Out of their Mines, come the Mining Bees

 We are just running into a another patch of fine weather, and I am taking advantage by getting outside again, trying to bathe my pale face in vitamin D, and ease my Tourette tics. 

The last few weeks, we've mainly had bumbles and honeybees on the wing, with only hairy footed flower bees being the other bees in flight, doing their ferocious zig-zag flights around the red dead nettle and green alkanet. 

But yesterday and today, mining bees have appeared. The sappy leaves of a shrub at work attracted grey patched mining bees and chocolate mining bees, while today at the library gardens, a stunning tawny mining bee paused for a brief rest on a clump of alkanet.

There was a bonus today too, the first common carder bumblebee of the year was looking for a nest hole among the grasses. 

Tomorrow will be warmer, and perhaps I might even find a butterfly. 

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 29.03.25

From Bumbles to Honeys

 As well as bumblebees, obviously the brighter weather has seen plenty of honey bees on the wing, with orange saddlebags full of crocus pollen!

This is my favourite time of the year. 

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 08.03.25

Bumblebees are Up!

 January was endless, February seemed endlessly grim. Not a lot to see anywhere as cold weather and grey skies seemed to set in for weeks on end. The early emergences of early January seemed to stall. 

The last few days however, have seen a return of actual springlike conditions; sunlight and a smidgen of warmth have returned. I feel like I have returned too, with more enjoyment in the outside once again as I seek to burn out the endless Tourette energy.

And at the same time, we have seen an explosion in light and colour. 

Today I wish to concentrate on one species. The better conditions have brought the the return of the big, busy and buzzy buff tailed bumblebee queens, that have been loving pollen bathing in the colourful crocus carpets we now have in the town's green spaces. 

Particularly impressive has been their beep buzzing noise they make when they lumber into the air after feeding, like an overladen World War 1 aircraft.

I hope you are enjoying seeing them on the wing too!

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 04.03.25