Build it...

 Before I get on to the end of the title, this weekend we were out on Saturday morning rather than Sunday for a change due to circumstances.

We began by looking for Ring Ouzels at a spot near Alnwick where we sometimes see them on spring passage. Not this year though. Still, the moor was full of singing Willow Warblers which in todays climate, are always nice to hear. A Golden Plover flew over in display voice but reamined unseen while alone Curlew bubbled away over a field.

Next stop, a small burn nearby where our target was found immediately. A singing male Redstart. Only the one mind you, but there is time for more arrivals yet. While here an addition to the pan species list might seem small fry for all the botanists out there but they all count as one in this game, so Field Wood-Rush was duly added. It is quite common on these moorland grasslands, its just I've never particularly looked for it before.

Field Wood-Rush

Moving on, this time to a failed recce of a bit of remnant old woodland near Edlingham, unfortunately the place was decked with Private signs so that was that. 

We did manage a few interesting bits near Edlingham Church including my second lifer of the day - Goldilocks Buttercup. A nice little clump growing near the church. This is a plant of limestone areas, and before we found it we had discussed how the Church was built in the 12th century by using a lime pit to make mortar on site. The alkalinity must still have an effect.

Goldilocks Buttercup, Edlingham

I also thought Hedge Bedstraw here might be new for me but it isn't, its already on my list from Hauxley. In the church yard were a nice female Tawny Mining Bee and a few Heather Beetles.

Edlingham Church with Heather Beetles and a Tawny Mining Bee.

I digress, getting back to the title. Build it...and they will come was never more evident than yesterday in our garden.

After watching My Garden of a Thousand Bees on BBC recently we were inspired to create some nest sites for solitary bees in the garden. There were a few old willow logs stacked from previous years that seemed just the job, about a metre tall and about 6 or 7 inches in diameter. Having bought a variety of drill bits I set about making various sized holes 3mm, 6mm and 8mm in the wood and stood them in the sunniest spot on the garden. All capped by a rain canopy to deflect the worst of the weather . That was done around noon yesterday.

By 5pm our first bee had investigated, picked a hole and gone to roost! It was an Red Mason Bee, Osmia bicornis. One of many I hope.

Also in the sun were my first Speckled Wood and Orange Tip of the year in the village, plus a few Hairy Footed Flower Bees and some Andrena Bees I am struggling to id.

Drilled Bee Logs in place.

Red Mason Bee Osmia bicornis

Bee hole, looks like a nest box, except the hole is 6mm in diameter. 

A Nomada Bee, poss marshamella? Difficult.