Tag: Bumblebees

Posted in Allotment, nature

March Arrives like a Lion

Posted on by BITM

I’ve slowly started to emerge from hibernation now that Imbolc, the half way point between the Winter solstice and Spring equinox, (meaning ‘In the belly of the mother’- referring to the first stirrings of the years new growth) has passed; mirroring the snowdrops, winter aconites and hazel flowers (the first signs of the transition into the next season).

The scents of Daphne, Mahonia and Sarcococca fill the air alongside the arrival of other spring flowers; daffodils, cyclamen, crocus and hellebores. Willow (Salix) catkins are also opening while Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) blossoms fill the roadsides with glorious white clouds.

Although it has still been too early for most allotment activities, the rhubarb has been emerging on the plot for the last month. I still haven’t cut back perennials as I want to allow cover for beneficial insects such as sheltering ladybirds (Coccinellidae) until the weather makes their survival easier. Instead February is mainly a month for planning the forthcoming years growing (thinking about chitting potatoes and planning seed sowing). One job I have begun however is the indoor Sweet pea and Chilli seed sowing. This small step gives me hope that I will soon be able to sow other seeds soon.

Although I am beginning to think ahead, I am still fondly holding on to snuggly sofa moments such as reading and partaking in arts and crafts, especially on wet days.

Through the winter I still immersed myself in nature. In January I pruned my apple tree on the allotment, blessing and giving thanks through Wassailing. Although symbolic, it was a nice way to feel deeply connected to the plot. I am grateful to be a guardian over it and receive the abundance of fruit, veg and flowers in return.

I saw quite a few foxes (Vulpes vulpes) over the winter too, including one on the allotment. It was such a beautiful moment to watch it foraging under trees.

Once again, I took part in the RSPB Big Garden Bird Watch in January. The list of birds I saw this time were;
4 Long-tailed tits (Aegithalos caudatus)
5 Starlings (Sturnus vulgaris)
1 Blackbird (Turdus merula)
3 Wood pigeons (Columba palumbus)
5 Sparrows (Passer domesticus)
2 Blue tits (Cyanistes caeruleus)
1 Greenfinch (Chloris chloris)
1 Great tit (Parus major)
6 Magpies (Pica pica)
1 Gull (Larinae) and
1 Red kite (Milvus milvus)

There is a small group of Ring-necked Parakeet (Psittacula krameri) that visit a nearby tree of late but frustratingly they didn’t show up during the observation hour.

During February, bird song continued to fill the skies, growing in frequency and volume. Also occasionally insects have boldly buzzed and fluttered about on the odd sunny days. Butterflies I noticed were a Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni) and Peacock (Aglais io); the latter I saved from an abandoned spider web.
I have also seen bees visiting mahonia, crocuses and hellebores, especially queen bumblebees.

Last week, I was excited to find some Jelly ear fungus (Auricularia auricula-judae) for the first time. They were growing on a Buddleia bush. Although this fungus is usually associated with elder (Sambucus) it can also be found on other hard woods like sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus), ash (Fraxinus) and beech (Fagus) in damp shady conditions. Perhaps the fungus was thriving on the Buddleia, in the garden I visited, because of the recent weather as well as it being planted near a beech hedge.  Interestingly this fungus can continue to grow on dying wood that has been thawed, once frozen; hence it can survive really cold winters. The common name was given to this fungi because of how it looks and also its jelly-like texture.


Worryingly, it has been a very mild winter overall with lots of flooding occurring in Britain; certainly very different from last winter. So far the wet weather is continuing into March; hopefully the month will exit like a lamb and the roaring weather won’t continue too much in spring, as it will have an affect pollinators. We will have to see what the rest of 2024 has in store.

Posted in nature

Many Bird to See

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It’s hard to believe that it’s May already, the months are certainly rolling on quickly. I feel like I have only just left winter behind. The weather continues to be mixed with many heavy rain showers combined with thunder passing through. Temperatures have increased though with warmer sunny days reaching 18 degrees celsius, encouraging Tree (Bombus hypnorum) and Buff-tailed bumblebees (Bombus terrestris) to buzz about. I also noticed three Peacock (Aglais io) butterflies dancing around a couple of weeks ago; perhaps two males trying to attract a female? Plus I saw the first Holly blue (Celastrina argiolus) butterfly of the season as well.

