PB Heathland Walk

A late-ish start at PB with just a stroll down to Westmead. Distinct lack of insects. A Nightingale and a Lesser Whitethroat were both hidden and singing whilst a Cuckoo flew by calling and was heard again at the end of the day near Hollybush Hill. Just a couple of Buzzards, two Redshanks and two Red Kites (with a third over Egdean on the way home). Five Broad -bodied Chasers and a male Banded Demoiselle plus Chloromyia formosa. Over lunch a Sparrowhawk disturbed the feeders and slipped away over Upperton's Field.

On the heathland more BBCs and quite a few Four-spots.

As part of the organised walk, with 15 or so volunteers, a few insect species were added including Blood Bees (Sphecodes), Two-banded Longhorn Beetle, Cream-spot Tiger, several Brown Silverlines, Rhinoceros Beetle (Sinodendron cylindricum) and Early Bees (Bombus  pratorum) on Green Alkanet (Pentaglottis sempervirens).

In the play area this Chrysotoxum cautum - same place as a fortnight ago.

Finally, on the way home the ubiquitous Rogate Kestrel popped up onto the telegraph wires.