As others have said the bee fly - bee balance is not a problem. The main impact on our bumbles is habitat loss, that overwhelms anything else and is not a natural cycle.
Hi, re the duck eggs, the female will keep laying until she has enough for a brood - she won't start sitting until then - that way they will all start developing at the same time and hatch at the same time.
If she started sitting when she started laying (as birds of prey and owls do) the chicks would hatch at intervals - this is a good strategy for them as in times when prey is scarce the older chicks will cannibalise the younger - whereas with ducks they all need to hatch out at the same time so the mother can take them all to the nearest water.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
The Bee flies are more common in high temperature areas of the world such as the Med if I remember correctly. Not that I've noticed high temps in kent, although the experts tell us Britain is warmer, and they especially like Primulas at this time of year, the Bees that is...not the experts.
One fascinating fact I read is that they deposit their eggs into solitary bee nests in the ground by doing a fly pass and plopping it in the hole. Way to go Bee fly!
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But then it will all swing back the other way steephill. It's been going on for thousands of years
In the sticks near Peterborough
As others have said the bee fly - bee balance is not a problem. The main impact on our bumbles is habitat loss, that overwhelms anything else and is not a natural cycle.
I am confused, when you say bee fly, do u mean hover fly?
I have seen many bees on my ribes flowering currant.
And the holes of solitary bees in the borders.
I am finding duck eggs!!!!---- yes duck eggs from the mallards that visit my
garden every day. She is nots
Hi
To continue last post, which just went!!!! sorry!.
she is not sitting on them, just laying and leaving.
They, 2 drakes and the lady visit each morning,
.along with the black bird and her 2 chicks.
well i did plant a wildlife garden!
http://www.wildlifeinformation.co.uk/recording_datarequest_beeflies.php
One of these Patty. Looks like a bee with a pointy nose.
I get occasional visits from mallards but I've never been left an egg. Have to ask nicely then perhaps I will
In the sticks near Peterborough
Hi
Thank you nutcutlet & hollie hock, for prompt reply.
I will certainly look out for them, they are so nice.
As for the duck eggs i used to keep ducks, and i loved the eggs,
but dont know how old these are?
Hi, re the duck eggs, the female will keep laying until she has enough for a brood - she won't start sitting until then - that way they will all start developing at the same time and hatch at the same time.
If she started sitting when she started laying (as birds of prey and owls do) the chicks would hatch at intervals - this is a good strategy for them as in times when prey is scarce the older chicks will cannibalise the younger
- whereas with ducks they all need to hatch out at the same time so the mother can take them all to the nearest water. 
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
The Bee flies are more common in high temperature areas of the world such as the Med if I remember correctly. Not that I've noticed high temps in kent, although the experts tell us Britain is warmer, and they especially like Primulas at this time of year, the Bees that is...not the experts.
One fascinating fact I read is that they deposit their eggs into solitary bee nests in the ground by doing a fly pass and plopping it in the hole. Way to go Bee fly!