Vegetable and Fruit Growing on an Allotment in Edinburgh
Thursday 19 March 2020
Bee Happy
I am so happy to see the queen bees emerging. First one spotted 15/2/20. For some reason they fly along the length of our garden and then bounce off our living room window before veering off randomly. That's how I know they are about again - the tapping on the window. Since Sunday they have appeared during warm spells as they search for a suitable nest site to start their new colony. This one, which I think is a Buff Tailed Bee, was snapped at the allotment today. They are hard to photograph. This picture is enlarged and actually rotated through 180 degrees (They are quite happy to feed upside down as the flower structure dictates) The flowers are those of a Bergenia - elephant ears. The plant has made a bid to escape a neighbouring plot and is taking over the common path.Thank goodness it is tolerated. Precious few plants are flowering just now. It is a bee goldmine.
Haha, bumblebees do bang into windows a lot, it's surprising they ever get to where they actually plan to go! Great song choice (I'll have to add that to my list!)
I saw a strange sight today as I was tipped off to watch for bees by this post. Four large carpenter bees (do you have them?) were flying in circles practicing social distancing. I've never seen more than one at a time before.
This will be a group of males on the lookout for a female and vying for position. Tree Bumblebees do the same and people worry that they are "swarming". The good news in both cases is that the males don't have stings!
I envy your Bergenias, Mal. I've planted a couple in my 'spring border' a couple of years ago but they've yet to get properly established among all the hellebores. It's lovely to start seeing bees - perfect timing here as the fruit trees are about to blossom. We've had sun here, but a vigorous chill wind so if that would just sort itself out, the bees can get to work!
Like most plants, if it finds somewhere it likes it goes from strength to strength. I now need to persuade some to accept transplantation so that the bees at home can benefit from them too.
Haha, bumblebees do bang into windows a lot, it's surprising they ever get to where they actually plan to go! Great song choice (I'll have to add that to my list!)
ReplyDeleteMaybe that's why they grow bristles???
DeleteNow that our fruit trees are coming into flower we’re going to need these little allies.
ReplyDeleteYou can't beat buzz pollination!
DeleteI saw a strange sight today as I was tipped off to watch for bees by this post. Four large carpenter bees (do you have them?) were flying in circles practicing social distancing. I've never seen more than one at a time before.
ReplyDeleteThis will be a group of males on the lookout for a female and vying for position. Tree Bumblebees do the same and people worry that they are "swarming". The good news in both cases is that the males don't have stings!
DeleteI envy your Bergenias, Mal. I've planted a couple in my 'spring border' a couple of years ago but they've yet to get properly established among all the hellebores. It's lovely to start seeing bees - perfect timing here as the fruit trees are about to blossom. We've had sun here, but a vigorous chill wind so if that would just sort itself out, the bees can get to work!
ReplyDeleteLike most plants, if it finds somewhere it likes it goes from strength to strength. I now need to persuade some to accept transplantation so that the bees at home can benefit from them too.
Delete