Cherry blossom is blooming at the moment and Bluebells (Hyacinthoides non-scripta) are out in force too; it’s the height of their season which is quite a contrast from the beginning of the month when a few were slowly unfurling.

Birds are prominent at the moment as the dawn chorus is reaching its crescendo. Birdsong can be heard clearly throughout the day as I work in gardens. I have seen several House martins (Delichon urbicum) swoop past me. These summer visitors from Africa return to the same nests (made of mud) under ledges such as the eaves of houses or cliffs. I am very privileged to have seen so many lately as they are categorised red under the Birds of Conservation Concern 5: the Red List for Birds (2021) and therefore protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. They eat flying insects so living in a rural area no doubt helps. House martins can be distinguished from similar birds using the Wildlife Trusts information here. There is a call to help reverse the decline of House martins; advice on ways to help them can be found on the RSPB website.

Another bird I came across recently which I haven’t observed before is the Rook (Corvus frugilegu). Not as common as some other Corvids their UK conservation status is amber. Similar to Carrion crows (Corvus corone) they are identifiable by their off white beaks. Their diet varies from fruit, nuts and grain to invertebrates and worms. Rooks are sociable birds. Unlike Crows which are seen by themselves or in pairs, Rooks are often seen in groups, just like Jackdaws (Corvus monedula). Infact groups of Rooks and Jackdaws can be seen together; this is how I saw the Rooks, alongside Jackdaws in a busy carpark where humans often dropped scraps of food.

Several Robin (Erithacus rubecula) couples and even one bold male Blackbird (Turdus merula) have come inches away from me to feed and collect food for their young as I work in gardens over the past few weeks. I like to think of their broods back in the nests as I see them fly away with the unearthed bounty towards hedges and trees nearby.

On the 28th March I got to see an amazing spectacle. Two Buzzards (Buteo buteo) were being faught off by a couple of Red kites (Milvus milvus). The thermals aided one Buzzard to appear to briefly hover over some fir trees. I was working in an area with a woodland where Red kites nest. The buzzards (which I often see at the other end of the wood) had ventured over the the Kite territory. Maybe the Red kites were protecting some young or eggs? This I was unable to determin, however the kites were clearly concerned about having the Buzzards near their territory. It was unusual to witness the Red kites attack another bird usually they are the ones being warned away. I frequently see birds attacking kites when they venture too near a nest (even though they don’t predate young but scavange for food). It was lovely to hear the Buzzards calling to one another, an example of which can be heard on the RSPB website along with a picture for identification.

Buzzards are now the most common birds of prey in the UK, and widespread across the land inhabiting woodland, moorland and farmland areas (after a comeback from years of persecution). They are brown in colour and they are 51-57cm in length with a wingspan between 113-128cm. Along with being predators they will also scavenge; their diet consists of birds as well as small mammals and invertebrates. Hardly surprising then that the Red Kites didn’t want them in their territory if they had a brood.

Since then, I have seen other Buzzards in a few areas near roads along with a male Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus) by the road side (near to where I had already witnessed a female (see previous post- Daffodils in Snow).

These are not the only large birds that feature prominently in my life at the moment. I have also been keeping an eye on the Peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) nest at St Albans abbey. So far Alban and Boudica have three eggs yet to hatch. Incubation usually takes about a month (29-32 days) for each egg, so they are due to hatch beginning of May and fledge by the start of July. This is the pairs second breeding season. Peregrines pair for life and return to the same nest site each year. Alban mostly hunts (birds or rodents) but does incubate the eggs too, enabling boudica to hunt occasionally. The live cam to watch them is here.

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Worm Moon Shining

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The full moon in March, is commonly named the Worm moon in the UK as it coincides with the appearance of worm casts. Worm casts begin to appear as the soil warms up enabling worm activity on the top layers of soil. They are often the bain of those who love prestine lawns but easily dealt with by raking, to break them up before mowing (thus preventing small bare soil patches that encourages wild flower and moss growth). However, apart from this slight inconvenience for some, obviously worms are hugely beneficial creatures in nature. They help create a healthy soil ecosystem, aid the decomposition of organic matter, improve soil structure and increase available nutrients for plants.

