Every weekend there is also a new episode of the Stuifmail podcast. Listen to the podcast here:
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Ring -shaped stool, who is the culprit?
Gerard Straatman now finds ring -shaped stools in his garden. He would like to know who that shit comes from. It looks like the pigeon poop. Normally in birds that the stool looks like a small, brown (sometimes green -brown) sausage with in the middle of a watery white spot. This is because the birds poo and urine at the same time excrete via the cloaca (the opening from which reliefs) excreted. That cloaca is with the birds on the belly side behind the legs, hidden under the feathers.
At Stads pigeons – I have experience because there are many pigeons in my area – you often see a thin gray sausage -shaped shit, which is also placed in a kind of spiral. Perhaps it has to do with the fact that pigeons are all -eaters, most of them are not.
Is this an Asian hornet or the European?
On the photo of Mario Mulders you can clearly see an insect with a yellow -black head with black eyes. The breastpiece of the insect is also mainly black and the abdomen is black at the front and yellow. In short, we are dealing here with an Asian hornet. It is increasingly common here. The first Asian Hoornaar here was discovered on May 20, 2017 in Raamsdonk, by a beekeeper. The European hornet is a beautiful yellow insect with a red breastpiece and a yellow -red head. If you want to know more about the Asian hornet, then it is this link The most reliable.
Is this a bumblebee or bee species?
Cathrien Beijer wonders if she has seen a bumble beer or a bee species and sent me a photo of the animal. I can imagine her question when seeing such an insect. The animal has a dense fox brown hair. You often think of bumble bees. Yet this is not a bumblebee, but one bee. One that belongs to the Van de Zand bees family. Sand bees are real spring species, often to be seen in March.
The fox is one of the most striking under the sand bees. Females of the fox are quite large, they become a maximum of fourteen millimeters and have those fox -brown dense hair, the males of the fox are a lot slimmer, have a less dense hair and are recognizable by their white beard. You can come across these foxes from March to the end of May. After that it is over and then you no longer see them all year round.
SECTION Beautiful photos
In the section beautiful photos this time a photo taken by Harry Verbeek. How beautiful is that? You sit comfortably on your breakfast and then suddenly a hawk with a big prey, a pigeon, on the lawn. And then being able to take such a photo, you will never forget that again. “
Natural tip
Saturday, April 5, from ten in the morning to noon will find a blossom walk in the Loonse and Drunense Duinen.
Here are countless Drenthe currants that bloom exuberantly in the spring. Their white blossom seems to be snowflakes that enchant nature. On the Kraanvense heath, this blossom stands out extra against the dark brown of the heath, so that you experience a breathtaking contrast. As you walk, you are often accompanied by the cheerful buzz of honey bees that have discovered the flowers. Enjoy the budding nature and be wondered by the beautiful blossom that you see all around you.
Walking in the dunes is tiring because of the sand. A good walking condition is therefore important for this excursion. We walk about five kilometers.
More information:
· Registration is mandatory and can be done via this link.
· Departure place is the Parking bus station in Loon op Zand.
· Participating costs members of Natuurmonumenten seven euros, non-members pay ten euros.
· This walk is intended for people with a good (walking) condition.
· Put on sturdy hiking shoes.
· Wear clothes that match the weather.
· What to drink for the road is always nice.
· Dogs are not allowed.