Beewolf Swansong

The seasons are rolling on, there's a bit more of a chill in the air of a morning - and it's only the first of September.  The various inhabitants of Digger Alley are slowly disappearing from view already, though perhaps we shouldn't be that surprised after they appeared in the middle of June this year, probably three weeks earlier than in 2016.  There is still the occasional hardy soul though

The Ornate Tailed Digger Wasps are also still hanging in there, though they do seem tired and are having more of a struggle with their prey - this one took ages to subdue its bee, rolling around in the dust

Ironically, as our regular inhabitants have dwindled, we've been seeing more unusual wasps - this one, a member of the Pompilidae family I think - had a hard time dragging the spider down a hole

There are a number of these Ichneumons wasps around as well, with their distinctive long tails

Other insects have been along the path though - large numbers of Southern Hawkers hunting the bushes are a continual distraction

Hornets have been active as well - these two clearly had a major disagreement.  Attempting to bite your opponent's wing off shows they play for keeps!

Finally of course, we shouldn't forget the bees.  Quietly getting on with their lives are the Green Eyed Flower Bees - they like the Lavender near the visitor centre and that's often the easiest place to track them down

And of course, the wonderfully named Pantaloon Bees.  Full of pollen, they're so obvious flying around

It will be June next year before we start to see many of these insects in numbers again, when the slumbering young from this year's activity burst from their underground tunnels.  Until then, we have memories & pictures to keep us going....