Saturday 18 July 2015

Brunstane Burn Bees

Very mixed weather today. We decided to walk along the Brunstane Burn path, which starts just outside Musselburgh. I've often passed the entrance to the walk but we've never explored it and decided that it was time we did!

The start of the path is a nicely landscaped park

with a pretty burn (small stream) running through it

and some very pretty floral verges

with lots of bees buzzing around, like this red tailed bumblebee approaching the bramble flowers

and this buff tailed / white tailed bumblebee


 There was competition over this wild rose, with this buff tailed / white tailed bumble bee

being driven away by this much larger bumble bee (we think a queen of the same species)


We had hoped to be able to see lots of butterflies for the Big Butterfly Count, but it was probably too windy for them and we only saw one ringlet butterfly


We also saw this very handsome hoverfly, which I think is a Volucella pellucens, but hoverflies are tricky to identify and I may well be wrong (this isn't the best lit photo after all), if you have a better id let me know in the comments.... Whatever it is, it's a very impressive hoverfly. Edited to add, my id has now been confimed thanks to the Facebook UK Hoverfly Group (which is well worth joining if you are interested in UK hoverflies!). You may also be interested in this guide to UK hoverflies.



8 comments:

eileeninmd said...

It is nice to see the bees happy! I love the wild roses and the butterfly. Have a happy weekend!

Maureen @ Josephina Ballerina said...

I just love verges. Have The Bees in my hot little hands. Will start it as soon as I finish my current book about a family who accidentally adopts an abused and abandoned young donkey. Flash. Name of the book there.
:) m & jb

RG said...

Well, "1" is data just like "14" would be, so it all adds up!

What a variety of bees!

Draffin Bears said...

Hi Juliet,

It must have been a lovely walk and enjoyed seeing your great photos. Isn't it wonderful seeing bees buzzing about at work.
Happy weekend
hugs
Carolyn

Crafty Green Poet said...

Hi Eileen, yes the bees seemed very happy, lovely to see

Maureen - hope you enjoy The Bees! Your current book sounds interesting too

Rabbits'Guy - it does indeed, but it's nice to see lots of butterflies...

Carolyn - thanks

DeniseinVA said...

A lovely walk, you took some super photos and I enjoyed every one. The bees were interesting. I have enjoyed seeing the different colored ones on my recent travels.

betty-NZ said...

What lovely scenery! It's quite relaxing to see. The little visitors are just gorgeous.

Ian Doyle said...

Nice photos, looks a nice place for walking.