Monk's-hood at Cheriton Wood

Rob Ladds photographed the Monk's-hood (Aconitum napellus) which was flowering well on the edges of Burry Pill a couple of days ago. Although in the UK the species is only believed to be native of the Welsh Marches, some naturalised populations like the one at Cheriton, can persist for many decades.

Tree Bumble-bee now in Gorseinon

Following close on the heels West Glamorgan's first sighting of a Tree Bumble-bee (Bombus hypnorum) last week, Paul Larkin text me to say that he's seen one or two on Himalayan Cotoneatser (Cotoneatser simonsii) in his mother's garden today. He invited me round for a look and I was thrilled to get a shot of this much anticipated bee in our area. If you have cotoneaster of currant bushes in your garden it is well worth looking for this uniquely marked bee.

There are various places to submit your sightings. Obviously we'd like to know, but also check out  http://www.bumblebeeconservation.org.uk/tree_bee.htm

Belated report of a Hobby at Oxwich

This Hobby was photographed by Peter Douglas-Jones at Oxwich Marsh on 23rd May, almost certanly a bird just passing through.

Great Spotted Woopecker close to fledging

Image taken by Mark Newton http://www.welshwildlife.com/ near Loughor Foreshore

Great Bee Day

I had a very nice recording day today near Glyn-neath. Despite the showery weather there were lots of bumblebees busily feeding on the abundant Common Bird's-foot-trefoil (Lotus corniculatus). A few B. Lucorum (White-tailed bumblebee) queens and lots of workers, presumed lucorum since no terrestris queens were seen, but impossible to say for sure. Among the workers were 2 Bombus monticola (Mountain bumblebee or Blaeberry bumblebee) queens. It is the first time I have seen this species and I'm absolutely delighted. It was tough getting a good feeding shot so I had to take a few flying shots instead. These shots do, however, show the extensive red hairs on the abdomen (reaching up to segment 2) with no yellow hairs. Also note the yellow hairs on the scutellum. These features help separate if from the more common Bombus pratorum (Early bumblebee).

I also saw what I beleive to be a Bombus campestris (Field cuckoo bumblebee) male. This cuckoo bumblebee invades the nest of Bombus pascuorum (Common carder bumblebee). I have seen a few of these this year and every time they've been, "head to tail," covered in pollen.

Also noted today Cinnabar(3), Silver Y(2), Wall Brown(3), Common Blue(9) and Small Heath(15)

Dance Fly

A couple of insects caught my eye today. The first was this Dance Fly (Empis tessellata), which was quite abundant today. It preys on other flies but also takes nectar. It's long, slender proboscis is used to spear its prey. It catches its prey mid-air, and this is where having those long legs comes in handy? It is frequently seen on open structured plants like Hawthorn blossom and members of the daisy and umbellifer families. In the photo it is nectaring on Wild Strawberry (Fragaria vesca).

The second was this striking looking moth. It looks like a type of grass moth to me but that's as far as I go. I'm sure Barry will be able to shed some light on the matter or indeed another fellow reader.

Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary now on the wing

Paul Tyrrell wrote 'With early summer here, so too is the second of the Gower Fritillaries. The Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary, (Boloria selene) is sadly less common than it once was, Although it can still be found in most parts of Wales. On Gower there are still a few colonies on some of our Commons; these photos were taken on Fairwood.