Just an observation. I'm sure the bees know what they're doing. They're all over the pulmonaria but ignoring the celandine and the primroses. I would have thought collecting pollen from the open flowers would have been easier. Quality over quantity maybe?
Not all pollen or flower heads are created equal. Some bee species are quite species specific to plants. Colour can make a difference too, re the areas of light spectrum that bees can see better than others. (I'm not saying that's what's going on here @B3)
Hi all insect lovers! First day with real Spring temperatures here in the West of France. This ladybird has not yet seen its breakfast, which is not far away. Where's "Charlie the aphid"? Can you spot it?
Today's bug is this pudgy green fella who's been living inside one of my sedums (petrosedums if you want to be picky). I've no idea what it is so I've confined it to a bug box for now and I'm hoping to try and keep it captive until it turns into a moth. It'll probably turn out to be one of the impossible to identify tiny beige moths again but you never know. June/July seems to be peak TBM time of year so don't expect any updates in a hurry.
Just an update to this: We have reached cocoon stage
If you can keep your head, while those around you are losing theirs, you may not have grasped the seriousness of the situation.
Mason Bees cavorting in front of my bug hotel. They really are present in large numbers but it is impossible to get them all sharp in one photo so I combined the best seven of about 100 images.
Is a big box a special but of kit or just the box you put your bugs in? @wild edgeswhen @Alan Clark2 in Liverpool your latest photo is one that I keep going back to look at again!
B3: This is the type of box. I removed the wire mesh at the bottom to insert cardboard tubes to provide more nesting space. I had lots bees using it last year when I put it up, and there are even more this year. www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01FMGTGKQ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
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They're all over the pulmonaria but ignoring the celandine and the primroses. I would have thought collecting pollen from the open flowers would have been easier. Quality over quantity maybe?
These ones may be too busy for breakfast...
@Alan Clark2 in Liverpool your latest photo is one that I keep going back to look at again!
B3: This is the type of box. I removed the wire mesh at the bottom to insert cardboard tubes to provide more nesting space. I had lots bees using it last year when I put it up, and there are even more this year.
www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01FMGTGKQ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1