In the UK there are 27 species of earthworm, which can be categorised into three types, Anecic, Endogeic and Epigeic. The latter are surface dwellers which breakdown vegetation lying on the ground. These small, usually red worms (or stripey in the case of Tiger worms- Eisenia fetida) are often seen in composts. The other two types of worm burrow. The most commonly seen in gardens are the Anecic worms (which pull leaves down into the soil). These large reddish brown worms are responsible for worm casts in lawns and burrow vertically while the paler coloured Endogeic worms burrow horizontally and live further down in the soil.  More information on earthworms can be discovered here on the Earthworm Society website.

Another notable date that occurred last week on the astronomical calender (in the northern hemisphere) was the Spring equinox. The moment in March when day and night length are equal and officially the first day of spring.  (Meteorologically this already occurred on the first of the month). Whichever date you prefer to observe as it’s start, Spring has definitely arrived here in the UK.

Nature seemed to celebrate the arrival of Spring with several days of unseasonably warm weather, together with the appearance of more butterflies, with Peacocks (Aglais io), Commas (Polygonia c-album) and yet more Brimstones (Gonepteryx rhamni) fluttering about, together with lots more bumblebees. So far I have seen lots of Buff-tailed bumblebee (Bombus terrestris) and a few Red-tailed bumblebees (Bombus lapidarius). Even Seven-spot ladybirds (Coccinella septempunctata) came out of hiding last week.

More trees are blossomimg too. Magnolias, Camellias, Forsythia, Gorse (Ulex) and Willows (Salix) are flowering now, joining the Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa). Plus yellow and green carpets of Lesser Celendine (Ficaria verna) have been popping up everywhere.

Posted in nature

Bees in Winter

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Honey bees (Apis mellifera) overwinter in hives, huddling round the queen to keep warm, occasionally venturing out on warmer days. Bumblebees (Bombus) on the other hand have an annual lifespan with new queens, having mated during the summer and autumn months, hibernating underground until spring when they can begin a new colony; also sometimes waking up too early on warm days and foraging.

However over the past 10 years, in urban areas of Southern England, a trend has been seen with certain bumblebee species.
Initially Buff-tailed bumblebees (Bombus terrestris), but since then Early bumblebees (Bombus pratorum) and Tree bumblebees (Bombus hypnorum) have begun to nest in winter rather than hibernate. Consequently winter flowering plants such as Mahonia and Winter Heathers (Erica), Winter honeysuckle (Lonicera fragrantissima), Winter aconite (Eranthis hyemalis), Hellebores (Helleborus) and Snowdrops (Galanthus) are garden essentials; enabling these bees to access pollen and nectar during the colder months.

Solitary bees on the other hand will survive throughout winter in burrows or cavities as eggs, with their own supply of nectar and pollen close to hand (as the adults don’t survive winter). These include Mining and Mason bees which emerge early in spring taking advantage of Willow (Salix), Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) and Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) in bloom. Leafcutter and Carder bees emerge later still. The one exception are Furrow bees; like Bumblebees, the female will hibernate during winter and lay eggs in spring.

I have noticed lots of Mahonias blooming over the last few weeks, their bright yellow flowers and perfume is wonderful to experience during dull days. Somehow the colour shines more vividly against grey skies.

Mahonia eurybracteata ‘Soft Caress’, a Mahonia without spiky leaves.
Mahonia x media

Another shrub that has been blooming recently is Viburnum farreri, it’s lovely scent wafting through the air too.

Posted in Allotment, nature

Witnessing the Solstice Dawn Arrive

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On the eve of the Summer solstice I love to go to sleep early with my curtains open so I can wake up naturally and see the sunrise; it helps me align with the seasons and appreciate nature in a different way. This year I awoke at 3:50am and immediately opened the window so I could enjoy the dawn chorus. Initially the predominant birdsong was that of Blackbirds (Turdus merula), occasionally punctuated by the calls from a Wood pigeon (Columba palumbus), a murder of very vocal Carrion crows (Corvus corone), along with a male Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) in the distance too. The crescendo came around 4:10am but it wasn’t until finally at 4:42am, when things had quietened, that I heard a few more birds singing. There was a lone Dunnock (Prunella modularis) and then a Greenfinch (Chloris chloris) at about 4:50am; followed much later by Blue tits (Cyanistes caeruleus) which I observed in the Rowan (Sorbus) tree nearby.

