Early spring birds and bugs

Greylag Geese (pic 1) seem to be a feature of early spring at the farm with a few appearing over the last couple of weeks. Most wildfowl numbers are reducing now but Tufted Duck (pic 2) are still present in good numbers (they breed much later than most wildlfowl). The Mute Swans have built a nest on the island.

5-6 Sand Martins around today, with singing Willow Warbler, Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs by the hide. The Tree Sparrows are utilising the new nest boxes by the hide and with a bit of sun and warmth today more bugs were emerging.

In addition to a few butterflies- Orange Tip, Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell, Brimstone, Holly Blue and Orange Tip I was shown some other bugs by Gripper and Frankie including Bee-fly (pic 3), Tawny Mining Bee (pic 4) and a colony of some kind of burrowing bee (pic 5) near the gate.