Mowsbury Hillfort NR

An unusual visit to the Hillfort returned Common Buzzard, Red Kite, Kestrel, Great Spotted Woodpecker nest hole and a swarm of Bees! A fortuitous call from Ranger John Bishop and he was soon on his way up to the reserve with Ray, a bee keeper friend. Between them they managed to catch the swarm and relocate it to one of Rays hives.

Swarm of Honey Bees

Ray and John capture the bees ...

..and relocate them....

..to their new home.

Following are some pictures from recent weeks at the Hillfort.

White Bluebell

 This White Bluebell was spotted by the Friends group who do a lot of the maintenance work at the reserve. One of its normal coloured cousins is in the background. There was a second white one nearby.

Goldcrest

 

Male Great Spotted Woodpecker

 I'm not sure what this GSW has in its beak. It looks like flesh like it might have been scavenging from a Rabbit Carcass although it might be a small chick raided from a nest.

Swallow

Common Buzzard

 Swallow was added to the species list for the Hillfort today.