What's flying near you?

Pair of stonechats in the veg garden last couple of days.

One pair of cranes have been residing on the two fields behind the house. They are absolutely massive, and very, very loud when they want to be! We have had another pair visit on the field in front of the house, but I think they were just passing through.

Red kite being chased by crows. First sighting of a red kite here. Apparently 3 kites have been seen in the local woods this week.

^^^ I remember being very excited years ago at seeing the occasional buzzard. Now the buzzards are waning being taken over by kites.

Whilst hanging my clothes out to dry I spotted a huge bumble bee working the willow catkins in the garden. I got my phone out to photograph it but got too close and spooked it! I was pleased to see it back after a while but kept my distance this time!

There was a bumblebee on the gooseberry flowers yesterday - bringing promise of a fruit-filled summer.

There was a bumblebee on the gooseberry flowers yesterday - bringing promise of a fruit-filled summer.

Do bumblebees not do something different to honey bees which are supposedly better polinators? Or is that only on runner beans?

Both are effective pollinators, collecting nectar and pollen. According to the Duck, bumblebees will stay in the same area, seeking out every bit of available pollen whilst honeybees flit around. Bumblebees are considered more efficient pollinators than honeybees. https://beeprofessor.com/honey-bee-vs-bumble-bee/

Both are effective pollinators, collecting nectar and pollen. According to the Duck, bumblebees will stay in the same area, seeking out every bit of available pollen whilst honeybees flit around. Bumblebees are considered more efficient pollinators than honeybees. https://beeprofessor.com/honey-bee-vs-bumble-bee/

Ah well, I must have got it arse first!

Had the first drumming snipe over head Friday , while I was in the garden. Love the noise they make.