Wots in yer net mister?

The Safari's day started during Frank's early morning walk. We spotted the Tree Bees again but this time in a Copper Beech near yesterday's Sycamore...this time we were prepared and had phone-cam with us but the results under the foliage were poor. Fortunately they were still there an hour later when we set off for work with the proper camera. Only when we downloaded the pics at work we saw they weren't Tree Bees but one of the White Tailed Bumble Bee species, Bombus hortorum?

They were deffo after the honeydew left behind by the Whitefly on the underside of the leaves - anyone else noticed this behaviour? We've passed these trees almost daily for five years and not seen it before - what's going on???

Then it was out on the sea wall with the scope for a few minutes. Not a great lot doing, a cruising Gannet, a diving Gannet and at least three Common Terns (P2 #69) including one taking a fish visible at least a mile away back to the nesting colony at the docks up -river. Three Grey Seals, all a bit too distant completed the session.

The school group arrived and we set off armed with the usual nets and pots. A nice selection of beach life was found including some sizeable Green Shore Crabs.

 They also found this season's first Sand Goby.

One of the children struck gold with this Red Headed Cardinal Beetle although was determined to put it back in the water where it 'belonged' took some convincing it was aland creature that had got a little lost!

Then one of the teachers came over with a blob of jelly asking what's this? Well we didn't quite know so we put in a tub of water and waited for it to do something which eventually did

But we were still none the wiser, thinking it might be a Plumose Anemone.

Photos were sent to iSpot and DB our friendly marine biologist was over for lunch and she also thought it was probably a Plumose Anemone.

 So far no-one has come forward from iSpot but Maya Plass has confirmed the ID via Twitter so it probably is one then - we'll let the school know that they've found only the second record of this species along our coastline - nice one!!!

Another brief seawatch at lunchtime wasn't particularly productive.

But our second beach group of the day - Dad's n kids this time found more or less the same as earlier but also found a few small Blennies hiding in the higher pools; Dads allow themselves to climb up ignoring our snooker-esque one foot on the sand at all times elf n safety rule. Sadly none of these beautiful little fish could be tempted out of their hidey-holes - bacon needed next time we think!

Also up there were lots of snotty burgundy slug-like things...aka Beadlet Anemones.

A great day in the sunshine until it clouded over...and we sincerely hope that we've kindled a permanent spark in at least one of the little tykes today...now that would be a success.

Outside the Blackbird fledglings are still being fed deep in the shrubbery, and families of Great Tit, Goldfinch and Greenfinch are visiting the feeders, the Wrens are still in the nest and a Robin is singing at the far end of the garden - all is good but where are the screaming Swifts scything through the evening sky, that's a big loss to bear.

This Poppy is pretty intense though

Where to next? Day off tomorrow (no chance of an update for you, exciting things non-wildlify happening) and with it being warm still and muggy the mothy is going out.

In the meantime let us know what's being hoiked out by the netful in your outback.