The Bees are back

Friday 9th June 2017 - After torrential rain and stormy winds, the weather was calmer today, although still breezy, sending clouds rushing across the landscape. Overhead the loud cries of five herring gulls and a single carrion crow could be heard over the wind in the poplars. The birds were mobbing a common buzzard, which did not seem too concerned. The river was lower already after running high after the rain:

The river looking upstream, wind ruffling the surface.

The previous day swifts were enjoying the windy conditions flying under low clouds along the river course flying very low at times.

The sun today was very warm, bringing out Meadow Brown butterflies where White Clover, Buttercups and Common Mouse-ear had taken over from the dreaded Ryegrass, providing carpets of flowers attracting a large variety of bees and Hoverflies. Brambles on the verges and river bank were in flower too with large numbers of bees working their way along. The first Banded Demoiselle Damselflies were now also ranging along the banks, looking for large leaves on which to perch and warm up. The Beautiful Demoiselle Damselflies are usually first to emerge but the Banded demoiselles seem to have followed later this year.

Common Mouse-ear (Cerastium fontanum)- small delicate flowers

amongst the grasses.

White Clover - fortunately taking over from the useless 'Amenity' 

Rygrass. Bee surveys will be done when the wind drops to find out the number of bees of all kinds to be found in one square meter. 

White-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lucorum) on White Clover

White-tailed Bumblebee on Dog Rose - the numerous Dog Rose plants that flourish along the river banks have suddenly come into flower as the Bramble flowers finish, ensuring a 

continuous supply of food for insects.

Birds find the greater diversity of the grasses excellent for foraging too.

Blackcaps were singing along the river and one silent male was seen moving around amongst the old Ash tree branch pile searching for food for its young before flying off to the Blackthorn thicket,  beak laden. I looked back at that moment and saw a kingfisher flying over the river, its electric blue back shining in the sun.

Song thrushes, blackbirds, wrens and many more chaffinches than usual were singing, together with chiffchaffs, with robins, blue and great tits and a dunnock foraging. Nesting is continuing, newly fledged young still being fed by adults amongst the branches, whilst other birds are still incubating or feeding young in the nest, many will have second broods.

A short detour through the wild field revealed orchids amongst the various damp meadow grasses:

Common Spotted Orchid (Dactylorhiza fuchsii)

I think