The bees is my bird house have all gone now. Can't wait to open it up to see what they'd been up to but then I wonder if I should just leave it alone in case they return? First time with bees in the garden so sorry for daft question! Just wouldn't want to do anything to harm or upset them.
A queen from that brood might return and start again, but not until next year, so if they've moved on you ought to be fine with having a look now - you can clear it out and leave it ready for the birds or the bees next year.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
The mega beehouse pictured is near Fuschl, in Salzkammergut, Austria at around 550 metres asl. *It was 'new' early last summer, so has now had a full year's occupation by various beasties! Look closely and you'll see that some of the drilled holes have been partly-closed up (mason bees, I think). A colony of Wood Ants have moved into the base layer with an annex to their nest. * I revisit the area at about the same time each summer, so I'll report on further developments in due course.
Thanks for your encouraging comments, Tootles & Jo47: I'm not too sure about 'competition' between species - the 'hotel' is in a public area with open access to a range of activities in a wooded/ meadow pasture setting. There's a timber-built, water-powered flour mill about 5 metres away - with twice weekly milling/ bread making demos between Easter - October!! These activities attract families/ holidaymakers from the nearby village of Fuschl. [The trackways are ideal for summer rambling and cross-country skiing; once snow reaches the valley!] In such naturalised surroundings it's ideally situated as a 'showpiece' of green thinking and probably arouses a lot of interest (and maybe imitation?).
These photos show more detail of the various portions or 'rooms' within the hotel. The last image is of a very much simpler shelter using readily available materials. The descriptive text & illustration panel nearby gives the names and basic 'lifestyle pointers' on key species that are likely to be attracted to such structures.
Posts
The bees is my bird house have all gone now. Can't wait to open it up to see what they'd been up to but then I wonder if I should just leave it alone in case they return? First time with bees in the garden so sorry for daft question! Just wouldn't want to do anything to harm or upset them.
A queen from that brood might return and start again, but not until next year, so if they've moved on you ought to be fine with having a look now - you can clear it out and leave it ready for the birds or the bees next year.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
I've not seen any in my bird house for a while, I'll be having a look inside mine too. If it is interesting, I'll post some pics!
It would be nice to see the inside of everybody's boxes to see what there is inside.
tee hee, but this Queen doesn't want to see anyone's box.
Hosta!!!
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
I was about to go find my special speculum...
The mega beehouse pictured is near Fuschl, in Salzkammergut, Austria at around 550 metres asl. *It was 'new' early last summer, so has now had a full year's occupation by various beasties! Look closely and you'll see that some of the drilled holes have been partly-closed up (mason bees, I think). A colony of Wood Ants have moved into the base layer with an annex to their nest. * I revisit the area at about the same time each summer, so I'll report on further developments in due course.
Yes please David! That's quite a hotel! Would love to see how it's used and how it ages.
Thanks for your encouraging comments, Tootles & Jo47: I'm not too sure about 'competition' between species - the 'hotel' is in a public area with open access to a range of activities in a wooded/ meadow pasture setting. There's a timber-built, water-powered flour mill about 5 metres away - with twice weekly milling/ bread making demos between Easter - October!! These activities attract families/ holidaymakers from the nearby village of Fuschl. [The trackways are ideal for summer rambling and cross-country skiing; once snow reaches the valley!] In such naturalised surroundings it's ideally situated as a 'showpiece' of green thinking and probably arouses a lot of interest (and maybe imitation?).
These photos show more detail of the various portions or 'rooms' within the hotel. The last image is of a very much simpler shelter using readily available materials. The descriptive text & illustration panel nearby gives the names and basic 'lifestyle pointers' on key species that are likely to be attracted to such structures.