A few bumblebees but not as many as last year (I did have a bumblebee nest in the eaves of my house which we left alone though and another nest of them in a birds nest box!) Not many honeybees apart from seeing a travelling swarm for the 2nd year running. I have noted that some of the bumblebees for the last few years have been extremely tiny. Quite a few hover flies, moths and lots of cabbage white butterflies plus the occasional painted lady butterfly. And I was thrilled to see a huge dragonfly yesterday
They've just returned and are now on the Agastache Black adders. At the end of June - mid July they are busy on the flowering Privets, Lime trees (linden/tilia) & Lavender hedges nationwide.
More bees than I can shake a stick at. Seems a lot more than last year but then I have been out in the garden more this year so perhaps I have imagined that. But loads and loads. Not many butterflies but then I never have had many in any garden. Perhaps they are scarcer here in Scotland than down south.
'Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement' - Helen Keller
Yes, I trimmed back the linaria last week and it's already starting to bloom again. It's new to me. What a great plant!
I'm slowly working out which plants for wildlife are going to be best. There have been some good experiments his year. I'm aware that the zzzy things I notice are generally the bigger types. Tiny gnats, flies, beetles are important too. I'm trying to pay attention to those too. I can't say that I would be delighted with a glut of horseflies.
I did have lots of bees early June but have noticed this last week there are only a few around and I still have lots of flowers in bloom. No ladybirds at all though.
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