Spring is a time for busy bees – so it is appropriate we have chosen this picture as our image of the month for April.
It is of a Clarke’s Mining Bee – Andrena clarkella – an early spring bee that forages almost exclusively from sallow blossom. It was taken by Sarah Lambert during a visit to Swaddywell Pit Nature Reserve.
Each month we select photographs taken by our Facebook members and posted on our site. They might not be technically perfect – but they sum up the events of that month. Here are some other images from April 2021. You can click on them to enhance your viewing.
Another example that Spring has sprung is the appearance of the Pasque flowers at Barnack Hills and Holes. This photo was taken by Martin Browne.
Our work parties are now underway again after an enforced break caused by the Coronavirus pandemic.
Keren Thomson took this shot of a Marsh marigold alongside the pond at Etton High Meadow during one of the sessions.
And Sue Welch also took this shot of the action involved in repairing the pond at Swaddywell which has been in need of repairs after the very wet winter. It is proof that our volunteers are up to their neck in work – and up to the waist in water!
If you have any spare time and would like to offer help you would be very welcome. The work parties meet at Etton on Monday mornings and at Swaddywell on a Thursday. If you want more information please email volunteer@langdyke.org.uk
The work parties carry out a wide range of tasks – all part of making sure our reserves are at their best for nature.
One work party at the Etton Maxey reserve involved leaving out the Langdyke trailcam to explore where badgers were on the site. The result was this night time shot.
Julie Budnik-Hillier captured this great image of one of the hares at Etton Maxey.
And Jackie Robinson was on hand to capture this buzzard flying high over the reserve.
As usual bird life has been at the centre of attention for our photographers. Steve Lonsdale captured this family outing alongside the Maxey Cut.
Other shots taken during the month include these:
And finally a couple of unusual shots to end with.
Sue Welch has had more than birds visiting her feeders.
And Nathan Stimpson – who regularly comes up with unexpected sightings – recorded this bird at Etton Maxey Pits … a budgerigar!
