Then, I watched more Anthophora plumipes in the garden. I had seen one of the males patrolling the Tet-a-tet daffodils, but this morning a male actually fed from several of them.
I managed this shot of the male, tongue extended in preparation for landing on a Daffodil.
The male (or males) were feeding today on Muscari, Pulmoraria and the Daffodils. Often they dart to a clump of flowers, hover briefly to inspect them and dash away before I have the chance to press the shutter. Later in my street another A. plumipes was visiting pansies and cultivated primroses (both of them first time I see them visit). So that adds three more flowers to the plants for your 'Flower Bee Garden'.
Seven spot ladybirds and a harlequin were active in the garden, and a queen Bombus terrestris queen visited the garden looking for nesting sites with their characteristic low wandering flight. Two other unidentified bumbles flew overhead.
We have had warm sun and very heavy rain showers today so insect activity has been sporadic. I am only confidently identifying Bombus terrestris on the bee front and bee activity in the garden is back to minimal.
ReplyDeleteMy first butterfly was a Tortoisehell, a couple of weeks ago, and several Brimstones, but nothing today. Great to see your photo of the Peacock.