With an increase in sunnier moments last week the more life is seemed to come out to enjoy the sun’s rays. Amidst these strange times I am especially glad I can enjoy nature therapy. In particular seeing Bumblebees flying around makes me smile. Along with several Buff-tailed Bumblebees (Bombus terrestris), I also saw a Hairy-footed flower bee (Anthophora plumipes) last Wednesday.
In fact Wednesday was a very productive day for sightings. I saw my first lacewing (Neuroptera) of the season, which was hitching a ride in the van. I also saw a couple of 7-spot ladybirds (Coccinella septempunctata) amongst some Heuchera.
Last week was great for counting frogs (Rana temporaria) too. On Wednesday there were seven attempting to remain shaded by a pile of scaffolding boards in a garden attached to a new build development. Consequently the frogs were moved to a quieter area so that access could be gained to the garden. Even on Thursday, as I worked next to a pond, I observed tadpoles emerge; It was fascinating to see the process unfold. I couldn’t count the total number of tadpoles but the pond was full of them as well as frogspawn; as it had been the previous year. Plus I even found a frog on the allotment.
As well as amphibians and insect sightings, further flowers blooming were,
Glory of the snow (Chionodoxa luciliae)
Anemone apennina and
Two-leaf squill, also called Alpine squill (Scilla bifolia)
Bee in the Moment 