That is some mornings birding Mark

Today's cry for help from the lower slopes of a steep learning curve...
Reigate Heath, Surrey. This nomad bee seems to suggest a male Nomada signata - a scarce species which has, in the past, been recorded from the site. Any comments would be most welcome.

Thanks Ian, I’ll delve further…

Tottenham v Gillingham soon?

One of those moments when I asked myself “What the **** are they?”
Myopa buccata actually…

That made me laugh when they unfurled it - made up a bit for Brighton’s stoppage time equaliser yesterday.

“Hang the DJ….”

Hope so Marcus, otherwise it’s Lincoln City for us…

2-2 not quite enough in the grand scheme of things with Brighton’s (deserved) equaliser on 90 + 5.
Championship beckons…

A slight upgrade on level 6 football
COYS!!

4,000 To be honest, that headline claim of 4,000 is not correct - 3,970 is the actual figure and that is the number of species that I have identif...

The numbers game

northdownsandbeyond.blogspot.com/2026/04/4000...

I would have thought so John, certainly in stock in most decent sized book shops. Highly recommended

Big shout out to @peteralanross.bsky.social for once again writing a marvellous and inspirational book on the history of us British and Irish folk. Whether burial, churches, monuments… he’s got it covered and written about in such an inspiring, educational and entertaining way. Highly recommended!

From my novice status I would offer Painted Nomad Bee as an id.

That’s OK Alan. Understood!

I’m off to White Hart Lane tomorrow for the Spurs v Brighton game. No matter what the season’s outcome, my support will be 100% behind the lily white shirt. COYS!!
@dannykellywords.bsky.social
@80s90sspursbooks.bsky.social

I’m starting to think that this is N flava after looking at the image on a big screen

Banstead Downs, Surrey: BOC shot of a nomad bee from this afternoon which I think may well be a male of the scarce Nomad signata - any thoughts would be most welcome.

Gatton Park, Surrey: a fine show of Bugle

Gatton Park, Surrey: Midland Hawthorn in woodland near Reigate Hill. I don’t often see it but most probably walk past it frequently

Same in Surrey. Maybe you need to be a bit of an old git to fully appreciate the mess our migrant birds are in, but plenty of our county birders are ‘full of the joys of spring’. I find it hard to lift my bins with the way things are…

As a recent convert to its joys I can thoroughly recommend joining the ranks of the bus w*nk*er.

Banstead, Surrey: another day and another venture into the world of bees - I’m calling this a Chocolate Mining Bee (Adrena scotica) - it’s a wonderful place to explore…

I wish you all the best Andy - good plan.

Are you planning on becoming a part of the ‘Kent ornithological brain-drain’ then Andy?

Thanks Andy - after a bit more reading I think a retained specimen is needed for a bit of forensic examination!

I’d be grateful if anybody could point me in the direction of identifying this well-marked fly taken on the Dorset coast last summer. Not being lazy, I’ve been going in circles for the last hour! Thanks.

Ah… I reckon it will be Leeds that drop if it isn’t us.
Enjoy blowing those bubbles Jim…

I’ve just got tickets for the Brighton game next weekend - to not still be in the bottom three by then would be easier on the nerves…

Isthmian League Prem
Carshalton Athletic 2 Brentwood Town 4
A noisy crowd of 700 was treated to a cracking game, non-league football at its finest. The home team face the possibility of relegation, the away team look good for a play-off place.

Where do you belong?

northdownsandbeyond.blogspot.com/2026/04/orig...