Tim Strudwick
@timstrudwick.bsky.social
Norfolk UK based former nature reserve manager, bee and wasp county recorder, biodiversity obsessive, allotmenteer, stuff like that.
I have no eye for ants in the field but L.meridionalis seems plausible based on habitat, though workers "rarely seen above ground". Would need a very close look under a microscope to confirm.
October 9, 2025 at 5:33 PM
I have no eye for ants in the field but L.meridionalis seems plausible based on habitat, though workers "rarely seen above ground". Would need a very close look under a microscope to confirm.
9 years of successful breeding in the Norwich area seems fairly established, similar in Cambs and presumably some southern counties. The Walled Garden in Little Plumstead is the easiest place to see them.
August 19, 2025 at 10:22 PM
9 years of successful breeding in the Norwich area seems fairly established, similar in Cambs and presumably some southern counties. The Walled Garden in Little Plumstead is the easiest place to see them.
They are having a great year and seems likely viable populations are now established in Norfolk, Cambs and a few other counties.
August 12, 2025 at 9:09 PM
They are having a great year and seems likely viable populations are now established in Norfolk, Cambs and a few other counties.
Males have reported in the Norwich area from mid July which is about a month earlier than typical.
August 9, 2025 at 10:55 AM
Males have reported in the Norwich area from mid July which is about a month earlier than typical.
Birches were not far away. ID using "the nearest food plant" method has let me down before.
August 6, 2025 at 6:12 PM
Birches were not far away. ID using "the nearest food plant" method has let me down before.
I see no obvious hairs on T6 and shape of T6 plus colour of pollen brush are consistent only with M.ligniseca, which is also the one that visits thistles most often.
August 2, 2025 at 10:16 PM
I see no obvious hairs on T6 and shape of T6 plus colour of pollen brush are consistent only with M.ligniseca, which is also the one that visits thistles most often.
I would say similis with the reddish thorax.
July 19, 2025 at 9:28 PM
I would say similis with the reddish thorax.
There were at least 30 Polistes dominula at Little Plumstead Walled Garden today. This species is starting to feel established in the Norwich area.
July 18, 2025 at 11:28 PM
There were at least 30 Polistes dominula at Little Plumstead Walled Garden today. This species is starting to feel established in the Norwich area.
I certainly haven't come across any Norfolk records but dryinids are rarely found by those that submit records to BWARS or irecord. It is new to the Norfolk list I curate.
May 23, 2025 at 6:22 PM
I certainly haven't come across any Norfolk records but dryinids are rarely found by those that submit records to BWARS or irecord. It is new to the Norfolk list I curate.
I expect it will turn up. I found one unexpectedly on my Brundall allotment today.
May 10, 2025 at 9:59 PM
I expect it will turn up. I found one unexpectedly on my Brundall allotment today.
Colletes cunicularius!
April 28, 2025 at 9:47 PM
Colletes cunicularius!
One female this year in Brundall, in Beech Way, but no nest located.
April 5, 2025 at 9:51 PM
One female this year in Brundall, in Beech Way, but no nest located.
Possibly ephippius but you need impossibly good photos to rule out other species.
April 1, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Possibly ephippius but you need impossibly good photos to rule out other species.
Yes, trimmerana for sure.
March 24, 2025 at 11:52 PM
Yes, trimmerana for sure.
A tricky male Andrena, but probably A. nigroaenea.
March 19, 2025 at 8:39 AM
A tricky male Andrena, but probably A. nigroaenea.