It’s interesting to notice an order to the bird song. Blackbirds are the first to be heard, almost like they are an alarm call for the other songbirds; clearly eager to catch the worms.

I also learnt another birdsong last week, heard around midday on Thursday. Hidden somewhere amongst the treeline next to a field, was a Common Whitethroat (Curruca communis); the song can be heard here on the RSPB website.

This warbler visits the UK from Southern Africa (from countries south of the Sahara) between April and October. Once the males arrive on these shores, they will establish territories and build nests for prospective partners (approximately ten to fourteen days before the females arrive).

These birds are about the same size as Great tits (Parus major) and named after the white plumage on their throats. Males can be differentiated from female due to their grey heads. They feed on insects as well as fruit and berries later in the year.

After being concerned that I wasn’t seeing many butterflies and ladybirds the previous week, last week
it finally became warm and sunny enough for them to venture out once again. It was lovely to witness a couple of Small tortoisehell butterflies (Aglais urticae) along with some bumblebees visit a Scabious plant in one garden.

Plus there was a loveliness of Seven-spot ladybirds (Coccinella septempunctata) at the allotment, hunting down on all the aphids which also appeared.

Posted in nature

The Mystery is Finally Solved

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At the beginning of the second lockdown I started walking different routes to explore my local neighborhood further. On one of these investigations, I came across a large tree that I didn’t recognise. I was intrigued as seed pods had remained on the branches throughout winter. I suspected that it was from the legume (Fabaceae) family and determined to eventually discover what tree it was.

Every so often I would check on its development, then about a month ago leaves began to appear but it was only in last week that the mystery was finally solved. On route to the allotment I noticed that beautiful scented flowers were hanging from the tree and the sound of lots of bees buzzing all over it was incredible. Finally I could identify it as a False acacia (Robinia pseudoacacia), a large hardwood tree which at full height can reach 25 meters.

The magnificent tree in full bloom.
The close up photo of the False acacia bark.

Named by Carl Linnaeus, Robinia was in honour of two Royal gardeners to Henry IV of France; Jean Robin (1550-1662) who was also a botanist, along with his son Vespasien Robin (1579-1662). Pseudoacacia was given to the tree because of the similarity of the leaves and spines (thorny growth on the shoots and young branches) to those of an Acacia; Pseudoacacia literally translates as False acacia.

The spines just about visible on the branch in the foreground.

The lime green pinnate leaves (containing 3-11 pairs of leaflets) will turn yellow in autumn, so the tree has interest later in the year too.

Close up of the aromatic flowers against the pinnate leaves.

However that is where the similarity stops as Acacias are part of the Mimosa (Mimosoideae) family. In fact this tree, as I suspected, is from the legumes (Fabaceae) family. The flowers and seed pods resemble those of peas and beans plus the roots have nitrogen fixing nodules. In some countries, like South Africa and Australia, suckering roots can lead it to become invasive.

The scent coming from the flowers was similar to orange blossom and very obvious from a distance as I walked towards it. The White Flowers, with a hint of yellow at the base hang down in groups (racemes) and appear in May and June.

One if the many visiting bumblebees enjoying the nectar and pollen from this tree.
Posted in nature

Amazing Auburn Beauty Spotted

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Annual honesty (Lunaria annua), Shepherd’s purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris) and Hedge garlic (Alliara petiolata) were all blooming last week, which is great for the increasing numbers of pollinators I saw flying around.

Some flowers began to open up on a Crab apple (Malus spectabilis) I saw in in one garden too.

As alluded to above, more insects were prominent throughout last week compared to earlier in the month. I saw my first male Orange-tip butterfly (Anthocharis cardamines) and undisturbed Seven-spot ladybirds (Coccinella septempunctata) of the year.
Yet more species of bee were buzzing about too; I observed female Early bumblebees (Bombus pratorum) one Hairy-footed flower (Anthophora plumipes) bee queen, along with several female Red-tailed (Bombus lapidarius) bumblebees.
A great Bumblebee ID guide can be viewed at Blooms for Bees; this website also includes ways to encourage bees into your garden.

Then on Thursday, as I was clearing wildflower seedlings from a path, I noticed a beautiful redhead resting next to me.

This photo doesn’t do the vibrant colouration of this bee justice.

