Pollen Baskets !!!

[MartinL]

Out in the garden today and spotted our bees flying.
Nothing strange there, BUT they were returning with pollen!

There are a few flowers around, the primroses are early but I was surprised to see just how much pollen the hive are bringing back. It really could be deadly for them if the queens laying gets going too early and then the cold weather hits us.

Anyone else noticed their wildlife moving into a premature Spring?

[Geoff F]

Have seen the occasional Bombus terrestris queen and a few Episyrphus balteatus hoverflies, plus one Green Shieldbug. No Eristalis tenax yet though, and they are usually one of the first for me.

Possibly a little early but not too exceptional in the far south where I am.

And a friend who keeps honey bees also remarked that some have already started foraging.

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by MartinL

Out in the garden today and spotted our bees flying.
Nothing strange there, BUT they were returning with pollen!

There are a few flowers around, the primroses are early but I was surprised to see just how much pollen the hive are bringing back. It really could be deadly for them if the queens laying gets going too early and then the cold weather hits us.

Anyone else noticed their wildlife moving into a premature Spring?

In recent years it's not be unusual for colonies of Bombus terrestris to function through the winter in parts of the south. In recent winters (apart from last winter when there was a severe December) I've seen small numbers of foraging workers throughout the winter in my garden.

[Kayleigh]

My winter shrub honeysuckle is covered in tiny white flowers..

[Geoff F]

This is certainly a strange winter for flowers. My camellia is in full bloom and I even have a few potentilla flowers.

The Mahonia is flowering well and usually attracts a few early bees and hoverflies but I think it has been too wet here recently.