I counted thirty from my chair on Sunday. They really were everywhere it was so wonderful to watch. I've been paying attention to the few plants we've added so far to the garden and ones we're planning for the future to favour ones that have the RHS "perfect for pollinators" trademark on or fall in their list on the website.
Took these in my beekeeping friend's garden at the weekend
I helped (well, just watched really) him catch this swarm, which was fascinating. They're really docile when they swarm (conserving food) so pretty harmless. He was picking up handfuls and throwing them into the box!
Apparently they really like Buddlea globosa, in which their little probosces can reach the nectar, unlike B davidii and the common cultivars.
I have a group on Facebook Gardening for the Honey Bees, Bumblebee. Butterfly if anyone is interested. I have added birds, Produce garden, & Recipes You are more than welcome to view & join if you wish.
Is it true that bees get drunk on pollen? I've seen a few looking a bit wobbly and a couple that looked almost asleep? How can you tell when a bee is asleep?
No, they don't get drunk but when they have a tummy full of nectar, they become quite docile. If you see one that looks wobbly it may just be dying or ill - an individual bee may not live very long, and some get diseases. All the male drones get pushed out of the hive to die off at the end of the season. I'm not sure if they actually sleep in the way we do.
Although they can go seven miles, they dont't normally go more than two or three miles from the hive - they'll go for whatever is nearest and most abundant in nectar. If they find any oil-seed rape, they will happily pig out on that and not look any further.
The popular plants with bees in our garden at the moment are various cotoneasters, sage, and the perennial geraniums (cranesbill-type). They bees are practically queuing up to get at the geraniums. The thing I really must get is a flowering shrub called abelia (there's a clue in the name) which bees really love.
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I counted thirty from my chair on Sunday. They really were everywhere it was so wonderful to watch. I've been paying attention to the few plants we've added so far to the garden and ones we're planning for the future to favour ones that have the RHS "perfect for pollinators" trademark on or fall in their list on the website.
Took these in my beekeeping friend's garden at the weekend
I helped (well, just watched really) him catch this swarm, which was fascinating. They're really docile when they swarm (conserving food) so pretty harmless. He was picking up handfuls and throwing them into the box!
Apparently they really like Buddlea globosa, in which their little probosces can reach the nectar, unlike B davidii and the common cultivars.
Actually, just looking at that last pic again, apart from the Red Admiral there are two bee-flies and the only actual bees are out of focus
Love that last pic steve, lovely one of the butterfly!
I have a group on Facebook Gardening for the Honey Bees, Bumblebee. Butterfly if anyone is interested. I have added birds, Produce garden, & Recipes You are more than welcome to view & join if you wish.
My brother is a bee keeper over here in Perth, Australia and found this natural bee hive hanging in a gum tree recently. Absolutely amazing!
That is a scary amount of bees Sandgroper, I think i'd wet myself if I came face to face with them! haha
That's splendid sandgroper. Better than a piece of sculpture
In the sticks near Peterborough
Is it true that bees get drunk on pollen? I've seen a few looking a bit wobbly and a couple that looked almost asleep? How can you tell when a bee is asleep?
No, they don't get drunk but when they have a tummy full of nectar, they become quite docile. If you see one that looks wobbly it may just be dying or ill - an individual bee may not live very long, and some get diseases. All the male drones get pushed out of the hive to die off at the end of the season. I'm not sure if they actually sleep in the way we do.
Although they can go seven miles, they dont't normally go more than two or three miles from the hive - they'll go for whatever is nearest and most abundant in nectar. If they find any oil-seed rape, they will happily pig out on that and not look any further.
The popular plants with bees in our garden at the moment are various cotoneasters, sage, and the perennial geraniums (cranesbill-type). They bees are practically queuing up to get at the geraniums. The thing I really must get is a flowering shrub called abelia (there's a clue in the name) which bees really love.