I recognized it was a bee but was initially unsure of the species. Upon further investigation, via Google lens, I discovered it was a female Tawny mining bee (Andrena fulva).

Given the place I saw the bee, I was unable to locate it’s nest, in fact it may have flown in from another garden anyway. Their burrow is usually located in lawns (sometimes flower beds); identifiable from a mound of earth with a hole at the top for the entrance. Often described as having a volcano like appearance it can be differentiated from ants nests which are flatter and have no distinguishable hole at the summit. After several weeks these mounds are no where to be found, so they can be left undisturbed without any worry of damage to lawns.

These solitary bees (which do not sting) can be seen between April and June in gardens and parkland as well as along the edges of fields and orchards.

The appearance of these beautiful bees coincides with the flowing of Cherry (Prunus), Pear (Pyrus), Hawthorn (Crataegus), Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa), Maple (Acer), Willow (Sallows) and Apple (Malus) trees, along with other plants such as Buttercups (Ranunculus) and Dandelions (Taraxacum). Nectar and Pollen from these blooms is collected for the bee larvae that develop in the nest beneath the ground. Once the young become pupa, they continue to hibernate through winter to eventually emerge the following spring.

Males are smaller than the female Tawny bees and are a dull brown colour. They do not take any part in creating nests or rearing the young, the females will undertake these jobs alone.

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Tolkien’s Words of Wisdom are Still Appropriate.

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Last week ended with a wonderful announcement in the news, the Great fox-spider (Alopecosa fabrilis), presumed extinct since 1993, has been refound alive (see the BBC News report). This highlights, both the amazing work undertaken by naturalists, as well as the importance of protecting wildlife and their habitats.

As an amateur naturalist and gardener, I haven’t undertaken such groundbreaking work but I try to do my bit whenever and wherever I can. I think of J.R.R. Tolkien’s quote ‘Even the smallest person can change the course of the future.’ from The Fellowship of the Ring (The Lord of the Rings trilogy) in these moments. We can all play a small part in saving nature’s wonderful diversity so that it has a future.

With this at the forefront of my mind I think back to one small act I hope made a difference last week. I noticed a female Common carder bee (Bombus pascuorum), identified by the white hairs on the sides of its thorax. It isn’t unusual to see these females fly this late in the season, (possibly a new queen getting ready for hibernation before starting a new nest in spring). However the one I saw was very still; I was concerned it was worn out and required help so I gathered some Verbena bonariensis and Salvia flowers to revive it. Thankfully my instinct was probably correct because it fed from the nectar contained within the posy I laid next to it.

Along with some cultivated plants, a few wild flowers were still blooming, Red clover (Trifolium pratense) and Yarrow (Achillea millefolium). Even though the latter flowers through to November, Red clover usually only blooms until October. The Common carder bee feeds from the Red clover flowers along with Honeybees (Apis mellifera) and Red-tailed bumblebees (Bombus lapidarius).

I also learnt some new fungi last week. The Golden waxcap (Hygrocybe chlorophana) which grows on grassland.

This fungi is on red list for threatened fungi in some European countries such as poland and Switzerland but not in the UK

Plus the other fungi I noticed, the Shaggy scalycap (Pholiota squarrosa) at the base of a tree stump.

This is often found next to broadleaf trees stumps, particularly beech (Fagus), and occasionally spruces (Picea) between August and November. 
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Further Easing into Summer

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I am constantly amazed by the natural world. Last week I saw something that, as a gardener, I’m surprised I’ve never noticed before. A few White-tailed bumblebees (Bombus lucorum) flew to and from a nest in a wall, via the damp proofing brickwork, of an old house. What I wasn’t expecting to see were the blue pollen baskets.

I had never thought of pollen as anything other than varying shades of yellow. After researching this I found that different coloured pollen often shows up in nests and hives. Charts have been produced enabling beekeepers to identify which flowers their bees have visited by the colour and shade of the pollen found. The most likely candidates in this instance, given the time of year and dark blue shade, is Purple tansy (Phacelia tanacetifolia), see the North Shropshire Bee Keepers Association website.

Phacelia is loved by bees. These photos are from a neighbouring allotment plot.

