Solitary Mining Bee

In order to escape the Bank Holiday Crowds, we choose two local nature reserves to visit today. The first was really tiny and the whole circuit was only just over one kilometre. As we went through the gate, I spotted a Migrant Hawker landing on a bush (extra) that was still there when we left an hour later. Just below the bush was an old quarry, and had we been here a few weeks ago we might have seen sand martins feeding their young in all the nests in the quarry wall. On the ground were a colony of bees - solitary mining bees according to the sign. They turned out to be a lot more difficult to photograph than I was expecting as they hardly stopped moving. 
Also at this reserve were swans, coots, moorhens, mallards, Tufted ducks and a handful of little grebe. It was very peaceful and we only saw 2 other people. 

After a quick pit stop back home for lunch, we went to Tewkesbury Nature Reserve which looked nice when we were checking online last night. However, it was much less peaceful, being next to the A38 and was also VERY muddy. Added to that, the complete lack of wildflower meadow that I was expecting and a distinct lack of birds apart from a few ducks and a heron, we were left a bit disappointed,  but at least it was quiet again. 

On our way back to the car I did spot this little pale coloured moth that I think could be a yellow shell, so that was a good find as I don’t recall seeing one of them before. 

This evening hubby has cooked us a lovely steak and salad dinner followed by fruit salad so I’m very happy  :))