RXwildlife Sightings

Still a good range of invertebrates around at the moment, taking advantage of the lovely warm weather. At Lime Kiln Cottage this morning, several queen Buff-tailed Bumblebee were feeding on the remaining Buddleia flowers, while both Grey Bush Cricket and Roesel’s Bush Cricket foraged on the foliage. At Castle Water, water mint and fleabane flowers are providing the most interest, and in the Barn Field today visitors to these species included Brown-banded Carder Bee, Common Carder Bee, several Brown Argus and a single Painted Lady.

Buff-tailed Bumblebee Queen

A visit to Castle Water this morning saw 74 Little Egret leave their overnight roost. A hunting Barn Owl gave excellent views as it criss-crossed the reed-bed in front of the viewpoint and small numbers of Bearded Tit could be heard pinging away in the reeds, while the scrubby hawthorn and elder behind the viewpoint held good numbers of Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler and a couple of female Blackcap. In addition, at least three Corn Bunting overflew Lime Kiln Cottage at around 8am.