hornets...

outdoorguy · #1 (**permalink**) 27-09-2008, 12:17 AM

went for a nice four mile walk today.. saw two hobbies which was great.. stunning to watch but the thing that stood out was the amount of hornets i saw today.. i should think i saw about 40 in all.. mostly around oak and mature trees.. in all my years of walking i've never seen more than a couple on one walk.. i think its the warm weather later in the year.. loads of small insects for them to eat plus lots of fruit.. i love watching them and there size always impresses me.. also lots of dragon flys today.. all in all a good morning out... james

naturegirl · #2 (**permalink**) 27-09-2008, 12:24 AM

Good sightings 'Outdoorguy'!!

Sorry, but if I may correct you......

"I love watching them and there.. [b]their[b] size....

Sorry, but as a teacher I cannot pass this up....

So many times I see this mistake.

I do not know how this can happen.

Over there is correct but if it is Theirs then it belongs to them...

Sorry to be pedantic.....

Naturegirl

Quote:

Originally Posted by outdoorguy

went for a nice four mile walk today.. saw two hobbies which was great.. stunning to watch but the thing that stood out was the amount of hornets i saw today.. i should think i saw about 40 in all.. mostly around oak and mature trees.. in all my years of walking i've never seen more than a couple on one walk.. i think its the warm weather later in the year.. loads of small insects for them to eat plus lots of fruit.. i love watching them and there size always impresses me.. also lots of dragon flys today.. all in all a good morning out... james

Hedge Witch · #3 (**permalink**) 27-09-2008, 06:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by outdoorguy

went for a nice four mile walk today.. saw two hobbies which was great.. stunning to watch but the thing that stood out was the amount of hornets i saw today.. i should think i saw about 40 in all.. mostly around oak and mature trees.. in all my years of walking i've never seen more than a couple on one walk.. i think its the warm weather later in the year.. loads of small insects for them to eat plus lots of fruit.. i love watching them and there size always impresses me.. also lots of dragon flys today.. all in all a good morning out... james

Hey James - I understand what you mean

Sounds like a lovely stroll. I've noticed hornets here too. Not sure yet if that's because I'm more in tune with nature at the moment and they were here all along though

I'll let you know next year

aeshna5 · #4 (**permalink**) 27-09-2008, 03:12 PM

I've seen very few Hornets this year. One of my best sites is Richmond Park where because of all the ancient trees there are normally good numbers in late summer. On recent visits I've seen 1 worker disappearing into the distance + saw only 1 on Wimbledon Common.

Jason Green · #5 (**permalink**) 27-09-2008, 03:20 PM

...and I'm yet to even see my FIRST!! I take it they are bigger than common wasps?

aeshna5 · #6 (**permalink**) 27-09-2008, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason Green

...and I'm yet to even see my FIRST!! I take it they are bigger than common wasps?

Yes worker Hornets are significantly larger than Vespula workers + are chestnut-brown + yellow, so look different, but similar shape.

outdoorguy · #7 (**permalink**) 27-09-2008, 08:46 PM

i always notice the really yellow patch on the back and u just can't mistake their size.. usually about 35mm.. seen a few queens and they r huge.. saw one the other day when i was window cleaning.. was about a metre away when i was at the top of my ladder... u have to hold ur nerve.. he he.. james

Jason Green · #8 (**permalink**) 27-09-2008, 08:51 PM

Thanks for the info, Aeshna and ODG

Jim Ford · #9 (**permalink**) 27-09-2008, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason Green

...and I'm yet to even see my FIRST!! I take it they are bigger than common wasps?

They're magnificent insects - one of my favourites! Don't be scared of them either - I've been stung by one and it was scarcely more painful than a nettle, and didn't even last as long.

Hornets seem to like flying high to forage, so if you aren't near a nest they're not often seen. I've found one of the best ways to look for them is near water, when they come down to drink.

Jim

aeshna5 · #10 (**permalink**) 28-09-2008, 05:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Ford

They're magnificent insects - one of my favourites! Don't be scared of them either - I've been stung by one and it was scarcely more painful than a nettle, and didn't even last as long.

Hornets seem to like flying high to forage, so if you aren't near a nest they're not often seen. I've found one of the best ways to look for them is near water, when they come down to drink.

Jim

In Richmond Park I often see them hunting around Ragwort, etc taking various insects- saw one take a Small Copper once!