Bluebells and Bumblebees

[Colin Miles]

I know that bluebells are supposed to be a woodland flower, but this year the roadside verges are ablaze with them - reminiscent of the glades of Ashridge! Miles and miles of them.

And 2 years ago my hedges were a mass of honey bees - one passing woman knocked to say we had a wasps nests! This is an apparently rural area!! Last year not many bees. This year the hedges are alive with Bumblebees of all varieties, easily outnumbering the honey bees and other insects. So maybe plant pollination won't be such a problem if the bees have increasing problems.

[Monika]

Colin, I've been looking out for bees lately and have seen very few, but lots of bumble bees, like you. We have three very large bird cherries (Prunus padus) growing near us. They are in flower at the moment and are usually buzzing with honey bees, but not this year. We have two bee keepers not far from us and I must ask them how they are faring, because it really doesn't look very positive from here.

[Chantal]

I've only seen two honey bees so far this year. Lots of bumbles, some of them absolutely huge and also a fair few wasps.

[Monika]

Apparently, one of our local bee keepers has lost two thirds of his hives this winter. No wonder there not many bees about here.

[heyjude]

My husband lost all four of his hives, in spite of them looking strong and healthy at the beginning of winter, and I haven't seen a honey bee yet this year. Plenty of bumbles and the masonry bees are all round the nest box but not a honey bee to be seen. Very sad.

[vivienz]

I know it's a week on, but we have a ceanothus in full bloom in the back garden and if you stand nearby & close your eyes, you'd think you were standing next to a couple of bee hives! We've got plenty of bumble bees around too, but loads of lovely honey bees as well. I know that a lady down the road from us keeps bee hives, so perhaps they're wandering up from there.
Vivien

[Geoff]

The bluebell woods round us are fabulous. As everything has come out together the bluebells are mixed up with the whites of stitchwort, ransomes and wood anemones which makes them look even better.