater Spotted Woodpecker was perched near the top of a Larch and the Jay decided to see it off, probably just to pass the time. Corvids can be like that, they enjoy a good barney. However after a couple of attempts it flew away presumably deciding that discretion was advisable on this occasion.

New species - Common Toad

I am used to seeing frogs in the long grass even though there are no ponds on site but until last week had never seen a toad. While I was cutting and removing growth from the fields I left a few piles of long grass temporarily on the edges of the field. When moving them I came across a couple of small toads sheltering in the heaps. Given that I rarely saw toads when living surrounded by ponds, bogs, woodland and long grass I found that a little surprising. I must get on with the project to create a couple of ponds to encourage the toads.

Baby swallows

Like last year the swallows have ignored the expensive ceramic nests I put up for them in the barn and built their own. I was sure there was a nest there but couldn't find it until the other day. In the gloom of the barn it looked empty but I took a flash photo and can see three young swallows at least. Whilst I was taking the photo a parent flew in and was not best pleased with my proximity to the nest. Given that we have had a decent summer I suspect that this was a second or third brood of youngsters.