These curious rocks occur at Redend Point between Middle and South Beach at Studland Bay in Dorset, England. I have featured them several times in the blog before. The bright red and yellow patterned sandstones are Eocene Creekmoor Sand (also known as Redend Sandstone) and are part of the Poole Formation in the Bracklesham Group. The sandstone is very soft and easily eroded. It is also easily carved and provides a surface for much graffiti. However, the busiest carvers are small bees which excavate burrows in which to lay eggs. Now the sandstone has weathered away you can see the empty pupal cases from last year.
How very interesting!! I didn’t know that bees did this. You are such a brilliant detective! 🙂
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Thank you, Jo. I think I have a video of bees buzzing around holes like this in cliffs – I’ll see if I can upload it.
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How amazing … I’ll have to look out for these next time we visit Studland. Thanks!
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Excellent Jessica, amazing how you keep finding beautiful and fascinating subjects.
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Maybe age, time, and curiosity have something to do with it.
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