Glad to hear some are seeing bees alive and well..I myself have seen an alarming amount of dead bees, both in garden and walking. They seem to be just dropping everywhere. Unfortunately many folk in this area spray their lawns with weedkiller or similar. Haven't seen many bumbles either this year compared to others
Started planting wild flowers and other plants attractive to various bees about 3 years ago. A big difference in thye variety of bees and other insects not quite so welcome.
About 3 months ago I noticed a lot of activity around 1 of the nest boxes on our garage. A bit apprehensive at first as there have been wasps in there 2 years ago. Once they were identified as White Tailed Bumble Bees [Tree Bees],we tried to relax and pretend they were not there when going under the group of bees hovering overhead! Gradually 1 lot grew into big bees and were replaced by small bees. These then grew and dispersed into my garden and the wider bee-world!
They are or there are......bumble bees in the garden enjoying the abundence of nectar. They do occasionally dive-bomb you or perhaps just bump into you whilst flying from flower to flower. Rarely are there any bees around the nest box now so do not know if the Queen is still in residence.
I hoped to have guidance from the British Bee Association but the 2 people I spoke were rather abrupt and should NOT have been on the BBA list of people to telephone for advice! I was also lucky to find a friendly `Pest Control` man who told me what they were and what would happen next......very grateful for that info.
I ave noticed that there are fewer bees in my garden, my wall which has trellis, has honeysuckle, small open roses which have masses of flowers, jasmin, clemitis all in flower it should be buzzing but this year there are fewer bees around, the same can be said for butterflies.
Make sure you sign the petition to stop the reintroduction of a pester-sides that has already been banned, look up 38 degrees a ban is a ban on the internet, this is aimed at helping bees
I seem to have seen a few more bees this year, and some seem to be nesting under my eaves, as there are quite a number flying in and out.
I get very angry with my local Council. There is a large area of common land opposite my house. It used to be covered with brambles, willow herb, nettles and lots of other wild plants, flowers and grasses. A large number of people use it for dog walking, and started complaining to the Council about "the state it was in!" Now the Council send a large mower at frequent intervals to turn the land into a large field, which the dog owners love. All the flowers and seeding grasses which attracted bees, birds, butterflies and insects are mown down. Complaining is useless, as I am outnumbered by those who want a nice short lawn to walk Fido on. Grrrrrrrrrrr!
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Hi Victoria, I was thinking there's always grasses somewhere but I've never lived in a city and maybe they're not everywhere there.
Hawthorn and blackthorn for the Brimstone moth larvae
We've got a moth trap running
I'm hoping for large numbers and lots of species.
In the sticks near Peterborough
Yes I have seen less bees also I have never seen less ladybirds as I have this year, I have plenty of hover flies though.
Peter
Glad to hear some are seeing bees alive and well..I myself have seen an alarming amount of dead bees, both in garden and walking. They seem to be just dropping everywhere. Unfortunately many folk in this area spray their lawns with weedkiller or similar. Haven't seen many bumbles either this year compared to others
Plenty of ladybirds here but fewer bees than there should be.
Our cottoneaster used to be alive with bees of many varieties and sized but this spring just a handful.
They do seem to love the lanaria in our garden!
We have a colony of Bumble Bees!
Started planting wild flowers and other plants attractive to various bees about 3 years ago. A big difference in thye variety of bees and other insects not quite so welcome.
About 3 months ago I noticed a lot of activity around 1 of the nest boxes on our garage. A bit apprehensive at first as there have been wasps in there 2 years ago. Once they were identified as White Tailed Bumble Bees [Tree Bees],we tried to relax and pretend they were not there when going under the group of bees hovering overhead! Gradually 1 lot grew into big bees and were replaced by small bees. These then grew and dispersed into my garden and the wider bee-world!
They are or there are......bumble bees in the garden enjoying the abundence of nectar. They do occasionally dive-bomb you or perhaps just bump into you whilst flying from flower to flower. Rarely are there any bees around the nest box now so do not know if the Queen is still in residence.
I hoped to have guidance from the British Bee Association but the 2 people I spoke were rather abrupt and should NOT have been on the BBA list of people to telephone for advice! I was also lucky to find a friendly `Pest Control` man who told me what they were and what would happen next......very grateful for that info.
I ave noticed that there are fewer bees in my garden, my wall which has trellis, has honeysuckle, small open roses which have masses of flowers, jasmin, clemitis all in flower it should be buzzing but this year there are fewer bees around, the same can be said for butterflies.
Make sure you sign the petition to stop the reintroduction of a pester-sides that has already been banned, look up 38 degrees a ban is a ban on the internet, this is aimed at helping bees
I have signed an abundance of petitions for the protection of bees.
I believe David Cameron Himself is doing his bit for the bees! Bless!
Helping bees helps everyone.
Banning any kind of pesticide will help the bees and also humans who are affected by these poisons.
I seem to have seen a few more bees this year, and some seem to be nesting under my eaves, as there are quite a number flying in and out.
I get very angry with my local Council. There is a large area of common land opposite my house. It used to be covered with brambles, willow herb, nettles and lots of other wild plants, flowers and grasses. A large number of people use it for dog walking, and started complaining to the Council about "the state it was in!" Now the Council send a large mower at frequent intervals to turn the land into a large field, which the dog owners love. All the flowers and seeding grasses which attracted bees, birds, butterflies and insects are mown down. Complaining is useless, as I am outnumbered by those who want a nice short lawn to walk Fido on. Grrrrrrrrrrr!