It has been an amazing week of weather, over 25 degrees. In such glorious sunshine most of the birds take cover in the shade. The insects, however, really come to life.
So, on Monday we took advantage of the good weather and went in search of Northern Colletes mining bee (Colletes Floralis) in the sand dunes to the north of Loch Gruinart Reserve. It is a rare species in the UK, only found in a handful of places - mostly in the Hebrides.
Mandy was quick enough to get a couple of photos - here is the bee itself, its legs covered in pollen. Only a 'wee bee', it ranges from 8mm-12mm. They 'nest' in burrows in the sand.
You can see it emerging in the centre of this photo.
Fortunately for us, the survey for this bee can only be undertaken on a hot, sunny day with little or no wind.
I can think of worse places to stop for lunch!