As well as Phacelia other flowers currently blooming include;

– Hedge woundwort (Stachys sylvatica),

– Pineappleweed (Matricaria discoidea),

A close up view of Pineappleweed. When crushed, the flowers have a refreshing pineapple scent.

– Stinking iris also called Roast-beef plant (Iris foetidissima),

This plant has two colour variations. It thrives in shady areas.

– Scarlet pimpernel (Anagallis arvensis) and

– Pyramidal orchid (Anacamptis pyramidalis)

This orchid is attractive to butterflies and moths.

Birds are particularly noticeable at this time of year as they feed youngsters and defend territories. Last week I was able to listen to Song thrush (Turdus philomelos), Chiff chaff (Phylloscopus collybita), Robin (Erithacus rubecula) Great spotted woodpecker (Dendrocopos major) and Swifts (Apus apus).  I saw the Swifts’ arial display as they soared and dived in the distance while I ate lunch last Wednesday. They were too high and quick for me to identify visually but their vocalisations gave them away. The Swifts’ call can be heard on the RSPB website.

Ladybirds continued to show up last week, but mostly the Seven-spot ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata).

Eventually, the weather turned and rain finally arrived by Friday. It has been much needed and continued throughout the weekend. It was fantastic to watch thunder and lightening from the comfort of my sofa on Saturday afternoon.

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Early Transition into Summer.

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Last week began with Spring bank holiday monday. I went for a socially distant walk around the village with my partner. Thankfully he was very patient as I constantly stopped to take photos with my phone.

There were lots of sights and sounds to observe and it really felt like a summers day (which aren’t far off). Some I have noticed for a while like Orange-tip Butterflies (Anthocharis cardamines), Red-tailed bumblebees (Bombus lapidarius), Skylarks (Alauda arvensis), Red kites (Milvus milvus) and House sparrows (Passer domesticus).

Yet amongst the Elderflowers (Sambucus nigra) and Brambles (Rubus fruticosus), which are blooming at this time of year,

These flowers are great for making Elderflower cordial.
Looks like there will be lots of Blackberries this year.

were many more plants flowering too. The explosion of colour within our countryside is fantastic for pollinators. One insect I saw on Mondays walk, in a field busily pollinating Buttercups (Ranunculus), was the False oil beetle (Oedemera nobilis). This very small beetle is a vibrant metallic green colour. When it’s wings glistened in the sun, they changed from mid to light green.

Unfortunately this is the best photo I managed to get of this tiny beetle.

Upon my return to work, I noticed other insects flying about. Several small tortoiseshell Butterflies (Aglais urticae) were too quick for me to photograph, however I did capture Common carder bees (Bombus pascuorum) on Common comfrey (Symphytum officinale) and

a Cream Spot Ladybird (Calvia quattuordecimguttata)

Once again, another ladybird determined to get my attention by falling on my sunglasses while I wore them.

The Cream Spot ladybird has fourteen spots and survives winter in tree bark and Beech masts. Although it is usually found amongst hedgerows rather than gardens.

Wildflowers that were in full bloom last week were;

-Purple toadflax (Linaria purpurea),

-Field scabious (Knautia arvensis),

– Common stork’s-bill (Erodium cicutarium),

This plant is a good food source for Brown argus Butterfly (Aricia agestis) caterpillars, along with Meadow and Dove’s-foot Crane’s-bills (mentioned below). This butterfly is often found in southern chalk and limestone grassland but it can also inhabit places with disturbed soil like verges and coastal areas. In fact this plant was found on disturbed soil edging a field.

-Meadow crane’s-bill (Geranium pratense),

-Creeping cinquefoil (Potentilla reptans),

-Common poppy (Papaver rhoeas),

-Dove’s-foot Crane’s-bill (Geranium molle),

-Field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis),

-Common mallow (Malva sylvestris),

-Creeping woodsorrel (Oxalis corniculata),

-Birds-foot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus) and

-White clover (Trifolium repens).

Found amongst lawns, this is a wonderful food source for the Common blue butterfly (Polyommatus icarus) and some bumblebees

Recent weather conditions have caused dryness within nature that normally exists during summertime. Water is already required and talk of conserving water has already begun to help prevent restrictions later in the year. I shall be interested to see how nature deals with this early warm dry weather, especially with less human disturbance due to lockdown. Will it be another great year for butterflies? I look forward to discovering more as we spring into summer.