Early Bumblebee

After a week of fieldwork it was good to have some quiet time to observe the wildlife in our garden which is managed to maximise biodiversity. It's densely planted with a mix of native and introduced plant species, has areas of meadow, old fruit trees and several ponds. 


It was certainly very busy today, with a host of bumblebees (including a very large number of Early Bumblebee - we must have a nest nearby), hoverflies and solitary bees round the flowers; long-legged flies, damselflies and the odd mosquito round the pond and various other assorted invertebrates including a handsome Hawthorn Shieldbug (see extra). There was plenty of bird activity too, with a gang of recently fledged starlings descending on the suet balls.


In between the wildlife watching I dealt with three loads of washing, carefully pulled up some of the more rampant plants (mostly Bindweed , Wood Forget-me-not and Wood Avens), cut back one or two shrubs, hoovered through quite a lot of the house, washed the downstairs floors and re-stocked the food cupboards. Off to bed now, as I have a very early start in the morning for the last breeding bird transect of the season. How can that be?