26th June 2009

A morning's searching at Polin Bay, also on the Sandwood Estate.  Despite being literally around the corner from Oldshoremore, the vegetation is distinctly different, with very little Kidney Vetch, but Greater Knapweed and Red Bartsia present.  Also, the useful flowers are much more concentrated in and near the Marram, with Tufted Vetch and Bush Vetch flowering well.  It was here that six queen Great Yellow Bumblebees had been observed in early July 2006, perhaps because the forage resources are so much more concentrated that at Oldshoremore.  There are also many more rabbits here, which potentially could provide plenty of nest sites, as Great Yellow Bumblebees do nest underground, and have been recorded using rabbit burrows.  Perhaps they also make use of the nests of Wheatears, that nest here and at Oldshoremore – we get several reports each year of the nests of Blue Tits being usurped, usually by Early Bumblebees.  Perhaps we should try Wheatear nestboxes for Great Yellows?

 

The wind had freshened, but it was still hot and sunny.  The Bush Vetch was popular with Garden Bumblebees and Common Carder Bees, but sadly no sign of Great Yellows.  Thankfully, Don O'Driscoll of the John Muir Trust will be keeping an eye out for them both here and at Oldshoremore over the summer.  Of note, however, was a female Gypsy Cuckoo Bumblebee, not previously recorded from the area – so in fact a rarer bee here than the Great Yellow Bumblebee (but I know which I would have preferred to see!).

 

It was time to head for home, but with half an hour to spare I stopped at a familiar Scottish Crossbill haunt near Bonar Bridge.  There were Common Crossbills overhead, but one of the sheep fields here was a sea of white clover.  Among a throng of bumblebees there was a fresh queen Blaeberry Bumblebee, and at least two queen Broken-belted Bumblebees, a species I had previously seen very few of.  A good way to round off a successful trip.