Stocky
17 Jun 2025

Stocky

by | posted in: Bees, Invertebrates, My garden, Worcestershire | 0

Of the seven species of leafcutter bee found in the UK, Willughby’s Leafcutter (Megachile willughbiella) is the most widespread, and probably the easiest to identify. Males are about 12mm long, with pale faces and the short, square abdomen that’s common … Continued

Patchwork
8 Jun 2025

Patchwork

by | posted in: Bees, Invertebrates, Worcestershire | 0

I spotted this fresh bee on the bramble growing at the edge of the Orchard Ponds in the Cleeve Prior Community Orchard, where I’d gone on a fruitless search for dragonflies, and recognised it as a male leafcutter. I couldn’t … Continued

Garden Bumblebee
5 Jun 2025

Garden Bumblebee

by | posted in: Bees, Invertebrates, My garden, Worcestershire | 0

Bombus hortorum is one of the most common bumblebees in the UK. It’s also one of the biggest, with queens coming in at close to 2cm in length, and males and workers at around 1.5cm. It’s commonly called the Garden … Continued

Shooting through
4 Jun 2025

Shooting through

by | posted in: Butterflies, Damselflies, Invertebrates, Odonata, Worcestershire | 0

Marbled Whites have been out at Cleeve Prior Community Orchard for a few days now, but today was the first time I managed to get one on camera. As with many fresh male insects they’re engaged on a near-frantic hunt … Continued

Mimic
21 May 2025

Mimic

by | posted in: Hoverflies, Invertebrates, Worcestershire | 0

I was walking into the clearing at Cleeve Prior Mill this afternoon, between high banks of bramble and wild flowers, when I half noticed a yellow and black bumblebee with a white tail, nectaring on cow parsley. In my defence, … Continued